The X factor continued:

A friend of mine put it this way, a straight line going across… with no hesitation or distraction. Or you just have the right stuff out of the park. Mainly speaking producers/agents are fickle, there’s s seemingly no rhyme or reason to their madness ;-)

I have seen this time and again with talent that had 30 years experience under their belt, to a talent that has no real experience, implode onto the scene. The X Factor is for the individual producer that thinks you are the bomb. When someone says to me a newbie has no place in the professional arena, I say BS...Let them step up to that mic. We all started where we were, and to limited that ability in us would have killed us. The politics and decision making on all levels is real…just remember to stay friendly, reachable, and most of all teachable. Now you know what that X factor is really all about. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Do you have the X factor?

Producers/agents talk of something referred as the X factor that something special that sets a talent apart from the litter. Now I say this tongue and cheek, The X factor is not the run of the mill everyday stuff on any station USA,,its more. The temperament the tonality the entire delivery says you are different, you are unique and uninhibited to be you. Do you have the X Factor? More on this, Monday. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

What do people say about you?

Some would say hot air, others might say ego.

What I have found along my journey in VO, is nothing of the sort- when it comes to true professionals. Don Keys, a radio legend who passed away several years ago, gave me some advice in my early- early years. No one like’s a Mr. Know it all! I was “20” something then… and it really cut my ego to the core. I thought I was hot stuff and then some. Your character is your calling card, what do people say about you?

Make it a point to emulate good character good habits and etiquettes that go without saying. I have been amazed at how talented a person can be yet their demeanor is pretty scary to say the least. Talent can only take you so far, your person is as important as the product. So practice your lines, and practice good people skills, its good common sense, that just might put more money into your bank account. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Teaching an old dog a new trick ;-)

Many people have been forced out of careers due to the recession and have gone back down memory lane to dream again...What they originally wanted to do before life and living set in.

There was a time and place in America if you had a good voice, and there was a station you would have a great shot at loaning your pipes to them. It’s a different world now, technology has given Voice-over talent more ways to promote and send their work to the client in real time. If you are wondering if you can learn a new trick at your age, I say yes you can! Many times men & woman as they mature have character a certain charm and clarity that sells you! And the nice thing is it’s not your looks that book you it’s your voice, your talent.

So Men & woman age is not a factor unless you Allow it to be. There are many seniors making great money in VO, who can tell you to take an aspirin for your heart...A 20 year old? Plavex from a 30 year old, you got to be kidding! So age away, stop dying your hair, let your age be a benefit, you earned it! http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

I’m your man attitude

The clients happy and your moving on to the next project, its 5:30 pm, you get ready to step into the sound booth and the phone rings….Could you recut lines 2 & 3 The client prefers that you say it this way opposed to the way you were doing it, Ok? Sure thing! The I’m your man attitude of making it the way the client wants it with a smile is the way it should be time & again. Now if this was an ISDN or phone patch job we would have nipped that right then. Good customer service and always attention to detail will give your client peace of mind they made the right choice.

Sometimes Shit happens and you get a client that pays well but they are a pain in the, you know...Let’s just say it for what it is ASS. Going the extra mile like multiple takes and being creative during a session is thoughtful and gives you a chance to show off your skill set. By doing these things well and frequently, will make you stand out and score the gigs that the other guy misses out on because he didn’t have the, I’m your man attitude. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

I live in market 10,000 can I make it?

Not all of us live in NYC or Los Angeles so what can you do? Send your demos out to agencies big and small all across the country! Now If your thinking that just sounds so dam easy…well I used to hear this and didn’t get the work because I didn’t realize what was involved with persistence, in making calls following up with Leeds, and just being in the business of selling myself.

When my 6 year old daughter Kaily was born I worked my tail off with a fire inside of me that kept me sharp and in tune with what really mattered. I say this, what really matters to you? What is your motivation factor for success?

You have to have a motivating spirit to make it, in this world! Not just make it, but fly. I love what I do! Keep the fire going inside you, reach hire...Don’t quite. So even if you’re in market whatever! Aspire to be the best there, because there, is really here! It doesn’t really matter where you are; it’s what you can do. If a producer/agent thinks you’re the best man for the job, you got it. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

A game plan

A guidance counselor once asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said working in broadcasting! I knew from an early age say around 11 or 12 what I really wanted to do. Now it didn’t hurt that my father was a broadcast engineer. Perhaps you’re getting into this business much more later in life...Don’t worry about that, concentrate on the time you have and move forward.

Having a Game Plan is always recommended! As far as success go’s at this trade you have to be booking gigs, that’s the bottom line. Nailing the lines, keeping the agency happy, and or client should be your goal. A game plan is a life plan, it takes what you want to accomplish and sets it up for future successes. See I left no room for error, yes we miss the mark...But it shouldn’t keep you from going back to the plan.

