5 Indispensable Tools to Run My Voice Over Business

5 Indispensable Tools to Run My Voice Over Business

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I’ve always said when you have the right tools you can make anything happen. The same goes for my voice over business.

I’ve been asked a million times before what software I use (ProTools), what microphones I use (TLM 103 + MKH 416), what’s my mic preamp (BAE 1073MP) I’m even asked about the plugins I use to process my voice, which depending on the job, is just a combination of compression and EQ. But nobody ever asks me what I use the majority of the time, in my office to help me run the business. What’s up with that?

The tools I use day-in-day-out to run my business are just as important and in some cases MORE important than what I use in the booth.

For that reason, I’ve decided to share the 5 most indispensable tools I use to run my voice over business.

Tools List

Wunderlist (Mac/PC) – My assistant and I live in the same city, by car about 30 minutes away, but thanks to Wunderlist I don’t need to call and ask her what she’s working on, see what’s she’s finished or to give her more information on a specific project. Wunderlist sits on my computer desktop in my office and in my iPhone. No matter where I am my assistant and I are able to keep the business on track.

Fetch (Mac) – I’ve been using Fetch since they invented it to quickly and seamlessly upload finished audio for clients to my online web server. Each client has a ‘Fetch droplet’ on my computer that is directly connected to their password protected folder on my server. I just drag and drop finished audio and zipped files onto the clients droplet and off they go! (PC Alternate:  WS_FTP, 20% off with this code: Fetch20)

Typinator (Mac) – Typing the same thing over and over to clients when sending notifications that their audio is ready to download from my server (especially during TV sweeps) is a thing of the past with Typinator. I’ve set up simple codes that instantly expand into larger messages and shave off time when sending emails to clients. (PC Alternate: AutoText)

MaxBulk Mailer (Mac/PC) – Communication is one of the most important aspects of my business. I’m in touch with my clients regularly with general information, like new blog posts they might be interested in, an article that I’ve read or vacation notices. MaxBulk Mailer is the software that I use to stay in touch. It resides on my office computer and lets me email to my entire client list (or just a segment) quickly and easily anytime it’s necessary.

Zoom.us (Mac/PC) – Thanks to the internet and web cams, traditional conference calls are a thing of the past. I believe reading peoples facial expressions and body language is just as important (and sometimes more important) than hearing only the tone of voice. For that reason, I started using Zoom to meet with clients to discuss projects before and after I get into the booth. I use it when doing live webinars with my voice over students and also to meet with my assistant for our weekly face-to-face.

Bottom Line

The tools you use should help you achieve your goals not interfere with them or bog you down. Each of these tools helps me to get to where I want to be faster and more efficiently. Check them out!

The Problem With Specs

The Problem With Specs

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3 Free Tools To Start Building Brand Recognition (Video)

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So I’ve been marketing my voice over business for over 2 decades…some of my efforts failed others worked brilliantly.

I’ve learned that the key to marketing your voice over business is to always be on the lookout for new ways to connect with prospects.

Remember it’s not about selling yourself in these situations, it’s about building brand recognition so that when they’re ready to buy…to hire a voice talent they think of you!

Here are 3 free online tools that you can use to start connecting with potential buyers and build brand recognition:

1. H.A.R.O.

An acronym for Help A Reporter Out..HARO is a network of reporters around the world all looking for people like you to help them finish an article with your comment or insight… for a magazine, a newspaper or an online article.

You create an account through their website and decide how often you want to receive emails from them. Then you’ll start receiving emails with lists of categorized subjects that you can comment on. Remember to only respond to the inquiries that you can CREDIBLY comment on.

2. Google Alerts

Google Alerts has been around for a few years and I’ve used it to automatically search for articles and blog posts that either talk about voice over or audio post-production in any of their articles.

Using your Google account, set up the Google Alert you want to receive emails about. You can create multiple alerts for targeted voice over subjects. Like radio imaging for example or eLearning.

Once a day (or however you decide to set it up) you’ll get an email based on the search criteria you’ve setup. There’ll be information and links that you can use to interact with prospective clients and again strengthen your expert status.

3. Quora

Quora is also a free service that works in a similar way to Google Alerts in that you enter the search criteria for questions that you can help answer and it sends you a direct email when someone has asked a question that you may have the answer to!

Final Note

When you’re setting up your accounts and search criteria remember to think laterally.

Sure, you can answer questions on voice over…but you can also discuss what it’s like to run a small business or to work from home.

Think of all of the angles and then use these 3 tools to start building your brand recognition.

Successful Voice Talent

Successful Voice Talent

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