Social Media – Does It Support or Waste Time?

business, creative professionals, instructional design, post-production, production, small business, video design, voiceover

Social. Media. I am doing this. Been doing this. For years.

Is it working? Am I succeeding with it? This is one of my tasks to analyze over the next month or so.

OK, let’s back up. Which social platforms am I talking about?

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

I work at one or two every day, a little bit. I work this effort week after week, month after month, year after year. Are there results? How do I know if I’m succeeding?

Are you doing social media for your small business on any of these platforms? Are there results? Are you succeeding with it?

Because, frankly, I might be ready to let go of several.

Marketing goals are essential.

My goal has always been to generate connections with potential or current clients, get to know each other, and maybe end up doing some business together. I aim to connect primarily with creative pros from advertising, marketing, video/audio production and instructional design.

A secondary goal is creating strong alliances with other pro voiceover actors and talent agents. And there’s the preset that I am not near any of these people geographically. I’ve been remote working within this strategy for over 10 years.

Perhaps it’s this saturation of everyone doing everything virtually in the last few months, but I feel like it’s time to cull the wheat from the chaff among the platforms. Of course, I need to think this through.

Input & Output Experience differs per platform.

I’ve had good experiences with some platforms only, in relation to my above goals. I’ve cultivated many wonderful connections, clients and VO allies. I’ve also experienced a lot of frustration with wasted time and money.

Creating content is the most time-intensive. I created 20 topics to post about monthly. I hired a company which creates custom content from my ideas, and sets it up in a monthly calendar for my final approval or editing. Each unique post is set on the same day, in the same way, for each platform. I know this isn’t a best practice. I’m already frustrated with time spent to get these posts created and branded. Perhaps I need to rethink this?

Here is a mini-dive into how I feel about each platform I’m currently using.

LinkedIn – Highest true, tangible value. I find excellent professional, direct interaction within a professional community of clients, potential clients and other VO allies. Most of the LinkedIn Groups were very vibrant in 2007 and for many years. Now they seem like ghost towns. Active posts in the home feed and direct messaging are interesting and professional for the most part. I’m very satisfied and grateful for this platform and expect to continue finding value there.

Instagram – I started with skepticism, long after many had already lauded its perfection as the newest and next best shiny social place. It sort of felt like everyone I already knew was simply jumping to Insta. What’s the point of creating the same community on a different platform? And since this platform is about images – and now stories – it feels difficult to master with my vocation as a voice actor. I’ve positioned my Insta as a business account. I’ve not found it fruitful. I feel like I don’t have time to customize content the way this feed needs, and I’m not confident I know the best way to take advantage or if there really are opportunities here.

Twitter – So many changes have happened. Seriously, I used to be in a LinkedIn group that was called ‘Twittering’ in 2007! It was a baby then, quite effective and fun. Those were precious times. Since then, I’ve seen the best and worst of times. I have a nice following but limited interactions, primarily with people I already know. I’ve positioned my twitter as a business account. Although I also do what I can here to tweet, re-tweet, and engage, I’ve not found the right business angle during the many years since its heyday. Again, I’m not confident I know the best way to take advantage or if there really are opportunities there.

Facebook Page – This place isn’t my personal profile. It’s a lonely, lonely page. So sad! Friends and other voice actors take notice of my posts, here and there. This wasn’t true back in the day when Pages meant something and got traction. Then they changed the algorithm, and you don’t get eyeballs unless you do paid promotions. Ugh.

Facebook personal profile – I created this to be in touch with family and friends. My ‘friends’ have evolved to include real friends to distant acquaintances in voiceover. Over time I have included a tiny few clients and VO agents into this mix – and I’m always unsure if this is wise. It’s that blurry line that all the ‘specialists’ say you shouldn’t cross. I wonder if it’s a line I simply should stay on one side of? Whatever the answer is, I do not use this for business purposes as much as is possible. Lately, however, due to the Page being so low performing, during the moments I have thought to close my Facebook page down, I have shared from my Page to my personal profile. Wrong? Not sure that’s the right question. Ineffective? Probably.

YouTube – This is a repository for my work, a sort of online portfolio of work where I’ve been able to accumulate copies. Someone just recently suggested that I might want to pursue activity here. That’s never been a goal of mine. Am I missing something?

