The Voice Over Ladder & The VO Life: Recent Episodes
Troy Holden
2020 brought a slew of new VO artists to the table and many will try to climb the ladder to success. I started the Ladder with Will to help those climbing... and although we've parted ways the ladder is still a part of the journey to living THE VO LIFE... so those episodes are still up and relevant. Catch up on all of the OLD podcasts from the ladder before they are gone and for now, catch the new VO LIFE episodes here or on other feeds!
Like me Jim is fairly new to the world of VO but has a fantastic Radio background and Jim is also a webite designer with a twist... why feed a man when you can teach him to ...DESIGN? For around $200 Jim will teach you to design and maintain your own VOICE OVER WEBSITE using WIX... and he helped me with a few pointers before the show and I might say IT LOOKS GREAT!
Check him out at jimfronk.com and you can link to the websites page from there also! Get all the info on Jim at the end of the podcast!
Branding matters, buit don't rush it. You want to be specific... but not too specific as to lose business because of your "wrds" in your branding! I'm no expert, but I'll mention some names that can help you WHEN you are ready. There's no rush! Branding can take time!
MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION and a $50 answer... MAYBE!! Depends.... and here is why on todays podcast! I have been in ROUGH SHAPE this week. Severe sore throat, congestin and just run down... but I NEVER told any of my clients. WHY NOT? Give a listen as to when and when NOT to tell them you are struggling!
Honored to be able to talk to Carin about SAG-AFTRA and why she chose to go FICOR, explore more about e-Vocation and Vocation coming soon, learn more about NAVA and the current strike, and just allow you to hear what a solid business person and giving person she is.
A VO veteran and known in the community for giving back Carin has voice thousands of jobs from commercials to video games and corporate narrations as well as self produced over 100 audio books. Like many of us she started out knowing nothing and did what she needed to do to support her career and family and along the way has learned so much and now shares that knowledge through visiting podcasts and with Jamie Muffet on their podcasts and at the vo-cation events live and on line.
You can find out more about e-vocation here: https://www.vocationconference.com
Learn about NAVA (and I encourage you to join no matter your level of experience): https://navavoices.org/
And visit her site to hear how freaking good she is at what she does here: https://www.caringilfry.com/
Want to know more about the host? Visit my site here: https://troyholdenvoices.com/
I try to watch the trends and I am definitely a data guy. In 2020 there was an advertised path into VO that worked fairly well for me and FANTASTICALLY for some... you learned and trained, you got on FIverr and made some side money to pay for your training... etc. It is still being "taught" and pushed HOWEVER I truly believe things have changed and that is not the path it once was. I get into why in this podcast and offer this 20 plus page PDF I put together about WHY IT'S HARDER NOW and offer some very basic TRUTHS and also give you some FOUNDATIONAL ITEMS you have to do if you TRULY want yo do this long term.
As I have been saying there are at least 50 ways to attack this and this is just one, but the one I believe in. YOU DO NOT JUST WALK INTO A CAREER AND KNOW NOTHING! How will you compete? How do you know what to do? So take it for what it's worth (FREE) and send me an email I can send to document to... troy@troyholdenvoices.com
I promise you'll get your moneys worth!
Dedication and passion and talent. Vanessa has built a large TikTok following as she is developing her skills in animation and commercial VO. Her story is one of education, persistance and passion about her characters and how she applies herself. With a backbround in speech, she has applied the competetive nature of those contests and delved into training to grow her move into a soon-to-be full time endeavor.
See her on IG and TikTok at VanessaGarcia.VO and visit her cite at VanessaGarciaVO.com and follow her for some GREAT video shorts!
My longest sole episode but so much information about my first three years, and I may have lost it talking about my wife and thank God for editing! But you'll know how I feel...
This episode is very transparent in how I got here, what I made, what I did. The VO world is tough. The curvey that is posted makes me positive I have done a few things right... gotten ahead of the curve... but it is still a VERY hard career path. I hope anyone listening gets that you should not just "go at it and work your way up" but you should "LEARN YOUR WAY UP" .... Big difference....
