The Voice Over Ladder & The VO Life

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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..

Troy Holden


    • May 1, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 178 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Voice Over Ladder & The VO Life

    EP 172 - Understanding Broadcast Rates

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 20:36


    YOU have to study. YOU have to learn. YOU should know your rates and know YOUR WORTH as a voice actor when quoting broadcast work.  It is COMPLICATED and I even use the GVAA daily. It is ALWAYS up on my screen because I also get confused and yes... sometimes have to ask for help! Do'nt leave a pile of cash on the table... you don't have to memorize it all but you need to know how to INTERPRET those rates!  My pal Paul Schmidt has a great video course on rates you can get... visit https://vopro.pro/  to learn moreWant to schedule a consult with me?  30 MIN BUSINESS CONSULT  do that here!Thanks for listening!

    EP 171 - HOW TO LOSE A CLIENT

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 25:29


    You got the job! Congrats! Now how do you KEEP the client? This episode is all about LOSING a client and the fastest ways to do so plus how to turn those things into the ones you should do to KEEP a client.Need VO Business Advice?  I offer consults starting with a 15m free consult that NEVER stops at 15m! To schedule with me click this link:BOOK 15 MINS    Marketing is hard... you got this!!

    EP 170 - THE MONSTERS OF VO

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 23:26


    The little monsters that are hiding in your BRAIN are always trying to scre you or tempt you.  BUY THIS.... DO THAT.... today we talk about a few of those monsters you can "quiet" in your head and focus on what matters in yout VO Business!!!

    EP 169 - TIME WASTERS

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 20:31


    Time wasters and attitude downers.... how can we get rid of those in our business?  

    EP 168 - VO Trends with Michael Kussman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 51:14


    Michael Kussman is an audio engineer/VO that produces SPECTACULAR Demos for HALF of what you exoect with all the quality and attention that you'd expect.  He weighs in today on the trends that are changing and the disdain he has for the word CONVERSATIONAL.... like we all do!  Join us for 40 minutes or so of his knowledge and insight of the industry he loves.

    EP 167 - DAD'S NUMBER ONE RULE?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 25:00


    MONEY is and will always be a sensitive subject. Some say TELL US! IT INSPIRES US! Others say NO... it is DEPRESSING that I am not doing as well as you and others and it hurts me.  I do not know if it was TABOO for you as a kid to discuss MONEY but in our house we were taught that it was a PRIVATE MATTER and no one's business... so that is why I do not splatter my earnings all over and WHO DETERMINES HOW MUCH MONEY MAKES YOU A SUCCESS?  If it is based on the NAVA survey... $50,000 is a pretty successful VO and over $100,000 is REALLY doing well but fairly... there is no measure and we all want to MAKE ALL WE CAN!  RIGHT?????

    EP 166 - CUTTIN' TIES

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 24:08


    Sometimes it is BEST to let that client go.... when shoud you "CUT TIES" and move on??  Here is my method and what usually happens after!

    EP 165 - GANG OF FOUR CATCHING UP!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 51:06


    They are ALL back for a catch up episode!  It's the full panel from ANOTHER VO PODCAST and we hope to have these sessions at least every other month... and catch up with each other on all of our BIZNESS dealings!

    EP 164 - Jonathan Grant-VO INBOX

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 43:26


    Welcoming our sponsor Jonathan Grant and VO Inbox!

    EP 163 - 2025 Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 11:24


    EP 166 - CUTTIN' TIES

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 24:07


    There comes a time to say adios to a client... and YOU can avoid it by building your business the RIGHT WAY. THis and more musings as we talk how 2025 is starting off and a little marketing pep talk!Need a consult about your VO Business? Visit my scheduling page at https://troyholdenvoices.com

    EP 165 - Catching Up!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 52:06


    It's the 4 Amigos from "Another VO Podcast" getting together for a catch up session of how things are going and discussions about the business of VO. Alden, Jake and Charles DA VOICE are in the house for almost an hour of discussion and our usual antics. ENJOY.....