Best Practices per platform?

I’ve done my research, my content calendar and branding – as much as I have time to devote. Over years!

I found a company I enjoy working with to help me create content custom for my brand. I’ve read and re-read materials about ‘doing social media right’ and generating content. I’ve played with analytics but so much seems based on consumer vs business demographics. I follow experts that show tips and tricks for actors, and I do a lot of that right. I’ve hired so-called and real experts for paid promotion campaigns. I found one experience full of baloney. I was really mad that I wasted my money but at least I learned.

I know there are lots of best practices. The problem is, most seem geared to larger companies than mine. That’s why I’ve started to feel that a lot of advice out there simply isn’t worth the time it takes to read it. I’ve even studied and done the work about identifying my ideal client/s. It takes so much time. It feels so unscientific. It feels like a treadmill rather than a path to a goal.

What’s my opinion?

I know I’m succeeding with LinkedIn. YouTube is only a repository, with no further expectations. Twitter and Facebook are seemingly time-wasters at this point. Insta is an enigma and leaning toward feeling like a time-waster.

Back in 2007, when Twitter was new and LinkedIn was fresh, it felt good and really authentic. In 2020, it feels very different. My opinion is that LinkedIn is still a robust enough platform. The rest? Not especially worth the time. They’re fun to observe, see what others are doing, and to keep in touch with associates, friends and family. And enjoy very funny memes! I’m going to do some analytics again, and a little more deep diving on content value. At this point, my mind can be changed. Professionally though, I don’t see the value except with LinkedIn.

Do you agree? Do you see something wrong with what I’ve described? What’s your experience and opinion? Please leave a comment and answer social media Qs here: https://forms.gle/16qNPgrEmCZPTnba6

Controversial — Is ‘Line Reading’ Acceptable for Voiceover?

business, online vo sessions, production, voiceover

A while back I asked my media production clients for questions for Voice Actors (VOs). Several clients wanted to know how VOs feel about line reading. Are they for or against it? Is it a sensitive topic?

What is a ‘Line Reading’?

It’s when the person directing (a Creative Director, a Media Producer, or Product Marketing Manager, etc.) reads aloud the scripted line with a specific tone, energy, and emotion as an example of how the line should be said. It’s predetermined and meant to be mimicked by the VO. That’s a line reading. It can be either offered by a director or asked for by an actor.

What’s the Controversy?

In the broader acting community, a line reading is considered undesirable – a red flag for limited capability on the part of the director or actor. As straight forward as it is, a line reading can dilute the collaborative process, or imply a lack of trust for the giver or the receiver.

At the same time, in a single voiceover session, there’s always a deadline and usually multiple stakeholders. A line reading can move the process forward for either a director or an actor who feels stuck under pressure.

Tension lies within communication, creativity, limited time and the ability for specific creatives to ‘connect’ or ‘get each other’ within this constraint. The Director uses words to describe the desired creative result. An acceptable result is required in a specific and limited period of time… The controversy is whether to use a line reading as a shortcut through that process.

Is Line Reading Acceptable for Voiceover?

Let’s consider the parties involved in voiceover. Everyone in the production, including voice actors, takes their profession seriously and wants to be as creative and collaborative as possible, within time constraints. Everyone would love to have a creative, collaborative voiceover session where acting and directing shine like gold. That often happens.

Like other creatives, focused and successful VOs train and develop their talent. VOs come with acting skills to break down, interpret and perform the script. They compete for jobs via auditions. Once hired, they want to use their creative skills and give clients the best performance possible.

The Short Answer is… It Depends

Voiceover sessions can be for audiobook, animation, commercial or promo campaigns, series narration, and website or product videos. Each is a unique type of session.

Frequently, not always, the voiceover script is the last phase of production. Time buffers may have been used up prior to the voiceover session. No one really wants to use line reading, and yet sometimes it can be a useful tool for saving time.

I asked several VOs about this. Most said they welcome line readings openly. A smaller subset does feel limited by it and wants to avoid it. It wasn’t a scientific survey.

Since each VO session is unique, there is no right or wrong. But there is a general stance to avoid line reading from the greater acting community. That doesn’t mean the small group in your voiceover session believes that or needs to work within that paradigm.

Considering everything I’ve mentioned, the answer lies within the team at the session.

