If Ted Williams Can Do This, So Can I

I love that people are inspired by this story but remember Ted went to school for broadcasting…he did MAKE an investment in his career…he also worked for radio. It’s a dangerous thought process to think that you will be the next one discovered.  It just doesn’t work that way.  Ted’s story is unique and it doesn’t happen very often.  It’s inspiring but in the same sense, it is sending the wrong message to those who think they can break into voiceovers free of charge.

I must hear the phrase, “My entire life I have been told I have a great voice and that I should do voiceovers”. I hear that line in my sleep.  I sing that line in the shower!  Scary, I know!  You CAN do voiceovers but there is an investment of money and time that goes into educating yourself and getting the proper training. There is no magic pill for success in this industry.  We’ve all spent a lot of money getting to where we are now. Whether it’s coaching, workshops, demos or purchasing recording equipment.  The voiceover industry is also not a quick fix solution for the unemployed.  You won’t get caught up on your bills in just a week by trying to break into voiceovers.  It is a process that takes time and patience.

My entire life, I have been told that I should get into voiceovers. “Okay great! What are you going to do about it?”  Sometimes I get asked what I can do for these people for free.  I always tell them that getting into voiceovers is just like any other business when it comes to starting out.  You need to invest in training and education, much like a Doctor or Pilot and there is still no guarantee for success.

The people who understand the steps, do the research and ask a lot of questions are the ones with the right mindset and attitude.   Kudos to them.  Where I get frustrated is when they haven’t done the proper research or they listen to the advice of so-called experts who are not even voice talents or in the field. Myths can spread like a bad virus so always do your research and then consult with someone who has been in the field of voiceovers for a long time.

The bottom line is that I really enjoy training folks who are serious and truly understand what steps are necessary to have any shot at doing voiceovers, whether part-time or full-time.  And the economy? Sure, it isn’t the greatest but we all need to believe in ourselves and our passions.  Stop using the down economy as an excuse.  Don’t let fear take your dream.

When I decided to do voiceovers full time, I quit my radio sales job to follow my dream and I knew it would take time and a financial investment.  I was never expecting a free ride to the moon and you shouldn’t either. If you want something for free, you just got it.  Advice from a voiceover pro!

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Is 2011 Your Year?

The New Year started off with a bang and is off and running!  How about you?

I understand that you have a lot to do.  Yes, the house needs a cleaning after all of the holiday festivities, you’ve got to get to the gym to get your workout in, the laundry is piling up, you have to get your financials in order for taxes, etc.

What about your New Year’s resolutions?   What about your goal you wanted to achieve this year?

Yes, attending to the house, doing laundry, feeding your family, paying the bills and Uncle Sam is all important; however, just be careful that these everyday circumstances don’t become your procrastination cop out.  You know what I mean. “I’ll … (fill in the blank with your goal) when … (fill in the blank with an excuse, ie., when I get my tax refund, when I lose the weight, etc.).

The fact of the matter is that you will never begin as long as you allow circumstances to dictate your starting point.  You must begin at once. Take action and change your life.

You cannot succeed if you never start.   If you want to be a voice over talent or a doctor or a sales guru, get started today on your path.  Learn what steps you need to take to make it happen.  Put together a plan of attack to reach your goal and begin.  Yes, it really is that simple.

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Happy Holidays From Voice Talents Everywhere!

A few of us voice talents decided to collaborate for a holiday greeting. Check it out!

Happy Holidays From Voice Talents Everywhere! by voiceoversbyterrydaniel

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Make 2011 Your Year To Shine

Yes, it’s that most wonderful time of the year once again! A magical time full of laughter, joy and holiday cheer. A time overflowing with giddy anticipation, brimming with endless possibilities and New Year’s resolutions.

It all sounded so good until I brought up those New Year’s resolutions. Here’s the deal with those things, you can’t avoid them. Even resolving to not make New Year’s resolutions is still a resolution. The whole point of making them is to create positive changes in our lives. After all, if we continue to do what we have always done, we will continue to get what we’ve always gotten.

Here’s the formula for your New Year’s resolution success:

Step 1: Take inventory. What have you not done yet in your life that you would like to do? What’s on your bucket list? Perhaps you would like to become a voice over talent, or expand your voice over skills to better serve your clients, or specialize in a specific niche. Maybe you’ve always wanted to own your own business, or work from home, or just explore the possibilities of your creativity.

Step 2: Define your “Why”. You have to have a burning desire to accomplish you resolution and internalize your “why” or else even the littlest distraction will prevent you from attaining your goal. Perhaps your “why” is to fulfill a dream you’ve had for years, or to finally unleash your creativity and put to use talents you have that your current job or lifestyle have not fulfilled. Your “why” is personal but it must be powerful enough to pull you through when you would rather not do what it takes to make your goal happen.

Step 3: Determine what it will take. Now that you have your goal and your “why”, figure out what steps you will need to take and write them down. This may take a bit of research on your part. Talk to people who have done what you want to do and have achieved the level of success and notoriety that you aspire to achieve. Do not take advice from people who have not already accomplished what you want to accomplish. Their intentions may be golden, but their advice rarely is.

Step 4: Take action. Do at least one thing each day to move yourself closer to your goal and as you check off each step write “Victory” next to it and move on to the next step. Continue to do this daily and you will have the power of momentum on your side and will achieve success through your persistence and perseverance. If you get stuck along the way, ask for help and advice from the people who have achieved what you want to achieve and keep going.

Step 5: Celebrate! Take the time to celebrate your successes along the way and maintain your focus on accomplishing the next step toward achieving your goal.

Go ahead and make 2011 your year to shine! When 2012 comes along, you will be the one people will be toasting for keeping your resolution and we’ll see you at VOICE 2012!

Happy New Year!

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Be The One!

The Holidays are upon us in full swing and, in all of the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and perhaps quite tempting to forego sending out cards to family and friends, much less business associates. Big mistake.

Here’s the deal. If you want to be a top of mind voice over talent, you have to remain top of mind in the eyes of the clients. A fantastic way to do this is to send your clients and business associates a holiday greeting card that expresses your sincere gratitude for your relationship and wishes them well this season and in the New Year. It’s so very easy and so very important.

The statistics go like this. 10 people know they should send cards. Out of those 10, 3 of them never will. Another 3 will send out some generic card with their signature. Still another 3 will send cards with an added generic message. Yet only 1 will send out a card with a sincere, personalized message. Who do you think they will remember?

Be the one they will remember!

Here’s the great news – You still have time! Several sites allow you to personalize cards and send them either via mail or email like Hallmark.com, American Greetings.com or JibJab.com. Rattlebox.com even allows you to make personalized video cards. Some of the sites even allow you to track when your e-card is viewed and often times you will receive a response from the recipient too which opens the door for another opportunity to serve your clients in the New Year.

Wishing you all the best and every success this Holiday Season and in the New Year!

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