Liz de Nesnera. Best of Both Worlds VO.

Fluently Speaking Your Script's Language in English and French.

Back to Basics

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I’ve been in the voiceover industry for over two decades. I’m in my 14th year of being a full-time voiceover talent. I love what I do. And I am lucky enough to have built a business that has allowed me to keep a fine roof over my head, in a place I love to live, to keep food on the table and my awesome stick-shift-AWD-Subaru Forester (named Whitaker…think about it 😉 ) in the driveway.

I’ve trained in voiceover technique with some of the best in the business, and I run my business AS a business.

So?

Sometimes things happen that make you stop and think.

This year, the “things” were that two of my best clients decided to change direction when it came to their voiceover needs. One was bought by another company which had their own roster of talent, and another has changed the way they record their projects.

Now, remember when I said above that I run my business AS a business? Good thing!

Years ago, a friend of mine, and a very successful VO in his own right asked me this question: “If your two best clients decided to go elsewhere, would your business survive?” I never forgot that question, and today I can say without a doubt: ABSOLUTELY!

In fact over the last 10 years, at the end of every year, I run my reports and REMOVE the revenue from that year’s top two clients to see where I would be had I not gotten that income. You should try it, it’s in interesting exercise. 🙂 How top heavy are you with your top two clients? Do they make up 10% of your income? 30%? 50%? Ask yourself: “If my two best clients decided to go elsewhere, would my business survive?” Would you still be able to pay your bills and put food on the table?

So with that in mind, and while my business is still thriving, I decided to go back to basics.

I signed up for a 6-week marketing course. I just finished Week-1. Wow. What an eye-opener! I’m diving deep and committed to expanding and finding my next new two-three-four-five best clients.

How about you? Do you need to get back to basics? Whatever that means to you, it might just be what leads you to your next success.

You never know who’s listening, watching, reading.

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In today’s day and age of social network-meetup-hi-look-at-me-ing you never really know who’s out there peeking in your website-blog-twitter-facebook-window.

That’s not a bad thing, in fact it can be pretty cool!

I had a wonderful experience at the NYC Voiceover Mixer hosted by Voice Talent Productions last month: a fellow voice talent, who I had never met in person, came up to me and told me how much she appreciated my posts about telephony and how much she learned, and thanked me for the help I had given…virtually. That made me feel really nice! [Read more…]

Happy New Year!

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OK! So it’s “that” time of year again…Resolution-time!

What interesting about the concept of “resolutions” is that they usually involve some sort of major sacrifice or herculean effort….losing weight, quitting smoking, getting to the gym more often…Resolutions, frankly have a bad rap because they usually DON’T involve efforts we really want to make …but rather ones we feel we SHOULD make….and that’s why they are so often NOT kept.

On the other hand, when it comes to my voiceover career – that I LOVE – I see resolutions not as bad, but as opportunities to play and expand and grow as a voice talent and a business owner…I WANT to do these 🙂 What a concept! [Read more…]

Harlan Hogan & Elaine Clark Workshop

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“He who learns but does not think, is lost!
He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
~ Confucius

When it comes to being a freelance/journeyman voice talent, I firmly believe that continued training and getting out there and learning from those farther along on the VO path is essential.

This past weekend I had the awesome opportunity to attend a workshop run by Elaine Clark and Harlan Hogan. [Read more…]

The grass may just look greener on the other side, ‘cause you’re standing in the shade.

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A while back I got a call from a potential new client. It was a very pleasant call, asking about my rates and availability. And then, as is often the case in IVR/MOH work they asked how long I’d been doing this work, and basically whether I planned on being around to complete any updates they may requires months, or years down the line. I told them that this is what I do.
I’m a full time voice talent. I don’t have a “day-job.” This IS my job.

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Then a sigh.

Then “Wow…that must be nice.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I LOVE my job. I really can’t see myself doing anything else. BUT, when I get this reaction, I really think people think that we Voice Talent have it so “easy.” [Read more…]

Party Time!

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OK…as freelance VO talent, we are very often sitting in our own studios…our own “padded rooms” if you will.

So whenever we get a chance to get together & have some fun as a community, we jump at the chance!

One such chance is coming up on December 5th in NYC, put together by my friend Erik Sheppard of Voice Talent Productions!