Tips for Hirers of VOs (and VOs)

When you’re part of the team at a voiceover recording session, you’re there for a reason. Everyone has a role. In order to have an effective session, which is why line readings come up, here are some basic tips.

Prior to sessions, VOs should prepare their script by seeing it earlier and being able to bring questions. We all know this isn’t always possible, but it’s a good goal.

After session introductions, any participant can ask, “How do you feel about line reading?” Be open and flexible with any answer.

Key creatives can share the project vision, the audience, and how the script message fits into this.

VOs and Directors can use questions to encourage collaboration. Specify if you’re referring to a specific line or set of lines:

- Can we try it with a different choice?
- Would we like to shift the performance somehow?
- Can I give / Can I get some guidance for that?
- What’s driving the delivery of that line?
- How about a final take to just go with gut feeling?

Collaborate

Like all things in life, it’s not as simple as yes or no. In my experience, it really does depend on the specific situation. I understand why the controversy exists, particularly for the projects that have more time for rehearsal and collaboration.

I love the creative collaborative process. It’s a huge reason I do this for a living. And, rarely, the question, “How about a line read?” has popped up. It’s always been a ‘yes’ answer, followed by the slight release in tension for the freedom to use this technique. It’s often a new opportunity to try something different, maybe even the final ‘safety’ take.

If you’ve enjoyed this and would like to collaborate with me further, please reach out via my email listed above.

Boost Your Success with Accountability

accountability, business, small business, voiceover

Do you keep yourself accountable to your own goals?

Do you write a list of goals and check them off? Keep measurements of success… or lack of? And how do you keep on top of that?

I have done all of the above. On my own, I’ve used paper and digital lists, posters, sticky notes, calendar reminders, spreadsheets, tracking, more tracking, hired help, more hired help, classes, and so on. All of these bits and pieces have been part of holding myself accountable. Sometimes it works and sometimes not…

But the truth is, I had been the only one who cared. Aside from family and friends who encourage and cheer you, working remotely as an entrepreneur is a singular thing. Aside from people you hire, or who hire you, there’s not a lot of other peer level, professional interaction. There’s some on social media, but still, meaningful interaction was limited.

I didn’t have the sense of partnership in the professional level of work I was doing, for problem solving, support for small losses or cheers for big wins.

Human nature is community-oriented.

Looking at this from another angle, human nature is full of interaction. And positive interaction that provides problem-solving, support and cheers. Families, towns, countries, religions, businesses – we feel more confident and protected when another person is ‘in it’ with us. So let’s use this to our business advantage.

That’s what I tried next.

Consider this: Have you ever buddied up with a colleague to hold each other accountable to specific goals? To work through issues you each face? To celebrate success?

I decided I needed my own personal community… someone other than a casual friend and running their own business too… who would have similar issues that could relate with my own, and vice versa.

I needed an ‘accountability partner’.

Define an Accountability Partnership.

My definition: Two trusted associates work together to make progress toward their respective goals. It’s a two-way relationship, where each individual supports the other’s goals in order for each to meet them. You…

encourage, challenge and provide focus for each other.
each want the other partner to succeed
are dependable and committed to helping your partner, while moving yourself forward.
communicate clearly, directly, and respectfully, asking difficult questions and offering insightful observations.
won’t let your partner get away with excuses, or slip through success without celebration.

It’s a powerful combination of motivation and support.

What are the basics?

Once you’ve found your trusted partner:

set up regular meetings at a pace that works for you
introduce each other to respective goals, tracking, and relevant processes
tweak as you go
allow personal goals as you wish
keep it going as long as it feels relevant

I’ve been working with my partner now for at least a year, and we’ve both grown during the process. We’ve addressed issues, both personal and business, and some that are a bit of both. We continue, and have modified our focus, meeting times and frequency once or twice.

There are only benefits. You’ll gain and you’ll give.

Partnering with someone gives you perspective and insights about your own stated goals and real accomplishments. Celebrate the wins and dust yourself off from the losses. Get pushed to grow with challenges. Brainstorm more effective processes for anything. Learn to let go of ineffective habits or systems that no longer serve you.

And vice versa, you’ll serve another professional. Witness them pursue success and transformation. Support them through changes, offer constructive feedback and wisdom to address issues, options and circumstances. There’s a lot of reward in serving another and watching their results.