    EP 164 Jonathan Grant and VO Inbox

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 43:25


    Jonathan Grant DELIVERS in helping you VO BIZ grow and he sells you wnat you are looking for...TIME. From lead generation to full service VO Direct E-mail marketing, his company offers voice actors an intuitive way to GROW their business HANDS OFF or HANDS ON! VO INBOX is the full service arm and VO LEADS is the starter for newer talent. Established Talent will love the wau VO Inbox does the work and gets things done while you earn and make a living. As it builds your list of contacts it automatically reaches out to verified leads... how? Jump on and find out. Learn more at VOInbox.com or reach out to Troy at troy@troyholdenvoices.com

    EP 163 - The 2025 Economy-Built for Business?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 11:23


    January is off to a bang...and I hope YOUR January has been as fruitful for you as mine is so far. New Year and a lot of changes happening... but how are we going to be affected? Let's ub the crystal ball and guess at it today!

    EP 162 - Winter Blues and Mental Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 15:02


    The lonely days of winter! Today we shift gears talking about our mental health in the booth especially realted to the dark and cold days of winter.  Hopefully some of these tips may help YOU navigate the season that most of us do not love!

    Ep 161 - The VO LIFE Survey Results

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 26:40


    I recently posted a survey in the Facebook group and we had about 50 responses that solidified a lot of what is seen annually in the NAVA survey especially related to those making VERY LITTLE in VO and a handful making VERY A LOT! In this episode I go over this VERY informal survey to both encourage you and also drop some truth bombs about VO... mainly THIS IS NOT EASY!Entering my 4th year FULL TIME this month I have NUMEROUS TIMES felt I was crazy for doing this.  The rejection, the risk, the disappointments are all so overwhelming at times but for me this is a lifelong dream branching from a life of creative attempts with others (music, etc) and now... it is just ME which can make it more demanding and just "hard".Join me on January 23rd to TALK ABOUT VO in a free webinar leading to NOTHING ELSE because I have decided I am NOT going to offer coaching but only consults about VO.  This is a safe environment to ask away and learn about the rocky road of VO. Click below to register!FREE WEBINAR-20 PEOPLE

    EP 160 - Setting Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 19:10


    You are a BUSINESS.  Act like it! The one takeaway here today is this... and it's in the first few minutes of the podcast and it's a quote from Tony Robbins. Go listen and be visible and make 2025 the year you acheive YOUR goals!

    Ep 159 - Basic Start Up Products

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 31:34 Transcription Available


    Here are links to the products I mentioned. REMEMBER... these are producsts I use and believe in but do not get PAID to sell you these.  YOU should test and choose what works for you but I trust and use these items daily!!875R Microphone    https://a.co/d/5euNjzOMK4 Microphone   https://a.co/d/9wgTp7CAudient id4 Interface https://a.co/d/elJC9vyWorlds Best Cables 6'   https://a.co/d/479xTigMOUNT-IT Mic Arm    https://a.co/d/06pu3XNPre-Sonus Eris 3.5 Monitors    https://a.co/d/30PZIxj Furman Power Conditioner    https://a.co/d/64bn1BUWeilisi 10.2” Desk Light   https://a.co/d/eGJ40ErVisit my website to sign up for workshops, coaching or an evaluation OR my free 15 minute "Get to know You" session!troyholdenvoices.com

    Ep 158 - Marketing YOU!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 16:55


    Short and sweet today with some tips for marketing YOU and keeping it consistent....

    EP 157 - Don't Be A Lowballer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 36:19


    The VO Life is HARD.  You start at GROUND ZERO trying to learn and you know NOTHING.  Let me ask you to do one thing FIRST.... KNOW YOUR WORTH! Understanding rates and usage is PIVOTAL as you start and gron your business.  DON'T BE ME and wait until 2 years in and think "WHOA I GOT PAID $300 FOR THAT" only to learn it was a $2500 spot!  TRUTH!  Eat, Sleep with and USE the GVAA RATES until you know them nearly by heart for BROADAST PLACEMENT and Never Ever step foot in the broadcast land of IN-PERPETUITY!   BE A STUDENT OF THE CRAFT AND ThE RATES!!!   Want to talk about Voiceover?  CLICK HERE and go to the SCHEDULE TIME page!

