caryn@carynclark.com

239.634.5039

Caryn Clark

January 2024 Chats and Chirps Newsletter

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Caryn Clark The Hip Chick Voice Logo

 

Chats and Chirps Newsletter

Hello there!

Welcome to Issue One of the Chats and Chirps Newsletter!

I’ve been putting off creating a newsletter for years, because I feel like our inboxes are full enough already. That said, I decided to create a newsletter that will provide USEFUL information, so you will appreciate the content and look forward to receiving it.

I’d like to feature my one of my readers in each newsletter – just a little getting to know you and your business. If you’d like to be featured in the next edition, let me know.

And, if you have content ideas, or hey, if you just want to chat, call/text 239.634.5039 or email caryn@carynclark.com.

It’s Sick Season 

January, and well, winter in general, brings the germs. No one wants to be sick, but it’s bound to happen.

I’ve had a pretty nasty cough with no other symptoms for the past week. Here are a few ideas for prevention and recovery, in case you find yourself in the same boat.

  • Sinus rinse bottle/Neti Pot – I know it sounds gross, but it is magical, once you get used to it. If you use regularly (like I should) you will avoid loads of illness. Don’t use tap water though – you must used distilled water. Click here to see the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit I use. 
  • Hand Sanitizer – I’m a hand sanitizer nut. I especially love this one because it smells so good – I get compliments on it all the time! It’s by the people who make those lovely candles. I’ve used both scents, but I’m partial to the Champagne scent. My husband even likes to use it, too! Clicky click to the Lafco Hand Sanitizer.
  • Throat Coat Tea – caffeine free, delicious, and with Slipper Elm, this is a great find even if you don’t use your voice all day. Get yourself some Throat Coat Tea! 

Now Offering Consulting!

At long last, I’m offering consulting services!

  • how to get in to vo/how to get started (not coaching myself, but giving trusted recs)
  • improve social media marketing efforts (and marketing in general)
  • branding with my successful Branding Brainstorm sessions
  • web site improvements to increase visibility and look/feel
Everyone and their brother is offering coaching. I didn’t want to do that, at least not yet. I’ve keep my consult rate very reasonable. I simply want to help people who are interested, or who need help. 🙂  Consult bookings can be made by clicking here! 

Let’s Get to Know Each Other! 
Business is about relationships. Relationships are built upon trust, and that trust is built by sharing fun facts about each other! Here are a few questions, with my answers below. I’d love it if you’d respond back with your answers so we can get to know each other better. Maybe we have some far off fun fact in common!

1. Where were you born?
I was born near Allentown, PA, and lived there till I was 11. We had a tiny personal farm with pigs, steers, the occasional sheep, barn cats and dogs. Oh, and a big veggie garden. I was eating organic way back in the 70s, before it was cool! When I was 11, we moved to Sebring, FL (the middle of no where in FL).

2. Do you have any pets? 
Yes! We have two dogs – Romeo (12) and Oliver (3). They are both rescues, and cute as can be. They look like little terrier mixes, but turns out, their DNA tells us otherwise. Romeo is Maltese/Shihtzu/Dalmation and Oliver is Pug/Chihuahua/Pomeranian. They do have a little terrier mixed in there, but not much.

I would love a hedgehog. Well, I *think* I would. They seem really cool.

3. What “famous” person have you met, or would like to meet?
I served seven years on the national board of directors for the University of Florida Alumni Association as a Regional Vice President, and had the opportunity to meet some pretty influential people. One of my fellow board members and friends was a close family friend of Tim Tebow, so I had the chance to meet Tim a couple of times.

The best run in, though, was a chance encounter with Dave Matthews on an elevator in Chicago (I was in town to see their concert). THAT was pretty darn cool, and I regret not asking if he’d teach me how to strum a few chords. LOL!
I’ve done quite a few Zoom Coffee Chats with clients. If you’d like to hang out, drink your coffee, and chat for 15 minutes, let me know! 239.634.5039 or caryn@carynclark.com

Be In YES Mode!

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Earlier this year, I was watching a MasterClass with Amy Poehler about improvisation and how it relates to living life.

One of the rules of improv is, “Yes, and…” When your improv partner makes a statement, the way for you to add to the story to move it along is to say YES, and then add a thought, idea, or situation they can react to. If you lead in with a no or negative statement, it’s likely the ability to improv is going to nosedive soon. It’s challenging to respond to a negative idea in a positive way that keeps it moving forward. By saying yes to the continuation of the story, you’re agreeing to collaborate and build on the story that’s forming.

Read that again.

By saying yes, you’re agreeing to collaborate on the story that’s forming. The converse is, by saying no, you’re not agreeing to collaborate, or grow the story.

The story = your life/business. 

Be willing to say YES to everything that comes your way! Be adventurous and willing, even if it’s scary or intimidating. Take chances! The only way we learn and grow is by saying YES and getting out of our comfort zone to try new things.

Make it a point to walk through each day with a “I’m gonna say YES!” attitude, and just watch what comes your way to explore! Being in this mindset helps you to keep your eyes open to the possibilities.

