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Karen Commins

Award Winning

Atlanta Audiobook Share-rator™

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Archives for 2013

TDIMH — Starting a business

9 January 2013

This Date in My History — Sun., Jan. 9, 2000 1:33am

I actually still consider this to be Saturday night even though the clock says differently. It’s a new year, but I still have the old dream!

I mailed CDs and still have not had any calls or reply cards. I’m sure other people were as busy and distracted by Christmas as I was. I was also extremely distracted from my voice-over career by my pursuit of enough cash to order my Camac Clio harp! I finally ordered it on Wed., 12/29! Since then, I have been giving more thought to voice-overs; the last few days have even seen some action.

On Thursday, I bought the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Book of Lists so I could have the current information for my mail-outs. I didn’t know when or if the SCORE office would get it. I hated to pay $35 for it, but it would be worth it if even one job results from it.

Yesterday, Mike Estrada and I went to the Atlanta Public Library at lunch. I found that they have the Georgia Business Directory, so i was pleased to know I will be able to make my own copies rather than wait for the very nice but exceedingly slow gentleman at the SCORE office.

The library had another directory of radio stations not found at SCORE. I plan to go back one day next week and start making some copies.

My biggest endeavor lately has been the design of a postcard that I am going to mail to the top 75 ad agencies and top 20 radio stations as indicated in the Book of Lists. I spent about 5 bucks or so today (Sat.) designing and testing the printing of it. We even found some matte finish postcards at Office Max that will enable me to print the design edge-to-edge. I’m really excited by the design!

Tomorrow, I plan to begin entry for the database, as well as do the layout for the card reverse with my logo and the mail merge fields.

Today’s Take-aways:

1) When starting a business, research your potential customers. The library and organizations like SCORE are a treasure trove of free information. Of course, today Google and LinkedIn searches could turn up countless prospects!

2) There’s more to life than your voice-over business. Spend time doing those other things that are important to you, like playing music.

3) You can start a side business while continuing your present job if you’re willing to press any spare time into service of your dream. I often developed my voice-over business during my lunch breaks at my full-time job at the IRS.

4) You can create professional results in your DIY marketing materials by learning how to use available software and buying quality products.
 

Filed Under: Marketing, Narrators, This Date in My History, Voice-Over

December 2012 Audiobook Releases

6 January 2013

Two of my audiobooks released in December.


Lowcountry Bribe by C. Hope Clark (Book 1 in the Carolina Slade Mysteries)

Threats, a missing boss, a very dead co-worker, a high-level investigation, and a sinister hog farmer… Someone wants to make sure she buys the farm.

In Lowcountry Bribe, Carolina Slade is a by-the-book manager for the Dept. of Agriculture. A farmer offers her a bribe, and she decides to do the right thing — report it. Soon, her life and those of her children are in danger.

As a former career federal employee, I wanted to narrate this book from the moment I saw it. I had great empathy with the main character, and I was surprised by the strong emotions that I felt in many of the scenes.

I also thought the rural setting was a refreshing change from books about city-dwellers. In fact, the author discussed the country setting in an article titled “We Murder in the Country, Too”, which you may find interesting reading.

With over 13 hours of listening, this book would be an ideal companion on dreary winter days! 🙂


Harley Rushes In by Virginia Brown (Book 2 in the Blue Suede Memphis series)

Part-time tour guide and part-time amateur sleuth Harley Jean Davidson is back with another crime to solve. Her Aunt Darcy owns a furniture store and is convinced her partner is smuggling priceless artifacts…until Harley finds him hanging from elk antlers in the shop.

It’s a light-hearted, fun, cozy mystery.

As with the first book, Hound Dog Blues, the hero of my life story Drew Commins joins me in the booth and performs all the male parts. We enjoy recording this series and laugh at the interplay in the dialogue. Should I feel concerned that Drew sounds a little too good as the gay transvestite receptionist? 🙂
 

Filed Under: Audiobooks, Narrators, New releases, Voice-Over

New series — This Date in My History: Elance

5 January 2013

Greetings, all, and happy new year! When I began my voice-over career in 1999, one of my friends suggested that I start a journal. She said that when Biography or Intimate Portrait wanted to highlight me in a show, I would have all of this great background material to share with them about how I progressed from voice-over newbie to superstar. 🙂

Initially, I only focused on writing my voice-over activities in my journal. Over time, though, I found it more helpful and interesting to write almost daily about everything in my life. I often look back at my journals and find answers to current problems along with treasured memories.

I highly recommend writing in a journal as a way to clarify your thinking. It’s important to me that I hand-write my entries as the act of writing will slow down my thoughts. Long-time readers also know that I love writing with fountain pens.

Tip #1:  If you aren’t writing in a journal, what better time to start one than a new year!

After transcribing parts of my journals in previous entries, I’ve decided to create an on-going series here on the blog of things I’ve written in my journals. I hope that you may also find answers to problems and learn from some of my mistakes!

This Date in My History: Elance

Elance logo

 
Saturday 1/5/02 10:00pm

I lost another bid on eLance. This is the one where the guy said “great bid”. He chose someone else who is a professional talent but only bid half of my bid. My unwillingness to literally sell myself short sure hasn’t gotten me any jobs on that system.

Tip #2: You won’t know if a marketing channel works for you until you try it. 

For more thoughts about on-line casting sites, you may want to read this article.

I look forward to sharing more of my journal entries with you!
 

Filed Under: Marketing, Narrators, This Date in My History, Voice-Over

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