Category: Grant’s Sound Advice

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What is a DAW? Find out!

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Simply put, a Digital Audio Workstation coverts the signal from your mic/interface into visible, editable sound.

The two I suggest using are:

Audacity: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/ -pretty much free to use. Great to start with, easy to understand, a LOT of youtube stuff out there to help you

Reaper: https://www.reaper.fm/download.php -60 day free evaluation period and pretty inexpensive to purchase. –Booth Junkie: Watch/use his series on setting up Reaper for VO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfZ6UxFujx4&list=PLzEW-dm_vsRvfiH9RVKAJA6Vd2CccnVmn

Kenny Gioia’s “Reaper Mania” is the next to watch. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq297H7Ca98HlB5mVFHGSsQ

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Are you using your strengths? (You should be)

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This one is a bit about me and my strengths as shown in a recent assessment I took as part of being elected to the local AAF (American Advertising Federation). How’d I score?
1- Strategic
2- Relator
3- Futuristic
4- Learner
5- Restorative

Are you using your strengths? I think I am. Slowly but surely over the past few years, I’ve tried to stop trying to do the “things I could do” and do more “Things I’m great at”.
Btw, great learning in our retreat yesterday (with AAF). When you see me, ask me about being “Well Rounded”. Great lesson there!

Can I help your business with strategy or other challenges. Yes! Contact me here!

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Meditations, Affirmations & Hypnosis

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As voice actors, we get different types of scripts.

I enjoy this slot as it truly seems to be “self help” in many ways!
I talk quickly about doing Meditations, Hypnosis & Affirmations, then there’s a 5 minute sample for you to enjoy!

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Getting Stared in Voice Over #8- What equipment to buy?

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I dunno! ;-)

Computer: Mac vs. PC; Use what you have until you know more. There is enough “tech” to learn in this business without adding a new computer interface AND re-learning how to use ALL the programs you use on that new operating system.

Mic, Interface, headphones: Call someplace like Sweetwater, Guitar Center or maybe a local guy downtown that supplies bands with equipment. Heck, buy local! Except- if that local guy ONLY does bands, he likely knows nothing about managing sound in a small studio or VO. You’ve been warned.

When you call the company, explain your hopeful budget, let them hear your voice while you talk, and be in the space you hope to record in. They’ll make recommendations based on all that.

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What business entity do I start with?

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I’m not an attorney, or a tax accountant! This is NOT legal or tax advise, only suggestions on what to ask those professionals when you talk to them! –

This one is worth listening to no matter what kind of business you’re starting! I talk about being a Sole Proprietor, and forming an LLC, S-corp, or C-corp and how that formation might effect you, your liability and to a small amount I mention how it might change your taxes. Solid information for starting any business!

Resources: https://americassbdc.org/

https://www.score.org/

https://grantsvoice.com/book-grant/

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FAILURE! (or not!)

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Thanks to my friend Kaleigh Duffy for the reminder on failure. She wrote a great post on failure. About success. I applaud her for her leadership and spirit.

You Go Girl!

So you failed. Whatcha gonna do?

Go at it again, this time more prepared to fail faster, farther and better prepared for success!! There’s a slide of great quotes at the end of the video, but I’ll leave you with my favorite two: “If at first you don’t succeed…(you gotta watch the video)” and “Never let success get to your head, Never let failure get to your heart”

Need some business mentoring? Let’s chat!

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Setting the mood

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One of the things that VO do is set the mood. This can change from sentence to sentence! I received a script to record yesterday for a hearing aid company.

The script said, “You know my sad story…” My point is that doesn’t sound natural. I suppose if I’m really trying to pull the pity chain I’d say that, but I’d more likely say with sadness in my voice, “You know my story…” and emote that so it sounds sad too! Then the next sentence I was saying how happy I was now that I could hear well, even in the crowded bar.

I’ll be happy to set YOUR mood! Let’s chat!

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Getting started in Voice Over #6

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It’s a business!! Repeat this to yourself, “I’m starting a SEPARATE ENTITY called a business”.

Repeat this as often as you need to until you understand that sentence. Many people treat a business as a personal checking account backup.

IT ISN’T.

Your first, primary, most important, overarching job is making money for THE BUSINESS. Then, if you do, as the business manager, you decide what value you have and compensate yourself accordingly.

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Let’s talk brand extension

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Bud light has at least 13 products starting with the words, #budlight. #MountainDew, more than 33. If you took someone that loves BL and handed them a “Bud Light Lime-A-Rita” (one of SIX flavors)- would they recognize it as a BL? I don’t know BL, but I’m thinking “no” is the answer.

Same with the versions of MD. Code Red, Live Wire, Pitch Black, and my personal name, “White out”. One hopes this is about snow and not an office supply! So how are you extending your brand in a way that makes sense in your niche?

This week I started a service writing blogs and articles for those that need motorcycle and travel related content. We’ll see how that goes. After writing marketing and sales copy for years, I’m hoping to gain traction there.

What brand extensions can you think of?

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Proof reading, Editing, & Correcting

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Spoiler: We don’t write the same way we speak.

There it is. I write a lot of commercial and marketing copy and I catch myself.

Take: “I am going to go the store” can be read (and likely will be)

“I’m gonna go twoda store”

The first sentence, if read the way its written can sound mechanical, or robotic.

We can help “humanize” your script. With my sales and marketing background, I can also look at your script from the sales side. I just did a script this morning and the company name was only mentioned once at the beginning and never gave the web address. HUH?!

Happy to help with your scripts!!