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Tips In the New Economy Video #2Thursday, June 10th, 2010 Thursday, June 10, 2010 Recorded live at my recent Masters of the Microphone Event in Atlanta Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Questions? Tips In the New Economy Video #1Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 Recorded live at my recent Masters of the Microphone Event in Atlanta Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Questions? Great Voice Success Stories Video #4Friday, April 30th, 2010 Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Questions? VO Breakthrough Strategy Video #3Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 More “Riches in Voice-over niches”…. Enter your contact info here to be placed on the priority notification list for our next Bootcamp. Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Questions? VO Breakthrough Strategy Video #2Monday, April 26th, 2010 “VO Niches and VO Guarantees” Enter your contact info here to be placed on the priority notification list for our next Bootcamp. Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Questions? Member Of The MonthFriday, April 2nd, 2010 CONGRATULATIONS to our Great Voice Inner Circle “Member of The Month” April 2010 – David Dorris
David Dorris How did you get started in Voice-Over? Last Spring I was researching VO and found the Great Voice Company and Susan and was impressed so I joined the Silver Inner Circle. Who has inspired you in Voice Over? Susan and Moneen most definitely! I was a little leery before the bootcamp and asking myself what I had gotten into because up until that point I was still kind of “kicking the tires’ so to speak. As I’ve learned in the Army as a Leader, you the leader have to work hard to earn the respect of your subordinates. Susan and Moneen EARNED MY RESPECT! They are both people of character, down-to-earth, REAL and passionate about what they do. They both love meeting new aspiring voice actors and TEACHING THEM! What is your favorite part of the Silver Inner Circle Program so far? THE CDS with the interviews with VO experts and the ezines Susan sends to members monthly!!! I also love the SERVICE Susan and her staff at the GVC provide. I love the professional, friendly, tender- loving- care packaging. The whole company is infused with CUSTOMER SERVICE. That is so important! Can you share some of those things with readers that might just be starting out in Voice-Over? The interviews with the experts are rich with great information, fun and interesting. I especially loved the interviews with David Rapkin, Pat Fraley and Marjorie Ocho Kouns. Who are some of your biggest inspirations in the Business? I say Gregory Peck because he narrated the BEST version of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” that I’ve heard. You see, I’ve been a narrator in Army Bands the last 15 or so years and had the priviledge and honor of narrating “Lincoln Portrait” twice last Memorial Day Weekend with our Concert Band. It’s funny but I did not like the way James Earl Jones did it. Of course, I always loved Gregory Peck in “Twelve O’Clock High”. That is a great movie. Watch it. A lot of great leadership lessons in there. I also loved to listen to Chuck Heston’s voice. I especially loved him in the classic “Ben Hur”. Do you have any interesting “on the job” stories? Boy do I! My favorite story I love telling is when I ran into the Secretary of Defense. (By the way, I am a good storyteller because I am of Celtic descent. I am Scots-Irish Mix and we historically are good at it.) My Secretary of Defense Story: We had 16 in the band: At least once a month we would play a standing honor guard ceremony in front of SHAPE Headquarters for a visiting dignitary, usually a SECRETARY OF DEFENSE from one of the NATO countries. That night, I would show up at the SACEUR’S Residence, Chateau Gendebien, a beautiful 19 Century mansion that the Belgium government provided for the SACEUR (another acronym that stands for SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER EUROPE. I would be in my dress blue uniform and would play in the piano room from about 7:30 until the SACEUR – then it was General Wesley Clark – would tap me on the shoulder and tell the guests that they were going into the dining room. THIS PART IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER. The huge dining room was to my RIGHT as I sat at the Bechstein Grand playing. After the General stopped me and the guests would mosey into the dining room TO MY RIGHT and eat. Well….on this one occasion, when the guest of honor was Dr. William Perry, an interim U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Clinton years – about 1997? – SHAPE Protocol told me that night when I got to the chateau that dinner that night would be at the other end of the mansion in THE LIBRARY. That would NOT have been to the right of the Piano as I sat but at the other end of the house as I FACED THE PIANO. Well, when the SHAPE Protocol lady, an obnoxious Brit named SHEILA who by the way always tried to treat me like a PEON – but that’s another story – I thought to myself, “Shoot, when the General taps my shoulder to quit playing and announces to the guests that they will go down to the library, I’ll just grab my music, HANG A RIGHT, cut through the darkened dining room, go out the back door, get in my car and head home to my hip, MACHOPAD located out in the beautiful farmland of Braine-le-Comte, Belgique! So, about 7:30 PM I started playing. The General tapped me on the shoulder about 8:15 PM. I stopped. He announces that the guests will head down that night to THE LIBRARY. They head down slowly. I cooly, grab my music, TURN RIGHT, walk about 10 feet to the DOUBLE DOORS OF THE HUGE DARKENED DINING ROOM. I do a HALF LEFT TO ANGLE TOWARD THE BACK DOOR….. AND I BUMP CHEST TO FACE INTO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OF THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD – DR. WILLIAM PERRY!!!! I say “CHEST TO FACE” because the guy was only about 5′3″ and about 110 lbs….. WET!!! He is a little man. I am 5′10″ but stocky and muscular like a football player. He says to me “Where did everybody go?” and I realized at this point the guy was WASTED. He was drunk…… AND LOST! (What are the chances, Dave , your average piano player could run into the SECDEF.) Anyway, I said to him, “Mr. Secretary, they went down to the library!” I walked him back into the Piano Room and pointed the way. But I got to thinking about it. He had flown from the US on a 7 or 8 hour flight and arrived that morning. The SACEUR had traipsed his butt all over the NATO forces AO (Area of Operations) visiting NATO troops. They MAY have had lunch but at 7:30- SUPPERTIME – IN THE PIANO ROOM AT COCKTAIL HOUR, he was HUNGRY again and out of proper protocol he wasn’t going to turn down a couple of drinks….EVEN IF HE HAD AN EMPTY STOMACH!!! No wonder he was blitzed. The dude only weighed about 110 lbs I’m thinkin’. What have you been up to lately? After the Bootcamp, I joined the Fast Track Demo Production Program with Moneen Daley Harte. She is a great teacher. That is the next step before I get hot and heavy into the marketing. I am real excited. I use my VO Notebook as a “VO Journal” every day and I log what I do. I go to the gym about 5:00 PM. Do some Pushups, Pullups, crunches, have a Recovery Shake and from that 1 hour until I eat supper, I go home and do “TAPE AND APE”. I love the documentaries especially – history channel, NatGEO etc. I also listen and try to copy the commercials I like. The Journaling is helpful for me. View Past Members of the Month, Click Here New Videos from Susan Berkley! “Breakthrough Strategies for Voice-over Success”Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 Recorded live at our recent “Masters of the Microphone” event