An Example of Saying Yes
A friend texted me about participating in a local elementary school’s “Read Across America” week, asking if I was interested in reading stories to the kids. At first glance, I’ll be honest and tell you, I can find many reasons to say, “Oh thanks for thinking of me, but I’m really busy.” Here are a couple: I spent a lot of time helping with PTA and other organizations when my stepdaughter was younger, and I’m very happy to have my time back to focus on my business. Another objection I could’ve had is that little kids are like petri dishes of bacteria, and the last thing I need as a voice over is to get sick.

See where I’m going? It’s easy to object.

Instead, I thought to myself, “How fun would this be to do for an hour, and see cute little humans enjoy being read to?” It’ll be nice to get out of the studio for a couple of hours, be  helpful to others, and make a difference in a child’s life. So, when I received the text, I immediately said, “YES, I’d love to help with this!”

Sometimes, all people need is an invitation, and they’re happy to help, and say YES. Don’t be afraid to ask people to participate and collaborate.

Take some time to think of the many ways you might have said NO to past opportunities, and think about what you can say YES to going forward.

Note:
Say YES within reason. Use your judgment about saying yes to something that compromises your ethics or morals.

Props in Auditions

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recording studio voice over voice actingProps.

Props to you!

Props for you!

Prepositions for your props!

Ok, ok, I clearly haven’t had enough coffee yet. ☕

I wanted to chat about using props in your auditions. Yep, props in voice over auditions!

While I was auditioning yesterday, there was one that called for someone who was sort of a subject matter expert… confident, knowledgable.

So, I rifled around my bookcase and found an old pair of glasses, and I held them and gestured with them… chewed the earpiece a bit… as I performed the audition. 👓

Props can be very useful in helping you morph to a character that is believable. They help YOU believe you ARE that character. YOU ARE THAT PERSON whose words are coming out of your mouth.

I tend to do this quite a bit.

If a read is about pets, or needs a compassionate, loving with all my heart emotion, I’ll hold and snuggle one of my dogs while I audition. 🐶 (Romeo especially LOVES to be part of my auditions!)

If it’s someone distracted by their phone, by God, I’ll hold my phone and play with it and gesture with it as I read. 📱

Having a casual convo with a friend? I’ll grab my coffee cup, relax my stance, and have that convo. ☕

In an office environment? I’ll grab my pencil and keep it in my hand as I read. ✏

Another thing I find helpful… is shoes. 👠

Huh?

I’m generally barefoot in my studio, because, Florida, and, well, I just don’t wear shoes in the house. (yessss I’m one of THOSE people 🤦‍♀️ 😂 )

But, I have found the shoes I wear can help with my mindset during an audition. Different shoes bring different personality, confidence, swagger, athleticism… you get the idea.

Matter of fact, when I was in NYC in September, I went to a wonderful studio, CityVox, to record. I got dressed that morning, and, like any good woman, I changed my outfit completely before leaving. 🤣

But I also changed my shoes. It was intentional. I just couldn’t feel what I needed to feel in tennis shoes. I changed in to my Tory Burch combat boots with the slug heel. ✔ Heck yes.

They were the perfect choice for the swagger I needed that day.

Do you use props in your voiceover auditions? I’d love to hear about some of the things you use!

#voiceover #voiceactor #props #audition #videoproduction #audioproduction #postproduction #commercialproduction #advertising #narration

Are You Listening?

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Are You Listening?

If you were anywhere on social media this past holiday season, you were probably pummeled with ads for #MasterClass.

I’d always been intrigued by MasterClass but I just wasn’t sure I’d use it.

After seeing ad after ad on #Facebook with #MarthaStewart in hair rollers, drinking her green juice, and letting us know she “… started her first business at the age of 50…” I just couldn’t resist any longer.

I subscribed to MasterClass.

I don’t regret it one single bit. It’s probably hands down the best $100+ I’ve ever spent, and I’m saying this only after having it a week.

First I watched the Martha Stewart MasterClass, and am so completely in awe of her confidence. She has built empire upon empire, and lost a few, too. She does everything with grace and confidence,  both the wins and the losses.

Next up, I watched a MasterClass by Goodby Silverstein and Partners, founders Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein. Holy smokes, y’all. Anyone in any facet of the advertising industry needs to watch this one. It is chock full of their experienced insight. They are amazing complements to one another – it’s no wonder they’re good business partners. I will likely watch this one again, for sure.

The most recent class I watched is Amy Poehler’s Prepared to be Unprepared. It’s about improvisational skills, but how they relate to leading a fulfilling life. So, it’s both applicable to acting, and life in general. It is so incredible and a little mind twisty to think about improv prompts and how they apply to life. It’s true though, they do.

A theme I found in all of these classes, that each teacher mentioned, was LISTENING. Jeff Goodby, Martha Stewart, and Amy Poehler – they all emphasized LISTENING to your client, the people in your life, your employees.

Listening is so very important in order to be respected, and for success in life and career.

