Today we look at some of the draw backs and pitfalls of using on-screen talent! I was speaking yesterday with my most frequent customer that uses me for on-screen spokes person work. She said they’d been in a meeting a week or two ago and suddenly thought, “What if Grant decides not to do this anymore? Or if he got really sick, or…” Well, there’s that.
Watch now!
How can I help build your business?
What about us? We’re a pretty cool group of people! There are bad social media groups and there are some really good ones! When deciding to join, go ahead and join or stalk and see how they talk to one another. If you find a bunch of elitist snobs bullying others, leave now!! There are several wonderful groups that all support one another!
I Quit.
I hope.
How often has the first sentence lead immediately to the second for us? I think our brains are hard-wired to “do the safe thing”. Continue to do what we “know” as opposed to learning new skills and challenging our own thoughts and beliefs. I’ve actually done a LOT of this over the last year.
One thing I committed myself (hmmm…) to doing this was concentrating on posting to three social media platforms: #LinkedIn, #Facebook and #Instagram every single day. And since April of 2021ish, I’ve done that. Mostly with #videocontent. Why? I’m a #voiceactor as well as #spokesperson (for hire). I thought, man, if people see me on-screen and hear my voice, I’ll get more work!
Likely a smart strategy.
Except I did it wrong.
Today I stand (actually sitting, but…) before you a changed man. I Quit.
Well, I quit doing it the wrong way. I hope. I sat in on a webinar with #LinkedIn specialist @Richard Bliss opened my eyes to several indisputable things.
1) JUST posting to social media can be a HUGE time waster if we’re doing it wrong! The platforms have ONE goal: Keep you and others using THEIR platform.
2) Posting the wrong way can be worse than not posting! (Re-read #1).
3) I need to figure out a) How to do it right, or b) find an affordable way to have it done for me.
We all want our business to grow. So today I’ve promised myself to restart and figure out how to do it well and correctly! I want my #voiceover business to grow, but more, I’m tired of wasting resources and time to no traction.
Here’s to doing it right.
Since 2000, I’ve worked in the marketing arena and worked with some very good intellectual property (IP) attorneys. What you’ll watch is NOT legal advice (there you’ve been warned), but information garnered from many hours of consulting with them.
Here’s a bottom line for ya: IF you don’t have express, written consent to use an image, photograph, music, sound or written word file. Don’t. There. That was simple, right? Yeah, but what about…
What can I record for you?
Yeah your ego might take a ding, but otherwise, you’re likely to survive. However, it’s harder when you get great advise that takes you down the wrong path. So it was with the electrical and sound system on my motorcycle. The right advise, but wrong solution. Finally took reflecting on two sets of advise and seeing the solution between them. Fun times.
What can I record for you?
I can do a lot of things. But I’m often reminded that there are things better left to others. This last week it was the graphic redesign of my branding. I gave a talented artist carte blanche (if you don’t know that reference you might be in a younger age bracket! LOL) to design something new and fresh. He did and it’s reflected now in all my social media posts and new web design. Go check out my site! The go do what you are great at!!
I wasn’t overjoyed with my branding, but it was really “okay”. But that’s changed!
I’m very excited to share the release of new branding for all things, “GrantsVoice”. I started working with a very good social media guy that has designed all my social media posts “look and feel”. I liked it so much that all my stuff has been changed. Would love your comments!
What can I record for you?
I just KNOW you’re surprised!! (not)
A HUGE amount of voice over work that comes our way is recording commercials!
I chat a bit about the process (abbreviated, of course) and play a sample of a commercial I conceived, wrote, produced for demonstration purposes.
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
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!
