If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I tend to write a lot. Some days I probably spend more time behind my writing desk than in the recording studio.
I’ve come to see myself as much more of a content creator than as a full-time voice over. Voice over talents usually re-create as they speak words that were written by someone else. I like doing that too, but considering the mediocre quality of many of the scripts clients send me, I am happiest when I can create my own scripts, so to speak. They’re just called “blogs,” but who cares?
BEING INTERVIEWED
What I don’t find as easy, is doing interviews where I’m asked to talk about myself. It’s not that I don’t want to tell my story, but once my blabbermouth has said something, there’s no way of taking it back. Writers have the luxury of being able to rewrite again and again, until it is just right. Conversation is a spontaneous process that is not so easy to control. Once I’m out of the gate, there’s no stopping me!
Since I have this tendency to ramble on (at least, that’s how I perceive it), I tell my interviewers to put on the brakes if I go off on all sorts of tangents, but very few people dare to rein me in. I guess they don’t want to be rude by interrupting me.
A few weeks ago I had a chance to speak with two people I respect very much: VOpreneur extraordinaire Marc Scott, and Narrator’s Cup of Joe host Daniela Acitelli.
DIGGING DEEPER
What I appreciate about both of them is the fact that our conversations went way beyond the expected questions like: “How did you get your start in VO?” and “What advice do you have for a beginner?” Both interviews went much deeper, and gave me a chance to share things about the way I look at life as an entrepreneur who happens to talk for a living, as a writer, a stroke survivor, and as a European expat living and working in the States.
If that’s the sort of thing you might be interested in, here’s me on camera, speaking with Daniela Acitelli.
Marc Scott‘s approach was to interview me about my blogging “secrets.” Marc makes a living by helping fellow-VO’s run their business like a business (and he’s very good at it!). Since my blog is the main driver of traffic to my website, and my website is the main way for me to book work, it makes sense to start with my writing.
I’m not sure I mentioned it in the interview, but I don’t think everybody should start blogging after listening to our conversation. In fact, I think most people should stay clear of it, just like most people should stay away from making a podcast, even though it seems to be THE thing at the moment. Why do I think that? Because most people underestimate how much time and energy it takes to do these things well. Having to think of something new to write about every week or every day can be intimidating in and of itself.
PLEASING SEARCH ENGINES
If you wish to start a blog (or a podcast) because you’ve heard it is good for your SEO, please DON’T. Successful bloggers write for their readers, not for search engines. Once you begin creating content people feel drawn to, the SEO will take care of itself. At least, that’s my experience.
I never wrote a single word to please Google. Some days I’m not even writing to please you, but simply to get something off my chest. It may seem self-indulgent, but theses stories are usually the biggest hits with my fans. Go figure!
My advice: if you’re gonna write, write about something that moves you, something that gets you fired up. Chances are that if you feel strongly about it, someone else will feel strongly about it too. However, don’t make it all about you. People are looking for practical, actionable advice from someone they can trust who is also an engaging storyteller.
Here’s more of me, speaking with Marc Scott.
Thank you Daniela and Marc for having me on your show, and thank YOU (my readers) for watching and listening to these long interviews! If what we’ve talked about resonates with you, please pay me the biggest compliment and subscribe to this blog. Just fill out the field in the upper right hand corner and you’ll receive weekly updates.
I also invite you to follow me on Instagram where you’ll find a new, short Nethervoice story every single day.
Next week I’ll tell you all about my big move from Pennsylvania to Vermont! Why did I do it, and what’s it like living so close to Canada?
I missed those interviews! I’ll have to catch them. I love that you blog about what’s important to you, or to get something off your chest, rather than for the SEO of it, and that the SEO will “take care of itself.” How incredibly true that is! I feel the same way. The best sitcoms have a situation (thus the “sit”) wrapped in comedy to connect with the viewer (thus the “com”). People can relate to them and the comedy gets them comfortable so they can experience the situation and relate. That’s how I try to write. And with your blog, it’s all about life, and focusing on what’s best…all wrapped up in the end with an indefatigable application to voiceovers. I appreciate personal experiences shared through the prism of voiceovers…and I SO appreciate you and how you tie it all together for us! Love you my friend!