The Great Voice Podcast

Crafting Narration and Building a Voiceover Career

Part One:

Meet Josh Nelson, from Manhattan, Kansas, was a youth pastor for 20 years and has recently switched to working with adults and helping develop communities. He also does public address announcements at local high school and college sports. Josh works with Susan on an Audiobook script and Susan provides guidance on how to develop a voice for the narrator by building a character around the narrator that is a part of the story. 

Part Two:

Meet Salena Metreger, marketing assistant at The Great Voice Company and Podcast Producer. Salena is an emerging voice talent that spent 17 years in the manufacturing industry before leaving to pursue voice over full time. She has trained in voice over and has spent the last few years building a business through self-promotion, networking, pay-to-play sites and more as well as work with Susan at The Great Voice Company. Listen as Susan and Salena walk through the steps and different avenues voice over artists can do to audition, practice, and build a resume. 

 

Takeaways

• Creating a backstory enhances the depth of audiobook narration.
• Let the story drive the voice choice for Narration
• Emerging talents can find opportunities through pay-to-play platforms.
• Feedback from peers and mentors is invaluable for growth.
• Networking is essential for building a successful voiceover career.
• Self-promotion and reaching out to connections can lead to new opportunities.
• Building momentum in the voiceover industry takes time and consistent effort.

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 Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Josh Nelson
• 06:06 Building a Backstory for Effective Narration
• 10:33 Exploring Voice Choices for Narration
• 17:54 Navigating Pay-to-Play Platforms
• 24:04 Feedback and Growth in Voiceover
• 26:53 The Importance of Networking and Self-Promotion
• 36:05 Building Momentum in Voice Over

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Terri Dien

Segue to Sponsor by David Brower

This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. 

 

Finding Your Voice: Mastering Audience Connection and Building a Successful VO Business

Part One:

Meet Michael Przekop (PREZ-kop), a Great Voice student with a background in legal consulting, marketing, and even a producer and director in San Francisco hiring voice talent. Michael talks about his own transition into voiceover. He then reads a commercial script and Susan highlights the importance of understanding the target audience and delivering a relatable and energetic performance. Throughout the coaching session, Michael wows with his continuously improved read. Susan praises his voice quality and encourages him to use hand gestures while recording to bring more energy into his performance. 

Part Two:

Meet David Brower, a Great Voice Coach, with a background in radio, marketing for the automotive industry, and more. David talks about his own journey into voiceover and how Susan’s training prepared him to take the leap of faith. Susan and David discuss different strategies for landing voiceover jobs, including referrals and networking, and the importance of cultivating repeat customers. David also shares his experience in creating a demo and finding a niche in the industry, offering valuable advice for newcomers looking to carve out their own path in voiceover. The conversation offers great insights into finding one's niche and the power of referrals in building a successful voiceover business.

 

Takeaways

• Understanding the target audience is crucial in delivering an effective voiceover.
• Using gestures while recording can enhance the performance.
• Continuous learning and improvement are essential in the voiceover industry.
• Background and experience in related fields can contribute to success in voiceover.
• Finding one's niche in voiceover can lead to more opportunities and success.
• Referrals are a powerful tool in building a successful voiceover business.
• Investing in oneself and continuous learning are key to growth and improvement in voiceover.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 03:26 Understanding the Target Audience
• 08:33 Using Gestures and Body Language in Voiceover
• 10:24 The Value of Voiceover Training and Education
• 15:24 Interview with David Brower
• 21:59 Leveraging Personal Connections and Referrals
• 27:26 Determining the Best Niche in Voiceover
• 31:47 Asking for Referrals and Building Customer Relationships
• 41:32 Advice for Newcomers to Voiceover

 

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Andrew Colón

Segue to Sponsor by Ann Coatney

This episode is sponsored by Less Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners.

The Importance of Marketing in Voiceover

Part One:

 

Meet Beth Golden, a seasoned voiceover student. She discusses her move from Colorado to South Carolina and her experience as a life coach. Beth explains how she got into voiceover after her sister introduced her to it. She talks about the classes she has taken and the importance of marketing in voiceover. Listen as Susan Berkley provides works with Beth on a corporate voiceover script. They emphasize the importance of personalization and emotional connection.

 

Part Two:

 

Meet DeBorah Pryor, a talent advisor and coach at Great Voice. DeBorah shares her fascinating background in journalism and acting, including her experiences interviewing celebrities like John Lennon. Then listen as DeBorah explains how she became the personal assistant to Sly Stone. She discusses her transition to voiceover and offers advice for newcomers in the industry.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Beth Golden shares her journey and background in voiceover
• The importance of marketing in voiceover
• Coaching on personalization and emotional connection in voiceover
• DeBorah Pryor had the opportunity to interview John Lennon in Central Park
• DeBorah also worked with Sly Stone and traveled with him as his personal assistant.
• She later transitioned to voiceover and has worked on audiobooks, video games, commercials, and more.
• DeBorah advises newcomers to focus on voiceover and seek guidance from experienced professionals.

Notable Quotes:

• "I even interviewed John Lennon."

