I've composed and produced video game scores in the past, as well provided some voicing for characters here and there for apps and indie games. It's one of the more fun kind of projects I work on, but I haven't been anything close to a 'gamer' since Nintendo was "super" and character renderings were two-dimensional, so my interpretations of what's needed are sometimes, just that: interpretations.
But nothing beats speaking to a gamer to realize the real necessities of the craft. Even the game developer can have a limited amount of real input, because even though most of them are gamers themselves, this is their "baby". They're very close to the characters and vision they have in their head, so sometimes, like all of us who create things for a livelihood, they get a little stuck on that vision and don't hear the awesome things you might be able to bring to it that they haven't thought of.
I was lucky enough recently to get some really nitty-gritty input from a gamer that helped not only me, but maybe you! Here's some highlights for voicing video game characters with the player in mind:
1. Make the 'gift of gab' tolerable! Unlike audiences for other kinds of voice acting, most gamers spend long spans playing at a time, so make sure your voicing won't be grating if listened to for hours! If it actually makes a player take breaks just to get away from your voice...you're doing it wrong.
2. Don't Overdo it! A lot of us may feel the 'over the top' characters in video games need 'over the top' voicing to match. You may be playing a super-being, but you don't necessarily have to voice them that way. One of the benefits of having a player listen to you for hours on end is that they really get a 'feel' for the character in a way other mediums don't allow for, so relax a little. This isn't a 30-second spot for "Super Tax-Man"! A lot can be conveyed in subtlety, and the player will appreciate that!
3. Stop, look, and listen! If you're going into game voicing blind, there's no better time to study. Talking to gamers is a step in the right direction, as is watching them play, seeing how they respond to other games with voicing already on the market. Watch anime, and see how the dialogue plays. Research the actors at the top of the field in both gaming and anime, and see what their techniques are. It won't be hard to find them - just ask a gamer! The biggest names get fans of their own, and have online accounts they're promoting on.
If you're afraid you're going to have to become a gamer to voice games well, though it would help, it's not necessary. There are resources all around you, from online forums for gaming, to YouTube, to your friends and family members who love the games. Put them to use, and get to work!
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
VoiceOver Hints for YouTube update - it works!
If you caught my last post about the issues I was having with YouTube degrading my voiceover sound quality to an unacceptable low, you'll know I was breathing a sigh of relief when I found the very, very simple fix!
It truly was just as bring the voice over down in the mix. You might say, "Dana, why didn't you try this before now?", and I will tell you, I did! But it wasn't enough. I brought it down quite a bit more, and even though it didn't seem to make that big of a difference in volume (clearly, the voiceover is still perfectly audible), it was enough to let the dynamic range of the music shine more than the limited range of the voice. I guess that's the trick! It's working today, anyway. See for yourself:
It truly was just as bring the voice over down in the mix. You might say, "Dana, why didn't you try this before now?", and I will tell you, I did! But it wasn't enough. I brought it down quite a bit more, and even though it didn't seem to make that big of a difference in volume (clearly, the voiceover is still perfectly audible), it was enough to let the dynamic range of the music shine more than the limited range of the voice. I guess that's the trick! It's working today, anyway. See for yourself:
Thursday, March 25, 2010
VoiceOver hints for YouTube!
I have YouTube channels for both my studio and my record label, but this past week I encountered a voiceover-related challenge that I hadn't experienced with either before. Searching for answers didn't turn up much for me, so I thought I'd share what happened here, in hopes the next Googler will have better luck than I did!
I had created a promo for my Etsy shop, with still images, voiceover, and a music bed. This is no different than other projects I've created, and in fact, we'd just uploaded our new site intro video not long before this!
BUT, the problem I was having with this new one was a really noticeable drop in sound quality. Now, I'm aware that at the basic setting (not the HQ), the audio on YouTube videos is only 96K. So definitely, there's going to be some loss no matter what. But this video sounded a lot different than our other videos at the same encoding. And, when I played it in the higher quality setting, it sounded just like I expected it to! So it really seemed there had to be some tweak I could make or a workaround that would solve my 'technical' problem.
Here's the video:
I spent the better part of this week uploading, re-uploading, re-encoding. Working with .wavs, working with .mp3s, trying everything to change it. I found some links via Google that said other people were experiencing similar problems, and that it had to do with YouTube's servers, or new ways of encoding, or compression in general. Some people were giving advice to remix the audio. I really didn't feel this applied to me. After all, I have lots of other successful videos that don't have this problem, so the issue couldn't possibly be on my end, right?
