Back in 2011 I wrote a blog post called “Why you are boring me to death.” It went something like this:
You’d think that voice over pros always have something to talk about, but what happens when someone’s not feeding them any lines? Would they still have something interesting to say, or would they be less vocal without a mic and a script?
Well, judging by the many voice over blogs, vlogs, and podcasts you can find online, we can’t seem to shut up.
Take me, for instance. You know I can’t stop yammering, and I realize I’m not alone. Why is that? Is there really that much to blabber and blog about?
Yes, there isn’t!
MOO!
I have come to the conclusion that VO-Pros and cows have one thing in common: they are ruminants.
Cows have four stomachs. The first stomach chamber (the “rumen”) is the chamber in which large amounts of food are stored and softened. Once it is processed, it is regurgitated and chewed and digested again in different chambers.
At the end there’s only one thing left:
BULLSHIT
What I just described is the recycling of supposedly “hot voice over topics” you and I like to ruminate about. Year after year, the same issues and trends resurface on social media, and they are milked and milked until there’s nothing left but utter claptrap.
Here is my personal shortlist of some of the most boring and often regurgitated issues in our business:
• How do I get started in the business?
• How do I find an agent?
• Where can I find a good coach?
• Where and how do I find work?
• Fiverr, yes or no?
• PC or Mac?
• Are Pay-to-Plays worth the money?
• ProTools: must-have or overkill?
• Recording with headphones or no headphones?
• Do you perform better while sitting, standing up, or laying down?
• Could a headshot help or hurt your voice over career?
• Which microphone, preamplifier, headphones, studio monitors, DAW is the best? (PS, I’m on a budget)
• Union or Non-Union?
• Should I slate or watermark my demo?
• What did J. Michael Collins have for breakfast, lunch, or dinner?
• Voice Over conferences: waste of money, or essential for your career?
• How to succeed in voice-overs without really trying.
• What would Don LaFontaine do?
• Remedies for mouth noise, sore throat, sibilance, bad acoustics, loud neighbors, or annoying colleagues.
• Do egg cartons really help soundproof a room?
• Are celebrities stealing our business?
• Is it “voice-over,” ”voice over,” or “voiceover”?
• Why isn’t there an Oscar or Emmy for Best Narrator?
• Is Artificial Intelligence coming for our jobs?
• What the heck is “neutral English”?
• How much should I charge?
• What to do when a client doesn’t pay.
• Who wants to evaluate my demo?
• Look at the client I just landed and/or the project I just completed!
MEA CULPA
I will be the first to admit that I have sinned by writing about some of these topics myself. That’s why I solemnly vow not to behave like a cow. For my own sanity and yours, I will seek out greener pastures and find more exciting things to write about, and I challenge you to do the same.
Rumination might be good for our bovine friends, but Yale University psychologist Susan Nolen-Hoeksema has this to say about it:
“Obsessive or abnormal reflection upon an idea or deliberation may lead to depression in humans. Rumination may also weaken thinking and problem-solving, and drive away critical social support.”
In other words, by chewing over the stories from the past, we might actually un-enlighten and isolate ourselves. That must be the last thing any serious blogger, vlogger, or podcaster would hope to achieve.
Ruminating is not illuminating.
IT’S STILL RELEVANT
I can’t believe I wrote that story in 2011. And you know what’s even more remarkable?
Some ten years later, NOTHING has changed!
At last count I belong to at least fifteen VO Facebook groups. I follow over three thousand VO colleagues on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn… and I’m still reading the same old stuff.
Why am I wasting my time?
BEGINNER ADVICE
Of course there should be a place on social media where newbies can ask basic questions. That’s why I became a member of these social media groups so I could help other people out. That way they wouldn’t have to make the same mistakes I once made. But in the last five years I noticed a disturbing trend.
Friendly advice from experienced colleagues is ridiculed as old-school thinking. Instead of thanking an expert for chiming in, he or she is challenged as in:
“Of course you can use a dynamic mic for VO. Rappers use them too, and they are doing just fine.”