The information is on the image to the left and also by following this link: 2008 NY Voice Over Mixer
It’s free to attend (we all like free!) but an RSVP is required so that Erik knows what to expect! 🙂

I’ll be there!
If you are, remember to say “Hi!”

Demos Here, Demos There, Demos, Demos Everywhere!

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OK…in the old days…yeah, OK…not so long ago, when you decided to “Get into Voice Over,” you made a demo (a demonstration reel – demonstrating what you could do & the “sound” that you had). Years ago demos were on reel-to-reel tape, then audio cassette, then CDs and now, more and more they’re digital .mp3 files.

The world has changed. [Read more…]

Press 1, For More Business

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In the voice over world, just like in any other business there are niches and specializations.

When people say they want to “get into voice over” they are often thinking of the “glamorous” work of National TV commercials. You know the “voice” of Ford or Macy’s. But there’s a lot of voice over work that never makes it to the airwaves, yet keeps many of us working voice talent very busy.
I’m talking about “Telephony.” (Pronounced teh-LEH-fuh-NEE). You know…voicemail jail! Those infamous “For Sales, Press 1” recordings that people have complained about for years.

Well, I’m here to stand up and proudly proclaim: “Hi, I’m Liz, and I am a voicemail recorder.” Actually in our business we call them Interactive Voice Response or Message On Hold recordings (IVR and MOH for short).

Besides long form narrations, telephony is a mainstay of my business.
And I’m very happy with that!
Although it’s not looked upon by some as very prestigious, I see it as a very important part of my and my clients’ business.

Let’s face it, these days, the IVR/MOH system is usually your first contact with a company. It’s the first impression you get and usually that’s the impression you stay with when dealing with a company forevermore.

We’ve all heard horror stories of being trapped in a voice mail maze, or about the awful voice you had to listen to while on hold. That’s not the impression that a company wants project. Those awful recordings were probably recorded by – if I may be so bold as to to assume – the cute receptionist that was pressed into service to “just record this into the phone.”

Clients that hire me and my fellow IVR/MOH specialized voice talents know how important it is to give a good first impression. They know that by having an effective IVR or MOH system in place they are putting their best foot (or voice!) forward.

And lets be clear, I don’t want my recordings to illicit a “Wow, what a great voice” response. I want people to listen to that Message on Hold and say “Oh, I didn’t know this company offered that service, I’ll have to ask the rep about that when they get back on the line.”

An effective IVR or MOH recording will keep a company’s clients happy by routing them to the correct department quickly…which gets their questions answered quickly…. which keeps them coming back and doing business with the company. An effective Message on Hold recording educates customers about your business and your services

So the next time you are asked to “Press 1, for Sales” or to “Ask our representative about our 10% discount on bulk orders” say “Hi!” That pleasant sounding voice may just be mine!

And if you need a telephony recording done? Call me!

Do You Believe In Magic?

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Sometimes in this business (and yes it IS a business..more on that in a minute) you hear about/learn from some amazing talent. Bob Fraser is one of those people. Bob posts on several of the Voice Over groups I’m on, and a post this week really resonated with me.

Voice Over is work. It’s what I do. It’s my job. IT’S MY PASSION. It is NOT a “quick way to make a buck.” I wanted to share this post as a reminder to those of us who are working at what we love, and as an eye-opener to those who think that Acting/VO are easy! (This is a long post, so grab a cup or glass of something, pull up a chair and read on)

Thanks Bob!

* * * *

Do You Believe In Magic?

There are basically two types of actors who read my stuff, study my computer-based programs, or come to my seminars:

Working pros who are looking for ways to improve their acting income, and newer performers who are anxious to start making money acting.

I think I attract those types of actors because they know that my entire focus is on the money-making part of being an actor.

The success part.

The show BUSINESS part.

As my pal, Charlie Holliday, loves to say, “They don’t call it show art!” And I do my best to provide good information for actors who want to make money in show business.

But the fact of the matter is, I know the truth – and the truth is that the only actors who are really going to succeed in our business, are the ones who understand (probably before I launch into one of my rants) that they must take effective action, in order to see the fruition of their dreams.

Not to put too fine a point on things …YOU HAVE TO WORK AT IT!

I’m sorry for yelling, but THAT is a good piece of information.

What brought on the yelling?