I finally got wise and decided to go ahead and compress the audio down to 96K on my end, to see what the difference was. Lo and behold, it sounded just like it did on YouTube! So, the problem definitely wasn't them. But I noticed without the voiceover, my sound bed wasn't having the same problems with losing dynamic quality.
Here's the proof:
So it was really frustrating, and still seemed like there should be some sort of tweak or workaround that I could use to fix it!
This is where my most valuable tools came into play: my ears. I wasn't listening critically enough to my other recordings. Sure, my website intro video seemed like it wasn't experiencing the same level of loss, but was it?
I encoded the audio for it down to 96K, and it sounded ok. After removing the big guitar sound bed, you guessed it: the voiceover for this video was experiencing the same loss at 96K as the other voiceover! The sound bed was merely masking the artifacts because it had a much bigger dynamic range.
So, my challenge now is to work within the confines of Youtube for what I post there (and I still think it's great, even at low quality), while coming up with higher quality options (Wimpy is one) for use on my site. The benefit of the social media sites is give-and-take with the quality. With higher quality on my site, I have to store the media myself, and don't get the viral benefits. So it's a trade off, but luckily one that doesn't make me pick just one option.
So, I'll be posting a new video soon (I'm trying to balance bringing the bed and dynamics up without overpowering my voiceover), and continuing on my Youtube studies to find avenues to the best quality, most effective videos. Stay tuned!
I had created a promo for my Etsy shop, with still images, voiceover, and a music bed. This is no different than other projects I've created, and in fact, we'd just uploaded our new site intro video not long before this!
BUT, the problem I was having with this new one was a really noticeable drop in sound quality. Now, I'm aware that at the basic setting (not the HQ), the audio on YouTube videos is only 96K. So definitely, there's going to be some loss no matter what. But this video sounded a lot different than our other videos at the same encoding. And, when I played it in the higher quality setting, it sounded just like I expected it to! So it really seemed there had to be some tweak I could make or a workaround that would solve my 'technical' problem.
Here's the video:
I spent the better part of this week uploading, re-uploading, re-encoding. Working with .wavs, working with .mp3s, trying everything to change it. I found some links via Google that said other people were experiencing similar problems, and that it had to do with YouTube's servers, or new ways of encoding, or compression in general. Some people were giving advice to remix the audio. I really didn't feel this applied to me. After all, I have lots of other successful videos that don't have this problem, so the issue couldn't possibly be on my end, right?
I finally got wise and decided to go ahead and compress the audio down to 96K on my end, to see what the difference was. Lo and behold, it sounded just like it did on YouTube! So, the problem definitely wasn't them. But I noticed without the voiceover, my sound bed wasn't having the same problems with losing dynamic quality.
Here's the proof:
So it was really frustrating, and still seemed like there should be some sort of tweak or workaround that I could use to fix it!
This is where my most valuable tools came into play: my ears. I wasn't listening critically enough to my other recordings. Sure, my website intro video seemed like it wasn't experiencing the same level of loss, but was it?
I encoded the audio for it down to 96K, and it sounded ok. After removing the big guitar sound bed, you guessed it: the voiceover for this video was experiencing the same loss at 96K as the other voiceover! The sound bed was merely masking the artifacts because it had a much bigger dynamic range.
So, my challenge now is to work within the confines of Youtube for what I post there (and I still think it's great, even at low quality), while coming up with higher quality options (Wimpy is one) for use on my site. The benefit of the social media sites is give-and-take with the quality. With higher quality on my site, I have to store the media myself, and don't get the viral benefits. So it's a trade off, but luckily one that doesn't make me pick just one option.
So, I'll be posting a new video soon (I'm trying to balance bringing the bed and dynamics up without overpowering my voiceover), and continuing on my Youtube studies to find avenues to the best quality, most effective videos. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ready to go back to school? Here's 85 *free* options!
Came across this thanks to Dave Saunders from Your Social Brand. Small Biz Bee has 85 Absolutely Free Online Business Classes all nicely laid out for you. Enjoy!
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Bleeding Edge vs. Your Comfort Zone
In building our new site, I've had the opportunity to revisit a lot of old audio projects and samples we've done over the years. I remember taking that leap into professional voice work around 2003, and how capable I really felt when I landed that first voice client.
