VO Pro: The Business of Voice Over and Voice Acting

The current state of the voice over business is not the problem. Generative AI, the pay-to-plays, the glut of talent, the seemingly endless string of strikes… none of that is the reason you’re not succeeding in voice over.

Today, I’m talking to me as much as I’m talking to you. You think everyone else, especially coaches have it all together all the time and I’m here to tell you I don’t always have it all together. No one does.

Today is a pep talk for both of us. 
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The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

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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 I may earn a commission.):
Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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To me, a great VO podcast has to be current – this industry changes at light speed and if you’re last episode was 4 months ago or you publish when you feel like it, you’re not keeping the community up to date.

A great voiceover podcast has to be educational and insightful and give solid advice on the industry. If it’s full of get rich quick and Fiverr advice, it’s just garbage.

And a great voice over podcast has to be listenable. The host or hosts have to be engaging and interesting. If they feature guests, the guests have to have insights and stories to tell, and the hosts should let the guests talk. 

Today, I’m going to give you 14 of the Top Podcasts in Voice Over in no particular order. In my opinion, all 14 meet these criteria, and are super helpful to learn about the industry.
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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
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https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

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Today we chat with the incredible Erikka J. and we cover a lot of ground, including imposter syndrome, Erikka's journey in the voiceover industry, the importance of building relationships, and the evolving opportunities for women and people of color in the industry. 

Erikka shares insights from her experiences with various coaches, including Kay Bess, Cliff Zellman, and Everett Oliver, and all with a ton of laughs along the way. 

A must-listen, especially if you’re newer to the business.
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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/1W6tM_sgEO0

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

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Every Olympian has a goal of winning gold. Every team starts the season with the goal of a championship.

It’s the systems, the habits, that separate elite from very good, very good, from good, good from mediocre, and mediocre from bad.

So today, I’m going to lay out for you the Top 7 Habits of Highly Successful Voice Actors – the seven strategic systems or habits I believe to be the most effective for building a successful career in VO. And stick around because I’ll have a two special free bonus tools for you as we go through these.

Free Time Audit Worksheet: https://welcome.vopro.pro/time-audit

Time Mastery for Voice Actors – Free with VO Pro for a limited time: https://vopro.pro/vo-pro-1

VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vofreedommasterplan.com

VO Pro Community: https://vopro.pro/vo-pro-1

Free 25 Gratitude Journaling Prompts: https://welcome.vopro.pro/gratitude

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/Tago4yNZKvs

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

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There are hundreds of apps out there to help run our voice acting businesses, but finding the right ones can be like finding a needle in a haystack. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve found a set of tools that works for me.

In this video, I’m going to break down why I prefer these specific apps, what the learning curve is like, and how much they’ll set you back.

Center Stage Design: https://centerstage.design/

App Links:
https://www.hubspot.com/products/crm
https://quickbooks.intuit.com/self-employed/
https://www.paypal.com/us/home
https://wise.com/
https://www.squarespace.com/
https://www.openai.com/chatgpt
https://www.audacityteam.org/
https://www.adobe.com/products/audition.html
https://www.izotope.com/en/products/rx.html
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat.html
https://apollo.grsm.io/yt-paulschmidtpro
https://www.onlysocial.com/

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/BzSc3XNnXls

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The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app 
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

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

https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

Way Better than Linktree: https://pillar.i

Send us Fan Mail

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Today, an eye-opening chat with the best animation coach in the business, Everett Oliver, as we discuss the state of the animation business, Everett's background in the animation industry, the importance of developing relationships, and the difference between voicing a character and creating a character. 

We also touch on the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike and the need for diversity in voiceover roles. Everett emphasizes the importance of being creative and bringing a unique perspective to voice acting.

Everett Oliver: https://voiceactingdirector.com

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/9rK_EeFnmFY

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Just about everything in the voice over business slows down in June, July, and August. 

But I also hear a lot of talk about a more macro slowdown in the voice over industry overall. Is that real? Is that just a chicken little reaction to AI? Are there other forces at play? Is this a perfect storm that means existential crisis for our business?

Do you want the real answer? Who cares.

In my humble opinion, which is all I have because there is no data on this that anyone is aware of, yes there appears to be a general slowdown in the industry for many voice actors. 

The fact is you, I, nor the ghost of Don LaFontaine himself can’t control the global macro and micro forces that may or may not contribute to a slowdown that may or may not be having but think so because, ya know, AI and P2Ps and el Niño and sunspots and windmills.

So, who cares?

It doesn’t even matter if there’s a slowdown in the industry or not. If it’s slow for you, it’s slow. And if there is a slowdown in the industry, macro or micro, you can’t do shit about it.

But you can do something with it. You have the choice to not just survive, but thrive.

