Ah, September! This blog title is a nod to the awesome classic retro pop hit, “September,” by Earth, Wind & Fire. September, the gateway to Fall, is often the unofficial start of cozy sweater season. It’s a time when the crispness of the air signals a fresh start and reminds us that summer is temporarily departing, like a lazy setting sun.
Sharpen those pencils!
I remember the excitement as a kiddo of a new school year. September is also the perfect moment to swing into action and refresh your voice-over toolkit! Maybe you’ve spent summer chilling by the beach or trying to record only late at night, because “quiet space” has been hard to come by with all the barbecues and lawnmowers (oh, the plight of summer noise!). But now? Now is the time to get focused and make some powerful strides toward VO success.
As the younger humans head back to school, a large part of the world ramps up for fall activity and forward movement—and the VO world absolutely goes along for that ride. So, with a dash of whimsical change-of-season vibe and a dose of practicality, let’s dig into four essential steps to sharpen your voice-over game this September!
1. Tech It Out: Refresh Your Recording Setup
First things first, let’s talk tech! Because nothing screams “pro” like a smooth, crackle-free, high-quality recording that makes your voice sparkle. Time for a September check-in! Is your home studio setup still serving you well, or does it need some end-of-summer lovin’?
Here’s what you can do:
- Upgrade Your Equipment: If you don’t yet have a home studio, now is a great time to do that research! What would float your boat, when you’re ready to purchase? (Pro VO Tip: make sure you purchase from somewhere you can return the items, in case they’re not a fit for any reason.) Maybe you’ve been working with a starter mic or an older interface. September is a great time to look into upgrading options. Great travel USB mics like the Audio Technica AT2040 USB or an XLR mic paired with an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett could elevate your sound. Those of you who are already rocking your home studio? Do a sweep! Cables good? Pop filter okeedokee? Cords okay? Headphones still rocking? Any cranky crackling anywhere, that calls for some tech sleuthing?
- Soundproofing Check: Do a September sweep of your recording space. Could your soundproofing use a boost? Need another layer of blankets, or foam? (Pro VO Tip: always check to see what you have in your nest you can donate to the VO studio cause—older blankets or comforters or throws you wouldn’t miss?) Maybe you are already using a walk-in closet – hooray for you! That’s often a great space for your VO headquarters. Do you need to bring additional squishiness in? Another great September research topic: portable sound booths are available at a huge range of price points and ease/difficulty assembly levels. Lots of humans have created their own booths from PVC pipe and packing blankets! If your current space has a layer of consistent noise challenge, gently research some future booth options, for when you book that great gig and have a windfall of VO cash.
- Software Audit: Are you working with the latest version of your editing software? Programs like Audacity and Adobe Audition frequently release updates to improve functionality. Make sure you’re using the best tools available, and if you haven’t checked or upgraded in a moment, now’s the time to take a peek! (Pro VO Tip: if you’re already connected to a VO community, make sure you check all the chats or posts or email threads to see if any of your coaches or fellow students have info for you, about the latest upgrade…take advantage of the power of mighty group wisdom.)
Getting your tech in tip-top shape will help you “hit record” without ever having to cross your fingers and hope for the best, so you can deeply relax your tech brain, and sink into the yumminess of authentic storytelling.
2. Warm Up Those Pipes: Consistent Performance Practice
September also (some places, ha!) brings cooler days, which is perfect for warming up those vocal cords and getting into the rhythm of regular warm-up practice. A smooth voice performance isn’t just about having a nice voice – it’s about taking incredible care of your instrument.
Practical Steps:
- Daily Warm-Ups: Start incorporating consistent vocal exercises into your daily routine. Simple scales, tongue twisters, or even humming can help you maintain clarity and agility in your delivery. Just like a good athlete stretches before a game, a VO actor needs to stretch their voice before recording. Even a minute will make a big difference.
