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Karen@KarenCommins.com

Karen Commins

Award Winning

Atlanta Audiobook Share-rator™

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Has your ship come in?

11 October 2007

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Barry Manilow. You may have heard his name lately because he is promoting a marvelous new album. One reason behind his longevity in the music business and his millions of fans is that Barry is constantly involved in some new venture, and he isn’t afraid to let people know about it.

      I was thrilled to speak with Barry over the phone
for a couple of minutes when he visited a local radio show as part of his continuing promotional efforts. While I could barely speak in my excitement, Barry’s words are true and clear. When the host told Barry “you don’t stop,” Barry replied with words to inspire any creative person and especially this voice talent.

Rodney Saulsberry, a voice talent known for his work in commercials and movie trailers, agrees with Manilow. Saulsberry wrote in his fantastic book You Can Bank on Your Voice: Your Guide to a Successful Career in Voice-Overs:

The voice-over business is a high-stakes, competitive industry,
and there is no time to be modest when it comes to letting
potential clients know you are the person for their next project.
 

Many people seem to be more passive about ensuring their career success. I have heard many voice actors and others using the expression “when my ship comes in”, meaning that your luck, opportunities and hopefully your fortune have just become more positive. I read a story once about the origin of that phrase.

In the time of world exploration hundreds of years ago, a ship coming in to the harbor was a big deal. The monarchs and wealthy patrons who financed the explorers did so with the knowledge that the ship might sail away and never return. If the ship did return, it might be damaged. At the very least, the explorer might return with nothing more than a bad case of sunburn and stinky clothes to show for the adventure. However, the financiers of these operations would continue to send out ships, hoping that one would return with the motherload of treasure.

The point of the story is applicable to voice-over talent or anyone in business for themselves:

If you want your ship to come in,
you have to keep sending the ships out.

Some of your ships will never return. Some will return carrying letters like the one I quoted in a previous entry. A glorious few will sail in with a new client on board!

Like Barry Manilow and Rodney Saulsberry, I send out as many query and promotional ships as possible in as many directions as possible. You can be sure that when my ships come in, I’m not at the airport, but sitting in my stunning soundproof studio and ready to get to work!

 

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Filed Under: Marketing, Narrators, Voice-Over

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie Shelton says

    13 April 2008 at 10:15 am

    Karen,

    I LOVE your website….so informative! I am just getting into voice-acting, but live in NC, a small market. I want to study the craft with a very knowledgeable voice coach.Would it be to my advantage to travel to a metropolitan area (like NY, or Atl) to get that opportunity?
    One other question: I know that voice-acting is age “forgiving”, since we’re heard and not seen, but,tho’ I don’t sound ancient, I do have a mature voice….is there much demand for that type?

    Thanks so much for your time, and keep up the excellent work!

    Katie Shelton

    Reply
  2. Karen says

    13 April 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Hi, Katie. Thanks much for the nice note. I have certainly traveled to study with various voice-over teachers, but you don’t necessarily need to travel to study with someone reputable and knowledgeable. Many teachers can work with you over the phone. For instance, I currently study via phone with Nancy Wolfson. I’m in Atlanta, and she’s in Los Angeles. Each session lasts 50 minutes, and I am running through copy and adjusting it to her direction. If you decide to work with her, please tell her I referred you as I would get a free session. 🙂

    I also have a mature (or perhaps the word is SEASONED!) voice and think that voice-over offers unlimited opportunities. I primarily work in narrations such as corporate videos, e-learning projects and podcasts, as well as audiobooks. Each voice talent must define her target and niche markets based on her vocal characteristics and interests.

    I hope this info is helpful. Congratulations on having the courage to follow your dreams, and best wishes for your success!

    Karen

    Reply

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