Welcome to the Demo Review series!

Where you submit your commercial demos and I’ll give my honest feedback. This is how we’ll organize these reviews:

I’ll play the whole demo, from there we’ll go through the demo spot by spot and review. And we’ll conclude with general notes about the whole demo, what I hear and what I don’t hear as well as any next steps I’d recommend.

This week’s demo is from J.

Links & Resources:

Podcast Request Form

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Welcome to the Demo Review series! Where you submit your commercial demos and I’ll give my honest feedback. 

This is how we’ll organize these reviews. 

I’ll play the whole demo, from there we’ll go through the demo spot by spot and review. And we’ll conclude with general notes about the whole demo, what I hear and what I don’t hear as well as any next steps I’d recommend.

Before we dive in, here’s a listener note: 

Hi Melanie! As a part-time voice over artist trying to make the jump to full time, I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoy and appreciate your podcasts. So many VO podcasts out there are 99% garbage, because the host would rather tell jokes, what they think are amusing anecdotes, and/or fancy themselves to be riveting entertainment. They profess to tell secrets of the biz, but they are just wastes of time. But not your podcast. You actually help people and provide usable information that newbies like me really appreciate. Please keep it up! You're doing a great job! 

For those of you who enjoy the podcast or have learned anything from something we’ve created over here, I’d love it if you left a review wherever you’re listening right now or send me a quick note at [email protected]. 

This week's demo is from A.

Links & Resources:

Podcast Request Form

If you didn’t listen to last weeks’ episode, we are currently doing a Demo Review series where you submit your commercial demos and I give my honest feedback. 

I had a question this week about reviewing other types of demos i.e. narration, e-learning, etc. Know that I am only reviewing commercial demos because that is my area of expertise. I’ve had a lot of high-paying commercial gigs with well known brands and have produced my own commercial demos that get me booked time and time again. So, I’ll be offering reviews within my lane of knowledge and expertise.

Ok, this is how we’ll organize these reviews:

I’ll play the whole demo and from there we’ll go through the demo spot by spot and review. And we’ll conclude with general notes about the demo, what I hear and what I don’t hear as well as any next steps I’d recommend.

This week’s demo is from C.

Links & Resources:

Trailer Voice Artists

Podcast Request Form

Welcome to the first demo review podcast episode! 

I’m excited that all of you have been so excited to share your demos with me for some, hopefully useful feedback.

This is how we’ll organize these reviews:

I’ll play the whole demo, from there we’ll go through the demo spot by spot and review. And we’ll conclude with general notes about the whole demo, what I hear and what I don’t hear as well as any next steps I’d recommend.

If you’d like me to review your commercial demo on the podcast email me an mp3 or wav file at hello[at]melaniescroggins.com with the subject line “Podcast Demo Review”.

Links & Resources:

Podcast Request form

You spoke LOUD AND CLEAR! 

For the next few months, I'll be reviewing your commercial demos right here on the podcast. To submit your demo, email me at hello[at]melaniescroggins.com.

Links & Resources:

Submit a topic for the podcast

In this episode, we’re talking about how to be creative with your service offerings. Meaning, we’re going to take a 10,000-foot overview look at our businesses and figure out some unique ways we can show up for clients and get paid.

Time Stamps:

0:50 - Beginning of episode.

1:43 - Bulk project pricing.

2:23 - Done for you services.

3:23 - Sponsor message.

4:18 - Casting management.

Links & Resources:

3 Arguments For Why You Should Keep Pursuing Voiceover

The Business of Work From Home Voice Acting for Beginners

In this episode, I’m sharing a talk I presented at the outlier podcast festival a few weeks ago. I got to share my story of how audio production has totally changed my life personally and professionally, as well as what I would do differently and what I would do again. 

If you’d rather watch the presentation, check out the video in the show notes at workfromhomevoiceactor.com.

Time Stamps:

0:57 - Beginning of presentation + my story.

8:04 - Teaching everything I know.

8:51 - What I would do differently.

11:17 - What I would do again.

13:42 - Strategies for the creative and the business owner.

17:08 - Takeaway: Your journey isn't going to look like anyone else's and that's how it's supposed to be.

18:18 - Q&A with Ever Gonzalez.

Links & Resources:

Outlier Podcast Festival

In this episode, I want to dig into one of those questions because I think this is what a lot of beginner Voice Actors are thinking as they set out to do VO. This question is from Denae, and she writes:

Thousands of people love singing and have flocked to audition for American Idol over the years. For some of these very well intentioned folks, all the work, effort, and dedication in the world, will not make them professional paid singers. I love love love using my voice. I always have, but it doesn't mean I have a voice people want to hear or would pay to use for a project. How do we know we should even pursue voice over work? AKA Am I deluding myself? Is it necessary to have a voice for voiceovers?

Time Stamps:

1:37 - Beginning of episode.

1:37 - Argument #1: It's all subjective.

4:08 - Argument #2: You don't know until you know.

5:02 - Sponsor message.

7:41 - Argument #3: Let the client decide.

Links & Resources:

The Business of Work From Home Voice Acting course

Submit a question/topic for the podcast

Mastering any audition article

I am thrilled to be sitting down and chatting with Keiko on this episode of the podcast!

Keiko and I have been working on a YouTube web series, Project Infinity, together (she has the creator and me as voice talent) for four years this fall. It has been a heck of an adventure and I’ve loved getting to know my fellow cast members and Keiko over that time. I’ve always been super curious about her process and how she brings the worlds in her head to life.

While this conversation actually took place last fall, with the finale of our web series airing soon, I thought it appropriate to share Keiko’s thoughts on her creation process, how and why she decided to outsource voice talent and a bunch of other wonderful gems and insights when it comes to being creative and sharing your genius with the world. You don't want to miss it!

Time Stamps:

1:40 - Beginning of interview.

3:03 - How her web series are different than others online.

3:58 - Keiko's origin story.

7:00 - The inspiration behind her current approach to creating.

10:00 - Keiko's process.

11:55 - Deciding to outsource voice talent.

14:54 - Sponsor message.

16:40 - Connecting with other creatives and the talent she hires.

21:03 - Keiko's advice to other creators.

Connect with Keiko:

MLA Entertainment YouTube

MLA Entertainment Twitter

Project Infinity Series 

Links & Resources:

The Business of Work From Home Voice Acting for Beginners

Hey there - I wanted to pop in real quick and let you know what’s going on over here at the WFH Voice Actor and what you might want to be aware of in the coming weeks.

First, I'll be hosting a free 30-minute webinar next week talking about the 5 essential tools you need to get started as a Voice Actor. You can find the link below.

Second, We've got some giveaways over here! (If you're on the email list, you've been entered into the drawing already) 😁 if you’re not, be sure to subscribe at the link below to get the full scoop on if you won at the end of the month.

What are the prizes? 

Lastly, the entire WFH Voice Actor platform site will go live on May 31st! This includes updates to the podcast, new and awesome blog content, and… drum roll please… a fully stocked FREE content library you have access to immediately and forever when you get on my list. 

If you have any questions or just want to cheer me on, feel free to send me a message at [email protected]. 

Links: 

FB Webinar on 5/26

Enter to win giveaways