Archives for July 2014

I love this book. (The SOUND ADVICE Encyclopedia of Voice-Over)

I have a print copy along with another on my iPad and it’s my go-to reference for everything VO.

Kate not only lays out the theory. She gives you real and actionable plans to build a business and get yourself out there. Her marketing plan alone is worth many times the cost of the book, but that’s a small fraction of the amazingly useful information in this volume. Consider it ‘one stop shopping’ for a voice-over career. Along with my training, demos and Skype time with my coach. If it weren’t for this Encyclopedia (and it is a an Encyclopedia in every sense of the term), I would have wasted countless hours, days and weeks barking up the wrong tree.

When in doubt I just think WWKD or What Would Kate Do?
And I’m golden.

You’ve just wasted about a minute reading this review which you should have spent downloading the book.

I am new to voice over.  The coaching I received from Kate was second to none.  I have more knowledge in this industry than my peers who have been in voice over class after voice over class and still don’t have representation or a valid demo.

Working with Kate has been like being on a rocket ship.  You quickly get hatted and have the confidence to take this industry by storm.

She produced my demo and I literally cried because it sounded SO GOOD!  I have had agents all over the country remark on how amazing my demo is.  I got representation after merely emailing my mp3  one week after receiving my demo with a prominent agency in the mid west.  I am still talking with several other agencies.

Don’t waste your time with anyone else.  She guides you step by step.  I have never received so much care.  Everything is tailored to showing off the best possible you!  If you’d like to hear and see what she has created for me, go to  http://kerrykimblevo.com/.

Good luck!

Right after working with Kate agent sent me a voice over audition.  Right away I interpreted the script on a whole new level and was able to take a risk that I might not had done.  Kate’s voice over tools are what is going to make my voice over reads stand out from others.  Her tools are invaluable.  After hearing my final version of my new commercial demo I was elated that it truly represents me as an artist.  Even though I live in Saint Louis, I have a demo that can compete on a national level.  Using the Sound Advice team was the best investment for my career.  Use Sound Advice, your voice over career will thank you! Trust me!

Kate is the absolute best! She knows the voice over business, from both the artist and producer standpoint, and her coaching is spot on. 

After coaching with her, I went from barely booking to booking on a regular basis. 

Her book is also the only one you need, as it touches upon every aspect of the voice over business…and it’s the real deal.  Her coaching and advice WORKS, and I thank her and the Sound Advice team from the bottom of my heart for helping make my dream of being a successful voice over artist a reality!

I want to say your instruction from start to infinity is superb.  When I say infinity I mean even after 4 years you are still there for me when I have a question and still learning from you.  I decided to train with you guys even though I am in New York…just thought Sound Advice had the most thorough training that I researched…from studio etiquette to how to break down the copy.  So I flew from NY to Chicago to train and record my demo.  It has paid off in spades.  I followed your “how to get an agent” and got a NYC union agent in less then 3 minutes!  True story!  Since that time I have become a member of SAG and have booked jobs with Microsoft, American Express, Verizon Fios, Luxaire, Bank Midwest among others!  It has been a whirlwind 4 years but have you to thank…just about everything you say does happen and does work in the VO world.  Trust me it’s not easy and a lot of hard work has gone into this…but so worth it…so once again many thanks!

I’ve always dreamed of being a voice over actor and when I starting really planning for it, I found Kate’s website, listened to her own VO demos (she is really, really, good!) and bought her book The Sound Advice Encyclopedia of Voice-Over. I began my coaching sessions with Kate, which really gave me enormous insight into what I needed to know. She and her team team were super-professionals and its clear they know the business very well as they are voice talents themselves. I had two demos built with her and they are really excellent! I have had comments about the quality from producers who hire voice over talent and I know I made a great decision.
Kate will push you hard to get a good demo, because she is a casting director herself and knows what she need to hear. I’m starting to get a lot of auditions coming my way, and I am getting better all the time. I have all the recorded sessions with Kate and her book to give me the foundation and skills sharpening to move on in my VO career. Thanks Kate!

Kate, you truly have a special gift, not just for voiceover work and coaching, but in empowering others to succeed. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that and the work that both you and Jeff put into me that has allowed me to make a living at this job. I’ve had all kinds of work…and I’m making some great connections. (Just last week I landed a big corporate job …via a Skype phone patch.) I’ll be in touch as I keep climbing this ladder of success!

Here is a true example of where my voice was selected for a project, and I never even auditioned. They picked my voice, solely based on my Sound Advice Commercial demo. How amazing!  Here is the link to the Commercial.

Kimberly Reid’s Commercial

I have been landing new work recently and they always comment on my demos that you produced.  Thanks again for showing that if you stick to it, you will see results. Perseverance pays. 🙂

“I just want to thank you for helping me.  Working with you, Jeff, and Travis was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.  I cried when I heard my demo because the production was perfect, it was flawless, it was everything I imagined it would be.

I mean, I was apprehensive about taking classes because I thought I would get ripped off, but for ten years I kept coming back to your website and all the demos sounded like the voiceovers on TV.  You, Jeff, and Travis are the real deal, so I can’t thank you enough for showing me how to make my dream come true. . .

Now, my website is done (check it out at http://www.laurensavagevo.com). Thank you for giving me a copy of your book, I hear your voice loud and clear when I read it and I am taking all of your advice.  I have been auditioning, and I hope to book my first job soon.  I will keep you posted on my progress.  Again, thanks for believing in me.” –Lauren Savage

Now that I’ve had my demo for over a week, and listened to it countless times, I wanted to say thank you again. Every time I listen to it I get a smile on my face.
The whole process from beginning to end was enjoyable. The coaching that Jeff provided was invaluable and exactly what I needed. I felt like he was also pacing our time together to meet me where my skill set was, not just delivering cookie cutter coaching. It was an easy decision to move into demo production with you guys.
For the demo, I loved the diversity in copy that you selected as it really showcased what my voice strengths are. And throughout the process Jeff gave excellent direction while keeping a relaxed atmosphere and making sure we got exactly what we needed to make a great demo. And the power duo of Jeff and Travis kept me laughing the whole way through.
I feel really fortunate that I found Sound Advice and would recommend you to anyone looking for coaching, career guidance or demo production.