The VO Life

James is a full time VO across the pond! His smoooth RP voice is heard on everything from commercial, games and elearning.  Hear about his journey into the business and his previous career in journalism.

Part time, full time... doesn't matter.  Are you working off a plan and goals or just going WILLY NILLY with VO??  This week we walk through a way to set some goals, plans and even dreams for you VO BUSINESS because after all, it IS a business no matter what level you are at.

SUMMER SHORTS # 2 .....You can get this solved in the first few minutes... or listen all the way through just for fun!  

The more you know, the more you might have done things differently. This is a short take on a reflection of "if I knew everything then that I know now, would I have followed the same path" and the answer might be a surprise,  As always, this is MY OPINIONS of MY WALK... and not meant to put any methods down.  Its just a look back on what I would have changed had I known more!

I've had 6 months of this.... Am I ready to throw in the towell as Sabrina suggested?  NO!  I am actually slightly ahead of what I set goals for, but the second half... I'm gonna have to let it all out... pulll out the trick plays and the secret weapons... but first let's review the first half!

Focus.  We all need to focus and as the pastor says "today I am preaching to ME" as I have to make my career my focus.  Just a few slight changes to the VO LIFE podcast and group... but no, I am not going anywhere... just need to F O C U S on THIS career!

How many people actually make 6 figures?  How many coaches are legit coaches? How mush does the "average" VO Make a year? WHY IS SOMEONE OUT TO GET MARC SCOTT!  These and many more deep dives in this LENGTHY podcast all about facts, fiction and who the hell is SABRINA FARROWS anyway?

As business owners WE set the hours, the schedules, etc.  Sometimes we just figure we HAVE TO WORK AROUND THE CLOCK and we don't take time to unwind.  I am ready for this Memorial Day and summer to take day trips to the lake for a few hours and just "get away" and unplug for a bit.  We have to do it or we will burn out...so be sure YOU take some down time and remember what life is about!

Voices will be launching "projects" as it has rolled out this week to the VO side and the plan is a launch in Mid July.  Why?  Who benefits? How will it work?  Listen in for some basic information and how to get MORE in depth information about this.

Voice Over has apparently changed a lot in the last 10-20 years and rightly so with the need for so much more "media" in our every day lives.  Who is right?  Is there only ONE WAY to get into VoiceOver?  Is there a right and wrong way or are we just watching the 2 worlds collide?  This commentary is all about the 2 worlds of VO and how I wish we could find that middle ground.  Change is inevitable...

Ok, I have either GROWN as a VO or the light FINALLY went off in my slow southernish head.  WHY?  Well... listen and see.  I think you will also agree with me on this "new" take on Demos.  

Agents... do you need one? How many? When? Once the "only way" it is now "another way" to get work... and GOOD WORK.  It also helps your credibility.  Let's talk about it!  And THANKS to Dana Ramoni for the AWESOME versions of his Morgan Freeman impersonation!  SPOT ON! And also to my other "announcers" Louise Porter, Liz Moya and Charles Bain.  Thank you all for your kindness!

VO is cyclical at times... well always.  Clients come and go, regulars are busy then not.  When things slow down, don't panic.  Just get to work! Or don't! You may need to be marketing, learning, coaching or... maybe you NEED some downtime.  Do a home project.  Go for a walk, take the kids for ice cream... just don't start changing EVERYTHING!  Let's talk about the slow times and what NOT to do!

Talk talk talk... its what we do... for what? An hour or 2 a day?  Spend you OTHER time getting after the NUMBERS GAME!  It's time to put your marketing to work....

Troy and Charles The Voice expand on their time at VO Atlanta... what they did, who they saw, what they learned  and the impact it will have on their business.

First of two parts as Troy and Charles The Voice recap their visit to VO Atlanta...what they did, what they saw...and why they will be going back in 2023!

Visit the Facebook page for The VO Life and join! troyholdenvoices.com troy@troyholdenvoices.com

There is NO magic formula.  But if you listen til the end I do wrap up 10 VERY GOOD TIPS you can use to help your climb.  VoiceOver is overflowing with people getting in week after week.  We see it in our group and the others.  So what do you do to ensure you STAY in VoiceOver past the first weeks or months? Well... this might be my best podcast ever....so listen up!

We welcome Angela Ohlfest to the podcast (AYYY-OHHH!)  Angela shares about her rise with Audiobooks and her "paying it forward" YouTube Channel! With over 100 audiobooks done she has the talent and experience to help those wondering "can I do that also"... plus she does characters, commercial VO and more!  Meet and enjoy the conversation with Angela today on the VO Life!

They are not cheap and used ... how far are are you willing to go?  The dilemmas of a "pre made" or building out at home.  What's some of the pluses and minuses of it all and what I did to get my current space.

A podcast is a great way to get more exposure for your VO travels.  Social exposure, etc is out there if you can keep good content going. Here is how I do mine and the services I use. Is a podcast in YOUR future?

Really?  WHERE?  Are you not in VO?  Seriously folks its not that hard but I'll add more to get you spots that FIT so you are invested in your read.  Catch this one if you are needing to pull together some new spots or your first spots!

January... new year, new start BUT it's been a tad slow.  How can I stay focused on the PRIZE?? Routines, discipline and drop a podcast.  I won't give up if you won't!  Let's press on and hope things get better in February.  At least we are closer to Daylight Savings Time!

I am honored and thrilled to have these 2 who are a wealth of knowledge and 2 of the most honest and trusted coaches in the VO world.  Today is about their process and even just some fun conversations because as you know... JJ could say about anything!!! And that's why we love him!  Don't miss listening to these top rated coaches! They have been pivotal in my career and in getting me where I am at...

 I know we are all tired of those pushy, overbearing clients who promise LONG TERM WORK... we all know the drill... It's time we ALL shudder at those requests and FLAT OUT SAY NO.  How can we band together to STOP the flurry of BAD CLIENTS wanting those "long term work" and will soon pay a "bonus" .... can we devise THE TOP 10 WAYS TO NOT DO THOSE $5 YOU TUBE JOBS!  WHO IS LEADING THEIR ARMY AND H...