Soon after I ended up moving my studio to a much different, bigger location, and I felt like the new environment I created improved the overall quality of what I was producing. At the same time, it was obvious that my performance ability was also growing due to all of the experience I was picking up along the way.
Then I felt like I really hit my sweet spot a few years back. My environment, my production level, and my performance level, were all consistent, and my client base was largely a solid group of return clients that I knew how to please.
But, there is a danger in this kind of thinking. It lies in getting too "comfortable". I can hear it now when I listen to those audios I created at that time. The same performances aren't fresh or relevant now. My experience has lead me to be better now, but what else can I do to make sure I don't turn myself into an audio dinosaur before my time?
Step One: Acceptance. Change is happening all around us, all of the time. As industries grow into different markets and technologies are innovated, we have to keep up as professionals. If we stop learning, we stop growing, which makes us stop being useful to our clients. They will not run the same campaigns, create the same kinds of projects, or have the same audiences forever.
Step Two: Research. Are you keeping up with your clients' industries? Following what ad agencies, publishing companies, or the other creative companies who hire you are following, so you can stay on the cusp of their innovations? It's not just about what they're doing today, though it's great if you're an audiobook artist to be listening to current audiobook productions, or if you're an e-Learning specialist to be keeping up with those current releases. But with an eye to the future, you can help your client develop the kinds of audios that can put them--and you--on the map. It's not just about the voiceover or studio industries when we're working for someone else.
Step Three: Practice. Being a performer or producer of any sort means keeping your chops in top form. If you're waiting until you're in the booth or behind the desk to practice your art, you're relying on conscious competence. This is when you're spending too much 'brain time' coming up with solutions or approaches. What you want to aim for is unconscious competence, which is that gut knowing how something should be done. This comes from keeping your skills sharpened with constant reading, recording, reciting...all of the things you love anyway.
If you don't have a client, give yourself an assignment. And see it through. It doesn't matter if it's getting through a tutorial on a new piece of software you want to learn, going to a seminar, finding a voice coach and keeping up with your exercises, studying how others in your field are creating, or just recording for recording's sake.
Volunteer to read to school children to practice character voicing and narration. Help a neighborhood teenager produce their first demo. Just do something to challenge yourself to not stay in that comfort zone.
So now, I'm working on some new samples and projects that reflect my new skills. I still have most of those clients from a few years ago, and guess what? I can still provide what they need--faster, and better--because I chose to stay on the bleeding edge of my craft. Sometimes it's not cozy, but it's always necessary.
Soon after I ended up moving my studio to a much different, bigger location, and I felt like the new environment I created improved the overall quality of what I was producing. At the same time, it was obvious that my performance ability was also growing due to all of the experience I was picking up along the way.
Then I felt like I really hit my sweet spot a few years back. My environment, my production level, and my performance level, were all consistent, and my client base was largely a solid group of return clients that I knew how to please.
But, there is a danger in this kind of thinking. It lies in getting too "comfortable". I can hear it now when I listen to those audios I created at that time. The same performances aren't fresh or relevant now. My experience has lead me to be better now, but what else can I do to make sure I don't turn myself into an audio dinosaur before my time?
Step One: Acceptance. Change is happening all around us, all of the time. As industries grow into different markets and technologies are innovated, we have to keep up as professionals. If we stop learning, we stop growing, which makes us stop being useful to our clients. They will not run the same campaigns, create the same kinds of projects, or have the same audiences forever.
Step Two: Research. Are you keeping up with your clients' industries? Following what ad agencies, publishing companies, or the other creative companies who hire you are following, so you can stay on the cusp of their innovations? It's not just about what they're doing today, though it's great if you're an audiobook artist to be listening to current audiobook productions, or if you're an e-Learning specialist to be keeping up with those current releases. But with an eye to the future, you can help your client develop the kinds of audios that can put them--and you--on the map. It's not just about the voiceover or studio industries when we're working for someone else.
Step Three: Practice. Being a performer or producer of any sort means keeping your chops in top form. If you're waiting until you're in the booth or behind the desk to practice your art, you're relying on conscious competence. This is when you're spending too much 'brain time' coming up with solutions or approaches. What you want to aim for is unconscious competence, which is that gut knowing how something should be done. This comes from keeping your skills sharpened with constant reading, recording, reciting...all of the things you love anyway.