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VO Breakthrough Strategy Video #1 Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Register this Friday March 26 and get a $500 discount Can’t join us in June? Next Voice-over Bootcamp: NYC, June 25-27, 2010 Questions? * Drawing for $1,000 rebate will be held on March 30. You must register on March 26 to qualify. Only one $1,000 rebate will be awarded. March 2010 Member of The MonthTuesday, March 23rd, 2010 “Do Every Step With the Next Step in Mind” CONGRATULATIONS to our Great Voice Inner Circle “Member of The Month” March 2010 – Roy D. Williams
Roy D. Williams [Susan]How did you get started in voice-over? [Roy]Actually it’s my wife’s fault! After years of her hearing people comment on my voice, she began encouraging me to do something with it, so I Googled “voice-over” one night. Needless to say the search results were overwhelming! After sifting through the endless hits, I picked a few sites and started researching the folks behind them; I tend to be very skeptical and cautious. The one in particular that always stood out from the crowd was you and The Great Voice Company. I couldn’t find a single negative anything connected with either you or your company and only kept getting more and more convinced the more I looked. So I picked you! I joined your email list, read everything you sent, read your site and ran across the Boot Camp page. It sounded good, was right down the street from me and was starting in a couple of months. But the price… should I… so much so soon? I felt I might be jumping into the deep-end way too early. I had seen much cheaper ways to get started. I hemmed and hawed and discussed it with my wife. A couple of days later, we decided I would take the plunge. The next morning I’m on your site, credit card in hand, ready to sign up and… SOLD OUT! What!? So soon!? We were bummed! At that point I stopped thinking about it. Just wasn’t meant to be I figured, but I do remember thinking – if it sold out that quick, it must be something good. Your emails continued and honestly I marked you as spam, -sorry. In my junk mail though, they couldn’t remind me about my procrastination. About a year later, I was expecting an email that hadn’t shown up. Oh yeah I thought, maybe in my junk mail. I open the junk folder and there it was, right on the very top of the junk pile. Not what I was looking for, but instead an email from Jason telling me about a last minute opening to Boot Camp. It was starting in ten days. It didn’t take long at all to decide this time! I called that very moment it seems but it was late so I had to leave Jason a voicemail. I also emailed him right then and called back the moment you opened the next day, I had to leave another voicemail, and then sent another email. Jason probably thought I was stalking him! But I wasn’t about to let Boot Camp slip by me this time! And it didn’t! I am so glad I made it to your Boot Camp and it was so worth the investment! It was a terrific time and flared incredible comradery amongst the attendees. I learned so much and not just about voice-over, but a lot about myself as well. By the end of day 3, I knew without a doubt I was now in voice-over. I was in business right then and there. I applied for your Ultimate Voice-Over Success Program the next day, held my breath… and got accepted! I will never look back except to reminisce great times! [Susan]What kind of formal training have you done in voice-over? [Roy]Boot Camp of course. Now I am currently working on my first demo with Great Voice Voice Coach Moneen Daley Harte. She is terrific! I have no doubt Moneen is leading me in the right direction to a marketable demo. It’ll be done mid April. [Susan]Who has inspired you in voice-over? [Roy]James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Mike Rowe I guess I never knew it until I got started myself but I now realize I have always wondered, “Just who is that invisible person talking?” I have always watched the credits to pick out the narrators’ names, able at least to put a name with the voice, in lack of a face. I think they’re all inspiring because they’re doing it! [Susan]What is your favorite part of the Silver Inner Circle Program so far? [Roy]It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’d have to say the Q&A calls. Listening to others’ successes and struggles can be empowering and enlightening. I also get a chance to have my burning questions answered and a chance to hear questions I haven’t even thought of. The monthly CD critiques are very helpful by teaching me do’s and don’ts. I like the guest calls too though. I like hearing the people who have been there, done that, doing that. If they can (and it’s obvious they can), then I have to figure… I can too! Recently, you sent me quite a few things you have done to get started on your own. [Susan]Can you share some of those things with readers that might just be starting out in voice-over? [Roy]Even before Boot Camp started, I read Susan Berkley’s book, SPEAK to INFLUENCE where I learned the true power of voice and how profoundly our voices influence all those around us. I was especially amazed by the scientific facts you cite. After Boot Camp my immediate goal was to get my voice-over business setup and ready for its first employee, me. I wanted the business setup over with so I could move on by concentrating on learning and practicing voice-over skills. Of course my studio gear was first! I used your Boot Camp recommendations, the internet and went to a local audio store to educate myself. There are way too many choices to research them all so I just picked. I ordered everything on-line: mic, preamp, cables, mic stand and pop filter. I am very pleased with my choices. More importantly, I passed Moneen’s home studio recording test! One thing I was really concerned about was having my demo ready but no website to put it on. In today’s world, no matter what you’re doing, a website testifies “credibility”. If ya ain’t on the