Take your time and listen in 20 minute spurts... and ignore when I choke up because without my wife loving and believing in me... I would have given up MANY TIMES. Without my my wife, my faith and all of you... I could not be where I am today! And hard work... let's not forget hard work!!
If I left anyone out it was not on purpose. I love you all!
The "authentic" or conversational (not announcery as they say often or polished) can be the most difficult to lock into. Why? And how do you "FIX" it? Todays short reminds us that we had coaching for a reason... not to just drop $200.
This week I am joined by multi-talented VO Jim McCarthy who has a vewry cool podcast for Entrepreneurs called "Whats Your Problem" and as he calls it he also "spins lots of plates" from VO to Podcast Production to Car Wash Lighting... join us or conversations that go everywhere and get to know Jim.
Today Troy has Alden and Jake over from "It's Another VO Podcast" to talk about the new podcast and why you need BOTH the Life and this one! Get to know the guys and make plans to follow both podcasts and get a ton of information... good and otherwise... as these three full time voice actors hold each other accountable and share their journeys.
Association. It is one of the overlooked things in VO for those just getting in because you don't know what you don't know. Who's real, who's a scammer? Who just got a GOLDEN TICKET and what is happening??? I feel smart association pays off... I have watched it happen over the past year and tried to learn what I need to do and make sure I am not seen the WRONG WAY!
I get it. You just can't spend that money right now. What else you can do and let's just talk about what works...
Agent work is the best but it is a SMALL part of my take. I am upping the game to land more but HOW DID I EVEN GET THE FIRST ONE? The answer may surprise you... it was NOT through my own doing.....
P2P is a great place to get leveled up in VO and land some "better" jobs. Not to say you can't otherwise, but... when and how to jump in DOES matter. Don't use it for a practice field....
Time to talk with David Piper from the VO Life Group! David has been in VO a few years and has really lit a path for many to follow with a fast climb in the FIverr world, and he explains how he applied his brand of customer service and over delivering to build a strong repeat business core. David also moved to Brazil during this transition and talks about life there and more in this episode!
VO is a unique one person business and you may need a business coach to help drive you in the right direction.
Coaches are there to get your performance where it needs to be. Past that, you need a mentor. Someone who has "been there done that" and is willing to share with you. Is it an absolute? Maybe not... but it is a HUGE help....
Peer feedback is truly essential and can garner you some great advice... but remember who runs YOUR business!
Be yourself. 100% But be smart enough to see successful VO's and learn HOW they got there.
1 of 10 shorts release every few days up to THANKSGIVING! In this one its all about giving thanks...
Is it just "today" or has it been bulilding up? Do you need an hour or a week? Let's talk about VO burn out and how I handle it daily and how I am now dedicated to more time away.
From college radio to VoiceOver, hear all about Christi's journey and how she recently came to start up the Tennessee Voice Over Studio and build a strong Nashville community for VO that is also available virtually to all! And learn about the THREE STARS!
James is a full time VO across the pond! His smoooth RP voice is heard on everything from commercial, games and elearning. Hear about his journey into the business and his previous career in journalism.
Part time, full time... doesn't matter. Are you working off a plan and goals or just going WILLY NILLY with VO?? This week we walk through a way to set some goals, plans and even dreams for you VO BUSINESS because after all, it IS a business no matter what level you are at.
SUMMER SHORTS # 2 .....You can get this solved in the first few minutes... or listen all the way through just for fun!
The more you know, the more you might have done things differently. This is a short take on a reflection of "if I knew everything then that I know now, would I have followed the same path" and the answer might be a surprise, As always, this is MY OPINIONS of MY WALK... and not meant to put any methods down. Its just a look back on what I would have changed had I known more!
I've had 6 months of this....Am I ready to throw in the towell as Sabrina suggested? NO! I am actually slightly ahead of what I set goals for, but the second half... I'm gonna have to let it all out... pulll out the trick plays and the secret weapons... but first let's review the first half!
