Caryn Clark

There are tons of coaches, programs, workshops, and the like out there. Some are great, and some are not so great.

Recently, Anthony Reece started VO Radio Online. It’s just that – an online radio station that plays really cool music, and every 10 minutes or so, there are voice over “features” that are about 5 minutes long. The topics range from VO Tips – that’s my feature 😉 – to Business Cents, Power Questions, Calm in the Chaos and Mindful Moments, 3 Star News in Voice Overs, Technology and Gadget Reviews, Adventures of Voice Over Man with Marc Graue, The Marketing Mix, Lessons from Last Week, Up and At ‘Em, Station Imaging, VO Recipes, From Inside the Booth, Character Corner, Fine Tuned Performance, That Venting Voice, Audiobook Insights, VO Interrogation, and so many more.

There are over 20 voice actors creating these features on a regular basis, offering you their advice and knowledge FOR FREE! You can catch them while listening to VO Radio, or you can access them on-demand on the site.

It’s truly an amazing collaboration. Take advantage of this incredible resource!

Click here: VO Radio Online

 

#voiceover #vo #freeresources #freetraining #voiceovertalent

What makes you feel legit in your career?

Today, I sent a text to my husband and said…

“Making money like this makes me feel legit.”

I’m gonna be real. Today was a good money day. As a freelance voice talent, reality is, unless you’re a promo or radio/tv affiliate voice talent who is contracted to work, or you have a few e-learning clients who keep you busy (which seem to be harder to find these days), you’re auditioning and marketing yourself for work among hundreds, if not thousands, of other talent every single day. Not every day is a good money day.

So, when it’s a good day, take the time to celebrate it!

Making decent money isn’t the only thing that helps me feel like I am a legitimate player in my field. It helps (because… bills), but it’s definitely not the only factor. Or even, the most important factor.

I had two recording sessions today with clients (and one by myself). Being able to work directly with clients is the best! When they say things to the agency like, “Be sure to keep the talent’s contact info on hand, as I foresee we’ll use her in the near future…” it’s a good day. On top of that, we finished the session in 15 minutes and six takes.

In the next session (just 20 minutes and five takes, I think), I got to play a character. It was a role that comes naturally to me (funny comedic young woman as girlfriend/wife). I loved the spot when I auditioned for it – it was funny, and totally something I’d do and say. There is nothing better than getting to role play, bringing the creative’s comedy to life with the voice they heard in their head when they wrote the spot. Hearing the client’s approval after each take is bliss for me. Let’s face it, they’re spending LOADS of money on the conceptualization, writing, audio/video production, voice, media time, etc, all with the hope of selling more of their product… so yeah, making them happy makes me happy.

When I can make clients happy, then I know I’m doing a good job.

So, what makes you feel legit? I want to hear it!

www.carynclark.com

#legit #voiceover #voiceactor #audioproduction #videoproduction#commercialproduction #advertising #narration

Woohoo!! It’s the end of the first quarter!!

While I make a point to regularly review my goals and strategies to achieve those goals, the end of a quarter is a good time to LOOK HARD at these action items, and re-group (whew, that was a lot of corporate jargon in one sentence!).

When I decided at the end of last year I needed to do something to re-kindle my love for my business aka breaking out of the slog, one of the first things I did was create a list of Things I Can Change. When I really inspected how I manage my business day to day and big picture, and how I FEEL about my business, well, the list became quite long. That’s actually a good thing!! It means I see the value of my talent and business, and there ARE things I can do to work better and happier.

I then took that list, and created a list of Things I Can Do in the Short-Term, and a second list of Things I Can Do in the Long-Term.

So now, at the end of the quarter, I’m reviewing that short term list, removing the things I’ve done (but keeping them as action items/strategies) and adding to the list of things I’ve discovered I can do to continue improvement.

I’ll share a little bit of my lists so you can get an idea of what I’m talking about, and maybe it’ll help you on your journey.

One of the things I noted was I didn’t have a lot of socialization. I spend a lot of time in my padded room, and I’ve lost the balance of being in/out of it. I’ve become a bit of an introvert, particularly when it comes to industry-related events. If you know me, introvert isn’t really a word used to describe me, but alas, it has happened! So, my list included:

• be sure to make plans regularly with friends
• make sure to work out on a regular basis
• join the Chamber of Commerce
• become active in our local American Advertising Federation chapter

I’ve accomplished most of these things, but not all, and then on the flipside, I’ve done some things I didn’t even note in this list!  I’ve not been great about exercise and need to work on that. But, I do plan things regularly with friends, I joined the Chamber (and in addition, I’ve joined their Women in Business committee), I am attending more Amercian Advertising Federation events when they’re offered, and I even joined the World Voices Organization, and will be a presenter at their May conference!

One of the other items I noted that I see as an issue with my business is my lack of control of income. I start at zero every month, and I always have. I don’t have any contract work. Last year, I had an incredible e-learning client I lost due to layoffs within the company. I’m not a spring chicken, and my ability to tolerate the roller coaster of a freelance income is waning. I think about retirement and get a little queezy!! Sure I have savings and an IRA, but it’s certainly not where I want it to be.

So, I made a second list, this on pertaining to what I can do to take control of my income. Items included:

• audition for EVERYTHING that comes my way (yep, this is me raising my hand that sometimes I just don’t do auditions)
• create a specific plan to contact X number of people on LinkedIn to create relationships
• find new e-learning client – at least one – but preferably, I’d like to have four or more.
• find new regular clients

I’ve made strides with a few of these action items, but not all. I definitely make an effort to audition everything that comes my way, and I’ve been much better about connecting with people on LinkedIn, for sure!! Still need to find a few e-learning clients and, well, new regular clients are ALWAYS welcome, right??

As you continue you review for 1Q23 (corporate code for 1st quarter 2023, IYKYK!), be sure to note the opportunities for improvement. But don’t forget to acknowledge all you’ve accomplished in that first quarter. Give yourself a high five!!

Today, I’ve been reminded of two almost opposite things.

It’s reassuring and a confidence builder to have experience, yet, there’s ALWAYS more to learn. Seek out ways to grow in your knowledge, and appreciate other perspectives.

I attended two events today, and left each feeling a different way.

After the first event, I was thinking to myself, “I have a wealth of knowledge the extends far beyond voice over. My previous work experience in the financial industry/marketing tends to be more relatable, and maybe even comforting, to people than my being a voice actor. I’m so glad I have worked in various industries, and experienced the things I have, thus far in life.”

After the second event, I left that meeting thinking, “Wow. We never know it all. I don’t care how long you’ve been in whatever business/career you’re in, there’s always a different perspective to consider, and it’s wonderful to learn from your colleagues.”

Keep growing.

#business #work #career #experience #event #people #voiceover#audioproduction #entrepreneur #freelancevoiceover #femalevoice