DAN O’DAY TALKS ABOUT RADIO

(Left to right) Lamb Chop, Shari Lewis

Shari Lewis was wonderfully talented and a favorite part of my childhood.

And her artistry as a ventriloquist was virtuosic.

See for yourself….

More Verbatim Reviews From Last Year’s Starting Your Voiceover Business class

John Pellegrini

“WOW is the only way I can sum up this last night as well as all the nights of the past 4 weeks that I have spent listening to your combined wisdom in this industry!

“Fantastic advice – especially about unions and corporate signatories! I had been in AFTRA and was hoping to get back in with my voiceover work and this info has given me a whole new optimism about making that possibility happen!

“Thanks so much for being so generous with your knowledge – it’s worth five times what I’ve paid up to now and I am definitely going to put everything I’ve learned into action!”

Renee Geiger

“Harlan and Dan: Thank you for the time and effort you placed into this educational opportunity. Each week I was able to learn something new, even if the subject was something already familiar. The teleclass was easy to follow (great voices, great documentation), assignments kept me focused on the goal, and the Q&A and bonus calls all contributed to a very worthwhile experience.”

Joe Fedele

“Thanks so much for offering Starting Your Voiceover Business. This is a class that I would recommend to anyone of my friends inside and outside radio who want to establish their own voiceover business. You really broke the parts of the business down into bite size sections that were easy to understand and made them a lot less overwhelming. Even the ‘asides’ and stream of consciousness comments were full of great information.

“I know that the road to this successful business will be tough, but this step by step approach gives us a great roadmap!”

Heather Jane Hogan

“Every week I am more and more impressed with the knowledge you guys have of this business. If only one of you were teaching, this would be a great course, BUT because you’re both teaching it simultaneously, the synergistic information makes this course a cut above the rest.”

Scott Lucas

“As this class winds to its conclusion, I would like to send you my personal review of the class overall.  It is important to explain my ‘situation’ and background so you can better appreciate my perspective.

“I came to this class without any professional voiceover experience, very little technical know-how, almost non-existent training and no real idea of what it took to start and maintain a voiceover business. The only elements I did bring to this course were a deep thrill and love for the use of a talent and some innate abilities to read copy. In other words, I believe I could be the most unprepared and inexperienced student of your course.

“In regards to your original goals, (to guide and help students learn the first steps necessary in this unique business), I believe you have succeeded incredibly. Rarely does one find a class that is more direct, candid, forthright, honest, information rich, practical, selfless and useful as yours has been. And the mp3 recordings of each class will become an invaluable resource in the near future. As my knowledge increases and my skills enhance, I will be able to listen once again with a renewed vigor to all the classes we held. I absolutely feel my feet have been planted on firm soil, and I actually know where to take my first thoughtful steps as I begin to make a dream a reality.

“Thank you for your well prepared and meaningful course. Action truly is the key, even if it is a small step (learning computer skills, networking potential clients, meeting other VO professionals, etc.) if taken continually you will arrive at your destination. Thank you again, for the inspiration and information.”

John Watts

“This class has been the best and also the scariest step I’ve taken toward my VO career. This has been an enlightening course. I have a lot of work to do. I have learned a LOT and I plan on putting it into motion.”

Ashley Huyge

(From an email we received earlier this month….}

“I’m very sorry to have missed the tele-seminar reunion you held, but I would love to tell you where I am now and how your class helped to make that possible.

“When I took your class last year I was living in Upstate New York, having graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in theatre arts. I had been checking out tele-seminars and things like that because traveling to study VO was a bit out of my price range, and most of the people in my area didn’t even know what VO was, so trying to study it was pretty tough. I had decided that I was going to move to NYC, live with friends and get my feet on the ground so I could study VO and start getting to work.

“Well, then I took your class, and hearing Harlan mention Los Angeles really resonated with me. I had an interest in animation VO and I really liked the idea of living somewhere much warmer. So I decided that I’d give Los Angeles a try instead.

“A couple weeks after I moved, I landed an internship with a recording studio. I believe it was your suggestion, Dan, that looking for volunteer work in a studio was a great way to gain experience, and I can’t tell you how right you were. I worked with some pretty cool people and through happy circumstance, I have been fortunate enough to be added to the roster of a non-union agency based in Los Angeles. I’ve been auditioning regularly with them and I’ve even voiced a couple jobs with them. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my big move out West.

“Now, I believe that we are the masters of our decisions and no one can make us do anything, but I know that I wouldn’t have considered moving to Los Angeles if I hadn’t taken the class you and Harlan taught and I’d like to thank you both. You had a lot of powerful insight into marketing, auditioning and the business of VO that was of particular value to someone like me who is just starting out.”

(Note: To pursue a voiceover career, you do NOT need to move to Los Angeles.)

“Gee, I dunno. That ‘Voiceover Business’ class that Harlan Hogan and Dan O’Day are teaching sounds good, but I’ve been disappointed before by classes that made big promises they never kept. And maybe I’m even a bit afraid to jump in and actually do something; what if I don’t succeed? On the other hand, I’ve wanted to have a real voiceover career for so long now…”

You want my opinion? Sign up for the Starting Your Own Voiceover Business class.

But there’s a slight possibility that I’m biased.

On the other hand, these students from last year’s class couldn’t care less if you sign up. They’ve simply volunteered to share their own subjective experiences.

Reminder: Voiceover Business Class registration closes on Friday.

John Wiik

“Before learning of this class, I believed that having a voiceover career meant constantly fighting for table scraps and doing mind numbing amounts of auditions that 95% of the time lead nowhere, with no respect for my time or no idea of another direction to go.

“I can honestly look myself in the mirror now and know that I have purchased the basic supplies (knowledge) to stand up and make a voiceover career happen. I owe that to Harlan, and especially Dan — who changed my life on a phone call and mentioned that he was working on this class and thought I should attend.

“Harlan — you are a wonderful teacher, a truly gifted performer, and a pillar of our industry. Thank you for deciding to help more people equip themselves to stand up and improve their own lives. I have benefitted greatly from your stories and especially your class.

“Dan, as always, thank you for the difference you make. You constantly work to improve everyone’s life that you touch, and I know that you really are doing everything you do because you genuinely want to see everyone you meet become better than when you met them.

“I will succeed in taking the next step because this class has shown me which direction to start walking.”

Matthew Kendrick

“My VO career is very much in its infancy, and before The Voiceover Class, I was experiencing quite a bit of frustration because I wasn’t quite sure what my next move should be (didn’t know which steps to take so I wasn’t taking any at all). Uncertainty was holding me back.

“Thanks to you two gents, I now have several months’ worth of projects and planning lined up for myself. The list of information you two provided for me is a mile long, and I am excited to delve into it. It’s a big relief to have a defined direction to move in, and I feel much more confident about moving forward with establishing my career. No more frustration – just enthusiasm.

“So there you have it. The Voice Over Class was a huge value for the cost, and I look forward to giving you very positive feedback on my progress within the next thirty to sixty days.”

Andrea Christensen

“I love having the MP3 recordings, and the study guides — and I know I will refer to them when I encounter a situation and think, hmmm, I remember we covered this in the voiceover class! What a wealth of information — a great reference. And I am looking forward to giving you my 30 to 60 day success report! Thanks again guys!”

Tim Petersen

“Thank you both, for being that rudder to steer my ship that has been lost at sea so to speak….listing to and fro on the waves of dreams in the VO Industry. You have given us the tools to rebuild our careers as Voice Actors. I can now tear down what crumbly foundation I had to rebuild on a new and more solid foundation you have given us. Again I thank you both and our fellow classmates, for making this the BEST VO class available.”

Dina Del Monico

“Aha moment: ‘It’s not how you sound but how you make the listener feel.’  That helps so much in guiding me in my branding and how I’ll set myself apart.  Hey, not only that but also in how I’ll approach copy in the future.  I think I’ll print that phrase up and post it in my studio.

“Since you mentioned that you both enjoy marketing so much (and I realize that you’ll be expanding that module the next time you present this class) have you given thought to a voiceover marketing consultation service? I  know, I know… only so many hours in the day. It was just a thought.

“Thank you for the inspiration and the tools necessary for us to go out there and get ’em! It truly made a big difference to me. I know I’ve said it a million times but it’s true: I now feel I can move forward. That’s a great feeling!

“You two gents have been the greatest. Thank you for giving us something real to sink our teeth into to get us started.”

Rowell Gormon

“I’m going to be feeling very weird next Monday…in a panic that I’ve missed my class.

“Thank you again for patiently answering (and in some cases “re-answering”) our business questions. I consider the time and money to be well-spent.

“I have new goals for accounting, expanded agent search, business savvy, improved web presence…and at least some idea how to take the first faltering steps in those directions.

“It was a particular thrill to have direct conversation with a voice talent whose work I have known and respected …and have that person giving me either new information or confirming my experience. I know I would never have the nerve to make direct, unsolicited contact…even though I’ve bought and enjoyed his books.

“Again, thank you both so very much for making us feel like friends and colleagues, not mere customers.”

Kerri Parr

“I can’t thank you enough. I’m blown away by all the preparation and unbelievable amount of information. I’ve heard some of it before, but I’m now able to understand it better, particularly incorporating, lawyers, accounting, invoicing, all great info. Everything has been very consistent and so well organized.

“The homework assignments have helped me:
– to get more organized
– to make an action plan and TAKE ACTION on it by putting a date and time on them.
– to follow through on my voice over commitments
– to get in habit of doing tasks within 48 hours, especially because I can procrastinate. I really get it now – that I’m losing out when I don’t do them right away.
– know the competition, zero in on where I fit in, my strengths, and what I’m passionate about
– target the best site (if any) for me to sign up with
–  determine the best course of action toward moving forward in my career

“I appreciated Jeffrey taking the time to provide all of us feedback and input. That was a lot of work! I will listen to the critiquing of the others asap – I know I will benefit from that as well. Thank you so much!

“Knowing the non union pay rates gives me confidence to start making a living at VO sooner than I thought; union rates, something to aspire to. I appreciate hearing all the facts, and your not making a judgment on someone going fi core.

“I have so much more to thank you for but in short, this class has been a voice over lifeline. I would like to stay connected somehow. One of the things I was missing and so needed before this class was a mentor. I’m very proactive and will continue to do the work, but it would be helpful to be able to exchange experiences, advice, suggestions with others. Sounds like the Facebook group will be a great place to do that.

“My current successes:
– I’d love to do commercials, but I really love reading aloud. So I plan to focus on narration and audio books for now.
– I am committed to becoming successful and putting myself and my career first finally!
– I am becoming more involved, now that I have direction.

“My future successes:
– I will redo my Web design.
– I will record my own narration demo and add it to my new website.
– I will host my own website and save the $500 from the two links I’m now attached to.

“There’s so much more to say about everything I’ve learned, the recording at home, the equipment, the endless possibilities! It’s 12:50 am and I’m still here.

“I’m sorry for this class to end. I so looked forward to sitting in my ‘studio’ with you both each night. I felt very connected, like it’s ok for me to be here! Sorry that’s so sappy, it’s just been a long frustrating struggle. You’ve given me renewed energy and hope!

“I think you know how much I appreciate all you’ve given me but really, gents, words can’t express it. Please just know you went above and beyond for us. I couldn’t have asked for a better set of teachers or a better class! I hope to do you proud with what I’ve learned.

“Thanks again so much – God bless. I forgot to tell you how exciting it was to have all those bonus calls! Not only more great information but way, way, way exceeded the cost of this seminar – which to me was a no-brainer anyway! It’s amazing how much you have to offer!

“You guys rock!!!”

Reminder: Voiceover Business Class registration closes on Friday.

Harlan Hogan and I are teaching our month-long teleseminar class, STARTING YOUR VOICEOVER BUSINESS: Everything You Need To Know To Turn Your Dream Or Your Sideline Into A Business, just once in 2010

The first class is on Monday. Registration closes this Friday.

If you’re thinking about registering, it might help you to hear more verbatim “reviews” from last year’s graduates…

Richard Caughey

“I have always been one of those folks who can do almost anything when I put my mind to it, although Motivation is sometimes lacking. That, I think is the most valuable tool looking back; I now know how to go about putting the knowledge into action.

“The last class was what I had been looking for the most, I think. The how to start, when to access legal and financial advice, and when to worry about it.

“I would like to thank both Harlan and Dan for their honest and sincere effort over the past month. Everyone must be instructed at some point in their life, in my case it seems to be an ongoing thing, but no one was born with all of the knowledge that is necessary to be successful. Thanks again for the push in the right direction.”

Tracey Buchholz

“Just wanted to thank you both for such a fabulous class.  It went above and beyond my expectations! You covered so much material, answered all of our questions and did it in such an engaging and enjoyable way.

“The bonus calls were fantastic, as well. And then, to have Jeffrey Fisher take the time to analyze our voices and give us his professional recommendations …that was just invaluable, too! There truly was so much offered to the students taking part in this class.

“I look forward to checking out the Facebook page regularly….thanks for setting that up, as well. Thanks again for such a wonderful learning experience.

“Now, I just need to take action. As Harlan says, ‘The work of voiceover work is getting the work!'”

Keith Filges

“I really enjoyed the info from the class. I did miss one class, but I loved the mp3 downloads so I was able to listen later. I learned that a lot of the stuff I did at the beginning of my career was actually dead on to what Harlan said to do, at least MOST of the things I did where dead on… a few things I messed up on but I guess I did OK setting up what I’m doing now.

“For the past 27 years I’ve been working at a pretty popular recording studio in St. Louis and I do all right getting the work; but the reason I took the class was that I want to try new things, i.e, getting more agency representation so that I can do more out of town work. So, now with the info I have I feel pretty confident on approaching new possibilities down the road.”

Linda Ristig

“Putting my faith in you both to deliver a realistic look at the world of VO’s was the very best investment of my time and money! These last four weeks have given me so many revelations, beyond the voice training technique and sound booth issues I’d been focused on.

“When Harlan mentioned last night about the elements of my new business being like an upside-down pyramid, something clicked inside of me. If the smallest amount of time is spent as the ‘performer,’ why was I spending so much of my time crafting it, to the total exclusion of thinking about the big picture?

“The ‘entrepreneur’ fledgling spirit in me was pinning too much hope in the P2P sites. I now see how important it is to self-market. Today, I’m shifting my focus to researching and contacting potential clients.

“My biggest stumbling block was the ‘management’ piece. If I begin to make contacts, how do I keep track of that effectively? The two sessions this week answered those questions. I’ve already looked up the two software programs discussed, and am enrolled in a teleseminar this afternoon for using ACT!

“You both stepped out of your daily routines to share what you know with us in such a respectful, candid, and thoughtful way. I want to express my thanks and gratitude for your time and energy. You thought of so many details, not just within the framework of the curriculum, but also by adding extra valuable sessions, to handouts, to mp3’s, to making a Facebook group, to live Q&A of the content.  You gave me far and away more than I ever gave you!

“The only final comment I want to share with you is this. Although everyone’s story for developing their opportunities is ‘situational,’ I now understand the concept that the real work behind VO is ‘getting the work.’ I truly listened and will take action!

“PS- Thanks for answering all my questions during the Q&A’s! The entire teleseminar experience was incredibly meaningful.”

Tom Verba

“Great course, Harlan & Dan!

“Class outline piqued my curiosity, answered many questions, allayed some fears. With some trepidation I took a chance and signed up. I’m glad I did.

“This course is a terrific nuts and bolts manual for starting a voice over business.

“The late start here in the East was a drag for me, but I committed to listening live. The Bonus Sessions were a real plus. Worth the extra time expended. I did listen to all three hours of Jeffrey Fisher’s voice evaluations. I gained knowledge about potential competitors for VO work (classmates). Though my recording was done at a professional recording studio, Jeff’s comments influenced my selection of home studio equipment. Your referrals to books and websites were invaluable.

“In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, “If you come to a fork in the road…pick it up”. Now I will run with it. . . . Hopefully, I won’t poke my eye out.”

Melissa Freeman

“I adored the entire four weeks!!

“Toward the end of the class, I had asked you both ‘what next’…or how can we decompress post class after all the rush of wonderfully well-organized, smooth flow of substantively specific information, consistently faithful MP3’s and reminders of each class, well laid-out study guides, thrilling and bonus classes and was poised to extol its virtues when recording suddenly stopped — I’d actually felt rather numb. So naturally, I acted upon your suggestion and went straight to Facebook to check out the posts.

“As with each of the four Question/Answer sessions, the final night’s class clarified several questions I’d had about getting an agent and throughout the entire evening, I took notes (as is my practice) on all of your answers provided to questions posed by the students. Both of you are very entertaining and this is what also makes it just such a delight to be involved. I am totally aware of the fact that I was a part of something very special during these past four weeks.

“This was by far the best voice-over class, best seminar, best all around course in a creative field, period. It simply WAS more than I had anticipated an experience rare and adventurous into deeper look at what makes a successful business in voice-overs tick.

“What was totally refreshing is the crispness of the presentation, topics and details covered; I loved the nicely designed Study Guides too! The follow-up with a subsequent Q & A class dedicated solely to the previous night was great, and the entire class format was consistent and did not deviate or become randomized or lose ground and time retracting steps or jumping ahead on topics that were ahead in the course.

“The hands-on approach — despite its being  held via telephone — was totally beneficial and the nature and type of assignments really put us though our paces in the research and analysis of genres of voicing, branding, competition and I-net casting sites.

“The peak in this endeavor was being able to record ourselves and receiving a critique of our sound in handling the mic and our studio set-up and any hardware and/or software problems if any by a super expert in the field, Jeffrey Fisher. A wealth of help and fascinating information was bestowed upon us in those two hours of listening to all the students overseen by Jeffrey’s meticulous review with his highly perfected skill and talent for hearing everything and detecting a probable source for an anomalous noise etc.

“I also so appreciated the generous, valuable and incredibly interesting bonus classes; they were totally unexpected and they were phenomenal!

“I cannot thank you both enough for your hard work and dedication in coming up with such a winning, motivating course in voice-overs. More than that it certainly has given me more tools, wisdom and savvy, as well as to give me a huge push forward along the journey with preparedness — I wouldn’t have had as much confidence to move forward without the knowledge AND experience I’ve gained from the class. I would NOT have begun to set up a website yet, and it would certainly not be as far along as it is!

“Your Voice-Over As A Business class has reaffirmed my aspiration to be successful in this field. I am a creative person, I liked being in the animation; I even had a skirmish with doing some character voices at one point and now I am totally dedicated to striving to become a part of another really wonderful group of creative, talented people…Voice-Over People!

“Thank you, thank you so much again Dan and Harlan! They say that the number Five represents ‘change’, ‘celebration’ and ‘adventure’… and in the month of May, this Voice-Over Class was all that. (And more.)”

Elizabeth Stuart

“This class has been extremely informative. There was a considerably large amount of info, which I do appreciate. I will have to listen to the classes over again and study my notes and assignments.

“Thank you so much for your time and information. I had no idea you and Harlan had never provided this course prior! I’m even more satisfied with the fact that I gave you guys a chance, because there are a lot of hack-job ‘turn key’ classes out there. I’m never so quick to hand my money over for any reason. Harlan’s initial write up about the class convinced me that this was not another one of those types of classes.”