Creating promo videos with public domain components part 2Yesterday, I posted part 1 of this topic, in which up-and-coming voiceover talent Linda Velwest asked about the legalities of using images that she found on-line within the audiobook trailer she wanted to create. Even though she is only using her trailer for promotional purposes, she might not be able to use images and music […]Read MoreCreating promo videos with public domain components part 1Recently, I had a wonderful e-mail exchange with up-and-coming voice artist Linda Velwest about creating a promotional video. Linda kindly gave me permission to repost her messages here on the blog so that others can benefit from this discussion. Hi Karen, I’ve been following your blog and I’ve been voluteering at librivox. My name […]Read MoreReasons to Create Your Own Stuff — Part 2Earlier this year, I wrote a popular article titled Reasons to Create Your Own Stuff. In it, I described the audiobook that I narrated for LibriVox and included a link to the book trailer I created to promote the audiobook. I also listed some of the marketing plans I had for the audiobook and trailer […]Read More10 ways to get work in audiobook narrationLike many of you, I love audiobooks and want to make it my major niche in voiceover. A couple of colleagues recently sent me emails asking advice about obtaining more work in audiobooks. As you might imagine, I wrote a rather lengthy reply from which I will add a condensed version later in this post. […]Read MoreEvery passion does not lead to a career choiceRecently, I received this message as a comment on the entry A plan to break into voice-over: Karen, I can not tell you how thankful I am for your blog, and your selfless giving of voice over artistry information. I am at turning point in my life and realize I’ve been working 20 years in […]Read More“Perils of Pauline” Audiobook is AvailableOne reason that I am performing some audiobook work on Librivox as a service project is because it allows me to practice some acting techniques needed for effective storytelling in audiobooks. A project that was recently completed and is now available for free download is a multi-cast drama of The Perils of Pauline. I voiced the […]Read MoreTrying to get a voiceover agent?Suddenly, I am receiving a rash of emails with the question: “can you direct me to some Atlanta voiceover agents?” Many people think that the key to voiceover success lies with an agent. Once you get an agent, you just have to sit back and let the lucrative offers come in, right? Ah, if only […]Read More4 Lessons to Help You Keep That ClientAflac fired Gilbert Gottfried after the so-called comedian made crude, tasteless jokes on Twitter about the Japanese earthquake/tsunami disaster. In case you didn’t know, Gottfried was the voice of the company’s signature spokesduck for many years. It’s not the first time that a major company fired a voiceover talent due to the talent’s remarks that […]Read MoreFantastic FaffCon!Attendees at the original FaffCon had nothing but glowing things to say about it. After all, how often do voiceover actors get to spend an entire weekend in the company of other working professional voice talent, much less actually sharing ways to improve our performances and business operations to get more work? I was unable to […]Read MoreA Demonstration of My Soundproof StudioWhen I started my voiceover career, I recorded in a tiny closet with accordion doors. The room is upstairs on the front of the house and faces the street. The only entrance to our subdivision is about 150 yards away from my house. Consequently, 99% of my 200+ neighbors must pass my house every time they […]Read More