Welp. You caught me. 👩‍💻

Mmmmhmmmmm… I see you checking out my profile, too. 🤓

Yep, I’m calling it all out here. All the things we want to say about LinkedIn profile views, but are afraid.

Ready for it? 😬

Reaching out to people is scary. Our minds come up with all these notions of “they’re not gonna want me to bother them,” or “they’re busy,” or “they are a really big deal, and I’m just small potatoes… they’re not going to want to connect with me.”

Stop that. Put all of that out of your pretty little head. Or, at least try to. I still experience it every day. Yes, it’s about meaningful connections, but it’s also just connecting.

I’m always looking for ways to help people – not just with voice over. I like to open doors for people and connect them. For example, if I connect with a freelancer who is looking for work, I try to connect them to people I know who recruit, are in that industry, or re-post opportunities often. 🚪 🙋‍♀️

So, if I checked out your profile, but didn’t send you a connection request, it was me being shy or having that inner convo with myself that said, “Eh, they aren’t going to see a value in my connection and I don’t wanna piss them off.” 😏 So when you come to check out my profile, please, connect with me if you think I can help you. I am here for the connections! 👋

Oh, and don’t worry about sending me a note with your connection request. We’re limited on those now, so the expectation of an intro note has gone out the window. We can just message each other after we make our connection. 🤗

I’ve made some really wonderful connections on LinkedIn. Once messaging starts to happen, you find that people are generally very kind, friendly, and want to network.

I mean, that’s why we’re on social media, afterall.

Now, go make some connections!

#connect #network #voiceover #marketing #socialmedia #linkedin

Being that it’s mid-winter, I thought I’d share some of my tried and true remedies to battle the nasty bacteria that goes ’round. As a voice actor, being sick is a really bad thing. It makes it hard to audition, much less work, when you don’t sound like yourself.

Here are a few ideas for prevention and recovery, in case you find yourself with the sniffles, sore throat, and the like.

• 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 Slippery Elm, this is a great find even if you don’t use your voice all day. Get yourself some Throat Coat Tea! 

• Vitamin C and Zinc – find them and take them, regularly. Be forewarned, don’t take Zinc on an empty stomach. Not only will you have a cold, but you’ll be nauseous, too. No one needs that.

I hope you’ve found these suggestions useful and helpful! Let’s keep those germy germs away!!

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

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

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!