New Business Development Feature
By Liz Raphael Helgesen

“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. When we really listen to people there is an alternating current, and this recharges us so that we never get tired of each other. We are constantly being re-created. --Brenda Ueland”

I love listening to my husband. I love listening to my children. I love listening to my best friend. And when I really stop and think about it, when I listen to them I don’t hear the sound or rhythm of their voice, but I hear who they are. I can hear their heartbeat. And because I live with constantly growing and changing human beings, no day or conversation is ever the same. This brings me much amazement, wonder and joy.

This is also true when I am handed a script. First, I have to listen. Just sit there and listen to the message in the copy. Find its heartbeat, just as I do with my husband or my children or a friend. Then I can relate to it and bring my own universe to the story.

When I prepare to read copy, even familiar material that I update weekly, I owe it to my listener to sound as if we’re having the conversation for the first time--that my words and thoughts are fresh. That even though we’re picking up a conversation we’ve been having for years, what I have is new and they want it. Although my end of the conversation is recorded, I imagine that the “alternating current” is still happening—that we’re interacting--and that our dialogue will create a positive experience and get them what they need. By listening to the script beforehand, I am able to know best how to respond.

Writer and organizational consultant, Margaret Wheatley states, “Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don't have to do anything else. We don't have to advise, or coach, or sound wise. We just have to be willing to sit there and listen.” Magical moments happen in my life and in my work when I remember to practice the simple and important act of just listening.

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Looking for Funnies.....by Marc Cashman

I just know you've got some funny V-O-related stories, jokes, eye-rolling scripts and script directions, wacky bloopers, silly cartoons, etc. that you can share with me. Y'see, I'm compiling a book of all this silly stuff, and I'll acknowledge you as a contributor!

So anything you've got that you think fills the bill, I'd love to see it.

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,
Marc Cashman

cashcomm@earthlink.net
661-222-9300
www.cashmancommercials.com

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The Funnies

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Voice Talent, Do you REALLY Need Them?
by Deb Munro

Have you ever watched a movie without sound? There is something so profound about sound, yet it is the most unrecognized in the industry of performance. Not only does the music set the mood, captivate you and keep your attention, but the dialogue or the voiceover tells you the story. To many we as voice talent are considered the story teller no matter what the genre, but we do more than tell a story. ........More

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Do you do PRO BONO?....Rick Gordon

From time to time I'm sure we have all received an email or maybe a phone call requesting just a few short lines to be used whereever for whatever by whomever.........right? Normally I ignore these types of requests unless of course it is for a charitable or a worthy cause.

But also every now and then I get a request to record a few short lines for one of our CV members who just needs a quick #2 voice for a project. I love doing these types of favors. This gets me heard and usually gets me a nice plug by the VO talent to his client. One day last year I had this request and boy oh boy I am sure glad I made the contribution. The client contacted me and asked if I could send an audition for a corporate narration.

So, 6 months later I enjoy getting many different projects from this new found client which has increased my bank balance substantially and, knock on wood, I hope it continues:) All because I did someone a favor.

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Steps to Marketing Your Website (This month #3)....Mark Pelisek

This Month: Participate and Network

Tell A Friend

A recommendation from family and friends is the most powerful form of marketing, online or offline. This is why adding a "Tell a friend!", "Invite a friend", or "Email this" link to your site or pages is a great (and free) way to increase your marketing reach. It doesn't have to be complicated—a simple link to launch an e-mail program or a simple form to send the information on to another person is really all it takes. For the spam-weary, you may also want to include a note saying you are merely forwarding the email, not saving the other person's e-mail address in any way.

What doesn't work? The forms that were popular a few years ago where you put in a list of e-mail contacts and the site would spam all your friends by adding them to the mailing list. This is not a good way to make friends—for the person adding the e-mail addresses or for the site adding people to the mailing list without permission.

......More

To learn more about creating quality content and writing for the web, contact Whirl Wind Web & Design Studio at info@whirlwindstudio.com

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