Chapters

• 00:00 Beth Golden's Voiceover Journey
• 03:12 The Importance of Marketing in Voiceover
• 07:14 Coaching on Personalization and Emotional Connection
• 33:07 DeBorah Pryor Interviewing John Lennon
• 37:52 Working with Sly Stone
• 48:37 Transitioning to Voiceover
• 50:17 Advice for Newcomers

Host - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Joe Smith

This episode is sponsored by Least Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. 

Committing to the Voiceover Process and Upgrading Home Studios

Part One:

Meet Karen McCroan, a full-time teacher of 30 years looking to pivot to voiceover work. Karen discusses the challenges of teaching and her wish to retire and focus on voiceover full-time. Listen as Susan coaches Karen through a car commercial script. They explore different techniques, such as using hand gestures and visualizing a specific person, to enhance the performance. Karen’s final read knocks it out of the park - showcasing the importance of energy and connection in voiceover work.

Part Two:

Meet Joe Smith, a talent advisor and coach at Great Voice. Joe shares his diverse background in pastoring, law enforcement, and sports journalism. He offers valuable advice for newcomers to voiceover, including tips for setting up a home studio. Joe's insights cover essential considerations like treating the space for sound quality and using appropriate equipment.

Key Takeaways:

• Energy and urgency are important in voiceover performances, even in softer reads.
• Visualizing the audience and engaging in a fake conversation can create a more personal and compelling performance.
• Treating the home studio space is crucial for optimal sound quality.
• Committing to the voiceover process and seeking coaching and training are essential for success.
• Starting a voiceover business is relatively inexpensive compared to other ventures..

Notable Quotes:

• "Treat your space, treat your space, treat your space."

Chapters: 

• 03:20 Coaching Karen on a Car Commercial Script
• 04:42  Energy and urgency are important in voiceover performances, even in softer reads.
• 15:50  Visualizing the audience and engaging in a fake conversation can create a more personal and compelling performance.
• 19:41 Interview with Joe Smith
• 32:57  Committing to the voiceover process and seeking coaching and training are essential for success.
• 34:55  Treating the home studio space is crucial for optimal sound quality.
• 37:48  Starting a voiceover business is relatively inexpensive compared to other ventures.

 

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Salena Metreger

This episode is sponsored by Least Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. 

Voiceover Coaching and Career Insights From E-Learning to Entertainment

Part One:

Meet Dennis Kelly, a Great Voice student diving into the world of voiceover. Dennis talks about his cool background in radio, TV, theater and journalism as well as his shift into voiceover. He also talks about how he decided that The Great Voice Company was for him. Listen in as Dennis learns the "mumble in" technique to bring an e-learning script to life and how to slow down the pace for better absorption. Hear the great feedback he receives from Susan Berkley and his excitement about working with a coach to create his demo.

Part Two:

Meet Ann Coatney, a member of Team Great Voice, a demo coach, and the voice of Express Scripts. Ann shares her fascinating background in acting, including her work on the iconic show Sex and the City. She discusses her journey into voiceover and her current roles as a voice talent and coach. Ann offers valuable insights and advice for voiceover beginners, emphasizing the importance of acting skills and creating a persona. Susan and Ann also explore the power of repeat business, continuous learning, and practice in achieving long-term success in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Using the mumble-in technique can give a point of view and enhance the delivery of a script.
• Slowing down and allowing time for absorption is important when reading e-learning scripts.
• Continuous learning and practice are essential for growth in the voiceover industry.
• Repeat business is valuable and can lead to long-term success.
• Voiceover requires some acting skills and the ability to create a persona.
• Attending webinars and learning from experienced professionals can provide valuable insights and guidance.
• Patience, persistence, and perseverance are key to building a successful voiceover career.

Notable Quotes:

• "I picked up stakes and moved to New York and did off, off, off, off, off, off, off Broadway.”

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Show Opener by Ann Coatney

This episode is sponsored by Least Annoying CRM. Go to https://greatvoice.com/crm for an exclusive deal for the Great Voice Podcast listeners. 

Customer Focus and Personal Connections in Voiceover

"The book was very informative and it helped me get to the point where I truly figured out that this is what I wanted to do at some point," says Earnest Pouncy, Great Voice Student. Earnest opens up about his inspiring journey into the world of voiceover and shares his experiences with our coaching program. He talks about what drew him to voiceover work and how our program has helped him grow.  Get a glimpse into the coaching program at the Great Voice Company and hear Earnest Pouncy’s story and his experiences with our coaching. Earnest learns how to bring a script to life in an amazing transformation you’re going to want to hear! Then, we hear from Andy, a successful bilingual voice talent. He shares his impressive achievements in the industry and offers invaluable advice for those interested in voiceover work in multiple languages. Andy emphasizes the importance of marketing, staying customer-focused, and seizing new opportunities.

Learn from Andy Colón about succeeding as a bilingual voice talent and hear his advice for others.  

 

Hosted - Susan Berkley

Producer - Salena Metreger 

Music by Darrin Fossella 

Introduction by David Brower 

Segue to Second Half by Ann Coatney 

Outro by Andy Colón