Donna Reed Voice Talent Blog

Now at Spotlight Communications...

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Find answers to many of your voiceover questions on the Donna Reed Voice Talent Blog (see blogroll on right for more). New updates for Donna at Spotlight Communications - Donna Reed, Professional Voiceover Artist: Spotlight Communications and Spotcomm. Also hear demos at YouTube or follow on Twitter. On Facebook? It's facebook/donnareedvo.

See you there!
Spotlight Communications - Donna Reed, Professional Voiceover Artist

Blog moving day.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:43:00 +0000

First, a big thanks to you for reading, subscribing, commenting, and making this blog possible.

Spotlight Communications (the company behind spotcomm and donna reed vo) is now the location for my new website/blog.

It's still the Donna Reed Voice Talent Blog, still the same commentary about voiceovers, marketing, etc...but we're heading in a 2.0 direction. I think I might discover all the talk about 'clouds' on the way, but it's too soon to tell yet.

Thanks for being patient while I work out all things...ummm...technical while switching from blog to blog.

So in the meantime, come on over!

And yeah, it's okay to bring over coffee cake. Because for me, no matter what you've heard via social media or urban legend, cooking is still very scary, unknown territory.

Voiceovers: it's one big social shindig.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:27:00 +0000

There's a lot going on in the voiceover world.
Talent is everywhere. We're on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn (for starters).
You're smart to use Social Media. Now find out how it's smart to mix in your Social IQ - or social intelligence as well.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to have a high social IQ and you don't have to have a high social IQ and be a rocket scientist.
Really.
But what exactly is social intelligence?
It's the ability to understand and relate to humans. All of 'em. On every level. A high level of Social IQ can work REALLY well with Social Media, and there's a book that can show you how.
According to David Goleman's book "Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships" we all have a certain amount of social intelligence, but there's always room for improvement! (for more info, check out David's interview here from Social Media Professional.)
Armed with a new awareness of your social intelligence, you'll find a better way to get the word out about your voiceover business. You'll know exactly what to say - and how to say it.

Since you're learning new stuff this week I'm also linking to Seth's Blog about what to do when the new thing doesn't work.

Because Seth is just kinda cool that way. Have a great week!

Voiceover and Freelancing. Did you miss anything?

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:29:00 +0000

Freelance Money. It's In There.

Maybe you've recorded some pretty good stuff lately. You don't want to quit your day job. So freelancing your voice may be a perfect fit for you.

Whether you freelance, or you make a living doing voiceover work, you need to get your voice out there in front of potential clients. By taking the steps to 'get your voice out there' you are also finding about how to fine tune your marketing skills.

There are a few sites to help get you going as you start freelancing your voice. The sites are not about voiceovers specifically; but you can certainly use the info toward your voice career!

Here's the title of one of the websites: WiseBread - Living Large on a Small Budget. I love it! Okay, maybe at first I thought it was a baking blog...but trust me, if you knew my kitchen prowess...it was an incredibly short lived thought.

WiseBread is all about budgets, finance, frugal living. It involves a community of bloggers who want you to live large on a small budget.

And we could all use info on that!

But even better than the title, is a two part post about how to find freelance clients. Part 2 is here.

Plus, from Freelance Folder, "The 10 Types of Freelancers: Which One Are You?"

Enjoy!

Becoming a voice talent - more fine tuning.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 11 May 2009 04:10:00 +0000

By now, you've already attended voiceover classes, set up your studio, and maybe even scored a few new voiceover gigs.

But there's even more to learn. Especially from articles written by voiceover talent. I love reading these stories because the voice talent write about the voiceover business from their perspective; their own humble beginnings, their own exposure to the studio, to producers, and everyone in between. Plus, they take the time to share what they've learned along the way.

Deborah Puette is one of those talent; and she has written an excellent article for Backstage - The Actor's Resource (an online resource). She writes about her experiences in making a voice demo - from start to finish - including mics, marketing, agents, and auditions.

Story courtesy of Backstage

Benefits of the internet, vo training, social media & my home town.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Catching up. Finally. The who what when where why & how. And what better way to do that than with social media and/or the internet.

I like research. A lot. The internet is great for insatiable walking talking question marks like us. I don't know if I would really be aware of all the voiceover workshops and groups of fellow voiceover actors who attend - and coach - any voiceover seminar today if it weren't for Twitter, blogs...and the internet.

My internet research started when I was looking for studios in New York state. Happened to discover a studio up in - of all places - Schenectady. Really. Schenectady New York. My home town. Also the home of General Electric. Proctor's Theatre. The city name that occassionally comes up in offhand mentions on Letterman and in a Seinfeld script.

