Along with learning the voiceover profession this past year, I have also taken it upon myself to learn as much as possible about the quickly emerging world of social media. I have a fan page and a twitter account. I post occasionally to my linkedin account as well. Socially I also have a twitter account and I am experimenting with foursquare. I don't mention any of this soliciting you as a friend/fan/follower/etc (unless you want to, then by all means, click the links above), I say this because all of this involvement usually leads to one response whenever I am talking to others at social events, "how do you have time for all of that?". Or, my favorite, "I just don't have time to do that". I have learned that it is all quite easy to keep track of and stay on top of it all. It is like anything else. Let it manage you and you're toast. Learn how to manage it and there are no issues.
I just started combining two of my loves this week and I think I may have found a way to buy another 2-3 hours a week! I am a runner, and I am beginning to train for a half marathon in April. My typical workouts at the gym consist of 30-45 minutes on the treadmill. So, now I am downloading podcasts and listening to them as I run.
I was a little worried that this would not keep my attention. But that could not have been further from the truth. I found that the woman's voice on my Nike + told me I was "10 minutes" into my run before I even knew it. Yes, this means a little less time with my favorite bands each week, but I can see a balance of podcasts and playlists as I begin to ramp up my running.
So, any good podcasts out there I should be subscribing to? I would be interested in shows about social media or voiceover work. Suggestions?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
My First Year as a Voiceover
It was just over a year ago when I received my community college class catalog in the mail. In it was a class to learn about the industry of voiceovers. I signed up for the class and the rest is history.
After 4 months of professional training with voicecoaches.com I was ready to hang up my shingle. Serge Traylor the Voice Actor was ready for business. This has been a fantastic year. I have learned more than I ever thought I could in a short time. I learned tons about the VO industry (the importance of a home studio these days), but more importantly I learned quite a bit about marketing.
I have been in the marketing profession since 2000. However, this adaptation of social media has been enlightening and educational. I attribute much of what I have learned to starting this business. I have had to learn how to create a website (with the help of my talented artist Aunt's help), I have learned how to market via SEO. I have learned how to market myself via social media platforms.
I am by no means an expert yet however I am consuming information daily to make this voiceover business the best on the market. I don't want to just be a voice for you, I want to be able to assist in your total marketing mix. I hope to do business with you in 2010, and while we are working together, I hope to share with you some of what I have learned in 2009 about marketing in today's world.
Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement, your willingness to lend a hand and your sharing of your Rolodex. I am eternally grateful and plan on paying it forward by helping others in 2010 and beyond.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Serge
sergetraylor.blogspot.com
After 4 months of professional training with voicecoaches.com I was ready to hang up my shingle. Serge Traylor the Voice Actor was ready for business. This has been a fantastic year. I have learned more than I ever thought I could in a short time. I learned tons about the VO industry (the importance of a home studio these days), but more importantly I learned quite a bit about marketing.
I have been in the marketing profession since 2000. However, this adaptation of social media has been enlightening and educational. I attribute much of what I have learned to starting this business. I have had to learn how to create a website (with the help of my talented artist Aunt's help), I have learned how to market via SEO. I have learned how to market myself via social media platforms.
I am by no means an expert yet however I am consuming information daily to make this voiceover business the best on the market. I don't want to just be a voice for you, I want to be able to assist in your total marketing mix. I hope to do business with you in 2010, and while we are working together, I hope to share with you some of what I have learned in 2009 about marketing in today's world.
Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement, your willingness to lend a hand and your sharing of your Rolodex. I am eternally grateful and plan on paying it forward by helping others in 2010 and beyond.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Serge
sergetraylor.blogspot.com
Sunday, December 20, 2009
5 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Voiceover
In sifting through the google blog search as well as search.twitter.com I realized that there is not much being said about the voiceover industry. I found this interesting as there are so many of us out there. It is my assumption that many of the VO talents out there have been in the industry for some time now and are firmly planted in their communities and recording studio's rolodex. Regardless (not irregardless, like so many people like to say) I would like to fill a void on the internet to help those of you looking to hire voice talent or just get more out of this important piece of your marketing mix. From time to time, I hope I am the right voice for your project, but in general I want you to make the right decision every time so that you continue to produce top quality marketing spots.
As we prepare to replace the 2009 calendars, I present 5 tips for getting the most out of your voiceover.
1. Pay attention to the production quality. In this time of home studios quality can be sacrificed. Some jobs just can't be recorded from a home studio to give you the quality you deserve. In instances like this it is worth it to bring in a studio (and maybe a producer). Home studios are great for online, podcasts and training videos. Think about incorporating a studio for commercial work.
2. Find an actor with whom you are comfortable working. Chemistry is a huge part of getting the final product right. Many times talent is hired on their voice alone and the chemistry is not there in the recording. That lack of chemistry will show through to your audience more than not having the perfect voice to your ears.
3. Consider your competition. By this I don't necessarily mean your product or service's competitor (but, that is important too). What I mean here is think about what else your audience will hear around your marketing. If it is a radio commercial, spend time listening to the station and take note of the types of voices you hear in ads. Will your message stand out or blend in? Make sure it stands out by choosing a voice that is unique to the audience.