If you don't have a client, give yourself an assignment. And see it through. It doesn't matter if it's getting through a tutorial on a new piece of software you want to learn, going to a seminar, finding a voice coach and keeping up with your exercises, studying how others in your field are creating, or just recording for recording's sake.
Volunteer to read to school children to practice character voicing and narration. Help a neighborhood teenager produce their first demo. Just do something to challenge yourself to not stay in that comfort zone.
So now, I'm working on some new samples and projects that reflect my new skills. I still have most of those clients from a few years ago, and guess what? I can still provide what they need--faster, and better--because I chose to stay on the bleeding edge of my craft. Sometimes it's not cozy, but it's always necessary.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
How Color Can Effect Your Mood...and Your Business!
I just read a great article on the use of color (in life and in business) and what impact it has on our decisions and moods. I've posted about this before, and this article is definitely another to be added to the archives!
As someone with synesthesia (I talk more about it here), color plays a huge role in how I associate many things. It's a big inspiration, as well as a guide for me. Probably a little weird, but fun!
Enjoy the article!
As someone with synesthesia (I talk more about it here), color plays a huge role in how I associate many things. It's a big inspiration, as well as a guide for me. Probably a little weird, but fun!
Enjoy the article!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Two Dynamic Voice Tidbits!
Got to hand it to Voices.com, they've innovated again with a new Platinum Membership feature. Here's the scoop, straight from Stephanie Ciccarelli:
The Platinum Membership includes your very own Voices.com website as well as listings on 10 niche voice over websites, a public relations campaign, ad placement on the Voices.com advertising network, 100 MB of storage for your MP3 voice-over demos, videos, priority ranking in the search results and unlimited Featured Talent Directory listings, and access to the industry's hottest freelance voice-over jobs.
Here are some helpful links with more information:
Discussion about the new service on VOX Daily
Page on Voices.com with product information
Check it out!
Paul and I were both incredibly lucky to get to listen in on a live call with famed voice teacher Arthur Joseph last night, and WOW, we're both still blown away by it. Whether your business IS your voice, you want to be a better presenter or performer, or you just want to enhance your life and spirit, check out his work. He's amazing!
The Platinum Membership includes your very own Voices.com website as well as listings on 10 niche voice over websites, a public relations campaign, ad placement on the Voices.com advertising network, 100 MB of storage for your MP3 voice-over demos, videos, priority ranking in the search results and unlimited Featured Talent Directory listings, and access to the industry's hottest freelance voice-over jobs.
Here are some helpful links with more information:
Discussion about the new service on VOX Daily
Page on Voices.com with product information
Check it out!
Paul and I were both incredibly lucky to get to listen in on a live call with famed voice teacher Arthur Joseph last night, and WOW, we're both still blown away by it. Whether your business IS your voice, you want to be a better presenter or performer, or you just want to enhance your life and spirit, check out his work. He's amazing!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Quantity to Quality and Accountability Partners
I really love this series with NPR's Ira Glass because it can apply to not only journalism or broadcasting, but ANY creative or business field.
Essentially, to obtain high quality in your work, you must first emphasize quantity. You must practice, practice, practice! The more you do something, the better you get at it.
I also love the encouragement here to find an accountability partner. This person can be a friend, a colleague, or someone else in another business that you're returning the favor for! I've seen the concept of accountability partners work on so many great levels in both business and art. It's definitely a motivator!
So, without further explanation, enjoy!
Essentially, to obtain high quality in your work, you must first emphasize quantity. You must practice, practice, practice! The more you do something, the better you get at it.
I also love the encouragement here to find an accountability partner. This person can be a friend, a colleague, or someone else in another business that you're returning the favor for! I've seen the concept of accountability partners work on so many great levels in both business and art. It's definitely a motivator!
So, without further explanation, enjoy!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Rehearse and Re-Rehearse!
Back in college, I kept a great log of my guitar rehearsal time. It kept me on my game, and was the metrics for a little friendly competition between other players. It wasn't necessarily required, but I knew my professors and instructors preferred that I keep track of what I was doing.
Jump ahead more years than I'd like to admit, and I'm still keeping a rehearsal log. Whether it's guitar, voice over, or practice with an ensemble, the only way to not only stay crisp at your craft, but to continuously improve AND be prepared for any job that comes up, is to do the drills. Add a little challenge every day with something you haven't tried before, and hit 'record' to test how you do. It's one of the biggest benefits to being a studio owner!
