My New Voiceover Business Strategy

I'm really getting excited about FaffCon2! For one thing, it'll be in Atlanta. And I love Atlanta. Plus there are a ton of awesome VO talents based there, a lot of whom I only know online but have always wanted to meet in person.

But, I'd be looking forward to it if it were being held in a dungeon on Mars! I had a profound professional breakthrough at FaffCon1. And while I'm still working through the goals I set there, and the Faffterglow hasn't worn off yet, I know I'll be ready for a booster shot in February.

Usually my New Year's resolutions have already been set, and have fallen apart, by the time February 25th rolls around. So, I'm implementing a new personal strategy: I'm breaking up my business planning and goal setting into chunks from FaffCon to FaffCon.

The Topic Sessions and conversations with other participants will help me with accountability and mid-course correction. Then, at FaffCon2's close, I can review and set goals for the period before the next FaffCon.

I'm thinking ahead on decisions I can make to support this strategy. For one thing, I'm definitely going to stay over through Sunday night so I can hang out with folks one last evening and squeeze every last bit of juicy goodness from the experience. And I'm going to fly out a little later-- I don't want to have to rush to the airport on Monday. I'm going to try to steal a little time with my notes and thoughts before I'm immersed in my bustling daily life again.

What do you think? What's your plan?

FaffCon Promotional Video!

This really fun video promoting FaffCon, the first and only unconference for voiceover professionals, was conceived of, written, produced, and hosted by media genius Peter K. O'Connell of audioconnell.com with an all-star cast of steller VO pros (in order of appearance): Philip Banks, Mandy Nelson, Todd Ellis, Bruce Miles, Pam Tierney, Dave Courvoisier, Roger Tremaine, and Bob Souer.


I hope you can come hang out with us September 11-12 in Portland, OR (at the lovely all-suite Hyatt Place PDX). Registration is still open-- just $175 for two full days of awesomeness--10 breakout periods with about 5 topic sessions to choose from each period. Plus lunch and snacks both days!

A good week for FaffCon 2010!

It's been a good week! I had the pleasure of working with my good friend Todd Ellis on a pharmaceutical project, had a very nice callback for narrating a new reality series (I really, really want to narrate a series!), did some radio commercials-- all of which were well-written, which was a nice treat! AND, in my "spare time," I've been working on putting together a new kind of voiceover event: FaffCon.

I'll share more about the whats, hows, and whys of FaffCon in another post. Today I just want to celebrate the fact that the FaffCon vision is contagious and that so many smart, cool people want to be a part of making it happen. Registration has been open for just one week and we already have RSVP's from 19 solid VO pros! I'm pretty excited!

Happy 4th, everybody! Have a fun and safe weekend!

A Recent Corporate Narration

I was very excited to have the chance to narrate this project because, as some of you know, I am a digital photo fiend, scrapbooker, and rabid consumer of personalized photo gifts! This is very, very cool software. Super easy to use. And you can personalize so many awesome gifts!

Have I mentioned how much I love my MicPort Pro?

I've recently made some major changes in my studio which significantly improved my audio quality. My clients have been very happy with the results! (Whew!) More studio upgrades are underway (so, among other things, I won't have to pause at inconvenient times due to air traffic).

While I was at it, I decided to upgrade my mobile unit so I can continue to offer quick turn-arounds when I'm travelling. My friends Todd Ellis and John Taylor both encouraged me to pick up a MicPort Pro. And a couple of months ago, I finally did. I should have done it sooner! It's the best little piece of equipment I've ever bought!

And I'm delighted to report that the nice people at CEntrance have featured me in their Artists section.

I'm the Funny Modern Mom

I'm rethinking the way I present myself as a voice artist. I'm lucky. I get to do a lot of different types of VO--commercials, narration, animation, interactive. So, narrowing down what I really specialize in has taken a few years and a lot of thought. I think I finally figured out the little pigeon hole that I nest in most happily: I'm the funny modern mom. What do you think?

I really enjoy doing it all, but the harried mom, snarky wife, dazed prego, wacky neighbor? That's really my main sound.

But sometimes you just need to tell the people what's up! I just happened across this video, so here's me doing a straight announcer read:

Fun Recent Project: Infomercial for "The Boyfriend"

I'm the voice in this fun spoof infomercial from the sketch comedy troop Totally Sketch. Click screenshot to check it out! I think the on-screen performers, Richard Ryan and Andrea Rene did a terrific job. Spot-on writing and directing by Michael Gallagher. Hilarious!