web, ya just ain’t. I used a do-it-yourself site to build my own website – roydwilliams.com. The cost was next to nothing. As you know, I started with one of their ready-made templates but have since re-designed it with artwork I created. Thanks to your suggestions on a Master Mind call, it looks so much better now. My email address: roydwilliams.vo@gmail.com , of course is free. My 2 cents for beginners is to first and foremost be excited and see this as your new job. How do we all perform that first 90 days on a new job? Tell EVERYONE this: “I am working!”, “Don’t bug me, don’t call me, and don’t knock on my door.” Now answer this question: “Why am I doing this?” then write down your answer(s). Set a work schedule and keep it. Make your to do list, write it down, get it done, procrastinate procrastination! Do every step with purpose; see a successful result before you’re done. Do every step with the next step in mind. Maybe by doing “this” step a little differently, you can make doing the “next” step a little easier. If a step runs past schedule, too bad, keep going until it’s done. Get out of bed at 4:30 AM, shower, be working by 5:00 AM; you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you’re fresh and everything is so quiet. Work harder for yourself than you do for your current boss. After you’re home from your 9-5, dinner then straight to it, no stopping at the TV! Push through your anxieties, become empowered by them, they simply mean you’re doing the right thing. Take one day off each week to relax (okay, now the TV) and enjoy your accomplishments. Always remember this is for you and for your “why”! Be thankful and be grateful! I really, truly and honestly cannot remember ever having more fun, ever, ever, ever. View Past Members of the Month, Click Here Q&A from Susan Berkley’s November 12th Tele-trainingMonday, November 16th, 2009 Answers to your questions from Susan Berkley’s November 12th Tele-training 5 Simple Secrets for Getting Started in Voice-over now: How to Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever and here’s the replay link in case you missed the call www.greatvoice.com/5secretsreplay[Question] Is the 30 day training in December a good place to start for beginners like me??? - Trish, Minneapolis, MN [Answer]Yes, Trish. I designed VO Step By Step: Your 30 Day Action Plan for Voiceover Success specifically for beginners, even though some experienced people are joining the program too. Let me tell you why. There are lots of moving parts to starting a voice-over career and I discovered that people are getting overwhelmed, stuck and confused when they try to do this. So I broke the entire process of getting started into 30 bite-sized chunks so you can do a little bit every day and at the end of a month you’ll make significant progress and be well on your way to success. It really demystifies things and gives you the confidence you need. And here’s the rest of the good news. When the program begins on Tuesday, December 2nd, I will personally walk you through all 30 steps in a series of 4 live teleseminars during the first two weeks of December. This will be the first and only time I will be personally facilitating this program, so you definitely want to hop on over to www.vostepbystep.com to get on board today before the three pay option ends on Friday. - Susan [Question]Can I still get in on the FREE VIP ticket to your Masters of the Microphone event in March in Atlanta that you were offering on the call to the first 50 people who registered for VO Step By Step? Or have you already sold all the seats? - Pat, Dallas, TX [Answer] Good news Pat. I decided to give a FREE VIP Ticket to Masters of The Microphone (a $995 value) to everyone who registers for VO Step by Step before the course begins on Weds. December 2nd. See www.vostepbystep.com or call my office at 800-333-8108 and speak with Jason at x29 if you have questions. - Susan [Question] I learned that my jewel case design was not necessary. I have a concept, an interior folded sheet and the matching label, but learned all one needs is a plastic “clam shell” case and label with your name and contact info on it. What is your opinion? - Marlene, Chicago, IL [Answer] In my opinion creating a beautiful case for your voice-over demo with folded sheet and matching label is a waste of time and money, will only side track your entry into the voice-over market and comes under the category of what I call GRTGR (pronounced: Grit-GRR) which stands for ?getting ready to get ready.? And you don’t even need a clam shell case. Just have someone design a nice full color label for your demo CD, include your name, email and mobile phone number, put it in a paper or plastic sleeve and send it out with a cover letter, then follow up with a solid marketing plan such as the one I?ll be teaching in our next Voice-over Bootcamp, W. Palm Beach, Florida, January 29th-31st, 2010. See www.greatvoice.com/bootcamp Besides, most people these days are requesting digital MP3 demos so you’ll find you send out very few hard copy CDs - Susan [Question] Please send me detailed information about “Masters of the Microphone: Great Voice, Great Life Event”, including pricing. Among all of your “products”, it seems like the one?that might be best suited for me? - Joe [Answer]smart guy! Masters of the Microphone is shaping up to be one of the best live events we’ve ever done.? It’s for all levels of great voices. I’m working on the web page now with all the details and it should be up by the end of the week The price will be $495 if you register before December 31st, 2009, and you get a FREE VIP ticket if you enroll in “VO Step By Step” which starts Weds December 2nd. See www.vostepbystep.com . The dates to save for Masters of The Microphone are Friday and Saturday, March 12th-13th, Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Atlanta, Ga? - Susan [Question] I am wheelchair bound,. My question is, will the fact that I am in a wheelchair bound have any implications in the voice-over industries?? Thanks. – Arturo [Answer] Not at all, Arturo. Most of our work is done from home studios so you can set yours up so it’s fully accessible. As long as your disability doesn’t affect the sound of your voice and you can use the telephone, you’ll be fine. No one will care and they don’t even need to know. - Susan [Question] Interest in v-o is fine, but how do I know if I even have a voice worth developing? - Brian [Answer] The good news is that voice-over is not a vocal beauty contest. It’s about developing and using the voice you have to make other people’s words come alive. This is voice acting and great actors come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Same thing with great voices. Marketing and networking also plays a huge part in your success. Nevertheless, there are a number of things you need to know about developing your instrument. For a voice assessment, please call