What is your game plan, how are you looking out on base? Life’ is like a game of base ball, you hit some and you miss some, we want to have a good swing and hitting many outside of the ballpark.
http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Just Press Play

Ok so you’re looking at your demo and getting ready to shoot it to your next great leed do... you know who some of their clients are? Who is currently being represented by that agency? Now some of you already do your home work, and this is rather rudimentary to you, believe it or not...Many never ask or give it a second thought, yet they just want somebody to “Just press play”

If you’re going to succeed at any great level in the industry, you must discipline yourselves to research and networking. I am blown away at how many jobs just end up in front of me because I was among the movers and shakers who have the pulse on where the jobs are. Now I do believe your demo should speak for itself, however if it ends up in the trash, what good is it? Make notes, follow up, and believe in yourself that your talent deserves a home with XYZ agency. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

How to choose a Voice-over Coach

I’m a Voice-coach/ Voice-over artist making a living from using my voice on Radio and television or wherever else they decide to pop me on ;-) Let me first say, there are many Voice Coaches that care about your success! I want this to help in you choosing a quality Voice coach that can deliver what they pitch you. The failsafe test for coaches in my opinion is as follows.

#1 how long have you been doing professional Voice-overs?
#2 what radio/TV Campaigns have I heard you on?
#3 when did you become a Voice-over coach?
#4 why should I utilize your services?
#5 what professional references could you provide other than a radio station?
#6 what’s your success rate? Please explain!
#7 how do you decide, if I am suited for the business?
#8 what connections can you offer, agencies, agents, etc.
#9 Will I be an expert after your coaching? Answer...Should be NO!!! It takes time, experience to hold that title. But after getting a gig and many more you’re on your way.
#10 Where is your studio? Many have home studios, some good, some well… make sure you ask them what they use to produce with and if they themselves are the demo producers? Many use others to do this, who are they?

I truly hope this gets’ plenty of buzz among the Voice-over Universe and beyond! Sometimes, asking good questions can cut down on the insanity of chasing your tail. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Make your mark.

The legacy of the late Don La Fontain Left an indelible mark on the industry! He was truly a talent, and a trail blazer who dared to embark on untraveled roads that led to over whelming success. Many want to be like him, and I think that’s an amazing tribute to the man behind the mic.

It turns out Don was loved outside of his profession for being a good soul. His generosity and hospitality should be a lesson to all of us who call ourselves VO talent. Perhaps Don’s legacy will inspire another wave of new unknown talent to set new meaning to the silver screen! Yes Don was big, and will always be remembered for setting the stage, thanks Don! for allowing us to set the bar all so much higher. Make your mark; make your career a passion that’s where great things happen. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Dare to be different

We live in a world that is so cookie cutter and pc correct where being an individual seems wrong? Yes there’s the main stream persona’s and does & don’ts… but being true to yourself and what makes you different then all the others is what will set you apart. I see it when a phoney” persona is being played out, it’s really sad, because that’s what they have been taught or now believe to be their ticket to being successful.

I say dare to be different, be you, and be happy….This will help you in the long run in more ways than I could share. Now I’m not saying to be arrogant or rude, rather a person that others want to hear what you have to say. You’re important, take care of yourself give the best and be the best at everything you do. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Practice makes perfect

It’s funny looking back at how natural it was for me to grab stuff out of magazines and just start reading it the way I thought it should sound! The repetition and hearing myself over and over, and over again gave me a terrific education, and most of the copy in magazines is actual ad campaign material

I Live in Tampa Florida, and have sat on the side lines to watch The Buccaneers practice. The one thing that really sticks out for me, is the repetition of the same moves being executed time & again. These guys didn’t even complain they, did exactly what the coach said to do.
The reason is to be ready for the big game, are you ready? Don’t try to skate by and go without training, and mentorship, the biggest and best talents I know get this fundamental truth. Some of the basics are listening, fine tuning your delivery, variations of tone, and acting the part that you’re playing.

Make the most out of your sessions; ask yourself how you could make it better, what you liked, and what you didn’t like. Be careful doing this without professional guidance! sometimes you can be going in the wrong direction not knowing better. The main thing is Practice… you cannot improve, unless you put the time into your instrument. Remember, practice makes perfect. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Super VO

It’s a bird it’s a…. VO! So you are lucky enough to have made it to the world of Voice-over, a melting pot of personality’s and stories that will entertain you! It can be a mad house on some days at studio 1A at my headquarters in Tampa...But good kind of crazy if you know what I mean.