For the last year, I have worked with an ‘accountability partner’ for my small business. I love it for both what I receive and what I give. It’s mutual growth with the satisfaction coming from individual actions – with a witness.

For me personally, I am more accountable to myself when I know someone else will be watching what I watch. I also have been cheered on when I was overlooking achievements. You can’t beat it!

We’re All Adaptable…

down-time, improvisation, life, voiceover

It seems almost the whole world is moving into ‘the next phase’. Are you feeling nervous or just a little anxious?

I was both when I ventured out this week because I hadn’t been out in more than a month. A part of me even panicked while driving to the store. Seriously! But a deep breath or two resolved the angst. I shopped and consciously noticed feeling a bit of joy, seeing other human beings like me. We are alive! We are moving! Hopefully the majority of us will take all needed precautions and move into the next phase with a little bit of joy thrown in – perhaps on top of the facemask like this?

Considering adapting, I also recently taught an online ‘improvisation for voice actors’ class. The students often enter class with anxiety about attempting improvisation, putting a lot of pressure on themselves to be perfect or funny. After class they graduate with ‘training wheels’ and a newfound trust in themselves and their abilities. Happens every time.

Learning to change makes us strong.

So I thought about all of these circumstances, and couldn’t help but be uplifted by the large and small adaptations I witness, in person or online. I want to acknowledge you ALL – HERE. You deserve recognition.

You have been either within some level of unsettled discomfort, all the way to potentially the worst during this pandemic. You have changed your routine. You stopped traveling to an office, limited travel to stores and doctors. You learned new technologies, shifting from in-person to on-line.

You did this in your personal life, your business life, your parent life, your family, relatives, churches, sports, and so on. All the roles you live in life. This pandemic has been a big event for all of us, reaching almost every corner of the world. That’s scary impressive.

CONGRATULATIONS. I really love what I have heard, where people showed integrity, ingenuity, compassion and strength.

Human beings are so amazing.

We’re all adaptable… whether we like what we adapt to or not!

Adapting to stay alive. And more than that…

To learn new ways to thrive?
To remember old ways to thrive?

If you’d like to comment or share how you’ve adapted, please do using my email listed above.

Directed Voiceover Sessions – Zoom Caution and Alternates

online vo sessions, post-production, production, VO tech, voiceover

Zoom Caution – Use a password

I confess – I was a huge fan of Zoom and now I’ve tempered that but still use it, particularly since I use the audio-only option for voiceover. If you didn’t know, due to the huge migration of people from office to remote working due to COVID19, Zoom usage surged, and their security and privacy flaws quickly became ‘talk of the town’. Most circumstances I’ve heard about were large group Zoom events, some open to the public. This is different from a voiceover session with as few as 2 to a likely maximum of 10 participants. Keep that in mind. However, security and privacy issues still exist, so use with caution.

For a voiceover session, use Zoom by incorporating a password and ask people to sign in (vs a simple link). I’ve used Zoom for several years now and haven’t any security breaches, but again my sessions are a handful of people only. If you are using Zoom for other purposes or larger gatherings, I suggest looking at your alternatives.

Alternatives – Rebecca’s top two choices:

Webex

It’s the same idea as Zoom: video and audio conferencing. The audio on this is as high quality as Zoom, and I use it as easily as Zoom. There’s a free basic level just like Zoom. I’ve used it for several clients and it was flawless.

Skype

It’s the same idea as Zoom: video and audio conferencing. I’ve used it many times in audio sessions. There is a free basic level. However, I do not prefer because it can create conflicts when connected to my audio recording software. Since that’s the whole point with a voiceover session, I actually try to avoid Skype.

I hope this helps you give proper consideration to Zoom. There are many more options here, where I got portions of my information:

My Coronavirus ‘Moment’

life, voiceover

Personal Reactions

During my personal coronavirus moment, I’m learning that I’m resilient. That if I let myself move through the emotional waves around me, my feet still touch the ground. Bend, flow, be connected, even if socially-distanced. I can lift up and fly, above all the chaos, the constraints, upwards to go where I want to go – live how I want to live. And be moved by so many human acts of love and connectivity – while we remain arms-length apart.