my office and speak with our talent advisor Jason Davis at 800-333-8108 x229. The fee is only $95 and he?ll listen to you read some copy and let you know where you stand. Find out more about the voice assessment here www.greatvoice.com/voice-assesment-cta - Susan [Question] The tele-class you gave last week was great. Here’s my question or my concern. So it’s proper to use national spots with your voice on them on your website? And should you put background music with them? - Andrea [Answer] First of all, you shouldn’t do a demo until you get some training, nor should you attempt to produce it yourself. I suggest finding an experienced coach, such as Moneen Daley Harte, who produces our demos at Great Voice. When you?re ready, she?ll help you find the right national spots to use as copy on your demo and produce them with licensed background or production music so they sound like real spots that actually ran on the air.? Until you are skilled enough to do this, you shouldn’t attempt doing a demo, and yes, you should use short snippets of copy for real products and services. The music needs to be properly licensed or you can use royalty free music that you find online. - Susan [Question] Where do I find a studio that will record a demo?? - Pete [Answer] ’see my answer above. Hopefully you?ve had some training and are ready to do a demo. Please call my office at 800-333-8108 x229 and speak with Jason who can help you with this or email jason@greatvoice.com? - Susan [Question] Can you repeat the brand name of your headphones please. Great call. Many thanks - Angelique [Answer] I use Sennheiser HD 280 Pros. - Susan How to Get Started in Audio BooksMonday, November 2nd, 2009 AUDIO BOOK NARRATION IS A SPECIALIZED SKILL IT REQUIRES STAMINA BUDGETS ARE GENERALLY TIGHT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUDIO BOOKS YOU NEED A SPECIAL DEMO TO MAKE INDUSTRY CONTACTS CONSIDER JOINING THE AUDIO PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION OR ATTENDING THEIR CONFERENCE Meet the “godmother” of audio book narrators and publisher of Audio File Magazine, the industry bible. Not a member? Want to join the Silver Inner Circle and get 2 free months? Click here to become a trial member. Have you been a member before and dropped out of the program, but want to rejoin again? Click here to start your active membership again for $59.95 per month. Day 4 – Recording Studio EtiquetteWednesday, August 5th, 2009 “Here is the FREE voice-over training I promised you” Complete with step-by-step videos and my notes?
Questions about our training or Bootcamp?
OK, here?s the deal. This is the last Bootcamp I will be doing in 2009. Whether you?re a beginner or experienced pro looking to book more voice-overs, you must take action now to grab one of the few remaining seats in this exciting recording studio event. Day 4: Download my ?Recording studio etiquette? training video and discover what to do and what never to do in the recording studio so you always look and sound like a pro. Click here to watch my ?Recording studio etiquette? training video
Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps? The ?Independence Day Sale? Ends this Friday July 31. There are only a few seats left in our next Voice-over Bootcamp September 25-27 in NYC. And they will be gone fast… You must act now to get a whopping $250 discount and reserve your seat at the lowest possible price.
Day 3: Download my ?Conflicting agendas? training video and discover the surprising reason many people fail and so few succeed in voice-over Click here to watch my ?Conflicting agendas? training video
Coming tomorrow: My ?Recording Studio Etiquette? training video. You?ll learn what to do and what never to do in the recording studio so you always look and sound like a pro. Make sure you check you email for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 2: Download my list of good and bad voice-over foods and watch the training video where I take you to my favorite salad bar and show you which foods to eat and which to avoid before a voice-over recording session. Click here to watch my ?What to eat before a voice-over session? training video
Coming tomorrow: My ?Conflicting Agendas? training video. Failure to understand this important concept is the #1 reason people fail when they try to get into voice-over. But if you understand it, you?ll have a huge advantage over the competition. Make sure you check your email tomorrow for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 1: Watch the training video where I answer the question “How do I know if I have any talent?” Click here to watch my “How do I know if I have any talent” training video Coming tomorrow: My “What to eat and what not to eat before a voice-over session” training video. Make sure you check your email for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 3 – Conflicting AgendasWednesday, August 5th, 2009 “Here is the FREE voice-over training I promised you” Complete with step-by-step videos and my notes?
Questions about our training or Bootcamp?
OK, here?s the deal. This is the last Bootcamp I will be doing in 2009. Whether you?re a beginner or experienced pro looking to book more voice-overs, you must take action now to grab one of the few remaining seats in this exciting recording studio event. Day 3: Download my ?Conflicting agendas? training video and discover the surprising reason many people fail and so few succeed in voice-over Click here to watch my ?Conflicting agendas? training video
Coming tomorrow: My ?Recording Studio Etiquette? training video. You?ll learn what to do and what never to do in the recording studio so you always look and sound like a pro. Make sure you check you email for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 2: Download my list of good and bad voice-over foods and watch the training video where I take you to my favorite salad bar and show you which foods to eat and which to avoid before a voice-over recording session. Click here to watch my ?What to eat before a voice-over session? training video
Coming tomorrow: My ?Conflicting Agendas? training video. Failure to understand this important concept is the #1 reason people fail when they try to get into voice-over. But if you understand it, you?ll have a huge advantage over the competition. Make sure you check your email tomorrow for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 1: Watch the training video where I answer the question “How do I know if I have any talent?” Click here to watch my “How do I know if I have any talent” training video Coming tomorrow: My “What to eat and what not to eat before a voice-over session” training video. Make sure you check your email for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 2 – What To Eat Before A Voice-Over SessionWednesday, August 5th, 2009 “Here is the FREE voice-over training I promised you” Complete with step-by-step videos and my notes?