    EP 156 - Winding Down 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 23:13


    It ain't over til it's over but folks.... it's about there for me this year!  Let's talk about the wind down of 2024 and marketing and how things are changing for MY VO Life!

    Ep 155 - Don't Drink The Punch

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 24:59


    What a week it was.... ups for some, downs for many and the world still turns in VO... just don't partake of that juicy VO Punch that is served.  Dig in, know the truth and do YOUR THING all while being good to one another.  I have some downtime coming and we over that and my truck issues today plus even a little VO stuff!  

    Ep 154 - Vince LeBica/DPN Talent

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 54:31


    Know your worth and explore the world of Agency with this weeks special guest Vince LeBica from DPN Talent.  Learn how to negotiate and get paid fairly using the "percentage" tactic... and learn more about the "nicest guy in the business" who always takes time to listen at the conferences.  Don't miss Vince and Charles Coats this week!

    Ep 153 - Things To Do!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 43:56


    I have things to do... you may not.  How we all run our business is different.  How we started, how we operate day to day... but the ROI on everything we do is KEY to building routines. I gotta make some changes...and eat some old advice.  I love crow....

    Ep 152 - What's In Your Control?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 42:22


    Charles the Voice joins me again this week and we talk about the things you can and cannot control and about how Charles controlled his destiny and successes by strategically spending as his business grew and Troy talks about how he targets his marketing. A lot of spit-balling and good information this week!

    Ep 151 - Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 22:54


    Years ago I remember reading these books and today they apply to my business and maybe yours! How I am managaing all the things going on and rearranging life so I can sustain my business took a huge retool lately and getting rid of some "small stuff" mayhelp you as well.  Join me on the VO LIFE today and get inspired to cut out some noise in your life!

    Ep 150 - The Noise of VO

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 37:58


    There is a lot of noise in your VO LIFE! Noise in your head, noise on social media. What noise do you need to TURN OFF? Turn UP? Turn down?Today it's all aboutthe noise and my noise about that noise. Is that enough noise? Hear some more noise on todays episode....

    Ep 149 - Tim Powers and TIMPROV!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 53:18


    The king of improv ... Tim Powers is to VO what vanilla is to ice cream... you CANNOT have other flavors without it right?  Tim brings his perspective on improv, acting and what makes this so dang hard but so freaking rewarding as a career.  From radio (and still doing radio) to a long VO career and coaching others, this is the DO NOT MISS episode of 2024!  Visit Tim's site for coaching and hear his talent at voiceofpowers.com Visit your hosts also at:troyholdenvoices       CharlesCoats

    Ep 148 - Picnic Table Your Life with Charles Coats and Nikki Lu Lowe

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 52:42


    If you have not met the nicest and sweetest lady in VO, learn how much fun you are missing out on today on the VO LIFE! Nikki brings unique perspectives to making your days positive through turning things from bad to good and using the "dead cat" or the disco ball to change your audition and even your life.  She also talks about the "picninc table" approach to VO and how she always surrounds herself with the right people.Learn more at NikkiLuLowe.com about this multi talented mom!

    Ep 147 - Re-Tooling for 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 16:55


    Part of this journey is all about LEARNING and PIVOTING.  The rest of this year I am focising on a RE-TOOLING of my strategy.  I have built a base of business to rely on and continue to market to grow that base BUT the P2P and other "wasted time" areas are being totally re-tooled and my approach on agents as well.  Lots to do so 2025 becomes a stellar YEAR 5!

    EP 146 - WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 26:29


    Life has run all over our household lately and "plans" to record weekly have been SHATTERED!  Here's the update on my Summer and VO status and what we are facing here in the HOTTER THAN DEVILS BREATH state of Tennessee!!!