Schenectady is also the home of a phenomenal group of voiceover, engineering and production pros who make up Voice Coaches.

Today I caught up with Mike at VoiceCoaches in upstate New York - on the phone. (hey, it's still a form of social media). It was good to connect - but more important, great to find out what VoiceCoaches plan to do on May 2nd: host a huge event about "Learning Home Recording and Social Media Marketing for Voice Actors-The2009Advanced Marketing Expo". It's all about technology and you, and how that equals opportunity.

Don't have any plans for May yet? You just might now. VoiceCoaches has put together everything for you. This is a place where you can listen to voice pros talk about what they know, hear info about the voiceover biz, plus get to know about the real work - and the real rewards - of learning the art of voiceovers.

Besides, while you're in Schenectady - you can learn a little bit about "The City that Lights and Hauls the World".

Go ahead. Look it up:)

Blogs. And your voice. How they can work together for you.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:58:00 +0000

Blogs. If you're a voiceover talent, it can open a whole new world. You could look at your voiceover blog as a place to start your voiceover career, or maybe your blog could be a stop for other voice talent to learn helpful tips on the voice business. Maybe you want to inform readers of news you've come across in the voiceover field, or maybe offer different viewpoints on the status of the voiceover business today.

Whatever your reason for starting a blog, the important thing is - to get started!

I thought I'd run this post again, since there was a lot of response from readers when it ran originally on this blog. (Yup, I'm airing re-runs while I'm recovering!)

Whether your're starting your voiceover career today or have been working the booth for years. Remember the best way to stay in the vo game is to keep up the marketing, and find your voiceover niche!

Okay...so here's the repost:

"Blogs are working for voiceover talent. Depending of course, on the content.

A well crafted blog can offer everything from audition advice to aspiring and veteran voice talent, connect with other voiceover artists around the world about the latest in communication technology, or add a human touch to someone who may be more than 'just a voice'.

Clients are reading, too. They read your words, can hear your demos, and are getting to know you as a co-worker. In some cases, clients are evaluating you as a potential client.

Are you one of the new vo bloggers?

Check out my sidebar for a list of the many well written blogs about the voiceover business - and about blogging. All are informative; and others mix in a personal perspective as well. (A couple blogs are on the sidebar because I like to read up on what some of my friends are doing outside of the voiceover world.)

Should you have a blog?

Depends. Is it for marketing? Or just personal reasons? Do you like to write? Do you have a few communication goals in mind? Have you carved out a niche in the voiceover marketplace, and want to get out info on a regular basis? Do you have a few ideas for a blog for your business, but not sure how to get started?

Here's a post from an awesome designer about 'blogging for your business'. Need the building blocks for blogging? Check out 'Blogging for Beginners' from Problogger.

Can't remember everything about grammar and writing from the English 101 class you took back in the day? Read Mignon Fogarty's Grammar Girl's website and podcast. Great refresher course."

voiceover news; more how-to's for aspiring voice talent:

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:36:00 +0000

While recovering from foot surgery this month (and believe me, not only am I glad to have a home studio, but also very glad to have the luxury of having a spouse that cooks. I am convinced now that chemists make great chefs).

While trying to multitask (ha), I have found a couple of articles I thought were worth reading if you are jumping into voiceovers, or maybe want to catch up on projects involving voice talent.

I loved reading this article about how there's so much more to the offhand comment of "you should be doing voiceovers!" LA TIMES.

And if you'd like to read up on what voice actor David Lee is doing, read it all here.

Voiceover Talent & Emcee Will Rosser captures Inauguration

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:37:00 +0000

Voiceover talent find work in just about every medium, every industry: film, animation, commercial, promo or narration - and more.

There's also voice work in politics and government. Not only for political ads or military training videos, but voice talent can also find work as an Emcee for Inauguration Ceremonies.

Like many that were hosted a few weeks ago in Washington.

Will Rosser is one of those talents.

Doing live voiceovers - and being an Emcee - is not easy. According to Will, “You have to have the voice, talent, sensitivity, flexibility & energy to put it all together in ONE TAKE...effortlessly….because when it's "live", ONE TAKE is all you get.”

Edge Studio in NYC. Demos, Training & more.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:19:00 +0000

David Goldberg heads up Edge Studio's Voice Design Group in NYC. Always working to make it easier for voice talent to build their career, David has come up with even more benefits for the voice community. Check out their site for voice over training, production, casting and demo school (in New York, Washington DC and Connecticut.

Looks like there are many ways to build your career at Edge Studio. All are good, but I really like the free segment "Talk With A Pro" on Monday nights.

Plus take a tour of the site and look for the free Voiceover Industry Guidebook and over 3,500 scripts to download (so you can practice practice practice!)