That’s just one example of the nonsense you’ll find, next to the advice from someone who has won a Grammy for audio engineering.
We have too many pretentious quacks on social media who are ready to prescribe a ridiculous cure without even diagnosing the patient.
Since I’m not a moderator of a FB group, it’s not up to me to curate the comments. But as a consumer of information and a part-time contributor, I do have a choice to make. Do I stay a member of the groups I have problems with, or do I leave?
As a blogger it would be foolish to leave these groups because I also use them to share my stories. Over fifty percent of all traffic to this blog comes directly from social media. That’s a huge chunk!
A NEW APPROACH
A few weeks ago I wrote about the ways I am simplifying my life since coming to Vermont (click here to read that story). I’m removing the clutter and distractions so I can focus on what really matters in life. So, starting in 2022, I am leaving a good number of Facebook groups that only offer more of the same and “look at me” content. This way I also avoid posting the same story in different groups which in itself is repetitive.
If you’ve been relying on these groups to find my weekly contributions, there’s one thing you can do to make sure you won’t ever miss a story:
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG
If you’re on a computer, you’ll find the subscribe field in the top right-hand corner. If you’re on your phone, simply scroll down to find the field. As the author of this blog, I consider it the ultimate compliment when readers become subscribers.
Rest assured that you’ll never end up on a mailing list. I don’t send out newsletters, and I will never try to sell you anything. You can unsubscribe any time.
On top of that you could start following me on Instagram (@nethervoice) and read a new story every day. Over 4,200 people are already doing that, and most of them are creative freelancers like you and me.
If you are one of those Instagram followers, you may have noticed that my stories have changed from being totally voice over focused, to being relevant to almost any type of creative freelancer.
So, instead of being a ruminator, I hope you’ll give me a try in the new year. As one of my readers recently commented: “It’s like having a free personal coach to start my day with.”
Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!
Related Posts
WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE THE UNKNOWN
ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
HOW TO MAKE IT AS A NEW VOICE ACTOR WITH NO CREDITS AND LITTLE EXPERIENCE
Celia Siegel’s Voiceover Achiever
MAKING CLIENTS BUY WHAT YOU ARE SELLING
CRACKING THE INSTAGRAM CODE
THE ONE THING I WANT YOU TO STOP DOING FOR ONE DAY
The Potter, the Pianist, and the Script
Great piece! Also thinking of removing myself from a large number of fb groups.
Embrace the space it will create in your life, Jason! Happy new year!
Best of many great lines: “What would Don LaFontaine do?”
Welcome to the land of the liberated. I remain a member of the Faffcon FB page because I really like the people, and I’m not on any other pages, sites, or in any contests. Also, I rarely stop by (yeah, bad me). And I get your blog. My life is complete right there. For the rest, my accolades come in repeat business, for which I’m grateful. I just did a small job today for someone with whom I last worked 13 years ago – it was great and we both were happy.
Not to put anyone down who wants to be much deeper into the community. I was, and have allowed myself to drift back a bit after 34 years officially in VO as of 1/1/21 (and 29 in radio with a bit of overlap). I still love VO, both the people and doing it, but there are also other things in life, as you’re discovering in your beautiful little town up north. I hope your move is exceeding your expectations!
Happy New Year; here’s to health, happiness and success (to paraphrase Lee Gordon) for all who choose to celebrate them!
We are kindred spirits, Paul! Voice overs is part of what we do. It’s not who we are. At the moment I very much enjoy discovering our local community in Newport, Vermont. The nature around us is majestic. The people are welcoming and kind. It’s a breath of fresh air. Come on over to see it with your own eyes!
Wishing you (and Betty) a new year filled with making wonderful memories!
I nearly spat out my drink at “(PS, I’m on a budget)” HAHA! So true. Ever the addendum.
The problem I see is that groups like these are an eternal revolving door – how could they be otherwise? Newbies come, newbies go, the faithful stick around and many of them have either done their research already or listen and learn…but the same ol’ questions usually come from the spring chicken who don’t understand the necessity of digging up their information themselves – and thus owning it – they’d rather talk to a fellow human than ask Google. I totally get that.