BUT...rehearsing isn't just for us audiophiles. Any business has its moments in need of preparation. Do you give presentations, regularly conduct meetings, or do direct or phone sales? These all require scripts and skills that can definitely benefit from rehearsing. If you want to practice in front of an audience that can give you constructive critique, check out your local Toastmasters, or have a little houseparty of your most trusted friends and family.
Here's a great quote, from Publilius Syrus (1st century B.C. Roman author): “Practice is the best of all instructors." I've had some great teachers and mentors, but without practice, none of their teachings would have changed my life. I take these words very seriously.
So get your calendars out, get to practicing, and watch your skills soar!
Jump ahead more years than I'd like to admit, and I'm still keeping a rehearsal log. Whether it's guitar, voice over, or practice with an ensemble, the only way to not only stay crisp at your craft, but to continuously improve AND be prepared for any job that comes up, is to do the drills. Add a little challenge every day with something you haven't tried before, and hit 'record' to test how you do. It's one of the biggest benefits to being a studio owner!
BUT...rehearsing isn't just for us audiophiles. Any business has its moments in need of preparation. Do you give presentations, regularly conduct meetings, or do direct or phone sales? These all require scripts and skills that can definitely benefit from rehearsing. If you want to practice in front of an audience that can give you constructive critique, check out your local Toastmasters, or have a little houseparty of your most trusted friends and family.
Here's a great quote, from Publilius Syrus (1st century B.C. Roman author): “Practice is the best of all instructors." I've had some great teachers and mentors, but without practice, none of their teachings would have changed my life. I take these words very seriously.
So get your calendars out, get to practicing, and watch your skills soar!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Paring Down
I used to be on every mailing list imaginable. Some were health newsletters, spirituality newsletters, copywriting newsletters, marketing newsletters.
Some were industry specific (music business, music making, music marketing) that broke up into further segmented newsletters (music marketing online, building a studio, scoring for film, reaching pop music fans).
As I kept adding areas of business and interest to my life, I'd add more and more newsletters, until I was receiving hundreds of emails a day (most of which I never had time to even open!).
Add to this the blogs I started trying to keep up on, the groups and programs I was joining, and the ever-forgotten REAL LIFE time away from the computer, and welcome OVERWHELM.
Does this sound familiar? It seems like I know more and more business (and non-business) people being completely bombarded by their self-imposed information sources online.
The fact is, we just don't have enough time in a day to read all of this information AND put any of it to use.
I recommend taking a good look at what you're reading and what you're not. Bookmark the sites for the things you're not reading (so you can search them if or when you ever need to), but UNSUBSCRIBE. The ones you are making the time to keep up with and put into action, keep, but schedule your time to read them. If you miss a day, delete it. Don't let it keep building up in your inbox, because you know you're not going to have time to go back to it.
I have a very small list of my most trusted resources in each field that I like to keep up with. Everything else, unfortunately, goes to the 'when I need it' bookmark file. It doesn't mean that they don't have great info, it just means my focus is elsewhere.
Here are a few of my favorites, all free!
I also belong to one coaching program and one music business group, both of which I pay a fee for. Along with the couple of lead services that I also pay a subscription fee for, I made sure these resources offered a little more bang for my buck than other free sites that might offer the same sort of thing. I would recommend keeping these pay groups to a minimum as well, so you can invest the most time in them to get the most return.
Ask yourself what your best resources are (and why they're worth the time), and get control of your inbox! Feel free to post in the comments your favorites!
Some were industry specific (music business, music making, music marketing) that broke up into further segmented newsletters (music marketing online, building a studio, scoring for film, reaching pop music fans).
As I kept adding areas of business and interest to my life, I'd add more and more newsletters, until I was receiving hundreds of emails a day (most of which I never had time to even open!).
Add to this the blogs I started trying to keep up on, the groups and programs I was joining, and the ever-forgotten REAL LIFE time away from the computer, and welcome OVERWHELM.
Does this sound familiar? It seems like I know more and more business (and non-business) people being completely bombarded by their self-imposed information sources online.
The fact is, we just don't have enough time in a day to read all of this information AND put any of it to use.
I recommend taking a good look at what you're reading and what you're not. Bookmark the sites for the things you're not reading (so you can search them if or when you ever need to), but UNSUBSCRIBE. The ones you are making the time to keep up with and put into action, keep, but schedule your time to read them. If you miss a day, delete it. Don't let it keep building up in your inbox, because you know you're not going to have time to go back to it.