Questions about our training or Bootcamp?
OK, here?s the deal. This is the last Bootcamp I will be doing in 2009. Whether you?re a beginner or experienced pro looking to book more voice-overs, you must take action now to grab one of the few remaining seats in this exciting recording studio event. Day 2: Download my list of good and bad voice-over foods and watch the training video where I take you to my favorite salad bar and show you which foods to eat and which to avoid before a voice-over recording session. Click here to watch my ?What to eat before a voice-over session? training video
Coming tomorrow: My ?Conflicting Agendas? training video. Failure to understand this important concept is the #1 reason people fail when they try to get into voice-over. But if you understand it, you?ll have a huge advantage over the competition. Make sure you check your email tomorrow for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 1: Watch the training video where I answer the question “How do I know if I have any talent?” Click here to watch my “How do I know if I have any talent” training video Coming tomorrow: My “What to eat and what not to eat before a voice-over session” training video. Make sure you check your email for the link Got questions about our voice-over training or Bootcamps?
Day 1 – How Do I Know If I Have Any Talent?Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 “Here is the FREE voice-over training I promised you” Complete with step-by-step videos and my notes?
Questions about our training or Bootcamp?
OK, here?s the deal. This is the last Bootcamp I will be doing in 2009. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced pro looking to book more voice overs, you must take action now to grab one of the few remaining seats in this exciting recording studio event. Day 1: Watch the training video where I answer the question “How do I know if I have any talent?” Click here to watch my “How do I know if I have any talent” training video Coming tomorrow: My “What to eat and what not to eat before a voice-over session” training video. Make sure you check your email for the link Got questions about our voice over training or Bootcamps?
Member of The Month – Pamela Mitchell – “Flying High On Success”Thursday, June 4th, 2009 CONGRATULATIONS to our Great Voice Inner Circle “Member of The Month” June 2009 – Pamela Mitchell
[Susan] Who do you fly for? [Pamela] Northwest Airlines, now merged with Delta. [Susan] What made you want to become a pilot? [Pamela] A book in seventh grade called, “The Search for Amelia Earhart” sparked my initial interest, but my folks weren’t too keen on their daughter learning to fly. So, after graduating Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, I took that first flight lesson…and was, quite simply, hooked! At that time there were no women airline pilots, so it seemed a pipe dream to actually fly as a career. I made that my goal and after 6 years of hard work flying odd jobs, delivering single-engine aircraft across the Atlantic (my small tip-of-the-hat to Amelia), flight-testing new aircraft for Cessna Citation, and anything else I could do to build flight time, I finally made it! Twenty-five years later, it’s been a wonderful career.
[Susan] What led you to explore voice-over and take our Bootcamp? [Pamela] After doing some sporadic voiceover work through the years (company training video narration, union video narration, regional Northwest television spots) and having passengers and flight attendants tell me I have a “great voice” (how many times have you heard that from your students, Susan?!) I consideredprofessional voiceover after my second hip replacement surgery last July, just as a possible fallback if I couldn’t go back to work. When the Air Line Pilots Association called in September to do another narration, I figured it was a sign! Surfing the web, I started reading Susan’s website along with others, and emailed for information. After not flying for quite awhile, I was ready to get out of town for a bit, the West Palm Beach Bootcamp had a cancellation…and the rest is history! What a fabulous bit of serendipity and a very valuable weekend! [Susan] How are you enjoying the Ultimate Voice-over Success Coaching Program? [Pamela]I’ve so enjoyed my time with Moneen and I feel it has really broadened my opportunities. I’m very excited about recording my demo and Moneen feels I’ve made a lot of progress! The entire Ultimate program is geared toward making this career really take off. The support from everyone at Great Voice Company, as well as my classmates at the Bootcamp, is truly special. It feels like everyone is family cheering me on and helping out with advice and suggestions and encouragement!
[Susan] You are a board member with Patrons of the HeArts. Tell us more about this charity. [Pamela] Patrons of the HeArts is a charity whose mission is to fund an endowment to provide life-saving heart surgery in the U.S. for children from underdeveloped countries who don’t have the facilities or the surgeons to provide this care. In the past, artists have relied on patrons to fund their work. Patrons of the HeArts funds kids! Our tie-in with the arts is in the form of a yearly art auction and gala, with work donated by artists from all over the country; coordination with musical events, art walks, children’s art activities, etc. all geared toward funding surgeries for 10-15 kids each year. Although the surgeon’s time, hospital time, and many other aspects of the children’s care is donated, it still costs about $5000 per child to get them to the U.S. and pay for their anasthesia, supplies, and recovery. Many folks have generously sponsored individual children as well as committed to paying for a child each year. Kids have come from Ethiopia, Uganda, Afghanistan, China, Venezuela, Morocco, and many other countries in Africa, Asia, and South America so far.