As you may already know, I work from home and have since 2010. You may not know I am currently in Italy, near Rome. I live a fairly remote lifestyle in the countryside when I’m here. The little Italian town I live near, a farm or two over, had no incidences of the virus until days ago. I hear a family is in isolation. Maybe three families. News like this is hard to confirm and it could even be gossip. But it’s changing how I feel. I was in a safe bubble. I am still but it just shrunk. News here says 80% of people will get infected by the time it’s all over.

Let me back up, to give you a sense of what it’s felt like. I’ve been in Italy since the holidays when coronavirus first happened in Wuhan, China. It all seemed so far away then, only a glimmer of news. But upon learning how it had spread to northern Italy, I felt a tsunami of fear and claustrophobia. The TV news was updating with bigger and bigger numbers in the Lombardia region, showing coronavirus spreading.

I was not alone in that moment. But suddenly I felt very alone, floating in an invisible padding of panic with an inevitable implosion. It became a mental panic vice on my head, squeezing and inciting adrenaline, with nowhere for me to run. Panic, fear of no way out, that claustrophobia and sense of doom. That feeling you have in the pit of your stomach watching a movie scene where someone is slipping into quicksand but this time it’s you. Is this similar to those who learn of a world war, or regional war?

Tough Decision: Stay or Go

I really had to sedate myself that night and, being honest, a few other nights since then. Escaping to the US occurred to me, but I couldn’t abandon loved ones here. Was I weak for considering that option, one most here do not have? Choosing to stay gave me a release on the vice and the rampant running of adrenaline. It gave me a sense of control and purpose. Do what I can, from here, for now.

Obviously, if I go ‘home’ to California to help my senior parents, I will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Could I even be a carrier? Do I want to risk it? At this moment, they seem OK, so I remain where I am. But my heart weeps for anyone separated from dear loved ones. I’ve seen both horror stories and others of love in the last few weeks. I bet we will all see them.

So here I am. Depending upon where you are, perhaps I’m ahead of the curve you are yourself facing. It’s a bit of a dark day for most of us, isn’t it, generally? Like we’re playing out some epic blockbuster movie. There will be death and destruction… and heroes.

Aside from the doctors and valiant others involved to heal and keep our world turning in the right direction, I want to shine a light on some other heroes. The Italian people are known stereotypically to have strong emotions worn on their sleeves, dynamic with love and anger. I’ve always admired this. In these recent days of #StayStrongItaly, #TuttoAndraBene (everything will be all right), #IoRestoACasa (I stay at home), Italy has shown its beautiful colors. Through social and other media, they have joined together while distanced, singing and holding lights from balconies and windows at a precise day and hour, spreading hope and love. It brought tears of hope, love and decency to my eyes, and encouragement to my heart.

Surviving and Thriving

I have always been known as a strong woman, brave, full of life, energy and intelligence. It’s a nice reputation that I’ve been happy to have. But I have to admit, I’m also vulnerable, a little bit scared, and hopeful.

I go outside when possible and hope you can go outside too, even if it’s a balcony or a windowsill. It’s healing when the sun shines on your face. And maybe you can see the trees blossoming regardless of our virus, rebirthing in their annual mockery of wintery death. I am thankful for so much. Smiles, floral perfume, then fruit and marmalade will come from the blossoms. We are resilient, like a flowering tree.

Be the hero in your own life. Find your light and share it during these darker fearful days. Loosen the vice of fear, open your emotional heart, and for the sake of humanity – share your love.

Will this end? Or simply become a seasonal incident? When we look back at this, will it be with pride in our response? I don’t know. But at 6pm tonight, I might just sing. Even if no one can hear me from their balcony.

Directed Voiceover Sessions With What Online Platform?

online vo sessions, post-production, production, VO tech, voiceover

Friendly platforms for online directed voiceover sessions

An online directed voiceover session means having a high-quality audio connection over the internet to let a client direct a voice actor as if they were in the same place. An online directed voiceover session connects the voiceover talent with an engineering studio and clients. It’s multiple locations online at the same time, to direct and record a script for a creative project.

Online directed sessions are used for all types of audio and video production and post-production. From public-facing projects like films, advertising and corporate videos to internally facing projects like corporate training or sales presentations. And more.

It’s a relatively simple concept. A client directs the voice actor. The voice actor performs the script. Recording is either remotely done by the audio engineer or locally by the voice actor. There can be more or less people and responsibilities, but this is the basic idea.

