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journalist

Top Ten Voice Over Blogs to Follow – Laura Schreiber

blogs

Running your own business as a voice over artist means taking care of your craft, your equipment, your marketing, your finances and staying on top of industry trends. Learning from others who are doing well in the the voice arts is a great way to stay abreast of what works and what doesn’t. I regularly check out blogs of some of the cream of the crop in our industry. Now anyone can talk can blog, but not everyone creates insightful content worthy of my (or your) time. Earlier this year,  I began my Top Ten Voiceover Blogs to Follow list and released interviews with people on the list.

Released in alphabetical order, we’ve so far heard from J Michael Collins, Dave Courvoisier, Bill DeWees, Anne Ganguzza, Debbie Grattan and Paul Strikwerda. Next on my list is the talented Laura Schreiber. Full disclosure, Laura happens to be one of my dearest friends, but she is also a wicked smart, with a generous heart and a delightful sense of humor. She and I often have long discussions about multiple business aspects of the voice over industry and the particular energy it takes to have a successful work-life balance when your sound studio and office are in your house.

 

Voice Over Artist Laura Schrieber

 

Voice Artist Laura Schreiber

Laura, why do you blog about voice over?

 

First, I genuinely want folks to get to know me. Whether they be current clients, potential clients, or industry friends, I wear my heart on my sleeve and want them to know how I tick. Next, I think it is a great way to be part of the dialogue in an industry I am very passionate about. Lastly, sometimes a gal just needs to vent! I have actually never journaled, but I now find my weekly blogs quite cathartic.

 

Do you have a theme to your blogs or do you wait for inspiration to strike?

Every week is different. Sometimes I am inspired by something that happened on a booking or with a client that week. Sometimes I find inspiration in something that I read in the paper or saw on the news. I, love so many voiceover actors, am in a lot of online Facebook groups. Often something comes up in a chat that will get me thinking as well.

 

What are your favorite kinds of blogs to write about?

My favorite blogs are the most personal ones which sometimes have little to do with my actual craft, but have a lot to do with why I am the way I am or why I do what I do or about something moving that has happened.

 

What kinds of blogs have you noticed get the most attention or feedback?

The blogs that get the most feedback are either the ones that stir the pot or the ones that represent something of value to the industry as a whole. My most read and shared blog ever was my “Top Reasons to Avoid Cheap VoiceOver” post. I wrote a blog about business cards called “Voiceover Actors Ideal Business Cards” which I spent so much time fixating on and this blog meant so much to me and it got very little attention.

 

Do you have anything else you’d like us to know about your blog in particular?

Well, I never thought that I would blog and I have to say that I am really into it now. I particularly love finding images and creating videos for the blog. I was the co-Editor-in-Chief of my high school year book and my weekly search for images gives me the same sense of satisfaction that the yearbook work did with a lot less aggravation! (Sorry Jordy!)

 

 

Filed Under: blogs Tagged With: journalist, Laura Schreiber, sound studio, voice over, voiceover actors, voiceover artist, voiceover bloggers, voiceover blogs, voiceover craft

Top 10 Voiceover Blogs to Follow – Paul Strikwerda

blogs

There are a lot of balls to juggle in running your own business as a voice over artist. Staying on top of industry trends and learning from others who are doing well in the the voice arts is one of those spheres. I regularly check out blogs (and podcasts & vlogs) of some of the cream of the crop in our industry. Now anyone can talk can blog, but not everyone creates insightful content worthy of my (or your time). Earlier this year,  I began my Top Ten Voice Over Blogs to Follow list and released interviews with people on the list.

Released in alphabetical order, we’ve so far heard from J Michael Collins, Dave Courvoisier, Bill DeWees, Anne Ganguzza and Debbie Grattan. Next is the incomparable Paul Strikwerda and his blog “Nethervoice.” Another heart-of-gold voiceover industry gem, Paul works in his native Dutch, English (as an ex-pat European living in the US) and occasionally German. He is the author of “Making Money in your PJs” a book rich with insight about freelancing as a voiceover artist, geared for beginners and industry veterans alike.

Voice Over Artist Paul Strikwerda

Paul Strikwerda
Voiceover Artist Paul Strikwerda

Paul, why do you blog about voice over?

I blog to stir the pot and push the envelope by pointing out what others see but are too afraid to address: mistreatment by clients, the cheapening of the industry, and willful ignorance and laziness from newbies. I realize that I cannot change people’s minds, but I can entice my readers to think.

Do you have a theme to your blogs?

My ultimate goal is to enhance professionalism and critical thinking in our field. Many things inspire me. I draw from personal experience as a voice talent, life coach, and former journalist. I follow discussions in our community closely, and add my voice whenever I feel frustrated, angry, disappointed, or excited. Because my blog has a huge following and people trust me, I receive tips from colleagues that can lead to stories.

Do you plan it out or wait for inspiration to strike?

Throughout the week I keep notes on everything that strikes me, and usually a theme appears on Wednesday when I start writing. I love writing about what goes on between our ears. The psychology of success. About what moves and motivates people. What holds them back? What helps them overcome obstacles? Those topic are relevant to any freelancer, and that’s why I have many subscribers who are creative professionals, but not necessarily voice talents.

What are your favorite kinds of blogs to write about?

The controversial ones. Those are the stories where I take a stand and rock the boat of an established voice casting site, or I criticize an awards show. It’s the articles where I take on the establishment and ruffle a few feathers. Many emperors in voiceoverland are wearing very little clothes, and I’m the little kid watching the parade pointing that out. Sometimes I get spanked for opening my mouth.

What kinds of blogs have you noticed get the most attention or feedback?

 Some people say I’m always critical and I only tell people what not to do. I disagree. Obviously. I rarely tell people what they should do or how they should think. I tell stories, I give suggestions, and then it’s up to the readers. A lot of my blogs posts are about how to be a successful independent contractor in a tough economy, about communication with colleagues and customers, and about the fun of being in business.

Do you have anything else you’d like us to know about your blog in particular?

 I don’t have a favorite VO blog. I trust John Florian of VoiceOverXtra to find the best of the bunch and send them to my inbox. He really knows how to pick ‘em. ! I think it is very useful to look outside of my VO-bubble. I read blogs and articles about advertising, marketing, optimizing one’s online presence, negotiating fair rates, about writing, personal growth, spirituality and psychology. I want to incorporate all these resources to become a better and more interesting blogger!

 

Filed Under: blogs Tagged With: freelance professional, journalist, voiceover, voiceover bloggers, voiceover industry

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