Where the Global Voiceover Artists Network flourishes, I think, is by lots of people politely chiming in and respectfully offering feedback, and there is a fair amount of encouragement and affirmation. That’s the tone I wanted to set with my group. True, every once in a while you do get the toxic know-it-all schmuck that considers the question, and the questioner, irrelevant, and then locks and loads on them with patronizing responses and incendiary passive-aggressive tripe. In short, “find it out for yourself, loser – now get lost.” Or you get the toxic doubt-it-all naysaying newbie who has to shoot down every nugget of wisdom you send down the chute, because they’re not ready to invest yet. I hate both examples. I think people should ALWAYS be steered toward unearthing the answers themselves so they know how and where to look, and will own that info.
But those questions will never cease – especially the “PS budget” ones. The bible says that a “kind word turns away wrath.” I genuinely appreciate the people who chime in with, “I get it…here’s what worked for me”, or “here’s what you could try” without stooping to “well then you shouldn’t be doing voiceovers.” I believe in cutting the crap, but I also believe that there’s no such thing as a dumb question. I don’t want to be “that guy” who is constantly reminding people of the rules and reminding people to search the group for questions they want to ask before they ask them, since they will most likely have been asked before, because everyone’s situation is unique, right? And each time, answers may change and will effectively be more up-to-date, since trends change, techniques change, coaches change, conferences change, hardware changes, software changes, Black Friday discounts change, etc..
Again I’m of the mind that no question is a dumb question. But where I do draw the line is when people ask me to help them with rates. That’s different. You’re asking me to quote for you. I won’t do that. I’ll refer you right back to the same thing you knew dang good and well before you asked me: the GVAA Rate Guide, the GFTB rate guide, whatever. Look there. Study it. Own it. Learn how to quote, yourself. Don’t ask me to do it for you.
*sigh*. Revolving doors. 🙂
The best teachers tell their students where to look, not what to see. If we apply that criterion, there are a lot of bad teachers in our groups. We have teachers who are still learning the ropes, teachers who take no time to understand the student asking the question, and teachers handing out wrong information. To all, Zuckerbook offers a level playing field where an idiot gets as much space to vent his opinions, as an expert. I pity the newcomer who has to sort through this mess where the deaf are often leading the blind.
Although I understand and respect where you’re coming from and where it leads you to, I am tired of repetitive topics that barely scratch the surface. Not only that, it irritates me. That’s MY problem, I realize that. But the question I have to answer is: “How do I wish to spend my day?” I cannot magically make more time, and I want to spend it joyfully and peacefully.
For the mind to remain sharp and creative, rumination is deadly. More of the same creates stagnation instead of a flow of new and original ideas. So, me leaving these groups is partly out of self-preservation, and partly because I think they defeat the purpose for which they were started.
Meanwhile, I will continue to contribute to my community through my daily Instagram posts and my weekly blogs. Those who value what I have to say will know where to find me.
I know where to find you! 🙂 Yes, I do agree with that…maybe I missed some of the point of the article in that the deaf are leading the blind sometimes, and it can definitely get repetitive and tiresome. Oh for a central repository of vetted, time-tested, correct answers, and we could just point everyone there instead!
As an Australian based in Indonesia, I get to mix socially with a lot of Dutch expats, so I am used to the directness of your writing Paul, and I appreciate it.
I must admit I rarely participate in voiceover discussions, despite my now 34 years in the industry, because… I couldn’t be bothered reading the same crap over and over again.
I am actually proud to say I have never been nominated or won any voiceover awards, nor do I expect to. But I’m very happy with the consistency of my work and my ongoing clients.
On a less negative note, I am amazed at the enthusiasm and sheer artistry displayed by the enormous number of voiceover talents here in Indonesia. It’s a thriving industry, and one I’m happy to be part of.
Finally, have a great 2022. Onwards and upwards !!
