2010 was a very successful year for my business, and I want to thank all of my new and returning clients for allowing me to be “their voice”! I am also grateful for those who have shown interest in my voice by bookmarking me as a “favorite” on Voices.com, placing me in the top 20 all-time favorite female voice talent on the world’s largest voice over marketplace!

Here is just a quick sampling of a few of the places my voice was used in 2010.  To view or hear each sample click on the links (in red) below.

Informational / Instructional Video

DALSA Corporate Video

MyPrint eTools informational web video (Click on the 3 videos to “see why you should choose MyPrint”)

Planet GPA web promo (Click on “What Can We Do For You? – Planet GPA About Us”)

Miller Brown Family Companies (videos automatically begin on each page):
Introduction
What To Expect
Why We Exist

Ocean Club Resorts (Click on “Resort Video”)

Zurvita – ZLinked promo video

Kohjin – Glutathione promo video

Smart Way America Realty promo video

Cathe Friedrich Workout Blender Tutorial (Click on “View the Tutorial”)

Excent – Special Educators informational videos (25 videos)

Radio/TV Advertising

Gleen Cloth TV Commercial

Gleen Cloth Radio

Cyber Clean TV & Web Ad

Gold 915 – Radio in Curacao
– Prowin Motors – Seat
– Hyatt Regency Medi
– Hyatt Regency Shor
– Bruna Bookstore
– Goudsmid Jewelry
– Vreugdenhil Supermarket

Phone Systems / IVR

EEMA Lighting Group (Welcome & On-Hold messages)
– EEMA Main Welcome Message — EEMA On-Hold — Liton On-Hold Message
South Carolina Bar (Full phone system)
– Welcome and Main Menu
Loring Ward (Full phone system)
– Welcome and Main Menu
Steel Aviation (Welcome & On-Hold messages)
– Main Greeting — Company Info — On-Hold
Excent (Welcome & On-Hold Messages)
– Welcome — On-Hold
Startec (IVR Prompts)
– New Prompts

I am looking forward to the privilege of providing quality voice overs to represent many businesses, industries and individuals in 2011.

Thanks for listening!

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OK, so I wasn’t reviewed by Good Housekeeping, however, I find this to be every bit the honor as their well-known “Seal of Approval”. I received word yesterday that I had passed the required technical and peer reviews to become a fully-accredited voice talent by the SaVoa, the Society of Accredited Voice Over Artists.

So, what does that mean? Well, according to the SaVoa website, “Accreditation by SaVoa is recognition of the ability of a member to provide vocally and technically proficient, broadcast-quality voice over services and to conduct business in such a way that it enhances the profession as a whole.” It also explains that “Members of SaVoa are conscientious and active voice over artists pursuing excellence in the vocal, technical and business skills their craft requires, while working diligently to enhance the profession as a whole. Ethical business practices can be achieved by maintaining fairness and “striving for equity in all things” — for example, between the needs of the client and the skills of the voice artist.”

This has been a goal of mine ever since I learned of SaVoa. For me, I wanted this accreditation for several reasons. First, I believe this will bring added credibility to my services as I compete in an ocean of “voice talent” riding the wave of the Internet. There are many, many talented and professional voice over artists to be found on the web. However, there are just as many (probably more) people with a computer, a microphone, and a friend who has told them they have a good voice. This seal from the SaVoa enables others to immediately know that they have found someone who does this professionally and who will deliver a high-quality product.

This accreditation is also a confirmation to me that my facilities and equipment are in-line with the industry standards, and that my talent and skills are considered by my own peers to be that as well. Finally, since this business only thrives through networking, I am hoping this will bring me some additional exposure and opportunities.

If you are interested in learning about the accreditation criteria I had to pass, and the specific qualifications necessary for vocal delivery and technical delivery, you can find it all outlined on the SaVoa website under Accreditation Criteria.

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One of the things I really love about this business is the ability for my voice to be heard around the world (literally!).  One of the things I don’t like so much about this industry is that it can be so impersonal.  Many clients hire me through the Internet and we do all of our communicating via email, and I send them the completed audio files over the Internet.  We never actually see or even speak to each other.  The hardest part for me is the fact that everyone knows what I sound like (of course!!), and they even know what I look like because of pictures on my websites, while I have no idea of anything about them.  There have been instances when I’ve been hired by someone in a foreign country and I couldn’t tell you how to pronounce their name or even if I was being hired by a man or a woman!

So, I really enjoy those occasions when I at least get to speak with a client on the phone.  I also prefer using a phone patch whenever possible in order to get that immediate feedback and direction, so that I can be sure I’m giving them what they want.  Recently I was contacted by someone in Germany to do a video narration.  What I especially loved about this prospect was that he wanted to record via phone patch.  Finally, an opportunity to “meet” one of my overseas clients!  The date for recording has not yet been set, but the producer did already call me to introduce himself and talk through a few things.  Fortunately, his English is quite good, so we should have no problem communicating effectively.  : )

When I titled this blog entry, I had an old song running through my head by ELO.  Anyone remember “Calling America”?  I don’t know if it was one of their more well-known songs; it was off of the album “Balance of Power”.

A brief excerpt of some lyrics from the song…

“Talk is cheap on satellite
But all I get is (static!)
Information, I’m still here
Re-dial on automatic.

CHORUS:
Calling America (can’t get a message through)
Calling America (that’s what she said to do)
Calling America (that’s where she has to be)
Calling America (she left a number for me)
Calling America.

But I’m just talking to a satellite
Twenty thousand miles up in the sky each night
Yeah, we’re living in
In a modern world.

All I had to do was pick up the phone
I’m out in space, trying to talk to someone
Yeah, we’re living in
In a modern world.”

Fun lyrics from the 80′s…anyway, it’s stuck in my head now.  Fortunately it’s a song I like.  : ) I’ll let you know how the session goes!  In the meantime I need to go dig through my tape cases…

I just found the “Calling America” video online to share. Looks like the early days of “Google Earth” in this video. : ) What fun. Enjoy!

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