Caryn Clark

Do You Have a Dream?

January 5, 2022 by Caryn Clark

It’s my career and a job, but to others, being a voice actor is fascinating.

You know what I think is fascinating? Making your dreams come true.

Every once in a while, I am asked to speak to groups about being a voice actor and/or my life experience. In the past couple of months, I have had the honor of speaking to a university class, and several high school art/theatre classes.

Today, I spoke to some high school classes, about 50-75 kids. They were a wonderful audience, and had great questions for me about the types of voices I can do, how long it takes me to record a commercial in session, and more.

We covered the gamut about running a business, and touched on many a topic, including branding, relationships and social media, being disciplined, and most importantly, following your heart to live your dream.

I can talk about running a voice over business all day, and yeah, voice over is incredible and fun and creative!

But talking about following your dreams and making them come true… THAT gets me excited!! That is a message I love to impart to anyone who will listen.

You see, I worked in corporate America for 10+ years before becoming a voice actor. I’d never set foot in a radio or TV station, and had barely ever spoken in to a microphone. But, I knew I wanted to be a voice actor. My first memory of voice over is going to Walt Disney World and hearing that magical voice over the speakers on the monorail or throughout the park. (The original voice, by the way, is that of Jack Wagner.)

But, what a pipe dream, right?

Or so I thought.

After working in a grey/green cubicle, traveling, going to client dinners, dressing in smart suits and pantyhose (they were still a thing when I was working in the corporate world), I decided to take a leap.

I always loved singing when I was growing up, and was active in my high school choirs, as well as in the University (of Florida) Choir. Singing was cathartic for me. My high school chorus teacher, Mrs. Sandra White, was my favorite teacher of all time, and frankly, she still is today. Were it not for her, I wouldn’t have learned the love of voice and music, and how therapeutic it can be. I’m fortunate that through social media, she and I can keep in touch.

But I’m not the greatest vocalist… certainly not good enough for a career. And, the other thing I love is words. So, I put the two together, and thought about giving voice acting a try.

Long story short, it wasn’t easy to become a voice actor. Not even a little bit easy. I was terrible, frankly. I had no experience – no broadcast experience, no acting experience, no improv experience, and I’d worked in a very buttoned up corporate world for years. Matter of fact, once I was hired for my first voice over job, I was fired/replaced after recording it. It was for a scratch track for a television show pitch.

That’s right, I wasn’t even good enough for a scratch.

I sobbed and sobbed. Then, I picked myself up, decided I needed to work harder, learn more, and get better. I found acting and improv classes to take. I found a different voice over coach. I auditioned everything I could get my hands on. I read out loud every.single.day. For months and months.

Then, I started booking… small things… but booking nonetheless. And one thing I really enjoyed doing were toy commercials. They were my wheelhouse, for sure. One day, I booked a series of television commercials for Hannah Montana toys produced by a Disney licensee.

I took that (marketing) ball and ran with it. I marketed to everyone I could think of, and built my business.

I think I’m one of the rare people in this business, who came from zero background, and am blessed to make a full-time living in voice over. I make a living using my voice.

I am absolutely, positively certain that if you have dream… to be a voice actor, an artist, a teacher, an actor, an athlete… whatever you dream to be and do with your life… you CAN. You absolutely, positively can make it happen. Don’t give up. Make a plan. Set goals. Surround yourself with people who will support you, and encourage you. When you fall, get back up. Make (another) plan. Rinse and repeat. I promise you, if you truly want to make something come true, you will

Feelin’ 22?

January 5, 2022 by Caryn Clark

Hehe… see what I did there?

Happy New Year, y’all!!

Most people see the new year as a fresh start. I know I do. I was looking back in my social media “memories” and read that in 2011, I had THREE PAGES OF RESOLUTIONS!! Holy cow. I mean, I know those were years with some serious life changes, but man, I might’ve been a little ambitious in creating all those resolutions and thinking I could actually do them!

This year, I have just a few. Personally, be more intentional in my relationship with my husband, do more Pure Barre classes per week (the goal is five per week), read books more regularly and perhaps join a book club, find a Bible study group, and socialize a little more.

And, of course, I have a revised/updated business plan for my voice over business in 2022. More like a strategic plan, I suppose. It contains actionable items, with measurable outcomes and a timeframe in which to accomplish the goals/action items. The categories are client acquisition and retention, auditions, social media, and marketing.

What are some of your goals for 2022, personally and business-wise?

It’s Gone… the ISDN is Gone.

November 29, 2021 by Caryn Clark

Earlier this month, I did a thing.

After 15+ years, I disconnected my ISDN lines.

It’s the end of an era.

After posting a video of my home studio on the Book o’ Face a few weeks ago, someone noticed my Telos Zephyr XStream on a bookshelf in the video, and was surprised to learn that it wasn’t a just a bookend, but that my lines were actually still connected! I’ve left them because they’re cheap. But I got to thinking, why keep the expense if it’s not being used?

I checked with my agents and regular clients, and the consensus was… let it goooooo!

It was a weirdly a hard thing to do, letting go of those lines. Emotionally, I mean. When I first got the ISDN lines, I was just getting started in voiceover, and I was so proud! I was of the mentality, “Build it and they will come…” and that, they did. I was able to offer that extraordinary service to my clients, which only established talent could offer. I’ve had SourceConnect Standard for years now, and have been able to offer both, but, now, it seems that ISDN is obsolete.

But with life, comes change, and evolution. They’re gone. I just deleted the numbers from my web site. I will chat with you on SourceConnect Standard only now!!

The Evolution of a Brand

November 29, 2021 by Caryn Clark

As I was going through the most recent re-design of my web site this year, I decided I wanted to phase out the actual character of a “chick” that’s been a staple in my branding for 14+ years. To me, she just looked a little haggard, I guess. And I didn’t think she really represented my brand any longer. The tag line? Yes, it most certainly represents my brand. But the actually chick? Eh, I thought it was time to “grow up” my brand a bit. Time to start adulting!

In doing that, I realized, WOW, my brand has most certainly evolved over the years! I don’t have any examples of the original artwork, sadly. Below are some photos of the evolution that I do have.

I think it’s important to stay relevant with your branding. Your brand reflects who you are and what you represent. My voice’s perspective has certainly grown over the years, so it needed to be reflected in my presence. For example, when I started out, I mainly focused on voicing commercial work in the toy genre. Now, I not only voice that work, but have also mastered an experienced and knowledgeable voice that can represent a myriad of genres. I’m a Mom, and I can definitely sound like a Mom now. I’m a wife, and I’ve mastered the nagging or loving wife (LOL… ask my husband!). I’ve also had the opportunity to voice quite a bit of eLearning over the years, as well, so I also help to teach listeners and watchers content in regard to their workplace or career.

Yes, you want to be consistent so that people will always remember you, but don’t let your branding become stale.

Circa 2007