VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

One of the biggest pains for freelancers and voice actors who work directly with clients is getting paid on time. It seems everyone I know has outstanding past due invoices, or worse yet, has been completely stiffed by a client. It’s rare, but it happens.

Today we’re going to talk about how to manage your billing so that you minimize risk, maintain a positive relationship with your clients, and get paid on time.

My policies page: https://paulschmidtvoice.com/policies

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The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

How working on Fivver, etc. can damage your career: https://globalvoiceacademy.com/why-i-dont-worry-about-fiverr-anymore/

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Today, we talk with Robert Sciglimpaglia, noted VO attorney and voice actor, who warns us how to avoid bad voice over contracts regarding AI, text to speech, synthetic voices, and more. 

We recently told the story of one voice actor who’s own voice she discovered on an AI voices website without her knowledge. Rob explains how Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Google have been building voice databases for years, how companies like Revoicer are operating legally and ethically, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from discovering your own voice on an AI site. 

Rob’s article in Voice-Over Xtra : https://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=BJSOS5GG

NAVA (National Association of Voice Actors) Synthetic/AI Voices Voice Actor Resources: https://navavoices.org/synth-ai/ai-voice-actor-resources/ This page includes a template AI voice contract, Synthetic Voice/AI rider, a glossary of terms, and more. 
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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

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The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

How working on Fivver, etc. can damage your career: https://globalvoiceacademy.com/why-i-dont-worry-about-fiverr-anymore/

Say Hi on Social: 
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My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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There are lots of coaches here on YouTube, one in particular, and even Voices.com who will tell you how to make your own DIY voice over demo, and I’m here to tell you in your best interest, ESPECIALLY if you’re a beginner, DO NOT make your own demo.

Today, I’m going to tell you exactly why, in no uncertain terms, making your own VO demo reel is an awful idea and can significantly damage your voice over career before it even gets started.

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

My Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://paulschmidtpro.com/newsletter

The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

How working on Fivver, etc. can damage your career: https://globalvoiceacademy.com/why-i-dont-worry-about-fiverr-anymore/

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschmidtvo/

My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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One of the scariest aspects of being a voice actor in modern times is AI, artificial intelligence, synthetic voice, and text to speech. Most of the discussion has been around the question of, Well, what happens when AI steals our work? 

The scarier question to me is what happens when A.I. steals your voice? 

Joining us from Dublin is the Irish voice actor and author Remie Michelle Clarke with her story of how her voice was stolen directly by artificial intelligence and the difficulties she's had in pursuing the people that have taken her voice.

A special thank you to Paul Strikwerda for helping connect me with Remie. Thank you, sir!

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/4Pqtu7JUjnE

Resources mentioned in this episode:
NAVA (National Association of Voice Actors) Synthetic/AI Voices Voice Actor Resources: https://navavoices.org/synth-ai/ai-voice-actor-resources/  This page includes a template AI voice contract, Synthetic Voice/AI rider, a glossary of terms, and more.

Vice Motherboard article: ‘Disrespectful to the Craft:’ Actors Say They’re Being Asked to Sign Away Their Voice to AI https://www.vice.com/en/article/5d37za/voice-actors-sign-away-rights-to-artificial-intelligence

Wired article: Audiobook Narrators Fear Apple Used Their Voices to Train AI https://www.wired.com/story/apple-spotify-audiobook-narrators-ai-contract/

Kotaku article: Your Favorite Voice Actors Call Out AI Sites Copying Voices Without Consent https://kotaku.com/ai-voice-actors-steve-blum-elevenlabs-contracts-sell-1850108292

UPDATES: 
And this one from WBUR: Voice actors speak out about AI https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/02/27/ai-voice-actors

From attorney and voice actor Rob Sciglimpaglia: Don't Commit 'Career Suicide' In AI: How To Keep Control Of Your Cloned Voice https://www.voiceoverxtra.com/article.htm?id=BJSOS5GG

The Open Voice Network: https://openvoicenetwork.org/

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

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The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

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The biggest event in voiceover is coming up. VO Atlanta 2023, new this year, March 23rd through 26th at the Hilton Atlanta Airport, the traditional venue. But this year, under the new direction of new owners J Michael and Anna Collins. 

Also, the 10th-Anniversary edition of VO Atlanta. I got a chance to sit down with J Michael this week and talk about the improvements, both in the creature comforts and in the actual meat of the conference, the programming and speakers, what tracks are going to be available this year, and what some of the challenges were to be able to put this year's conference on. This is our interview with J Michael Collins.
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VO Atlanta Website: https://www.voatlanta.me/

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

My Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://paulschmidtpro.com/newsletter

The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

Say Hi on Social: 
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschmidtvo/

My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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Today, we’re going to go over Voices' new rate guide and compare it to the GVAA so that you’ll know exactly the differences between the 2 guides, where exactly Voices' rates are substandard and stick around because we’ll also show you where they’re actually above standard.

For years, the voice acting community has been begging Voices dot com to take solid steps to protect voice actors from unfair rates and practices on their site. 