- Script Analysis: Take time to dissect your scripts more deeply. Understand the tone, mood, and intention behind each line. Read it out loud with different inflections and emotions. Play! The VO Journey is meant to be fun! September is a great month to focus on fresh emotional variety – flexing those voice-over creativity muscles will make your reads stand out, and your uniqueness shine.
- Play with Genres: Whether you’re into audiobooks, commercial work, animation, or corporate narration, don’t be afraid to stretch beyond your usual genre. Try on something that scares you a little bit, to take on! Record samples in different styles to build versatility and add depth to your portfolio. This can be extremely entertaining, reveal new choices, and it keeps practice interesting!
3. Mindset Mastery: Build a Resilient Voice-over Mindset
Sometimes the biggest voice-over hurdle isn’t technical or skill-related – it’s mental. September is an ideal time to give your mindset a gentle reset. Whether you’ve been doubting your progress or feeling overwhelmed by what can feel like a constant audition grind (high class challenge!), getting your head in the game is more than half the battle.
Mindset Hacks:
- Positive Affirmations: Incorporate daily affirmations that align with your goals. Start with “I am…” You can speak, think or write this. Remind yourself, “I am a professional voice-over artist,” or “I am continuously improving and growing.” It may feel cheesy at first, but there’s something to be said for the power of positive self-talk…scientifically vetted power. This works!
- Celebrate the Small Wins: Don’t wait until you book a massive gig to celebrate. Did you submit an audition today? Pat yourself on the back! Did you nail a tricky line in practice? Fantastic! This business is built on small wins that, over time, lead to bigger ones. September can be the month you shift your focus to appreciating progress over perfection. Amazing habit, your VO career will thank you.
- Mindfulness Practices: Whether it’s meditation, yoga, or just taking five minutes of quiet breathing before a recording session, a clear mind and a sense of groundedness leads to better performance. Take time to center yourself regularly so that when you step in front of the mic, you’re focused and ready to go. Three deep breaths in-and-out, with eyes closed and hands on heart, is a fab place to start.
4. Get Business Savvy: Know the VO Industry Inside and Out
Finally, it’s time to put on your business hat – because in VO, being a great performer isn’t the whole deal. You’ve got to know the business side of things, too. As my students know I love to say: if you have stepped into this VO journey, you are absolutely CEO of Voice-Over You, Incorporated. You’re a boss. Time to own your boss journey!
Here’s How to Get Business-Savvy:
- Stay Educated: Sign up for webinars, workshops, and classes that cover both the performance and business aspects of VO. Learning about contracts, rights, usage, and rates can help you avoid pitfalls, prepare you for ever-higher levels of success, and ensure you’re getting paid what you deserve. If you’re not yet a part of a village that gives you access to this, go ahead and do a Google search or check YouTube to get your brain thinking in the VO boss way. (Pro VO Tip: if you’re reading or listening to this blog, you’ve already begun!)
- Networking Refresh: September is a great time to reconnect with industry peers or build new connections. Join a VO group or forum and participate, attend a virtual mixer, or even just send a friendly email to a mentor. Relationships are vital in this industry, and staying connected can lead to new opportunities.
- Audition Strategy: Revisit your auditioning process. Are you being selective enough? Are you tracking your submissions and following up on potential leads? Your VO career is absolutely a business, and that means keeping records, assessing what does/doesn’t work, and refining your approach as you go.
Wrapping It All Up
So, do you remember that September fresh-start feeling in the air? Now’s the perfect time to bring that same refresh to your delish VO toolkit. Wherever you are on your voice-over journey, a review/renewal is always an amazing idea, with huge benefits for you. With tech upgrades, vocal performance consistency, a resilient mindset, and solid business acumen, you’re setting yourself up for a very strong Fall season indeed. September is all about revitalized momentum – so grab a few new/tried-and-true toolkit ideas, and swing into success!
Check out our free PDF with pro tips from real working voice-over actors here!
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