    EP - 145 Finding YOUR Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2024 14:09


    I know I said FRIDAYS but last weeks episode happened HARD this week.  It comes in threes... Busted Faucet, another underground water leak and then a pop-off on the water heater went bad. And also got a quote to have my crawl space encapsaluted. Sheesh... By the way...I HATE PLUMBING. I can do it, but I hate it.  After covid I cannot affoprd a plumber. I am not a rich man but one who can DIY...However in VO (which I love) I measure my success against my targets not what others are doing. I am not them, they cannot be me. As I inch up on the end of year 4 I see great things but I also see shortfalls.  Only YOU can measure your success and chart your path.  We are all 1000% different.  There are some common needs... other than plumbing. We have to use all our skills to make it work. Can I fix those things that happened this week? Yes. You Tube rocks. Am I dedicated to it? No. Love it? no. Passion for it? Absolutely not.  Quick listen but some good take aways today!  Learn, practice, learn and see you next week.... maybe....

    EP 144 - LIFE HAPPENS!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 22:00


    Life Happens... need I say more?  Sign up for a free consult at troyholdenvoices/storeRegister for the workshop HERE on June 27th "PICK-A-CARD"

    Ep 143 - Data Don't Lie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 35:52


    When you look at your marketing plans and what your business is doing, the DATD DON'T LIE! So why not trust it and put a plan in action that is TARGETED and OBTAINABLE?  THis week JMC released a stellar blog and this was in process but was REVAMPED to help you PIVIT with this information and get your data in line ad TARGET YOUR PATH FORWARD!

    EP 142 - Audio Production and Demos 6-1-5 AUDIO

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 25:25


    Exciting news from the studio that after a doing a lot of pro/con and why/why not charts I have decided to start offering "officially" demo and sample services for fellow VO's.  This is not a move FROM voice actor to producer just and add on to my business and what will be a VERY LIMITED add on as I want to personally do all the work so I cannot do a lot of this... but I truly enjoy it.  I started in audio many years ago and have been producing a lot of spots the last three years for end clients for radio and have even done a few local TV spots. Get the full story WHY I am crazy enough to try to add this to my biz in this episode!

    EP 141 - ILLUSIONS

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 25:27


    Don't let those illusions get in the way... your or others. Being grounded in VO is one of the hardest things to do for me.  I ride emotional rollercoasters weekly...but this new focus of PIVOT VERSUS PANIC is helping me.  Learn more about me at troyholdenvoices.com

    Ep 140 - Imposter Syndrome 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 28:31


    We have all had it, and let's face it. It NEVER goes away. We work in a ctlclical business that can give great joy and elation and the next day drive you to drink. The ups and downs of dealing with Imposter Syndrome and realizing you can only deal with it one way... thanks Aleesha Bake for the drop this week!

    Ep 139 - What is RAW AUDIO?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 23:33


    How much processing are you doing?  It really depends... is it an audition or a finished delivery?  Are you expected to do ANYTHING to your files at all?  Are you OVERPROCESSING?  I'm no audio engineer but having worked with many and delivering well over 10,000 files the past few years PLUS I have stayed at a Holiday Inn...I think some of you are OVER PROCESSING your auditions and taking way too much time... and worrying about things that don't matter!  {{voiceactor}} {{voiceover}}

    Ep 138 - Newbies and VO Atlanta

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 24:03


    VO Atlanta Re-Cap and what Newbies need to know... this week on the VO Life!

    Ep 137 - It's Time For VO ATLANTA!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 20:48


    VO Atlanta is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER! And if it is your FIRST TIME I have some advice for you from someone headed down for year THREE... and it may also help those who went before but felt OVERWHELMED by it all.  Let's get to Atlanta and NETWORK and HAVE FUN!!!

    EP 136 - Volunteer VO with Melissa Harlow

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 43:15


    Voice actors are always asking WHERE CAN I GET WORK and it is not always about getting PAID for work when you are new.  Volunteer Voiceover may be a place for you! For a VERY SMALL fee you can be exposed to many great and qualified NFP's and volunteer your voice for their cause. Melissa Harlow joins today to talk about her LONG journey getting this wonderful platform started and I play a small part in being a plae to promote it and to also offer services myself.  Join us for a look into her career as well being a mainly "Fiverr only" voice and how she manages that with this new venture and traveling the world.See her adventures here :  https://youtube.com/@TheAdventureTravelers?si=nDSE37uuCZ4iLRks 

    EP 135 -VDC and V123-Should you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 32:22


    Episode 135 ponders the world of online casting "pay to play" platforms and has anything changed on VDC? Whats the answer to making V123 work? Why can't I see over 2 auditions a day?  It's the blasted ALGORITHIM and LEVELS... let's talk about it and then you can decide your path.  It's not all it used to be and it may be GETTING WORSE???