Our website, www.patronsofthehearts.com shows photos of many of “our” kids and tells their stories. in addition to listing our yearly activities and telling people how they can help. The video is narrated by a local television anchor who also volunteered his time. You can see Tamin and Azad, their fathers, and me when we arrived in Jacksonville at the airport, as well as many of the other little kids we’ve helped through the almost-five-years Patrons has been a reality. If anyone is interested in more information or would like to help out, feel free to go on our website! Patrons of the HeArts is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida, and all donations are tax-deductible. And, trust me, it is truly amazing how good it makes your heart feel to help these little kids’ hearts! View Past Member?s of the Month, Click Here I Saw this Little Guy in the Trees Yesterday!Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
Postcard from BrazilTuesday, February 17th, 2009
Last weekend, I spent a lovely Sunday afternoon with my friend Rich Jones and his wife Monica at a huge crafts fair (Embu Das Artes) just outside of Sao Paulo. Actually, it?s more than a crafts fair. It?s an entire city filled with charming little shops and street vendors selling Brazilian jewelry, antiques and handicrafts. There are no cars on the cobblestone streets and you can explore the many shops tucked away in the stone-walled nooks and crannies at your leisure. They definitely don?t take American Express and had I brought more cash I would have gone home with this charming wooden wall plaque decorated with little tin dinosaurs. Upcoming Event!Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
Don’t Face the New Economy Alone! In today’s tough selling environment, sales professionals and business owners need every advantage they can get. If you’re committed to thrive instead of being a victim in the new economy, then you need to arm yourself with the latest proven sales strategies for success. That’s why you can’t miss the Engage Powerhouse Sales Event! Every year, my friend and colleague, Colleen Francis of Engage Selling, holds her Powerhouse Sales Event. This two day event in April brings together a premier line-up of business experts and the opportunity to surround yourself with other success-minded professionals. You get an all-access pass to the secrets of these all-stars and learn techniques you can apply the very next day to ensure immediate and lasting results – in any economy.
And I’m pleased to announce that I will be speaking at this year’s event! I know that with all the challenges of today’s economy, most of you don’t want to wait to the event – you want to start selling more now. That’s why Colleen is making a special offer to my community – to preview the programs of those experts speaking at the Powerhouse Event at no cost! Each of the keynote sales experts – including me – has agreed to provide you a preview of their programs so you get access to their sales secrets now! Colleen’s created a teleseries so you can participate in the programs of these sales experts now. All at no charge and no strings attached! By signing up for this teleseries, you get exclusive access to four teleclasses over the next two months – each with one of the Powerhouse experts who will reveal their secrets for prospering in the new economy. You’ll also get to ask these experts your questions to address your most burning sales issues – those critical to your success in today’s tough market. It’s like getting your own coaching session with me and the rest of this panel of experts at no cost! How could anyone miss this opportunity? But note that seats are limited so sign-up now! Click Here to Register for this No-Cost Teleseries You’ll get direct access to these experts in this teleseries – at no cost:
Don’t miss this opportunity to get access to this panel of experts at no cost! Click Here to Register for this No-Cost Teleseries Regards, P. S. Remember that you get direct access to me and our panel of experts in this four event teleseries – all at no charge! P. S. S. Seats are limited so sign-up now! Read Comments from Participants of my FREE Teleseminar – Tons of Voice-overs without Tons of Auditions!Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
-I was one of the lucky ones who did make through. It was wonderful? I loved the information shared and will use it. Thanks, again, Andrea -Thank you for this info?.I?ll replay! Thoroughly enjoyed last night-insightful?it leads me to think I should focus on ?medically-related? copy. Thank you again for the ?roadmap?. Truly, David -Morning Susan; AWESOME call last night and great news on the ?replay?. I sent that email out to a dozen folks that I knew should listen in and learn and probably 2-3 of those could be candidates for the Boot Camp, so we?ll see. For me, personally, it was a great mirror of where I?ve been, where I am, and where I need to stay focused to grow my business. Huge for me, so THANK YOU! I was humbled by your mentioning of my experience last night?I am a blessed man, to be sure, and you have mentored me so well this past year that if my story can help you grow your business to help others grow theirs?isn?t that the way it should work? Enjoy your weekend and I can?t wait for West Palm David -I attended tonight?s teleseminar ?How to Book Tons of Voice-overs Without Tons of Auditions?. Susan?s willingness to share her knowledge of the voice-over business, and her intellectual capital, has added significantly to my understanding in a very short period of time. Since I want to change careers to a voice over career, do you recommend that my next step should be a Personal Voice Evaluation (Voice-over Talent Evaluation) for $95.00? Also, in addition to the Boot Camp (Feb. 27- March 1, ?2009),do you recommend that I purchase immediately Susan?s book ?Speak to Influence? and the Audio CD? Look forward to hearing from you. Thank you Susan! -I appreciate the opportunity to hear your strategies and personal insights on last night?s call. And, like you, I also live in the Hudson Valley – Newburgh, NY! Great place to live! Happy Thanksgiving! Brian -Susan, Thanks so much for keeping in touch. I haven?t given up on my desire to get into voiceovers, however, due to difficulties in the economy, I?ve had to devote more time than usual to ensure things are well with my ?day job? in foodservice sales. Please keep me in the loop, as you have in the past. Hope all is well with you. Brian -Susan, I was on the call and it was stupendous! Yes I have registered for the Florida Boot Camp and I can hardly wait. I will tell you my story there. -Susan, -Susan, Thank you very much for hosting your teleseminar and inviting me to join it for free. I found it very interesting and affirming for some of the things I?ve been doing, like networking. I plan on looking more at your website and checking out your teleseminars. Thank you again for taking the time to help this beginner get further down the road in this business. Regards, -Hi Susan: Thanks so much for tonight?s call ? I?m particularly impressed with your teaching about marketing. In my case, this applies not only for VO but also, interestingly enough, for my work in ?marketing? my