Below are great options for sessions online.

Platforms for online sessions with remote recording by an audio engineer:

My ‘go to’ platform is Source-Stream, from Source-Connect.

I use Source-Stream almost weekly. Why is it my ‘go to’ platform? Clients use it! At least that’s why I started with it. Source-Connect is a very easy to use app. It’s relatively low-latency, which can vary based on internet providers. They offer a bridge to ISDN if needed. Finally, they have terrific support and it’s affordable.

Per Source-Elements the parent company, “Automatic Network Configuration is … Source-Stream, a new feature that allows for global, low-latency firewall traversal for your connections.” Source-Elements has been in business since 2005. My experience with clients worldwide is that most audio producers use Source-Connect, while some still use ISDN.

I highly recommended the lesser known SessionLinkPRO.

I have only used this a few times, but it was even easier to use than Source-Connect. It is used through your browser. I experimented with it both as a VO actor and as an audio producer. Pretty straight-forward and I didn’t feel any latency. I got the sense that for someone not expert at audio, this might be a viable option for a remote or online directed session. My wish is that more pros start checking out this little darling of a platform.

Additional platforms allowing online directed voiceover sessions (as of 2020)

I have found out about but not yet used Connection Open. Recommended by others, I’m looking forward to testing it out and trialing it with any willing producers.

I have trialed and have an account with ipDTL. Also recommended by others, I haven’t used ipDTL professionally yet because no clients have asked for it.

Platforms for directed sessions with local recording done by me, the voice actor:

Many clients prefer me to handle the recording locally. This again is a simple arrangement. The clients and the voice actor are not in the same location, so you want an online solution.

Primarily I prefer web-conferencing services like Zoom, and then WebEx. I’ve used both with much success and little to zero latency nor interference with my local audio interfaces. Multiple people log into the session from multiple locations.

My last choice but still functional options are a VOIP like Skype, or a Telephone ‘patch’. This is a phone call into my studio. My client won’t hear the same audio fidelity as all of the other services above, but it gets the job done.This is my last choice because I sometimes run into issues or interference with my audio interfaces. Skype specifically doesn’t like connections longer than an hour!

These findings are based on several years of experience in the trenches, and I’m happy to share with you.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have questions.

Video Design Tip: Hire VO Actors with Improv Skills

improvisation, video design, voiceover

Viola Spolin spoke of spontaneity as part of creative expression. — Actors with improv should know about Viola Spolin, who was a matriarch of improv. Viola Spolin Image from https://alchetron.com/Viola-Spolin

Find VO actors with improv skills.

Hiring voiceover actors either randomly or regularly for marketing videos? Selecting voice talent with improvisation (improv) skills gives you more power to get what you want from your voiceover session. You’ll be a happier video producer in the end, not only with your final audio recording but with the entire session experience.

Actors with improv skills are:

- - often quick on their feet with new ideas
  - flexible to shift gears and follow new direction
  - or even offer ideas on takes or ad-libs

Could this mean you’re hiring a stand-up comedian? Or an actor who wants to change your lines you’ve worked so hard to meaningfully craft? No. Even voice actors who haven’t studied improv have fears that this is what it means. Thankfully that’s not true. You won’t get a comedian. A VO actor with improv expects to collaborate with you, to discover and experience your script as spontaneously as possible while delivering the meaning you intend. Voice actors with improv practice have a strong skill set of receiving a suggestion and running with it, while maintaining overall scope or direction. From my experience, improv trained actors more instinctively pull in ideas of location, ambiance, contextual relationship to bring added performance depth with your script.

The above photo is of Viola Spolin, a woman I refer to as the mother of modern improvisation. She made immense and pivotal contributions to the craft, and her ideas are foundational in most of today’s improv schools for actors and non-actors. I believe Spolin taught actors to release their inhibitions, to play spontaneously. She created so many ways to experiment and practice this art. She blazed trails within theater and film acting and beyond.

Voice actors who invested in improvisation training offer you not only great final recordings from directed sessions. They also bring fun, confidence and probably a little entertainment during the session with you and your clients.

“Yes, And” great sessions can also be fun!

Next time you are hiring a voiceover actor, seek out those with improv training.