    Ep 134 - Making 5 Figures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2024 28:04


    2023 was year 2 of being a FULL TIME VOICE ACTOR! I talekd last time about some of the increase, but let's celebrate a first... my first five figure month! Why is this a big deal? Why am I sharing this?  Tune in and find out on the VO Life!!

    Ep 133 - 2023 Wrap Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2023 31:47


    Episode 133 is the year end wrap up... goals met? Fell short? Accomplishments and plans?  As we close 2023 I take a look back on MY business and the things I felt good about... but also the personal goals that I totally FAILED at...however.... 2024 awaits!

    Ep 132- Are you getting prepared for 2024?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2023 21:47


    Novemeber is GONE, December is HALFWAY GONE and 2024 awaits!  What are you going to do NOW to be ready for what 2024 is offering.  It is an ELECTION YEAR and Political will be BOOMING!  Did you get that demo done? Do you have your marketing ready?  That and more in the years FINAL EPISODE!

    EP 131 - Is This The TIme To Get Into VO??

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2023 34:11


    I know... it was OVER... but it's NOT... I need this place to talk about some of the things we don't on Another VO Podcast... and there we are more about the battle of a working VO... here, we talk about the start up pains and forming your business to be sustainable.  So twice a month I plan to field your questions and concerns of your pains getting your biz going and the needs you have.  E MAIL ME at troy@troyholdenvoices.com with your questions.  SO let's start this NEW JOURNEY under the SAME NAME as we work through the perils and toils of starting up these days in the VO LIFE!

    Ep 26- ANOTHER VO PODCAST- Jenn Henry

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 63:13


    Cross post of the ANOTHER VO PODCAST interview with JENN HENRY!GET VO LIFE GEAR HERE.....  

    EP 25 - ANOTHER VO PODCAST - Mary Lynn Wissner

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 38:15


    For the next several weeks I will cross post the episodes from the "new" podcast.  I am no longer doing separate VO LIFE episodes...Thank you for your support of this group and podcast!!!!!    GET VO MERCH HERE:

    Ep 130 - Time for Transition

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 8:26


    I have been through a lot with this podcast.  It was like raising a child in some ways... but as I have grown and changed in my career I also feel it is time to transition to the "other" podcast and dedicate more to it so YOU get better content.  Thus, Ep 130 will be the last VO LIFE episode and you can hear me weekly on ANOTHER VO PODCAST with Alden and Jake.  THANK YOU for following me, listening, laughing and crying with me.  THE JOURNEY IS FAR FROM OVER... it is just moving.  The Facebook Group stays the same, the other podcast logo has changed to reflect toe connection... and we all three will uphold what I started in delivering truth, transparence and now 3 different views on all topics. Hugs to you all, see you over there!!!!

    Ep 129 - Final FALL SHORT - Changes to the Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 15:41


    With 2 VO Podcasts, I want to make sure that we are not overlapping and not giving you great content so... this one is going to start doing things focusing only on my business and my practices versus interviews and other topics. Listen in for the plan!!! Get VO Life Gear HERE (T shirts, Hoodies, Coffee Mugs)Email me at troy@troyholdenvoices.com

    Ep 128 - FALL SHORTS #3 - TURNING 60 - Reflections and Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2023 20:35


    Turning 60 is not scaring me but helping me see things in a different way. Being appreciateive of the "elder respect" I get at times (Being called Sir-people opening doors-letting me in front of the line-THE DISCOUNTS!) is great but I am planning to enjoy MY foutrh quarter and get ll the "overtime" I can in this career and in life!  LET'S GO!  And not YOU Tom Brady!!!!

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