'foods to avoid before voiceovers' courtesy of voiceoverture.net

Your VO career: content marketing vs campaign mentality

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:21:00 +0000

You've sent out all these big marketing ideas. You've planned some awesome creative campaigns for your voiceover business.

What's that? No business coming in yet? Now what? Sit and wait? Try something 'new' to gain clients? Hmm...more color...more shiny things...

Wait! Stop right now!

Think 'Solutions Provider'. Instead of grand scale marketing.

As Joe Pulizzi writes in his blog, there are huge differences in content marketing and the usual campaign mentality.

The comment that really stands out - and I like this one - is:

"'The creation of relevant, valuable and compelling content delivered to your customers should never stop.'"

Original article courtesy of Seth Godin

Your voiceover blog. How does it work?

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:42:00 +0000

Blogs are working for voiceover talent. Depending of course, on the content.

A well crafted blog can offer everything from audition advice to aspiring and veteran voice talent, connect with other voiceover artists around the world about the latest in communication technology, or add a human touch to someone who may be more than 'just a voice'.

Clients are reading, too. They read your words, can hear your demos, and are getting to know you as a co-worker. In some cases, clients are evaluating you as a potential client.

Are you one of the new vo bloggers?

Check out my sidebar for a list of the many well written blogs about the voiceover business - and about blogging. All are informative; and others mix in a personal perspective as well. (A couple blogs are on the sidebar because I like to read up on what some of my friends are doing outside of the voiceover world.)

Should you have a blog?

Depends. Is it for marketing? Or just personal reasons? Do you like to write? Do you have a few communication goals in mind? Have you carved out a niche in the voiceover marketplace, and want to get out info on a regular basis? Do you have a few ideas for a blog for your business, but not sure how to get started?

Here's a post from an awesome designer about 'blogging for your business'. Need the building blocks for blogging? Check out 'Blogging for Beginners' from Problogger.

Can't remember everything about grammar and writing from the English 101 class you took back in the day? Read Mignon Fogarty's Grammar Girl's website and podcast. Great refresher course.

A New Year. 'New' is the operative word.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:55:00 +0000

It's a week since Christmas, and I know almost everything about playing Guitar Hero World Tour.

Since Santa dropped off this musical goody, the kids are all about playing 'Demolition Man' and 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn'. Two favorite tunes in the Reed household.

Tough for me to play at first. Even harder to master if you don't have nimble fingers for playing bass. But I figured it out, learned a few new things, and found my inner rock star. Even Sting would be proud. Sorta.

Learning to do new things can be part of your New Year's resolution, too. Master a new instrument, or a new language if you're not musical. If you're a voice actor, you already know that taking a class is good for you - and your voice career. (check my sidebar "Voiceover Books and Training" for more.) Maybe a volunteer gig with any of the many charities which could use your voiceover services.

Need new direction for 2009? Read today's post from Joe The Voice Guy , it will jumpstart your New Year, and get you thinking about what's really important.

Thanks for being a part of the spotcomm blog for 2008 - and wishing you all good things for 2009.

Happy New Year!

Bart Simpson interviews Charlotte Pickles.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:48:00 +0000

In her column over at Animation World Magazine, Nancy Cartwright (the voice behind Bart Simpson) interviews fellow voice actor Tress MacNeille. Tress, who you may know as the voice of Charlotte Pickles on Rugrats, is also the voice of Babs Bunny in Tiny Tune Adventures. Check out the interview here.

Wouldn't you love to listen to this interview, as well as read it?

Story courtesy of Animation World Magazine

Nerds Rule. And it's a good thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:02:00 +0000

Monday nights I nestle in and watch The Big Bang Theory on CBS. I know nothing about the actual big bang theory, protons, neutrons, et al.
Many viewers may or may not know anything about physics either. But the show is a hit.
It makes me want to dig out my Einstein Tshirt and pretend to understand the theory of relativity.

review courtesy of the wall street journal

Got resolutions? Make 2009 YOUR voiceover year.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:01:00 +0000