It really gave me pause to consider, do I listen well? Do I listen enough? Do I listen to my clients’ needs? Are the advertisements we voice listening to the people they’re being created for? In improv, for example, listening is vital. We have to listen to follow along to what our fellow actors are saying, so we can help to create the story to keep it going.

Trust is an important part of business, and of relationships, both client relationships and audience relationships, in the realm of advertising. We have to gain the audience’s trust in a mere :30 seconds, for them to understand that the solution we’re presenting is the solution for them… THE one they NEED.

Trust is built by listening.

It shows you care. You respect them. You understand them.

When you build trust, you build loyalty. You build loyalty, you have a customer for life.

Next time you’re in a conversation with a friend or colleague, focus on being a good listener. Don’t interrupt (make notes if you have to remember what you want to say), don’t interject your ideas or thoughts about what you think they should do, but rather, think about what the person is saying, and truly relate to what they’re telling you. See how you can solve their problem, or maybe you can’t, and they just need you to listen.

My Gift to You!

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Last night, as I sat at my desk writing holiday cards, I was a little bummed I couldn’t send cards to everyone of my clients, and, I wasn’t sending a gift to every single one of them.

I mean, I’ve certainly been thinking, for months actually, about what I could purchase that I could send to everyone, yet would be useful, unique, memorable… you know, all the things a gift to a client should be (insert sarcasm). Would you like a nifty Hip Chick coffee mug? A cushy stress ball to add to your collection? A one of a kind Caryn Clark pen that will explode on your paper in two weeks?

I mean, honestly, does anyone need another crappy pen or coffee mug? Sigh. It’s so challenging to think of a unique gift that is special.

Then, it hit me. Holy cow, the answer has been here all along!

The perfect gift!

A REVIEW!

YES! My clients might like to have a great review added to their Google business page, or maybe their web site! Wait wait wait! BOTH!

Annnnddd… I promptly went to work writing Google reviews for a few clients, talent agents, and production houses, who awoke to a surprise!

Along with a Google review, if that person or business also had a LinkedIn profile, I wrote a recommendation on their profile. They are, of course, welcome to use that review where ever they like – their web site, marketing materials, you name it.

My goal was to bring some joy, and value added to my clients’ businesses.

Now, you might ask, why wouldn’t I write a review any ol’ time?

Well, I would, of course. I actually just hadn’t thought of it, and, as we all know, people generally just don’t like to ask for reviews.

So, accept this little tip as my gift to you. Go write some reviews for your clients, and spread the cheer!!

And the Winner is…

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It’s awards season!

Within the voice over world, there seems to sometimes be a bit of controversy about awards, specifically various voice over awards platforms.

I say, you do you. If you enjoy being acknowledged for the work you’ve done, then go for it! Enter that awards competition, and let that light shine!! Receiving a nomination or an award is a nice way to affirm you are on the right track in your career.

Receiving an award can also be another tool in your marketing toolbox. I mean, I don’t know that buyers of voiceover services really care about awards voice actors have received, but it does add a hint of legitimacy to your work. And, in the world of always looking for content to post on social media, receiving an award is another opportunity to post and tag others involved in your award, which will expand the reach of your social media posts.

So, where do you find award shows to enter?

My first and favorite one to recommend is the ADDYs, which are presented by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). I could go on and on about my appreciation for the AAF organization. I’ve only been involved about three years, but it’s been a wonderful way to meet like-minded professionals local to me.

The AAF is comprised of over 200 member clubs nationally. It is the oldest national advertising trade association, and represents over 40,000 professionals in the advertising industry and beyond. By participating in your local AAF Chapter, you will meet people in your area who are connected to advertising, graphic design, video production, and other related creative services.

The ADDYs “are the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting over 40,000 entries each year… and recognizes and rewards the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising…”  What’s unique about the ADDYs is, if you win at your Local level, you are advanced to the District level, and from there, winners go to the National ADDY competition. There are categories to enter in every single aspect of the advertising industry, and namely, there is a voice over category. (Note: please remember to always ask permission of the creator of the asset before you enter it in to any award competition.)

I feel like AAF and the ADDYs are a legit way to network with like-minded people in our business, and, receive recognition for your work.

Now, if you’re in to political commercial voice over, I do have recommendations of a couple of organizations and award competitions you can enter.

The first I will mention is the Reed Awards. Touted as the “… Political Campaign Industry Event of the Year…” it’s a great one to enter, and conference to attend to meet political consultants, ad agencies, and strategists.

The second to mention is the Pollie Awards, hosted by the American Association of Political Consultants. It’s known as “The Oscars of Advertising,” and again, a wonderful way to meet people in the political arena who might cast voice over talent.

I truly appreciate organizations like NAVA (National Association of Voice Actors) and World Voices Organization and think it’s so important to be part of these types of communities – we need to relate to others who experience the same types of ups and downs and sideways swings. But, there is something to be said for becoming a part of organizations where you can network with people who will use your services. Well, there’s a lot to be said! Go where they buyers are!

I’d love to hear about your experiences with these membership organizations and awards competitions. Feel free to drop me a line at caryn@carynclark.com!

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caryn@carynclark.com

239.634.5039