I have a very small list of my most trusted resources in each field that I like to keep up with. Everything else, unfortunately, goes to the 'when I need it' bookmark file. It doesn't mean that they don't have great info, it just means my focus is elsewhere.
Here are a few of my favorites, all free!
- For music business, the MusicThoughts Yahoogroup. It's a pretty steady stream of both resources and discussion.
- For general business, BusinessKnowHow.com.
- For the voice industry, Vox Daily.
I also belong to one coaching program and one music business group, both of which I pay a fee for. Along with the couple of lead services that I also pay a subscription fee for, I made sure these resources offered a little more bang for my buck than other free sites that might offer the same sort of thing. I would recommend keeping these pay groups to a minimum as well, so you can invest the most time in them to get the most return.
Ask yourself what your best resources are (and why they're worth the time), and get control of your inbox! Feel free to post in the comments your favorites!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Great article on business names and slogans!
Just to carry on with the naming topic, I found this in my mailbox from BusinessKnowHow.com. They have several great lists and a great site. Check 'em out!
Monday, March 17, 2008
What's in a name?
Some changes will be happening around the site soon. Actually, the main site will be getting quite a facelift too. Why? Because we had an ugly baby!
Before you get too scared, let me explain. Sometimes a business just doesn't have the right name. It could be ego that misnames us. It could be an attachment to a particular word or phrase that we think we must 'make work'. This "ugly baby" that we love so much doesn't tell our customers or clients who we are, or what we do. It doesn't brand us in the way we need it to. So we have to let it go.
I'm not saying goodbye to Serious Vanity Music in every way (it's a pretty baby for other facets of my business), but soon, you will get a peek at Perfect Audio Solutions, and I think you'll understand why this is a much better plan (for us, AND our clients!).
The 100% Organic Podcast isn't going anywhere, though! We love bringing the all natural truth, and plan to keep doing so for many podcasts to come!
For more on finding your real business purpose, check out Bob Souer's recent blog on the subject!
Before you get too scared, let me explain. Sometimes a business just doesn't have the right name. It could be ego that misnames us. It could be an attachment to a particular word or phrase that we think we must 'make work'. This "ugly baby" that we love so much doesn't tell our customers or clients who we are, or what we do. It doesn't brand us in the way we need it to. So we have to let it go.
I'm not saying goodbye to Serious Vanity Music in every way (it's a pretty baby for other facets of my business), but soon, you will get a peek at Perfect Audio Solutions, and I think you'll understand why this is a much better plan (for us, AND our clients!).
The 100% Organic Podcast isn't going anywhere, though! We love bringing the all natural truth, and plan to keep doing so for many podcasts to come!
For more on finding your real business purpose, check out Bob Souer's recent blog on the subject!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Microphone Feedback!!
Ok--feedback is BAD when you're recording (unless it's guitar feedback, but as a guitarist, I'm biased), but GOOD afterwards. I mean, of course, the kind of feedback provided by a happy client or an enthusiastic audience.
But if you aren't getting feedback? How are you measuring your performances?
We all can think we're doing a great job, chugging along with the same techniques that we've always used. But are we keeping up? What's being innovated around us that we might be missing out on?
The truth is, feedback IS all around us, even when we're not getting it kicked back to us from clients or listeners. How's your response rate to auditions? How many calls are being returned? What do your sales look like or how many people from your mailing list are turning out to your shows after you announce them?
It's important to stay fresh, and keep challenging yourself by setting measurable 'feedback goals'. If your clients aren't giving you what you need, how about a nudge? A site like SurveyMonkey lets you set up a short questionnaire they can answer anonymously at their convenience, giving you the metrics you need. You can also put it on your site or social profile, letting casual listeners give you some hints, too.
And, most importantly, listen to your gut. Do you KNOW it's time to start doing something different? Are you still challenging yourself to learn a new skill or take a risk? Be critical of yourself and your performances and work habits, but also follow your instincts. You know your abilities--put them to the highest use!
But if you aren't getting feedback? How are you measuring your performances?
We all can think we're doing a great job, chugging along with the same techniques that we've always used. But are we keeping up? What's being innovated around us that we might be missing out on?
The truth is, feedback IS all around us, even when we're not getting it kicked back to us from clients or listeners. How's your response rate to auditions? How many calls are being returned? What do your sales look like or how many people from your mailing list are turning out to your shows after you announce them?