Today, we’re going to talk about doubling down, leaning into the slowness, and using it to your competitive advantage so that you emerge from the Summer Slowdown, and any slowdown or crisis, even stronger, better, and more successful.
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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/op22hCQPPeU?si=txe-PspVJ3I6F4ev

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

One of the problems with voice over advice on YouTube and in general is that it often comes from successful people. 

Stay with me. 

Among the things it takes to be successful is time. So, the people that are successful today started years and often decades ago.

And the problem with that is voice over is a very different business than it was 30, 20, 10, even 5 years ago. And so many of the strategies and paths and techniques that made successful voice actors even in the 20-teens don’t apply today, here, now, in the mid 2020’s and beyond.

If you’re just getting into the business today, that’s a problem.

So today I’m going to tell you exactly what I would do if I were a new voice actor. I’ll give you the timeline and how I would spend my time, money, energy, attention. 

I’ll tell you what tools I would use, gear I would buy, and just as importantly, mistakes I would not make that rookies today make often. 

Recommended Beginner VO Facebook Groups:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom
https://www.facebook.com/groups/756101365897795
https://www.facebook.com/groups/533192523873076
https://www.facebook.com/groups/globalvoiceovertalent
https://www.facebook.com/groups/themicrophoneinsider

Training Guide for Beginners: https://youtu.be/dKocFpjubt0?si=m2nVo5Jzcnn1XEi5
Download Audacity: https://www.audacityteam.org/download/
Audacity Tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=audacity+tutorials+for+beginners+
Mike Russell Audacity Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlzOb4OLj94
Blue Yeti Mic on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aYnPQo
Why NOT to DIY Your Demo: https://youtu.be/uVsjXQYseHM?si=Xub3tnrEFS2MVOJ-
VO Booth Besties: https://www.youtube.com/@VOBoothBesties
and https://www.boothbesties.com/podcast-library
Synco D2 Microphone: https://amzn.to/45kuX8s
Steinberg UR22 Audio Interface: https://amzn.to/4b2JqXP
The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vofreedommasterplan.com

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/KMQBMQq332M

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group:

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

We need to talk. Whenever a conversation starts with that sentence, you know it’s going to be uncomfortable. But you need to hear this and I need to say it. I say it with love and kindness, but it’s going to be real, honest, and direct. Blunt, even.

Voice actors, I talk to dozens of you every week. I ask you straight up what’s holding you back in your voice over career.

Here are the Top 5 most common answers I get: Procrastination. Time management. Shiny object syndrome. Perfectionism. Distraction.

Sense a theme? 

Takeaways:
Procrastination, time management, shiny object syndrome, perfectionism, and distraction are common challenges faced by voice actors.

Effective time and attention management are crucial for success in the voice acting industry.

Voice actors need to take control of their lives, make disciplined choices, and eliminate excuses.

Prioritizing and focusing on the most important tasks and goals is essential.

Participating in the voice acting community and supporting each other can lead to a stronger industry.

Chapters:
00:00 Identifying the Challenges
02:26 Taking Control of Your Life and Business
03:55 Embracing the Hard Work
06:51 Effective Time and Attention Management
08:14 Building a Strong Voice Acting Community

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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/sPGNkq48BXw

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

There are Seven Deadly Sins in voice over. Things you should never do under any circumstances, and things that, if you do try to get away with them, I guarantee you it will bite you in the ass, either in the near or long term.

Some of these will seem obvious, some not as obvious, but I can tell you I’ve personally seen multiple examples of ALL of them in the real world, and one of them is not just common, but it runs rampant in our industry.

Today, I’m going to break down these Seven Deadly Sins, explain to you why they are gigantic no-nos written across the sky in red neon, and what the consequences are for committing them are.

In fact, let’s get the consequences out of the way. Are these sins deadly as in will they kill your career? Some actually can. But at the very least, they will kill the most important relationships you have in this business, damage your reputation in the industry, and in some cases, will get your ass hauled into court.

In case I haven’t made it clear, NEVER, as in ever-ever-never do these seven things...
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▶️ Watch this video next: https://youtu.be/atloT8diYvY?si=JSekmcZ3MpOLuAdl

SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@vo-pro?sub_confirmation=1

The VO Freedom Master Plan: https://vopro.pro/vo-freedom-master-plan

The VO Pro Community: https://vopro.app
Use code You15Tube for 15% off of your membership for life.

The VO Pro Podcast: https://vopro.pro/podcast

7 Steps to Starting and Developing a Career in Voiceover: https://welcome.vopro.pro/7-steps-yt

Move Touch Inspire Newsletter for Voice Actors: https://vopro.pro/move-touch-inspire-youtube

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vofreedom

The VO Pro Shop: https://vopro.pro/shop

Say Hi on Social: 
https://pillar.io/paulschmidtpro
https://www.instagram.com/vopro.pro
https://www.clubhouse.com/@paulschmidtvo
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 I may earn a commission.): 

Recommended Book List with Links: https://amzn.to/3H9sBOO
Gear I Use with Links: https://amzn.to/3V4d3kZ
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show