We get many calls from people who are interested in getting into the voiceover business.  It's an intriguing prospect for people who have been told they have a great voice;  maybe they've spent a lot of time reading stories to kids or have made announcements on PA systems and loved it. 

It seems like an easy way to make money.    And besides, it's just reading outloud, right?

No! No! No! The pros make it sound like it's an easy way to make money. However, if it really were that easy we would all be voiceover millionaires.  

The last thing the voiceover industry needs is a good reader with a nice voice.

It's skill and training that turns a voice into a voiceover artist.  And that doesn't happen overnight.....even if you have a great voice.

 The voiceover industry has changed dramatically in the past decade and nowadays  the voice in demand is the one that can take direction from the pickiest director, deliver a compelling read that draws the listener in and have the ability to tell a story as opposed to reading a script. And can do all of those things in a relatively short amount of time. Time is money and if you can't deliver the goods, well, the director, the producer and the engineer are not going to be happy.

Over the past year we've watched.....and heard....some amazing transformations in the voices we've trained.   These people are now getting voiceover gigs and can be heard on the radio, on the telephone and on speciality projects, too.  For clients all over the country!

Yes, training takes time, money and patience....but the rewards are out there.  Be encouraged!   

One of our students, Jennifer Harris, has won voice auditions for several  PSA's that can be heard on KAHI Radio.  Because Jennifer has her home studio up and running it's been easy for her to audition at the drop of a hat.  She's a busy mom who home schools her kids and is involved in the ballet, too.  Even with her busy life she's found that building a career in voiceovers works well for her.

Thanks to Jennifer for sharing a yummy recipe with us today:

Carrot Haystack Cookies  

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 teaspoon non-aluminum baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup rolled oats

2/3 cup chopped or broken pecan pieces

1 cup shredded carrots

½ cup maple syrup

½ cup unrefined coconut oil, warmed just until melted

Freshly pressed ginger to taste, about 1 teaspoon

Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and oats. Add pecans and shredded carrots.

In a separate bowl combine maple syrup, melted coconut oil and ginger which has been pressed with a garlic press or finely grated. Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix just until combined thoroughly.

Drop by spoonfuls onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes until golden.

Makes 2 to 2 ½ dozen cookies.