Focus. We all need to focus and as the pastor says "today I am preaching to ME" as I have to make my career my focus. Just a few slight changes to the VO LIFE podcast and group... but no, I am not going anywhere... just need to F O C U S on THIS career!
How many people actually make 6 figures? How many coaches are legit coaches? How mush does the "average" VO Make a year? WHY IS SOMEONE OUT TO GET MARC SCOTT! These and many more deep dives in this LENGTHY podcast all about facts, fiction and who the hell is SABRINA FARROWS anyway?
As business owners WE set the hours, the schedules, etc. Sometimes we just figure we HAVE TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK and we don't take time to unwind. I am ready for this Memorial Day and summer to take day trips to the lake for a few hours and just "get away" and unplug for a bit. We have to do it or we will burn out...so be sure YOU take some down time and remember what life is about!
Voices will be launching "projects" as it has rolled out this week to the VO side and the plan is a launch in Mid July. Why? Who benefits? How will it work? Listen in for some basic information and how to get MORE in depth information about this.
Voice Over has apparently changed a lot in the last 10-20 years and rightly so with the need for so much more "media" in our every day lives. Who is right? Is there only ONE WAY to get into VoiceOver? Is there a right and wrong way or are we just watching the 2 worlds collide? This commentary is all about the 2 worlds of VO and how I wish we could find that middle ground. Change is inevitable in everything...
Visit my site at troyholdenvoices.com
Ok, I have either GROWN as a VO or the light FINALLY went off in my slow southernish head. WHY? Well... listen and see. I think you will also agree with me on this "new" take on Demos.
Agents... do you need one? How many? When? Once the "only way" it is now "another way" to get work... and GOOD WORK. It also helps your credibility. Let's talk about it! And THANKS to Dana Ramoni for the AWESOME versions of his Morgan Freeman impersonation! SPOT ON! And also to my other "announcers" Louise Porter, Liz Moya and Charles Bain. Thank you all for your kindness!
VO is cyclical at times... well always. Clients come and go, regulars are busy then not. When things slow down, don't panic. Just get to work! Or don't! You may need to be marketing, learning, coaching or... maybe you NEED some downtime. Do a home project. Go for a walk, take the kids for ice cream... just don't start changing EVERYTHING! Let's talk about the slow times and what NOT to do!
Talk talk talk... its what we do... for what? An hour or 2 a day? Spend you OTHER time getting after the NUMBERS GAME! It's time to put your marketing to work....
Troy and Charles The Voice expand on their time at VO Atlanta... what they did, who they saw, what they learned and the impact it will have on their business.
First of two parts as Troy and Charles The Voice recap their visit to VO Atlanta...what they did, what they saw...and why they will be going back in 2023!
Visit the Facebook page for The VO Life and join!
troyholdenvoices.com
troy@troyholdenvoices.com
There is NO magic formula. But if you listen til the end I do wrap up 10 VERY GOOD TIPS you can use to help your climb. VoiceOver is overflowing with people getting in week after week. We see it in our group and the others. So what do you do to ensure you STAY in VoiceOver past the first weeks or months? Well... this might be my best podcast ever....so listen up!
We welcome Angela Ohlfest to the podcast (AYYY-OHHH!)
Angela shares about her rise with Audiobooks and her "paying it forward" YouTube Channel! With over 100 audiobooks done she has the talent and experience to help those wondering "can I do that also"... plus she does characters, commercial VO and more! Meet and enjoy the conversation with Angela today on the VO Life!
They are not cheap and used ... how far are are you willing to go? The dilemmas of a "pre made" or building out at home. What's some of the pluses and minuses of it all and what I did to get my current space.
A podcast is a great way to get more exposure for your VO travels. Social exposure, etc is out there if you can keep good content going. Here is how I do mine and the services I use. Is a podcast in YOUR future?
