Posts Tagged ‘ jobs ’

Designing Your Shows Content

Apr 3rd, 2008 | By Justin Kaiser | Category: Podcast Consulting

Do you have a vision for how your show will flow?

If you’re creating a show to highlight your own skills and services, you will probably want to keep the focus on you.

For other show ideas, you will add variety and expand your reach by inviting others to contribute content on an occassional or regular basis.

I didn’t start out that way, it actually developed slowly over time. When I realized that having a committed team of high quality experts means that there is about 15 minutes of ready to go content for every show - I made permanent arrangements.

Here’s a very valuable tip for the new show host: Don’t make any commitments when it comes to sharing your show time with anyone else.

Listen, this is your baby we’re talking about. It’s your show idea and you want to make sure that it carries the flavor you intended. The last thing you want is to end up feeling like you have to use someone’s bad or just plain boring content just because you have a hasty promise.

When someone approaches you with an idea for your show, stick to this reply: “My show is about (fill in the blank) and if you can show me how your idea connects with my target market, I would love to give it some consideration.”

Always, always turn the responsibility for making it fit back on the person who is asking. It’s not your job to make their ideas work for your show, it’s the other way around. If they can’t convince you that it’s a good fit - it doesn’t stand much of a chance of appealing to your precious listeners.

This goes for guests and possible expert contributers alike. Stand tough and make sure that every show is one that you will be proud of.

A last thought, don’t get bogged down in trying to craft the perfect format. You will likely find that you will want to change some things that you do in response to listener feedback, so the sooner that you can get your show on the air, the sooner that you’ll get this great feedback :)

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

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Is Voiceover Your Business?

Jan 7th, 2008 | By Justin Kaiser | Category: Voiceover Lessons

A colleague passed along the following tips and I thought they were relevant for discussion…

For those interested in a short discussion on how much you might consider spending on Advertising your business, read on.

I’m doing this partially in light of all the people who are unhappy about the cost vs. benefits of a service like V123. This isn’t a discussion of how well Smartcast works. That’s been thoroughly covered. It’s just a little attempt to find some perspective.

Let’s say you want to have net take home pay of $60,000 per year. I’ll bet it’s a good average figure for those who are seriously in the VO business…many below, quite a few above. To get there you need about $100,000 in gross income. (Adjust for your particular dream or situation.)

Among businesses of all kinds a typical advertising budget is 2 to 5 percent of what you grossed last year. Pharmaceutical companies and Coca-Cola spend a lot more, but that’s their racket. Let’s say we’re in the middle and decide we should take 3.5 percent of our gross income and spend it on marketing ourselves.

That’s $3,500 for Ms. or Mr. Average VO. How do you spend it? How do we market? (I’m leaving agents’ commissions out of this as a different kind of business expense.)

A lot of what we do to advertise costs little or nothing such as phone calls, emails and networking. Websites, CD’s, postcards, business cards, banner ads on other sites, pens, calendars and other leave-behinds cost something. How much for you? How does $300 for V123 match up for you out of this example of a $3,500 budget? Or the other services that still charge
about $200 to belong?

How effective are these marketing items for you? Of course you have to audition for a paid bidding service, but you’ll send an audition to almost anyone else who asks for one, yes? You pay your agent 10 or 20% for the privilege of auditioning for many jobs to get one.

Side thought and not a criticism for those who audition a lot for paid services and get little result: Are you auditioning too much? Are you being selective, picking jobs that truly reflect your style, age and experience?

In summary, what’s most cost effective for you? A paid service, or 500 cold drink holdin’ Koozies with your name and number on them?

Here are a few tips to prepare and protect your voice while being a podcaster.

Before you do an interview or participate in any recordings of your voice, there are a few things that you would want to avoid:

  • Stay away from dairy products (they coat your vocal cords and your voice is not as crisp).
  • Don’t drinking anything carbonated (can cause little gurgles in your throat that create unattractive sound effects).
  • Limit alcohol or caffeine intake
  • Avoid screaming and shouting
  • Stay away from smoke-filled environments.
  • Eliminate constant clearing of the voice. Sip water, hum or use a mild throat lozenge.
  • Don’t smoke!
  • Keep your vocal cords well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Don’t whisper! Whispering puts extra stress on your vocal cords by forcing them together without them actually touching.
  • Avoid excessive use of mouthwash (it has a high alcohol content)

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