church, our faith, even the God that I?d like people to connect with. Some fascinating crossovers here. I also appreciated the encouragement at the end of your call to be thankful. In spite of all that?s happening with the economy (we?re feeling it up here in MA), there?s so much to be grateful for. And it?s this kind of attitude that will also help people to find work and the friends needed to make life worthwhile. Finally, having recently lost my Dad, who, like yours, contributed alot to his community (I grew up reading your Dad?s magazines), and more to my life personally, I?ll be thinking of and praying for you this Thanksgiving, your first without him. So thanks again for all your help. I?m looking forward to my first fasttrack call with Moneen tomorrow AM. -Susan, I really liked your approach to using one?s own marketing skills to develop a great business. I haven?t an agent. And, instead of registering with voice-over websites, I invested in a home studio. Your ideas seemed to be parallel to the way I?m building my business foundation. I?d love to come to your boot camp, and who knows? Now that I know about it, maybe it is something I could achieve. For now, thanks for the very informative Conference Call. Funny I just got this email with the correct times in it. I figured it was 9pm for me and it was not missed. Thanks for sharing your information with us tonight. Have a great night and a wonderful Thanksgiving. Jim -Susan – Last night?s call was great. Thanks. You?ve helped me identify the the weak areas I have to improve. You?ve also helped me avoid things that don?t work and could waste what little money I have. Thanks, again. Sounding Presidential: Voice Artist Named Winner For Obama-McCain ?Shouting Match?Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 The Great Voice Company Selects Mike Kaminski of Clearwater, Florida as the First Annual Voice-over Artist Celebrity Sound-alike Contest Winner
What would a no-holds-barred, in-your-face smackdown between Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain sound like? This year’s winner of the Great Voice Company’s Celebrity Sound-alike contest provides a hilarious look at how such a confrontation might have gone?and what you would hear if your ear was to the wall in the next room! The contest was announced earlier this week in the Great Voice Company’s “Inside Voice-over” e-zine. But according to Great Voice President Susan Berkley, Kaminski was the clear winner of the $150 prize. “We had some passable Obama’s and McCain’s, but Mike was the only one who did both. When I heard Mike’s dueling candidates I laughed so hard I cried, ” said Berkley. Kaminski is no newcomer to voice-over. A professional comedian, his celebrity voice impressions are frequently heard on radio stations in the US and abroad. “To perfect an impression takes weeks” Kaminski said. “McCain is pretty similar to Bush, who I’ve been doing for the past 8 years. Obama was tougher, but finally I nailed it.” The Great Voice Company trains beginning and professional voice talent via tele-seminars and Boot camps. A famous voice herself, Berkley is the voice of AT&T and Citibank. Berkley said voice impressions are a specialty that few people can do well. They are rarely used in commercials but are a perennial favorite on morning radio.” The world is filled with embarrassingly bad Arnold Schwarzenegger imitators,” she says. ” Anyone can do Arnold’s famous ?I’ll be back’ from the Terminator movies, but very few possess the skills to sustain the imitation without sounding like an idiot.” But voice-over wanna-be’s shouldn’t worry if they can’t do imitations. Most jobs are done in the talent’s “normal street voice.” The Great Voice Company offers a variety of free resources for those who want to explore opportunities in voice-over including a subscription to the “Inside Voice-over” Ezine and a CD entitled “5 Little Known Secrets Every Beginner Needs to Know About How To Get Started in Voice-over in 11 Months or Less. Listen Now to Mike’s Obama-McCain ‘Shouting Match’ Listen Now as Susan Berkley interviews Mike! A special thanks to runners up: Do You Suffer From Mic Fright?Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
Performance anxiety or stage fright is one of the most common and terrifying fears. The scary symptoms are caused by stress and a sudden overabundance of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline in the bloodstream. The good news is, the adrenaline rush is short-lived and the excess adrenaline will burn off as you perform. But stage fright, if not dealt with, can paralyze and inhibit many performers. The careers of Barbara Streisand, Carly Simon and others were limited by this problem. Johnny Carson experienced incredible anxiety before every show. But, performance anxiety doesn’t begin with the scary symptoms of stage fright. It starts within the hidden reaches of our inner life. Unfortunately, most people are so out of touch with themselves they don?t even know what their inner life is or how to begin trying to find it. According to psychoanalyst Dr. Norberto Keppe, our inner life is the seat of our talent and abilities. Artistic inspiration flows through us from a source greater than ourselves and that can be scary indeed. But, what also scares us is seeing how we unconsciously block this flow and complicate our professional development. I will be revealing the secrets of how I built (and continue to enjoy) a million dollar voice over career at the next Voice over Bootcamp April 12-14. Click here for more details or call Jason at 800-333-8108 x229 for more details. Can You Shed Some Light?Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 A voice-over subscriber writes: ?I have an agent in Pittsburgh and so far she has proven to be worthless (I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true). I am quite good at this and simply need a break and really don’t know where to turn. Any thoughts? Thanks so much?. Susan says: You describe a common scenario. You are not alone. Here are some reasons why your agent may not be getting you work: YOUR AGENT HASN’T BEEN GETTING CALLS FOR YOUR TYPE OF VOICE I don’t know what kind of voice you have, but maybe it’s just not the type of voice that advertisers are looking for right now. Let’s face it, Pittsburgh is a smaller market so opportunities might be more limited than they would be in NY or LA. YOUR AGENT IS NOT A GOOD MARKETER My hunch says that this is probably the reason. Many (but not all) agents I know are frustrated voice talents or theatre people with poor business backgrouns. They don’t really understand how hard you need to work to grow a business. There are, of course, some notable exceptions. THE AGENCY HAS TOO MANY OTHER VOICE TALENTS THAT SOUND LIKE YOU If there are only a limited number of auditions with a limited number of spaces per audion, your agent might be favoring other voice talent with a better track record or their exclusive signed clientele. THE PITTSBURGH VOICE-OVER MARKET IS SLOW Sometimes there are market forces we can’t do anything about. But, a talent agent who understands marketing can find opportunities even in a slow market or expand into other markets using the internet. YOUR DEMO CD IS WEAK I haven’t heard it, so I don’t know. But, often an agency will add your demo to their house reel or website and send it to potential clients. Your demo must be a real ?grabber? so you stand out from the pack and get people to sit up and take notice. There is a lesson here for all of us. You cannot depend on anyone else for success. I don’t care if you work and live in NY, LA, Pittsburgh or Sheboygan. No one is coming to your rescue. You must study marketing and learn how to do it yourself. I will be revealing the secrets of how I built (and continue to enjoy) a million dollar voice-over career at the next Voice-over Bootcamp Oct 11th-13th. But, you’ll have to hurry. There are only two seats available, so click here for more details or call Jason at 800-333-8108 x229 for more details. Never Say You Are A BeginnerTuesday, February 17th, 2009