You see… that’s the problem AND the challenge. We have so many amazing minds in our community, and yet, all we talk about is the same things day in day out. In addition, these groups condition people to be lazy because no one is expected to do their homework anymore. People become dependent, instead of self-sufficient. And all successful freelancers I know are self-sufficient.
Wishing you the very best for 2022, Daniel. Enjoy the company of Dutch expats. They can be a pain in the neck sometimes, but they make the best friends you can always turn to in times of need.
‘A new story every day’ is a powerful incentive for following you on Instagram – but it requires that I learn a new platform. Hmmm. Will be thinking about it.
How long are these stories?
It will take you a minute to read them, Alicia. Instagram purposely limits the number of characters to 2,200. This gives you around 300-400 words.
Aha! Thanks for answering a newbie question. This is the first time I’ve even considered checking out Instagram – I go more for the longer posts, but will check your posts if I ever have the energy to tackle a new platform.
Right now, writing takes whatever I have.
I’m one of those ‘creative freelancers’ in my work; but it takes me a number of years to finish a book, so I look for ideas, and you put out a nice bunch of them here on the blog. There is always something I can take away.
Thanks for paying me such a great compliment, Alicia. If my writing can inspire one person one time on one day, I have reached an important goal. If I can inspire more people, that’s even better!
Greetings Paul from the Heartland of Iowa loved this blog, I grew up with parents that were big dairy farmers so immediately my mind went back to scenes of cows just chewing away at that cud..Thats what we do as voice talents just chew away at times bits at boring items of so many opinions and then once in a while we digest some real nuggets of truth and for me, I trust your diet of real alfalfa, that’s hearty and sticks to my ribs and I so appreciate when its feeding time coming from you. I only wish you the best of successes in 2022 Paul
I don’t come from a farming background, but the Netherlands is famous for its dairy products. On the street where I live now, we are surrounded by farms, and I love watching the fluffy cows with the long horns eat their dinner.
Thank you for continuing to visit this blog, and thank you for your kind comments. Wishing you a very productive and exciting new year, Dave!
The issue with most VO groups is the lack of vetting posts. This allows the same question to be posted over and over again. In a way, it’s fine because people are always in and out of groups every month, but posts should always be set up for approval to avoid extreme repetition. Unfortunately, many talents are lazy as well. Several VO groups have a plethora of helpful information pinned in several featured posts, but very few seem to read them when they’re admitted to the group.
I agree 100%. Most people don’t realize how hard it can be (and time-consuming) to be a group moderator. I’m happy to say that your group will be one of the few I will stay involved in, thanks to your approach.
You are a total inspiration Paul, a breath of fresh air, a wise soul, a wonderful writer, an rounded and complete human being, a European (this is important and refreshing!) and best of all … you make me laugh and shout with joy and almost always with total agreement. Thank you for sharing … and I wish you a wonderful, peaceful, clutter free, stress free and productive year in 2022. Thank you for your wise words and wisdom. Subscribed and followed here,
Aw… Helen! You are a treasure to our community, and in you I have found a kindred spirit. I know this year has been tough for you (to use an understatement), and I admire your resilience and warmheartedness (if that’s even a word). May 2022 bring you love, joy, friendship, and professional satisfaction.
Well said, Paul, well said. As per usual. Spot on! After another decade of ruminating the same VO silage, here’s just a little suggestion. Why doesn’t someone take your own list of VO topics as you’ve documented here, have someone come up with some half-way intelligent answers to each question, (you would be an excellent resource for that, Paul), then post them somewhere where all wannabe VO peeps can find them? If we had all the information stored in one place, maybe we could stop talking about everything on the list! (To quote the late Don Lafontaine, “In a world . . . or in a perfect world . . . “)
I thought I had already subscribed, but I guess not. Anyway, I love your thoughts and find them encouraging and helpful.
About a year ago I launched my new website, and rather than taking all my subscribers with me without their permission, I asked people to resubscribe. Thank you for subscribing once again. I really appreciate it, Mike!