Well, as you have probably gathered, I am a well-known recluse. I like being at home with my family, my bird (Boyd), my books, and my computers. But in the last month or so, I’ve been going out to see a few plays and participate in a couple of ‘panels’ – at various actors’ gatherings. I don’t know why I get invited to these things, as I am clearly anti-social and pretty much the working definition of a hermit – but I do get invited and I go, with my adorable wife, who comes along to gently remind me to be nice.

Anyway, as a result of my recent forays into the real world, I have run into quite a few actors.

Now, while it is sorta nice to be recognized (if you could call it that) – “Oh you’re that guy who writes on Now Casting. What’s his name?” – the problem is that I meet far too many actors who sadden me.

There are a lot of actors out there who seem to befully invested in the belief that there is a one-step method to show business success.

“Can you introduce me to an agent who can help me? I’ll thank you when I get my Oscar,” is the most common conversational gambit. I try to point out that there is no golden ticket to get “in” – and that it’s a waste of time to keep looking for one. But people don’t listen. Frankly, it’s frustrating to see our school system turning out so many educated people who still to believe in magic, wizards, lucky charms… and, just possibly, enchanted beans.

This adult belief in a magical solution is probably the main stumbling block for those actors who are having a hard time of things. Especially those who continue to insist that their careers will ‘happen’ -somehow – as long as they believe it will and continue to intone that plaintive (but clearly magical) incantation … “I want to be a working actor, I want to be a working actor.” Not to mention the poor unfortunates who go to endless parties and spew out the all too common – “I’m an actor… do you know any casting directors who will give me work? I know I can be a star, if someone would just give me a chance” – elevator speech.

Don’t they know that while they are in that ‘mode,’ they’re about as interesting as an Amway salesman at an orgy?

The part that saddens is that I am certain that these actors – the sort who believe that there must be a secret passageway that leads directly to the red carpet … and all they have to do is find someone to give them the key – are going to suffer tons of frustration and disappointment – for a very long time.

AND they are leaving themselves wide-open to the early onset of bitterness – which is a kind of mental cancer. Believe me – eventually bitterness metastasizes into regret, grief, anger and depression.

My prescription?

Throw away your magic beans!

JUST. WORK. HARDER.

It’s not a good plan to lollygag around, acting for free in theatre and student films – for years on end – hoping that the Wonderful Director of Oz will appear one day, in a sparkle of pixie dust, and discover you.

Spend a lot more time looking for a paycheck for your performing and a lot less time schmoozing with adults who believe in magical chants, secret handshakes, bewitching potions, enchanted headshots or Staples’ Magic Button.

Please, oh please – do not continue to believe in fairy tales – because if you do … you will not live happily ever after.

Which brings us to talent.

Oh, that word!

Shakespeare said, “Talent will out!”

But he didn’t add “Talent will be well paid, respected and successful.”

(Because Willie was a sharp cookie and knew better.)

Talent is a gift – and if you put it to use, it may pay the bills.

The critical phrase is … “IF you put it to use.”

Jennifer Hudson is a recent case in point.

Meteoric is a word they use.

Has she got talent? Yes, by the truckload.

But everyone is turning her bio into a Cinderella story, a fairy tale … “first she lost on American Idol and all looked hopeless … but then she got a lucky break and went on to win the Oscar.”

The erroneous conclusion being drawn from Jennifer’s story (and others like hers) is that her talent was ‘discovered’ and well rewarded … and that ours will be ‘discovered’ and rewarded too.

But did you know that about four years ago Jennifer was working on a Disney cruise ship – in a big heavy costume with five-inch heels and tons of make-up – belting out Disney ditties for a paycheck?

The point is this:

If a tremendously talented future Oscar winner can ‘go on the road,’ working on a cruise ship to earn money with her talent … oh, never mind – I’m sure you get the point.

Listen, after you throw away your magic beans, your next move is to stop wasting your time looking for a one step solution – and start looking for acting work that pays.

ANY acting work that pays.

That’s the first step.

That’s putting your talent to use.

Go on the road if you have to.

GO. GO. TO. WORK. FOR. MONEY.

And please don’t invite me to anything …I’m staying home this month.

* * * *

If I lived in L.A., I would take him out for a drink!

If you want to get more insights from Bob, subscribe to his newsletter: Show Biz How-To

So, what do you think?