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..
This guy! 20 years deep into the biz and still brings the FRESH...and I have to say my favorite part is the WARNINGS he got doing VO while still working in radio... and how it led him to leave and do this all in! Chris brings a lot of fun to the podcast today and joins me and Kaset for an hour of convo!
My marketing routine has finally shaped up after almost a year of building systems, tryinh CRM's and finally settling into 2 ways to go get those clients attention. One is HANDS OFF with VO Inbox and Jonathan Grant. The other is my TARGETED MARKETING for Automotive, Radio Imaging and Follow Up for ALL genres. How do I do it? Let's take a quick look!Wanna talk? Schedule time HERE . There is a 15m Free consult and other options when you are ready to look behind the curtain!
Matt Sheppard took a very long bicycle ride from home one day and stopped pedaling when he reached Northern Greece! Now he is a full time voice actor after being on camera and is "planted" where he feels he should be. Join us and hear how Matt made his transition into the VO Life!
With a wealth of experience in audiobooks and using his niche to the MAX J Rodney Turner is both neighbor and superstar in Audiobooks. Bill Marsh started in VO about 2 years ago and has been making the conference rounds and digging in. Let's talk to 2 guys in different stages and hear all about it!Reach out to Troy through his website... troyholdenvoices.com
Kasey Hott is the former TV News Personality who decided after 15 years it was time for change and BOY did she make changes... marraige, move, new house and FULL TIME VO! Shar Albert is taking life on after declaring "It is MY time" and is deep into VO as an audiobook narrator and now other genres as she just won the VO LIFE mock audition! Join us in a fun conversation and hear how THEY did the deal and keep grinding in their version of THEIR VO LIVES!Want to be a guest? Have a VO STORY to tell? Maybe CO-HOST an episode or 2?? Email me at troy@troyholdenvoices.com and get on the list!
One Voice Award Niminated in 2025 3 times voice actor Deanna Johnston joins me today and it's all about the grind and keeping the faith although WE KNOW NOT the supposed outcome of all those emails and auditions. When it becomes TOO MUCH what do we do and how do we adjust and maintain? We talk to a friend. Deanna and I have been on this journey about the same amount of time and she had some interesting perspectives to share about audtions, marketing, online casting and Fiverr where she was "one of those people" making 5 figures monthly early on.
You cannot use a USB mic...You must have agents... You cannot make 6 figures with your accent... SAY IT AIN'T SO!! Things I was told and things some assume can add up to bogging you down. Don't believe everything you hear or see and work it out for your self with someone you trust. All of this is leading up to OVC in August and my session covering accepting yourself as you. YOU can do most anything!
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!
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!!
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!!!
Time wasters and attitude downers.... how can we get rid of those in our business?
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.
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?????
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!
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!
Welcoming our sponsor Jonathan Grant and VO Inbox!
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
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.....
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
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!
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!
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
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!
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
Short and sweet today with some tips for marketing YOU and keeping it consistent....
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!
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!
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!
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!
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....
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!
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!
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....
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
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!
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!
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!!!
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....
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"
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!
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!
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
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!
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}}
VO Atlanta Re-Cap and what Newbies need to know... this week on the VO Life!
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!!!
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
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???
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!!
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!
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