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voiceover blogs

Top 10 Voiceover Blogs to Follow – Kim Handysides

blogs

Blogs can be some of the best sources of free information in the Googlesphere. But there are a lot of them out there. In fact, Google says 600 million blogs now out of 1.7 billion active sites. That’s a lot of info. But within that astonishing figure, voice over blogs are a sliver-sized narrow niche. For voice over seekers some blog posts answer questions about our industry. For voice artists, blogs are an opportune way to learn about the craft, business, marketing and tech aspects of our industry. Blogs rich in content can save you time and money.

I’ve recently posted my Top 10 list of the best voiceover blogs that I follow. I’m picky. I’ve been in the voiceover industry for a long time. I already know a heck of a lot. But, I regularly browse the content of some of my industry colleagues. To find out what’s new. What’s hot. To join in on great conversations.  Voiceover veterans, understand the importance of staying current in the industry and taking part in discussions about issues of import. My top 10 list includes J. Michael Collins, Dave Courvoisier, Bill deWees, Anne Ganguzza, Debbie Grattan, Laura Schreiber, Marc Scott, Paul Strikwerda and David Tyler. Whether you’re deep in or on the fringes of the industry, treat yourself. Pick one or two, or all ten and dive into their back blogs. I am also going to put myself on this list of Top 10s. If you’re curious about my audacity, read on.

 

Voice Over Artist Kim Handysides

 

Voiceover Artist Kim Handysides

Why do I blog about voice over?

I blog because I’ve been writing “full time voice over artist” on my tax forms since 1991 and I’ve got stuff to say about our industry. And I want to be helpful to clients and the community. Also, I love writing. Not because I’ve been at it since writing the winning submission for the school Christmas play in grade 3, or because of a decade as a journalist writing for television, radio stations, mags and newspapers but because writing has always led a strong supporting role in my career as a professional storyteller. As I’ve learned more about it, I’ve incorporated SEO principles into my posts, but primarily, I write because the linear expression of cogent thought is one of my favorite communication forms.

 

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

If I have a theme, I guess it’s become searching for honesty in my art form. Or at least that’s the goal I strive toward, whether the subject appeals more to voice actors or voice talent seekers, other small business owners in the arts. Occasionally, inspiration strikes from a recent project, conversation or situation, but more often I (attempt to) plan a few blogs at once and then work on them over time.

 

What are my favorite kinds of blogs to write about?

Performance oriented blogs are completely delicious. I’ve been coaching a lot lately and it’s helped me analyze why some things work and others don’t and suss out practical advice to help voice actors find truth in their performances. Marketing and managing your voiceover business are other key themes that I delight in sharing. Cool topics that have saved me time or money or have helped solidify relationships in an increasing physically-disconnected, electronically-hyperconnected world.

 

What kinds of blogs get the most attention or feedback?

My blogs with the highest interaction (comments) are one on rates in voiceover. I found there were already templates of what to charge out there in the web world, but not much had been written about why voice actors charge the rates they do or what accounts for the range in voiceover pricing from one vo actor to another. Performance tips and advice always do well, like my three-part blog series on how to direct voice actors (which ends in how to self-direct). One kind of complain-y blog got a lot of attention. Why profs narrating their own online courses is often a big mistake. There is an ocean of difference between being a subject matter expert and being able to engage listeners and transmit that info. Time to hire a great professional voiceover narrator.

 

What else would I like people to know about your blog in particular or my philosophy and approach to the industry?

Nothing make me happier than when someone reaches out and says, “hey, I really liked what you said about xyz,” or “I never thought about it in that way before. Thanks!” This past week I received an email from a college student thanking me for my well-researched post on the Timeline of Podcasting. They’d cited it in their term paper for a communication studies class. That was cool. Makes me want to do more of those.

 

Filed Under: blogs Tagged With: how to direct voice actors, podcasting, podcasting timeline, professional storyteller, voice actors, voice artists, voice talent seekers, voiceover, voiceover artist, voiceover blogs, voiceover business, voiceover industry, voiceover narrator, voiceover pricing, voiceover rates

Top 10 Voiceover Blogs to Follow – Marc Scott

blogs

Voiceover is an incredibly fun, but labor intensive profession. People who think it’s easy to “get in” and easy to build a business as a voice over artist are misinformed. But, learning from others who are doing well in the the voice arts is a great way to learn more and 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, Paul Strikwerda and Laura Schreiber. Next on my list is Marc Scott. A terrific guy (he’s a volunteer firefighter, people – truly Marc is salt of the earth), an inveterate marketing man and a solid voiceover talent, Marc is a busy guy who blogs, vlogs and podcasts now too. Chock full of tips on how to handle the business end of your solopreneurship, Marc is also a coach and a source of inspiration for a good work-life balance.

 

Voice Over Artist Marc Scott

 

Voiceover Artist Marc Scott

Marc, why do you blog about voice over?

 

I started blogging simply to share the lessons I was learning as I was trying to figure out how to grow a sustainable, full-time business. I figured if I was already making all the mistakes and learning all the solutions, maybe the blog would help someone else do the same.

 

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

In the beginning, it was all about lessons learned. Eventually the theme became business and marketing, and that’s where I’ve continued to focus my coaching.

 

What are your favorite kinds of blogs to write about?

It’s got to offer something practical. I want people to walkaway with someone tangible. An action they can take. Something that will produce results.

 

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

When I was giving advice that made a difference in a business practice, people always responded to those. People want information that they can use.

 

(Do you have anything (else) you’d like us to know about your blog in particular or your (philosophy and) approach to the industry?

As I’ve evolved and the world has evolved, I’ve actually moved away from traditional blogging and more into the podcast realm. I noticed a shift in my blog about a year ago. People were spending a lot less time reading my blogs and a lot more time watching the video content I shared. It was easier. That turned into a decision to focus efforts towards a podcast which is content that can be consumed nearly anywhere… from the office to the gym to the commute home from work. The numbers on my podcast far outweigh the numbers I was seeing on my blog last year.

 

Filed Under: blogs Tagged With: actor, narrator, podcast, voice arts, voiceover blogs, voiceover marketing, voiceover talent

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

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