It's important to stay fresh, and keep challenging yourself by setting measurable 'feedback goals'. If your clients aren't giving you what you need, how about a nudge? A site like SurveyMonkey lets you set up a short questionnaire they can answer anonymously at their convenience, giving you the metrics you need. You can also put it on your site or social profile, letting casual listeners give you some hints, too.
And, most importantly, listen to your gut. Do you KNOW it's time to start doing something different? Are you still challenging yourself to learn a new skill or take a risk? Be critical of yourself and your performances and work habits, but also follow your instincts. You know your abilities--put them to the highest use!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Music Lessons from Seth Godin
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/01/music-lessons.html
A good read, not surprisingly. This guy becomes more of a rock star everyday!
A good read, not surprisingly. This guy becomes more of a rock star everyday!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Check this out, fellow bloggers!
I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.
It covers:
- The best blogging techniques.
- How to get traffic to your blog.
- How to turn your blog into money.
I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Happy Holidays!
As we're preparing our holiday podcast (and trying to avoid cabin fever), we wanted to take a minute to say "Thanks!" to our readers, listeners, and outlets who've helped this become a fun part of our business routine. You rock!
What elements of your business have you customized for the season? Does your voicemail message have a special greeting? What about your email signature?
Sometimes the smallest or easiest change in your branding can be the most effective in communicating a warm message to your clients, colleagues, and contractors.
Now get some cider, and get to work 'decking out' your brand!
What elements of your business have you customized for the season? Does your voicemail message have a special greeting? What about your email signature?
Sometimes the smallest or easiest change in your branding can be the most effective in communicating a warm message to your clients, colleagues, and contractors.
Now get some cider, and get to work 'decking out' your brand!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Keeping your voice happy!
This time of year is a sketchy one for voice performers. Not only do we have germs from 'normal' sources that we have to dodge to keep our voice in top shape, but with all of the family gatherings around the holidays, there's even more chance for exposure.
Flu shots are one way to keep yourself safe. A regular regimen of vitamins and healthy foods are another way to keep sickness at bay. New over-the-counter products, like Airborne, are also gaining in popularity in the fight against the germs.
But every voice performer has their favorite methods of soothing the vocal chords and keeping our voices strong, sick or not.
Hot teas have been a sidekick to vocal performance for not just speakers, but singers, too. Caffeine can have a negative impact on performance ability, but in small doses, I find tea to be more helpful than harmful. My favorite is the tAZO family of loose-leaf teas, but I've been known to hit the fast and effective Good Earth and Bigelow teas from my corner grocer's, too.
Honey is another old standard. I'm lucky to live right down the street from a small feed store that also carries their own line, that's more like royal jelly than honey (re: VERY soothing to the throat when you need it!).
These are very basic, but part of my usual routine. Keep your methods of voice protection handy this season, and share your favorites with your fellow performers!
Flu shots are one way to keep yourself safe. A regular regimen of vitamins and healthy foods are another way to keep sickness at bay. New over-the-counter products, like Airborne, are also gaining in popularity in the fight against the germs.
But every voice performer has their favorite methods of soothing the vocal chords and keeping our voices strong, sick or not.
Hot teas have been a sidekick to vocal performance for not just speakers, but singers, too. Caffeine can have a negative impact on performance ability, but in small doses, I find tea to be more helpful than harmful. My favorite is the tAZO family of loose-leaf teas, but I've been known to hit the fast and effective Good Earth and Bigelow teas from my corner grocer's, too.
Honey is another old standard. I'm lucky to live right down the street from a small feed store that also carries their own line, that's more like royal jelly than honey (re: VERY soothing to the throat when you need it!).
These are very basic, but part of my usual routine. Keep your methods of voice protection handy this season, and share your favorites with your fellow performers!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Which social network is right for you?
Our next podcast will not only feature tips on why you should develop a USP, but also on how to find the right social network for you and your business. Can you effectively network on MySpace? What else is out there? We'll show you some alternatives as well as discuss how to make the most of the popular services.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Color of Your Business
This is really neat! When designing your site, logo, or other branding materials, color plays an important role. Here are some great resources to help pick the colors right for you!
Color Wheel Pro: Color Meaning
Color Use in Merchandising & Advertising
What color is your Business? - Even more resources here!
Color Wheel Pro: Color Meaning
Color Use in Merchandising & Advertising
What color is your Business? - Even more resources here!
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