Really? WHERE? Are you not in VO? Seriously folks its not that hard but I'll add more to get you spots that FIT so you are invested in your read. Catch this one if you are needing to pull together some new spots or your first spots!
January... new year, new start BUT it's been a tad slow. How can I stay focused on the PRIZE?? Routines, discipline and drop a podcast. I won't give up if you won't! Let's press on and hope things get better in February. At least we are closer to Daylight Savings Time!
I am honored and thrilled to have these 2 who are a wealth of knowledge and 2 of the most honest and trusted coaches in the VO world. Today is about their process and even just some fun conversations because as you know... JJ could say about anything!!! And that's why we love him! Don't miss listening to these top rated coaches! They have been pivotal in my career and in getting me where I am at this point. Two very giving people which is VERY RARE in this day and time!
I know we are all tired of those pushy, overbearing clients who promise LONG TERM WORK... we all know the drill...It's time we ALL shudder at those requests and FLAT OUT SAY NO. How can we band together to STOP the flurry of BAD CLIENTS wanting those "long term work" and will soon pay a "bonus" .... can we devise THE TOP 10 WAYS TO NOT DO THOSE $5 YOU TUBE JOBS! WHO IS LEADING THEIR ARMY AND HOW CAN WE STOP THEM!
Rejection is a BIG PART of voice over. We get way more "No's" than we do jobs. You have to have that thick skin, roll it off and move on BUT not before you respond in a positive and engaging manner. Keep in mind that a business builds relationships and that means with everyone we come in contact with... not just those who hire us.
We all did it, probably. But those QUESTIONS that keep popping up week after week!! It's how we learn, but is there a better way??
Late October. 4th Quarter 2021. The panic is setting in for me as I come closer to the REAL VO LIFE and no longer living that W2 Life! I feel like it's the big game and I'm the biggest rookie on the field! OH NO NOT AGAIN.... IMPOSTER SYNDROME!!! Let's talk through a few things so I can feel better! Join me! I need your help!
Join us and learn more about Rudy and his VO Life! Inspiring conversation and interesting perspectives from that DEEP VOICE GUY!
Charles Coats had his dream job... he was in Texas training American Airlines employees and using his talents. Then came covid...hear that story and more about how Charles didn't even know what VO was and now... well HE ARE ONE!!! Enjoy a conversation with the VERY TALENTED Charles Coats or as we know him... Charles The Voice!
Visit his site
www.charlesthevoice.com
Brandon has been full time in VO since late 2018. He is a creative, funny and VERY talented man with voices to spare! Enjoy learning more about Brandon and his VO Life!
Demos. Love em, hate em. Short spots, long spots. Pro, self. Kicking the tires on some of the scuttlebutt about the DEMOS we LOVE!
Chuck Brown has been doing Professional VO for over 40 years and launched a Fiverr career in the past few years as changes to the industry and career changes dictated a change in how he did things. Hear the story of where it started and how he came into VO in new ways as he made changes to his life and career. Listen closely and gain insight from one of the most treasured voices today!
Charles Bain is a stage actor and on screen actor living in Warner Robbins, GA. He is from Alabama and way back in 2015 he decided to pursue VO. Wait, this is 2021... and you said he JUST STARTED? Correct. Through trial and error, he put things on hold then re-started in 2020. His journey is VERY DIFFERENT... and hopefully this conversation might help some of you "slow down" and take the long way!
Voice over is a passion, not a hobby or "another side job to make a buck". There are people getting in every week, asking the same questions. Not to hurt your feelings or make one enemy... but I will tell you LIKE IT IS...
Many of our VO Lifers know Mike and also know he has set the Fiverr format on fire hitting his goals for TRS in only 9 months! Many wonder what his secret was, how did he do it... and he is going to tell youand share what he did to get to where he is but you'll be surprised.
Louise Porter and Alice Everdeen are straight up GOOD at what they do and they are a lot of fun to talk to. Enjoy some insight into these 2 ladies careers and hear their samples of just how good they are! Lots of fun in a bit longer podcast this week but hey... I bet you enjoy every minute!