Phones ringing off the hook, the client needs to redo, X 5 or 6 changes. Man you got to love it! Its action and you roll with it until the job is finished.
(Yes on some days I feel like super VO) But I was able to get it done regardless of the events of the client changing the copy on me. Yes I get stressed, and yes I get irritated on occasion...The redoes I got paid for, so it was a good day for me.

Never allow people to steal the fun out of what you love to do…they will try you here and there, just remember you’re the man or Woman of your studio, and it’s your voice they want. So up, up and away.http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Not just another voice

A friend in the voice business, Bob Bergen http://bobbergen.com/ said to me recently that the industry doesn’t need another voice, it needs you. Who are you? What makes you uniquely you? There are plenty of sound alkies and such out there! His point to me was to be true to myself and allow my personality to shine through. Voice-coaches can help you identify market niches that fit your voice structure and personality. How far one stretches to become master at many types of reads is up to the individual. We all have people we look up to, keep looking up to them...but in doing so emulate what they are doing right. Put yourself out there for critique but be sure where it comes from!!! I hear many demos that someone told that someone that they were great, and I had to break the news to them it wasn’t so special.

All of us are capable of great things in life; seek out exemplary talent, coaches that live the life of being depended upon in the voice industry, find out what others say about them, it’s a small world in Voice-overs, professionals know who is making it, and who is not. So don’t just be another voice, be absolutely you. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

The big gig

Voice-over people love the big jobs, exposure is great and the payout is nice. I’m reminded how many seemingly small jobs I did until the big break, and couldn’t believe it happened. That was well over 15 years ago for me. Now I live in Florida and have made sacrifices to stay here for my family, meaning I do smaller jobs regionally & nationally that some bigger guys would most likely pass on by.

The good news you don’t always have to live in the bigger cities to land gigs with the big agencies, but if you do land with them, you must deliver on a timely bases. The big gigs are nice to land no doubt, but you can do well for yourself by doing small to medium size accounts, just don’t let them use you! Shoot for the stars yes just remember to keep it real no matter who you’re doing work for, big or small, money is money. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Labor Day

My 6 year old daughter asked me what Labor Day was for? I said it was a holiday to let the hard working people take some time off to enjoy the day.


The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Now my daughter was satisfied with my condensed version of the meaning of Labor Day, but that wouldn’t justify my day off completely unless I gave a more accurate answer! So now you know;-) Happy Labor Day. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

It’s the economy

There’s no doubt things are tough all over! I hear everyday how a business closes, and how a new business opens its doors. We can get so focused on how many things are wrong, and how things are not working, that we have totally lost our focus in business, because we allowed the circumstance to overshadow our destiny. I believe in purpose, chance, positive thinking, and being the best at what I do.

Let me suggest you do the same wherever you are, and whoever you may be. Your attitude largely determines where you will end up. My father would tell me and my 4 other siblings when we were slacking off, to get with the program! I say Get with the program today, tomorrow, and every day. It may be the economy today, but what about tomorrow? http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Getting organized

Getting your contacts and keeping up with them can sometimes feel like a fulltime job. Get a business card organizer so you can quickly scan through them, yes you can have them digitally in your computer as well, but having a hard copy is not such a bad idea. Back up redundancy in your studio or office is always a must do, there’s many places online that you can store files, and its well worth it!

I have lost hard drives, back it up! Keeping up with your contacts can never be over stated, many in the industry use post cards, it adds a personal touch and it says you took the time to hand write it and mailed it. Keeping yourself in front of people is the best way to market yourself, take the time to organize your office, studio…and while you’re at it, your car. Doing these things consistently will help you feel more confidant and keep you from losing touch with the very people you’re trying to impress, so get organized! http://www.57thstreetmedia.com

Following your dream

So many come to me wanting to get into the voice-over world…many say this was something they dreamed of doing years ago! Time, circumstance and living got in the way somehow. In a way I feel like I’m a dream maker with the training I provide.
When I was a boy I desired to be on the radio, my father a broadcast engineer took me to many stations and I enjoyed the exposure of seeing how a radio station really operated. My love for broadcasting and the voice-over business grew because of the kindness of others teaching me the ropes and allowing me to make mistakes in the process of developing into a professional talent.

I must say, many tried to talk me out of my pursuit of what I believed to be my calling in life...Each time I turned my back, and carried my love for the business with me and succeeded!

Don’t get me wrong, its competitive, it can get crazy out there, but if you believe in your dream, follow it. I lost my Dad 14 years ago of a heart attack he was only 50. I miss him, but I know he would have wanted me to follow all my dreams. Please follow yours there’s no greater happiness. http://www.57thstreetmedia.com