Blogs can be the most insightful and rich source of free information in the Googlesphere. But there are a lot of them out there. In fact, Google told me today that there were 505 million blogs in the world in 2018. Within that daunting figure, voice over blogs are a narrow niche. For voice over seekers some blog posts answer questions about our industry. For voice artists, following blogs are a convenient way to gain insight into voice over craft, marketing and technology of our industry. VO blogs rich in content can save you time and money, improve your workflow and performance.
I regularly post myself and peruse the content of some of my confreres. To find out what’s new and what’s hot. To join in on great conversations. If you’re an industry veteran, I don’t need to harp on the value of staying current in the voiceover industry and taking part in discussions about issues of import. You get it. Whether you’re deep in, or on the fringes of the industry, treat yourself. Pick one or two, or all ten of these bloggers and check them out. Dive into their back blogs.
Here is my list of Top 10 voice over blogs (alphabetical). I’m going to post two a day this week, otherwise the blog post would be WAY to hefty and would take forever to get through, so check back in. This way, 2 of the VO Top Bloggers a day, it’s a bite-sized snack of getting to know some of the best writers of voice work in the biz. Click the hyper links in their answers to check out samples of their blogs.
Based on my sources of inspiration with a few recommendations thrown in from my inner circle, I asked these bloggers the same questions and their answers are wide and varied. I loved hearing the contrast & compare & the insight into the people behind the blogs. At the end of this Top 10 reveal, if I’ve missed someone you have found to be particularly useful, please let me know in the Comments below.
Voice Over Artist J. Michael Collins
J. Michael Collins is one of the beloved, trusted names in our business. A talented voice over artist, successful businessman, consummate professional and generous soul, when J. Michael speaks, people listen.
J. Michael, why do you blog about voice over?
I blog because I believe there are issues in the voice over industry that affect all of us, and that by discussing them we can help rose together as a community.
Do you have a theme to your blogs or do you wait for inspiration to strike?
I wait for inspiration to strike. Most of my articles are conceived and written in less than an hour based upon industry happenings.
What are your favorite kinds of blogs to write about?
Uplifting topics, reminding talent that while things aren’t perfect, they are a lot better than the doomsayers would have you believe.
What kinds of blogs have you noticed get the most attention or feedback?
You might think it would be the controversial ones, but I find I get the most attention and feedback from inspirational blogs that take a practical but positive look at the industry. This gives me hope.
Do you have anything (else) you’d like them to know about your blog in particular or your (philosophy and) approach to the industry?
My blog and my personal approach reflect a perspective of abundance in the voice over business. Too often today we hear from those who advocate a perspective of scarcity…..scarcity of jobs, of pay, of ethics. We all have to be vigilant against the dangers and predators that confront our industry, but we should never lose sight of the fact that there is more work than ever before, and there are just as many parts of VO where pay is rising as where it is falling or stagnating. If it seems like the sky is falling where you are, stand somewhere else.
Other blogs I recommend? Marc Scott, Paul Strikwerda, Laura Schreiber, and of course Kim Handysides – Thanks, JMC 🙂
Voice Over Artist Dave Courvoisier
Longtime voice over artist, newly retired from a fabulous television news anchor career in Vegas, co-founder and one of the big force majeures behind WOVO, Dave Courvoisier is a down-to-earth wealth of insight and info into VO.
Dave, why do you blog about voice over?
What inspired me back in 2007 was simply looking for a way to journal online about my growing voiceover business. That way I’d know where to go if I wanted to remember this helpful site, or that useful tip. Now, I blog because I enjoy it, I have subscribers who depend on me (I think), and it helps me build a bank of goodwill within the community.
Do you have a theme to your blogs or do you wait for inspiration to strike?
The direction is to provide helpful information the everyday voice actor can use in his/her business. The theme is to provide relevant information that helps voice actors of all levels of proficiency to be better voice actors and freelance businesspeople. I occasionally get inspiration, or see and share a new piece of information that has not yet appeared in online forums. But overall, my mind is working in the background all during my waking hours in a constant awareness of ideas that could be adapted to help voice actors. Often, I’ll get clues from other freelance professionals (writers, photographers, graphic artists, etc.) on topics they’ve written for their community. I’ve rarely struggled to find ideas to create 3-4 fresh blogs every week.
What are your favorite kinds of blogs to write about?
New products, new online tools, services for freelancers, and interviews. I like to work on articles that inspire and encourage. I like sharing new information from my constantly trolling the internet for new ideas. I regularly write opinion pieces about trends I see damaging our community’s professional status or compensation rates. Coming from a perspective of experience, and (frankly) age, I have assumed a role of marketplace critic/commentator that I believe benefits especially newer VO professionals who need to be aware that they have a responsibility to uphold our shared community standards; something that has grown into being a founder of World-Voices Organization (with 3 others) to advocate for the voiceover profession.
What kinds of blogs have you noticed get the most attention or feedback?
Articles that reveal secrets of marketing, job-finding, client-relations, and freelance common-sense. Also popular are “list” articles for voice over. My most-read blogs include an interview with a Craigslist expert, a list of royalty-free music and sound-effects sites, and admissions of bare-faced personal honesty and transparency. There’s a lot of “success posing” among professionals. Voice actors love it when someone speaks authentically and openly about their trials and failures.
Do you have anything (else) you’d like us to know about your blog in particular?
It’s constant. Several fresh articles/week. I enjoy the discipline of writing, and often an article is fairly short (catering to attention spans). People tell me they read my blog with coffee every morning. I like sharing new stuff I find on the internet that others haven’t yet seen. I try to make the blog visually appealing, and easy to reach. Most of all, I really work to make it VO-specific as a helpful tool for others voice actors.
Who would I recommend?
Paul Strikwerda, who is a fellow journalist, friend, and astute thought-influencer for our business. Kim Handysides who always has helpful insights. (Thanks Dave!)
Circle on back tomorrow for Pt 2 of my Top 10 Voice Over blogs to follow. Can you guess who’s next?