I juat missed you all and needed to talk... thanks for being there! LOL ! Damn is it slow or what? And hot.....
Dane Scott. You know him! The Gig Doctor! The Coach! Dane shares a wealth of knowledge with Fiverr users daily through his help but there's more you didn't know about his background! Plus he also understands why some people just don't like Fiverr or want it around. Enjoy a conversation with the Gig Doctor! Stay til the end!
Thanks for the great ideas on episodes... today I touch (barely) on is the conversational trend going away or is it still the number one... it is NEVER going away! Pulling back is the expectation... way back! Plus a lot of random babbling this week on things being slow for vacation time and what I do when it is slow.
Multi-talented VO Brad Grochowski joins me today to talk about his first year and his different approach to VO. Brad does lots of long narration and audiobooks bringing a different look at how he plans to grow his business. He also is a performer in a band plus graduated from the theatre. A man of many talents living in Baltimore with his family... enjoy this look into yet another peer and what he is doing in VO!
There are so many places to market your VO business and being a NEW voice artist you may be overwhelmed at all of it and why not? Fiverr, Upwork, Voquent, Mandy, Voices 123, Voices dot com, Cast Voices and there are more. Don't drown, slow down! And I apologize in advance for the "character" rant and getting off track... it's just what I do best... lose my train of thought!! Thank God VO's are scripted cause this show..... AIN'T!!!!!
Auditions. If you are doing them, are you winning? If you're not you may need to SLOW DOWN and self direct more. How? Today's episode is all about how I do it based on some coaching and research I have done. Does it work? I can say my booking ration on Voices went from 74:1 to 52:1 in 90 days. That's all due to coaching, workshops and when I have my senses... following these steps. Do I ever cold read...I shouldn't but yep... however these steps help me greatly and I have to discipline myself to do it. I hope it helps you as well.
A quick look back at my first year in VO and some clips from then and now. Still climbing and grinding, still fighting that accent!!
Mental health as a VO can be a challenge... good mental health that is. This episode talks about how to channel all of that stress and pressure into something good.
The first year of VO is a crazy ride. I am past year one and headed into year two and sharing some insight on all of the coaches, teachers, Facebook pages and more. There's so much thrown at you WHAT DO YOU DO??
How will you stay cool in the booth? Quick self discussion about some options I looked at and then the decision.
Getting work, doing work, marketing, website, social media, more.... how I handle some of my stress and hoping it helps you.
When and how do I ever find a brand and start branding? How will I find my niche?? Time takes care of many things... I am not the expert but here is my take on this PLUS some great tips on helping your conversational read.
We're taking our own advice, and really getting serious about our businesses. With that, comes some changes to the podcast schedule, and frequency of our meetups, so that we can leverage the limited time we have available to do what's best for our businesses. We encourage you to do the same.
Now don't fret, we're not going away. You'll still be able to connect with us on facebook, and we'll still be doing the other things just not quite as often. Drive a stake in the ground, commit to the success of your business, and get busy getting busy!
It's not easy. WE KNOW... we are in the trenches also. Technical issues, software, DAW's... but why do VO's really fail? Troy and WIll dig into the subject and as you know... they can make it last! I bet their families go the other way when they drive up for a gathering... talk talk talk.... but seriously... this is a business that has many failure avenues!
WORKSHOPS:
https://voiceover.guru/
Linda Bruno and JJ Wilson lead these on Wednesdays. Currently $60. 2 full hours, 6 people, excellent scripts to choose from or bring your own. We have both been going for a few months and truly enjoy these sessions. Learn from the pros!
Dip your toes into a little marketing talk and round robin conversation this week... have a topic for us? We are waiting on you to message us!
These guys can BS on about anything for 30 minutes!
Open forum! Going full time and when? Kick the tires and decide! But it's a BUSINESS not a hobby... the time is ????
You can bet these 2 will fill a half hour... with or without a topic. It's spring, and there's a new mic arm they like and then its this and that... they are free wheeling this one folks... enjoy!