Resolutions are good.
Lists are even better.
Look at it this way, lists remind you what you need to do when February rolls around and you forgot the resolutions.
Written up your voiceover resolutions for the new year? Here's a few to get you started:
-Delegate - you shouldn't have to do it all. Find someone who does something you don't know how to do: production, web design, etc. Let them help you.
-Just say no. Find what fits into your schedule and decline everything else.
-Stop multitasking. Concentrate on one voiceover/campaign/project at a time.
-Apply the magic formula. Effective voiceover marketers know these 3: eliminate, cateorgize, organize.
-Plan ahead. Keep yourself accountable. Get a planner.
-Discover your good habits. Make a couple of new habits today and work them into your schedule. Master these until they become routine!
So if anyone asks if you've made your New Year's resolutions, you could say "I will get the magic formula and plan ahead, stop multitasking and become a creature of good habits. Then I'll just say no and delegate."
I'm just saying.
Since we're on the topic of lists, my favorite list is the one written by Richard Branson - the 10 secrets to success:
1. You've got to challenge the big ones.
2. Keep it casual.
3. Haggle: everything is negotiable.
4. Have fun working.
5. Do the right things for the brand.
6. Smile for the cameras!
7. Don't lead "sheep", herd "cats".
8. Move like a bullet.
9. Size does matter.
10. Be a common, regular person.

What works for your voiceover career? What voiceover resolutions do you have planned?

Economy 101: you and your many skills.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:37:00 +0000

Are you in the red? And not the festive holiday color kind.

You've read the article about how to cope in tough economic times, so you're prepared.

Now learn to cope and find ways to make you less stressed, too.

Articles courtesy of VoiceoverExtra and Zen Habits

Children's Hospitals receive holiday spirit from Gelder Productions:

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Holiday Magic. Can you imagine being a kid without it? Espcially if you can't be home for the holidays?

Gelderhead Productions is trying to make a difference for many children who are in the hospital over the holidays. The San Diego based production company will deliver the Holiday Magic CD , a musical CD filled with songs and stories of Christmas, told by voice actors and voice talent. The CD will be delivered to children's hospitals across the nation this week.

Steve Gelder of Gelderhead Productions continues to raise funds to get as many donations as possible to buy more CD’s for the kids.

All pie, all the time.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:29:00 +0000

What? No post on voiceovers?

Today it's all about pie. The chef? Chelly Rodriquez - who balances a Tupperware container filled with pies on her head as she walks on the beaches of Yelapa, Mexico. She makes a lot of pies - and sells them all, too.

No apron here - instead she wears a Tshirt that says: “Chelly Pie — El Original Sabor de Yelapa.”

The Original Flavor of Yelapa.

Grab my sunscreen. I'm making my flight reservation now.

Courtesy of Ken Hoffman / The Houston Chronicle

Produce a voice-over session - without being there.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Now clients can actually be a part of post production. And watch us work in the process.
Check out this post from Mark Meyer at Soundworks Studio in Houston.

Courtesy of Soundworks

Tonight: free voiceover tele-seminar.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:59:00 +0000

Thanks much to Voiceover Talent David Houston for a info about Susan Berkely's free voiceover tele-seminar .
The topic? 'Tons of Voice-overs, without Tons of Auditions'.

Good Gets: how good are you about getting the word out?

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:42:00 +0000

You're in the voiceover business. You're good in front of the mic (creative) and behind the mic (business). You know how important it is to:

a)get referrals
b)get to the phone to make those important cold calls

and now you realize you have to add:
c)get the word out about your company

Just how do you get the word out?

A well written press release may be a good place to start. Not sure how the internet plays a part in the press release biz? Check out this site, and read today's post:'How To Use Press Releases to Promote Yourself or Your Business'.

Since press goes hand in hand with promotions, you may need to find more of both for your voiceover business. Checkout the award winning design firm Mayhem Studios in LA.

Now get out there and spread the word.

The voice of 'Doc Hudson'; big shoes to fill.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:38:00 +0000

Courtesy of The Pixar Blog:

It's all in the voice interpretation.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Not your typical post about voiceovers.
Well, kinda sorta.
Ozzy isn't exactly a voice talent, but he does have a signature voice. He talks...and you know it's him. Here's Ozzy. Using technology as an interpreter. Gotta love it.
btw, for more about music & artists, check out Mike McGuff's blog today. (Thanks Mike!)

Courtesy of The Daily Swarm

Conflicted? Confused? VO Career help on the way.

noreply@blogger.com (Donna) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:13:00 +0000

Found this slice of knowledge in my October blog file; re-posting since a few emails came to me asking for voiceover career advice. Mostly from talent new to the business, with the overwhelming topic being '"my voiceover career - how do I start? What does it take? When does it happen?"'

I thought of my answers. Words came to mind like Endurance, Creativity, Marketing. Then I got to thinking about a recent article I read about persistence and dug out the above mentioned post.

The article is from writer Cary Tennis of Salon magazine. Since this is more or less a voiceover blog, try not to be put off by the fact the article centers around a waitress wanting to be a singer. There's something in it for you! And hey, maybe we're all in kitchens wanting our voice to be heard. In any event, read Cary's advice and see how you can make his tips work for your voiceover career.