And I am happy to report that they seem to be taking some steps to do that. 

First, Voices has revamped their rate guide for 2023. 
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The 2023 Update to the Voices Rate Guide: https://www.voices.com/rates

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

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The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

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My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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One of the most common marketing questions I get from voice actors is, “How do I differentiate myself? How do I set myself apart? How do I make myself different?”

We’re going to start by flipping that question around and asking, “How do you not look like everyone else?”

So here are 7 of the most common marketing mistakes in voice over
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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

My Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://paulschmidtpro.com/newsletter

The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

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My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 
For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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What you are about to hear is an actual call about an exploitative practice that is too common in our business. It is a prime example of a tiny number of producers who purposefully seek out younger and/or less experienced talent and knowingly exploit them for the benefit of their own organizations.

This call is shocking in its brazen self-awareness.

The following is a clip of a call I recently had with a producer for a non-profit religious organization that produces and distributes video and audio content on an international scale. 

The media they produce and place is both broadcast, meaning TV, radio, and web, and other non-broadcast media.

We introduced ourselves and made small talk and pretty quickly the producer opened the meat of the conversation with a question about rates. The clip picks up there.

#voiceover #voiceactor #voiceoverartist #voicetalent #voiceacting #voiceovers #voiceovertalent #voiceartist #voices #voiceoveractor #voiceoverjobs

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Gravy For The Brain’s Voiceover Licensing Guide for Hirers: https://www.gravyforthebrain.com/voiceover-licensing-a-guide-for-hirers/

▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/yunEOWegrgc

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

My Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://paulschmidtpro.com/newsletter

The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

Say Hi on Social: 
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschmidtvo/

My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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Welcome to 7 TRUTHS U MUST Know B4 You Get Started in Voice Acting. If you’re wondering how to get into voice acting, today’s video is essentially all the stuff I wish I had known when I was starting out in voice over, and the stuff that you should know even before you get into voice over.

My goal and hope is that I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made and learn some of the lessons I learned. My Dad used to tell me all the time, “Paul, you insist on learning the hard way,” meaning I didn’t want to listen to anybody, and I just had to take all my lumps myself. I was stubborn, and arrogant, and jacked full of ego and I wasted a lot of time and effort learning on my own rather than taking council and advice from those who had already learned those lessons.

And while that was true as a kid and a young man, I’ve learned that listening to those that have a little experience can save me a world of heartache and hurt. I like to think that as a voice actor I’ve done a much better job of listening, but I’ve still made my fair share of mistakes and gained some insights and I’d like pass that on to you.

So here are 7 truths you need to know before you get into VO. Or at least when you’re getting into VO.

(I apologize for the focus issues.)

Chapters:
0:00 - 1:23 "If I knew then what I know now..."
1:23 - 2:18 Number 1
2:18 - 2:50 Number 2
2:50 - 3:55 Number 3
3:55 - 4:47 Number 4
4:57 - 5:49 Number 5
5:49 - 7:39 Number 6
7:39 - 9:08 Number 7: The Biggie
9:08 - 10:16 Thanks and Links
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The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-podcast

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup

Say Hi on Social: 
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschmidtvo/

My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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How do you provide an exceptional customer experience? So good that it drives loyalty among your customers and generates repeat business? It all starts with understanding and identifying customer needs. Today, we’re going to talk about understanding customer needs at each level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and how it applies to the business of voice over.

Voice over is, at its best, a business of service. It's not just providing a service as opposed to a product, although the product is crucial. What I mean is, voiceover is a business of service to others. 

When we’re doing our jobs right, we are solving a real, tangible problem for people. We’re doing something for them that they cannot do for themselves. We’re helping them in a very real way.

If clients could solve the problem themselves, they would. But they can’t. Because they’re not trained professionals who do what we can do.

One way of understanding the service we provide it to look at it through the lens of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. 

Chapters:
0:00 – 0:29 Driving Amazing Customer Experiences
0:29 – 2:00 VO Is a Business of Service to Others
2:00 – 4:04 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
4:04 – 5:06 1. Physiological Needs
5:06 – 6:30 2. Safety Needs
6:30 – 8:33 3. Belongingness and Love
8:33 – 9:33 4. Esteem Needs
9:33 – 10:19 5. Self-Actualization
10:19 – 11:02 Links, Thanks, and Close

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/Jf-1qe6jyh8

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://paulschmidtpro.com/vo-freedom-master-plan

My Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://paulschmidtpro.com/newsletter

The Paul Schmidt Pro Podcast: https://paulschmidtpro.com/the-pro-po...

7 Steps to Staring and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://paulschmidtpro.com/7-steps-signup/

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschmidtvo/

My voice over website: https://paulschmidtvoice.com

GVAA Rate Guide: http://vorateguide.com

Tools and People I Work with and Recommend (If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission.): 

For lead generation and targeting - Apollo.io: https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.io/referral/paulschmidtpro

Video editing and color correction by my dear friend, Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show