Whether a part time VO who CANNOT not work, or a veteran who wants to audition while on the road, you CAN function away from the studio with a little prep and imagination! Troy and Will offer up some suggestions and tips on getting a decent sound on the road.
Ok so you're in the VO biz. You've done your You Tube channels, a few "better" jobs but you feel you can do more. What's my next step? As a VO get used to having a coach... forever! Name one person who has led their sport, industry, etc and one thing is common... they have a coach. You need one also... but when? Once you have your basic gear, your room treated well and are getting some business YOU NEED COACHING! So do WE!!!
The guys talk basic "how to see if this is for you" to "now that you're in this for the long run" covering mics, interfaces and more as they reveal their picks and hits & misses with starting up in VO. Will has a fairly deep background and Troy... well he has a farm so go figure.
You've got that BIG JOB and it calls for a DIRECTED SESSION and you are TERRIFIED and NERVOUS!
- Stop... breathe and remember you already got the job!
- What it's all about doing a directed session and why it ROCKS!
- The guys talk about the different types of platforms and using typical meet ups for a session and their "firsts" in doing these.
Links referenced in this episode:
Voice Overview: https://www.voiceoverview.com
Learning Ally: https://www.learningally.org
VO Weekly Workout: https://www.voweeklyworkout.com
We won't give you what we've paid for... that's just NOT FAIR but we can point you in the right direction to help get you started... THEN you can decide how deep down you want to go. Everyone teaches marketing... and the "basics" are the same so here Will shares some great info on kicking off your direct marketing efforts.
You are "in"... you have a few jobs and you feel like this is for you... so now what? Where do you focus? Are you working another job? Will and Troy share THEIR experiences in hopes that it helps your climb!
Mike talks about how he started in VO (he is from Tennessee but he has shed his accent... there's hope for Tater!) and his different offerings on Demos, Coaching, etc. Will and Troy are both "students" of Mike's and he also reveals that he has 4 coaches himself! A very interesting episode and worth the wait!
If you are a fairly new VO I have to imagine you might have been approached to do the $5 You Tube reads... and even promised a "raise" once the channel caught on. Take heart, there is a reason you SHOULD do some of these and in this episode we scratch that itch. Join Troy and Will as they share their experiences, good and bad, related to You Tube reads... and why you should try them.
The boys kick the tires on Fiverr... and do they have the secret? What gets you on the front page of searches? What is the "must do's" for Fiverr success? We don't know all the answers but we've dug up a few....
Troy and Will share a little more info on building your demos. Where to get GOOD material, breaking it down for the best read, and moving it to video. Both the old boys were coughing and they are a thousand miles apart so we aren't sure how they both have the crud... but the PODCAST must go on! Keep climbing the ladder!
We are jumping in the deep water talking about DEMOS and this is PART ONE of a multi part series of at least 3 episodes about DEMOS. When, what kind, how much... no wait, do I need to BUY a demo? Who should I hire? How often do I change it... REMEMBER... THIS is the Voice Over Rookie phase so buckle up sweep pants... we got a few answers or opinions for you!
Will and Troy are kicking the tires on the need for a website... when, what needs to be on it, who do I use? Tater and Will cover lots of "do's and don'ts" related to a Voice Over website as you get started.
Truth? Myth? Thankfully many are giving out the same information (if they really want to share) and as a new VO Actor/Artist I have earned as well. Equipment? Platforms? Room Treatment? Can anyone be a VO Artist? I talk about lots of this and more in what became a VERY LONG "get ot off my chest" podcast! Next time Will Vincent joins me and we do some TECH TALK. Will is co-admin of the Voice Over Ladder page on Facebook and like me, he's a rookie but has a lot of tech experience and is a HUGE help to many. We do a live session every Wednesday night from our page so join soon and log in.
This week it's just about an intro to the Ladder and starting. Nothing happens if you never start and I promised myself and a few others I would do this. Let's hold each other accountable in 2021!