4. Make sure it sounds natural. Have you listened to other voiceovers and you can picture the actors sitting in a studio reading their scripts? Chances are most people listening are visualizing the same thing. Be willing to alter your script once you hear it read to make it more conversational. Your discerning ear in the studio and your willingness to change some less important copy could make your finished product much more effective.
5. Think about continuity. I don't just say this for the sake of repeat business for your voiceover. Where this really is important is in the building of your brand. When you hire a professional voiceover you are actually hiring the voice of your brand. You want your marketing to stand out. To stand out you need a unique and identifiable voice. Think longer term than just your current project. Is this the voice you want for your brand for the foreseeable future?
Best of luck to you in 2010. If you are in need of a new voice talent, please consider me. My commercial and narrative demos can be found at www.sergetraylor.com.
Thanks,
Serge
As we prepare to replace the 2009 calendars, I present 5 tips for getting the most out of your voiceover.
1. Pay attention to the production quality. In this time of home studios quality can be sacrificed. Some jobs just can't be recorded from a home studio to give you the quality you deserve. In instances like this it is worth it to bring in a studio (and maybe a producer). Home studios are great for online, podcasts and training videos. Think about incorporating a studio for commercial work.
2. Find an actor with whom you are comfortable working. Chemistry is a huge part of getting the final product right. Many times talent is hired on their voice alone and the chemistry is not there in the recording. That lack of chemistry will show through to your audience more than not having the perfect voice to your ears.
3. Consider your competition. By this I don't necessarily mean your product or service's competitor (but, that is important too). What I mean here is think about what else your audience will hear around your marketing. If it is a radio commercial, spend time listening to the station and take note of the types of voices you hear in ads. Will your message stand out or blend in? Make sure it stands out by choosing a voice that is unique to the audience.
4. Make sure it sounds natural. Have you listened to other voiceovers and you can picture the actors sitting in a studio reading their scripts? Chances are most people listening are visualizing the same thing. Be willing to alter your script once you hear it read to make it more conversational. Your discerning ear in the studio and your willingness to change some less important copy could make your finished product much more effective.
5. Think about continuity. I don't just say this for the sake of repeat business for your voiceover. Where this really is important is in the building of your brand. When you hire a professional voiceover you are actually hiring the voice of your brand. You want your marketing to stand out. To stand out you need a unique and identifiable voice. Think longer term than just your current project. Is this the voice you want for your brand for the foreseeable future?
Best of luck to you in 2010. If you are in need of a new voice talent, please consider me. My commercial and narrative demos can be found at www.sergetraylor.com.
Thanks,
Serge
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
something I learned from my sister
Find what you love – surround yourself with what you love – it will lead you to what you should do in life
Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful lesson, Bevin.
Serge
Sunday, December 13, 2009
New Year, New Opportunities
As Jan approaches I am finding many new opportunities for voiceover work.
New businesses are popping up all around where a professional voiceover allows them to add premium subscriptions to their sites. To meet the demand of this evolving business landscape I am investing in a home studio. If you need voiceover talent and don't have, or don't want to pay for studio time I am now in the game. I look forward to setting up the new studio in mid Jan and working on a new project for you soon there after. I will be working on a new pricing model for this added flexibility as well.
I hope to work with you soon.
Serge
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Social Media Is Changing
Social media is changing, you know how I know this? Because my Mom is on Facebook. I know I am not the only one whose mother is on Facebook. Actually, I hear that Moms are one of the fastest growing groups signing up for a Facebook account.
I don't mean this in a bad way. I don't post things that I would not want my own mother to read (and that should be a lesson to many others out there). What else do mothers and sons share? Not the same music, there is definitely a generational gap there. Not clothing styles, same type of gap. Not the same taste in TV shows or movies.
But social media sites like Facebook have found a way to attract all. Moms are there, 20-somethings are there, highschoolers are there. All participating, all connecting, and rarely overlapping.
I am amazed by this. By this universal acceptance of this communication tool. I read some others' posts about things that they did that were illegal or maybe socially frowned upon and I wonder if their mothers are on Facebook. I guess the next thing you will be able to do is determine which sub-set of friends you want to send a message to. This is partially already in existence with groups, but still clunky to manage. But with more and more people's moms seeing what their kids are being said, what is going to happen? Will moms just shrug it off? Or will kids censor what they write? Or maybe find a new place to talk.
And all of this talk about moms...what about the dads? Many people fear others' dads much more than their moms.
-Serge
I don't mean this in a bad way. I don't post things that I would not want my own mother to read (and that should be a lesson to many others out there). What else do mothers and sons share? Not the same music, there is definitely a generational gap there. Not clothing styles, same type of gap. Not the same taste in TV shows or movies.
But social media sites like Facebook have found a way to attract all. Moms are there, 20-somethings are there, highschoolers are there. All participating, all connecting, and rarely overlapping.
I am amazed by this. By this universal acceptance of this communication tool. I read some others' posts about things that they did that were illegal or maybe socially frowned upon and I wonder if their mothers are on Facebook. I guess the next thing you will be able to do is determine which sub-set of friends you want to send a message to. This is partially already in existence with groups, but still clunky to manage. But with more and more people's moms seeing what their kids are being said, what is going to happen? Will moms just shrug it off? Or will kids censor what they write? Or maybe find a new place to talk.
And all of this talk about moms...what about the dads? Many people fear others' dads much more than their moms.
-Serge
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