“It seems sort of odd that you tell us NEVER say you are a beginner & in the cover letter you say to state your experience (if any). If you don’t have experience and you don’t tell them so in your cover letter), wouldn’t the prospect get it figured out & throw your cd in the trash?” Jim I firmly believe that if a prospect knows you are a beginner, he or she won’t want to hire you, unless you are willing to work for free. Therefore, it’s especially important to get training that not only prepares you to perform professionally behind the mic, but also to present yourself professionally in your marketing materials so the question of whether you are a beginner or not will never even enter their mind. This is what we teach you at The Great Voice Company in our teleseminars and Bootcamps. When a prospect working for a company makes a buying decision about voice talent, he sees no benefit in working with a beginner. The kind of people you SHOULD want to work with won’t be wanting to pinch pennies by working with a newbie. They’re more concerned with looking good to customers and co-workers because they chose the right vendor who got the job done right the first time, met their budget and their timeline. Few voice talent realize that what they’re really selling is not merely their voice, but their trustworthiness, reliability, professionalism and even their celebrity (even on the small town local level). I say celebrity, because this gives the people who hire them bragging rights at the water cooler, elevating their status among their peers, a huge plus for cubicle workers in big, dull companies. So, if your skills are not to the point where you can’t make a professional sounding demo, don’t. Wait until you’re ready. With a good coach and a great director, it’s possible for a beginner to make a strong entrance in the market and launch their career in record time. The first step is to get a voice assessment from our talent coordinator Jason Davis. If you haven’t already done, so please give him a call at 800-333-8108 during east coast business hours and ask him how to audition for our upcoming teleclass or email jason@greatvoice.com. Great Voice Success Story?Meet Michael TurnbullTuesday, February 17th, 2009
When Michael Turnbull sold his business a few years ago, he could have comfortably retired, but he knew he wasn?t ready to sit in a rocking chair. This was his time to do what he always wanted to do: voice-over! After an initial training period with The Great Voice Company, Michael built studios in his summer home in Michigan and his winter home in Florida and set out to market himself as the warmly authoritative, mature voice of the baby boomer generation. It worked! He?s now a busy guy voicing documentaries, commercials and corporate audio for his many clients worldwide. Listen to his success story here… Save $250 off your investment in our next Voice-over Bootcamp, October 11th-13th in New York City. $250 discount ends midnight on September 9th, 2008. Seating is on a first come basis. Discount is taken at check out on the registration page duing online sign up. For more bootcamp information, click here! Link for the visually impaired. A Great Voice Success Story?..Meet Moneen Daley HarteTuesday, February 17th, 2009
Move over Hockey Moms and Soccer Moms! Make way for the ?Microphone Mom?, a new breed of woman enjoying a successful voice-over career working from their home studio. Moneen Daley Harte is the Queen of the Microphone Moms. She?s a radio personality from Boston, MA and blends a thriving voice-over career and a satisfying home life with her husband and two beautiful children. There?s alot for both men and women to learn from my interview with Moneen as she shares the exciting story of how she?s found new life behind the mic and quadrupled her voice-over income as a member of our Marketing Mastermind program. Listen to Moneen share her story… A link for the visually impaired, Click HERE! Save $250 off your investment in our next Voice-over Bootcamp, October 11th-13th in New York City. $250 discount ends midnight, September 9th, 2008. Seating is on a first come basis. Discount is taken at check out on the registration page during online sign up. For more bootcamp information click here! Susan Berkley’s Free 5 Day Video Voice-over CourseWednesday, December 3rd, 2008 Dear Susan: Day 5 – What Would It Look Like? Day 4 – Where Are They? Day 3 – What Is My Relationship? Day 2 – Who Am I Talking About? Day 1 – Who Am I? Videos on YouTube are streamed through an Adobe Flash player. For the best viewing experience, we suggest you install the latest version of Adobe Flash after removing any old versions you’ve installed. “Jump start your voice-over career at my next voice-over Bootcamp in W. Palm Beach, Fla.(Feb 27-March 1, 2009). But hurry! We’re almost sold out.” Details here: www.greatvoice.com/bootcamp |
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The two little boys I escorted from Afghanistan were 8 and 2. Tamin was from Kabul and Azad was from a remote little village where he lived in a mud shack. U.S. military surgeons identified the boys when they came to the free medical clinics the military holds regularly. Though they spoke not a single word of English and were accompanied by their fathers, who also spoke no English, Tamin and Azad captured everyone’s hearts! It was so hard to take them home after 8 weeks, but heartwarming to see them run around and play like healthy, hearty little boys again!
WOW! I guess I touched a nerve with the topic of last Thursday night?s call. The response was overwhelming! I was able to convince the teleconference company to add some extra phone lines at the last minute, but we maxed out at 489 people and still had to turn hundreds of callers away. Thank you to everyone who sent wonderful feedback! Glad you enjoyed the training!
Do microphones make you jumpy? Does performing in class make you tense? Do auditions make you a nervous wreck? If you?re a voice over artist or hope to become one, a bad case of nerves can be a real liability. It can strike both beginner and experienced pro in class or worse, before or during a recording session. Sweaty palms, cotton mouth, shakiness, feelings of panic, rapid heartbeat and a shaky, weak voice. You might think: I’ve worked so hard to get booked for this job. I’ve always dreamed of a voice over career. Why is this happening to me??
A subscriber writes:
