Center Stage: February 2021

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We got a couple good snow storms this past week which made it less fun to drive but more fun to look at.  As you’ll see in my YouTube content below…it inspired me to coin the phrase “Aggressively Pretty.”

  • TWIST Creative:  TWIST has done something brilliant.  They’ve taken what would normally be a prospect outreach and productized it into a PDF/Webinar so you automatically see how amazing they are to work with  Super smart.
  • Bradley Flowers:  This is a great example of how to come up with content ideas for your business.
  • Hollow Media Group:  Quote cards are a great/easy way to brand your social media.  Establishes your as a “though leader”…if you’re into that sort of thing.
Here are a few ways I’ve been using content marketing for my voiceover business.  If you don’t already…feel free to follow me @BillStageVO on most platforms.
  • What Dirty Animal is This?: I saw this strange trail leading to and from a couple barns here at the Stage Homestead.  It’s a filthy creature no matter what it is.  Most folks think it’s a raccoon. 
  • Stage Hands: Voicing scripts using a different point of view is a great way to connect to the story. If you’re not connected then the audience has no chance.
  • Pink Boots Society : This is a great collaboration beer where the funds from this hop blend go to fund education initiatives for women in brewing.
  • Aggressively Pretty : Winter came in hard last week.  It dumped a few inches of snow on us but made the trees look amazing.  I took to the IG stories to show you all about it.
Here are some news articles from the World Wide Web that I found interesting:

4 Digital Marketing Trends for 2021: Hard to believe…but Video Content made the list.

Youth YouTube Class: I won’t link to the actual article because the site seemed a bit dicey, but if you’re good with kids and have a want to share your video knowledge with the next generation this could be a great marketing tool.

The Evolution  of Content Marketing: This study says that implementing a content strategy could  increase conversions by 500%.

QCVO, Animal Crossing, & Barrel-Aged Beers

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Get yourself an accountability partner or team. People with the same goals and struggles and routines. #QCVO had our monthly zoom meeting and there’s always a nugget to take away or a spark of inspiration to stoke.

Burn baby burn!!

Before the big snow today, I saw this trail. Not sure what it is that drags it’s dirty ass from barn to barn…but it probably needs a name.

Any ideas?

On this weeks #WhatsTappening segment Glenn Cole and I talked about #BarrelAged beers where they age beer in a barrel that used to house booze (whiskey most likely).

Many Quad Cities breweries have their version. Some even feature local barrels from Mississippi River Distillery.

StageHands: Practicing scripts using a different point of view is a great way to connect to the story. If you’re not connected then the audience has no chance.

We got a couple good snow storms this past week which made it less fun to drive but more fun to look at. As you’ll see in my YouTube content below…it inspired me to coin the phrase “Aggressively Pretty.”

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Center Stage: January 2021

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I bought a flamethrower.  We live in the country and have a bit of a hike to get to our garage. So in order to safely do so…I used the power of fire to forge a path through the 3 inches of ice we have in front of our house. I figure it also good to burn down the pasture in the spring and thwart any would be home invaders.  Rage Against the Machine once said, “And I protect it with fire”.

I follow a ton of video production houses on the socials so in an effort to bring you value I’ll share some of my favorites. These may inspire you to do something similar for your business.  It sure has inspired me!

  • Cassian Films:  Cassian Films put together this great little before/after video with a link to get their free Power Grade template to use on your own.
  • FRNDS Agency: Corey Mercer shared a post that cut to the gut of how 2020 affected small businesses.  But spun it into a beautiful post with a positive angle.  And it features a pretty great reel to boot.
  • Chavez Creative:  Chris Chavez does a great job branding himself.  Which is a great way to show your clients you’re able to brand them well too.  Social has become a living/breathing resume. 

Here are a few ways I’ve been using content marketing for my voiceover business.  If you don’t already…feel free to follow me @BillStageVO on most platforms.

 

  • How my 2020 Started : I’m not sure why I didn’t see this as a sign

  • Snow on the Grill: An off the cuff comment about “snow on the grill” sounding like a country song turned into a real actual country song thanks to my buddy Evan Atherton.  Take a listen & try not to shed a tear.

  • Real Estate Video: I made a video for my sister who was trying to sell her house.  She’s hopefully going to be closing on it soon.  Real estate vids are a VO genre I’d love to get more into.

Center Stage: December 2020

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Hey *|FNAME|*,

I hope you’re safe & well.  The family and I are a bit stir crazy with the world being upside down for so long.  But I believe in the humans and look forward to seeing more of them in the new year.  In the meantime, I hope you have an amazing rest of the year…however you celebrate it.

I follow a ton of video production houses on the socials so I thought it might be cool to share some of my favorites. Check these out and it may inspire you to do something similar for your business.  It sure has inspired me!

  • Video Explainers:  Educating your audience about what you offer let’s them envision the specifics about how you can help them achieve their goals. 
  • Jasper Picture Company: Blogs don’t just help you with SEO but they allow you to expound on new thoughts & features.
  • Ogilvy:  Sharing work that you’re proud of may feel like bragging but it’s a great way to show off your work and give your client some extra love too! 
    

Here are a few ways I’ve been using content marketing for my voiceover business.  If you don’t already…feel free to follow me @BillStageVO on most platforms.


First off…if you’re sick of the normal Christmas tunes you hear every year…I’ve put together a Spotify playlist of some of my favorite alternate takes & faves.  Click the Misfit Grinch to check it out!

Center Stage: A LOT to be Thankful For

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Even with everything going on…I’ve got a lot to be thankful for so I’ll be spending time with family, albeit a smaller crowd than normal…and potentially via Zoom.  Which…I’m very thankful for.

Topline Film used this piece to promote their blog while throwing in some snarky personality (which I can totally get behind). 

Shoot You went HARD into the storytelling with this video for Hewlett Packard.

Backflip showed some really cool “making of” a set for a live shot they put together.

Please be safe & if you’ve got anything you need, go ahead and send it and I’ll knock it out before I leave for Thanksgiving break or 1st thing when I get back.

I hope you’re doing amazing!  I’ll talk with you soon.

Have a Happy, Safe Thanksgiving!

BackStage with Source Connect

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This is Source Connect by Source Elements. Hailed as the industry standard ISDN replacement!

Wait, is ISDN going away? No…it’s just getting really expensive! Source Connect is a portable, high quality, secure way to record and monitor from anywhere in the world.

It’s available in 3 versions: Standard, Pro and Pro X. Well, 4 versions if you count Source Connect Now…but let’s not, ok?. Nothing says “working pro” like the free, less stable version of the thing everyone else has!

Source Connect is super easy to install and easy use and it sounds amazing!

In this video I take you behind the scenes in my voice over studio and show you some of the fun toys. This is my recording studio…my WhisperRoom!

Since 1990, WhisperRoom, Inc.™ has manufactured Sound Isolation Enclosures across the world to major TV networks, federal governments, medical labs, musicians, and weird voice over guys’ basements for a myriad of applications. Wait…do that say medical labs?

The prefabricated acoustical enclosures present a handsome and professional appearance made with three quarter inch MDF, precision cut to ensure accuracy of the component fit and are covered with an attractive, durable, charcoal gray, cloth material…that our cat Rosie used as a scratching post. (RIP Rosie)

Its got a ventilation system I don’t use and their website says some components used to manufacture the WhisperRoom contain formaldehyde and I am just reading this now?

Their booths significantly reduce ambient and acoustic noise but are not soundproof. So if you don’t treat it properly you end up sounding like you’re in a coffin. And if you get a model any smaller you’ll feel like it too!

This is the “899” and retails at about $6,000. I got this baby off of Craigslist for $1000 from a woman in Tennessee who was starting a demo recording business for karaoke singers. And I promise uphold the legacy of the previous performers that have stepped into these hallowed walls!

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