Male Voice Talent Michael Minetree

As a world, we seem to be mostly a proud bunch.

But too much pride can be a bad thing. I know because I am better than you – smarter, better looking, more successful – so I know pride can be a bad thing and conceit is even worse.

Wait a minute…

Anyway, I mention this because I got an email blast from Michael Minetree of MineWurx Studio. In addition to voice work, he’s overseeing a myriad of other projects including voice over directories, isdn directories, voice coaching and web hosting.

It was the web hosting part that he was emailing about. I’ll let you read the whole thing because I think it’s a really great example of how to adapt and change in a transparent way that builds credibility.

We all have to change and we all make missteps. How we make ourselves accountable can determine success or failure. I think the way Michael did this was a major success. Really well done.

In this newsletter:

1) A total slash on pricing – things have gotten El Cheapo – like Unlimited Web Hosting for $4.95 a month…

2) A total shift in policy – now we don’t have one.

3) A complete change in our course of business.

4) A total redesign of the site.

Our hosting site, www.artistwebhosting.com, has been made anew.

1) A shift in Pricing: We have completely removed all limitations on the hosting accounts – now everyone can have unlimited disk space and bandwidth for as little as 4.95 a month. On top of that – unlimited emails, databases and FTP accounts. Now – we are just like the big boys – and even better in some instances. Your web hosting has never been any cheaper. Add free setup and free site transfer to that and you’re looking at a winner.

2) A massive shift in Policy: Gone are the setup fees, gone are the account limitations, gone are the confusing “Tiered Hosting” accounts. All of it – GONE. Now – there are just unlimited accounts – with all the backend server features activated for all of them. No more junk. No more clutter. Wide open accounts. Period.

3) A complete change in course: We’re always ready to admit we made a mistake and change things. The first approach was old and out-dated. We goofed on the concept and figured people would have the time to figure it all out. We were wrong. So we changed it. There’s always room for improvement – so we hope that our new course for the future is the right one. We’re certainly convinced that it’s a whole lot better now.

4) A complete redesign of the site: Last week we sat and looked at the site and realized that the original test design was a bust. Too much data, too many choices and much like most of our newsletters – too much information. The whole damn thing was wrong – from top to bottom. So we scrapped it and went to work on making it better. Because we sit and look at data all the time we kind of lose sight of the fact that not everyone else wants to. This led me to make the site WAY too detailed and forced a lot of the important information off to the side. Not any more. All of the important stuff should be there. Right up front.

We encourage you to go by and take the new site for a test drive. Any of your comments and input will be greatly valued, so valued in fact that we’re offering an additional $3.00 per month off any monthly account to any one of our newsletter subscribers who sends us a little note with their feedback about the new site. $3.00 may not seem like much – but in the world of web hosting – it’s absolutely huge.

We look forward to hearing from you. And look forward to your comments about our new course of direction.

Michael Minetree

MineWurx Studio

www.minewurx.com

(blower) 703-293-8906

ISDN 703-766-1048/1049

Find Great Voices at:

www.minewurx.com/voiceovertalent

Find ISDN Voice Talent at:

www.voiceswithisdn.com

Find Great Web Hosting at:

www.artistwebhosting.com

Find Voice Over Coaching at:

www.thevoiceovercoach.com

Tags: branding, commentary, community, marketing, public relations, voice actors, voice casting, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Keith Carson of Top Hat Productions presenting at VOICE 2010

I am ashamed of myself for the length of time it has taken me to properly thank Keith Carson of Top Hat Productions. Were my dear Mother alive she would rip me a new one for taking so long with a proper thank you. That was always a big deal to her and she was/is right.

Here’s the story:

Thursday at VOICE 2010, I pop into Keith Carson’s presentation “Your Voiceover Demo” which not surprisingly was packed. I was sitting on the floor against the wall in the back of the room listening and working on my laptop (busy day).

He’s talking about some good stuff when Keith holds up a CD (which I couldn’t see cause I was in the back on the floor) and says something to the effect of “what a great example of branding this CD has, this is Peter O’Connell’s.”

My head pops up like a gopher in heat cause I have no idea what CD he’s talking about as I hadn’t sent one out in about 5 years. And yet there was one of my CD’s in Keith’s hand as he continues to say how unified and perfect my branding is.

He held on to it…for years!

So with this gracious public compliment I repay him by waiting over a month to say thank you for the kind words. I’m not worthy but I am grateful and I do want to publicly say thank you to Keith for his compliment and his very generous presentation.

Thank you Keith!

Best always,
– Peter

Tags: commentary, voice 2010, voice actors, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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The PLAN was that I would take a 6:00 a.m. flight from Buffalo to Chicago then on to San Diego where I had some marketing activities to manage before driving up to Los Angeles for VOICE 2010. So Wednesday morning begins….

4:00 a.m. ET (1:00 a.m. PT) Alarm clock has the temerity to awaken me. I remember to turn it off and stop the second alarm from going off lest it awaken Mrs. Audio’connell. I am a good husband, I think to myself. Mrs. audio’connell merely snores at this observation. Total Travel Time: 00:00 hrs.

4:30 a.m. ET (1:30 a.m. PT) Face washed, teeth brushed, dressed in the bathroom (again, lest I wake she who snores) I done the audio’connell baseball cap and drive off to the airport. I laugh as I think of Liz deNesnera’s reference to it being “O’Dark :30” when she left yesterday morning for LA. The birds don’t mind, they are awake and chirping. Stupid birds. Total Travel Time: 00:30 hrs.

5:00 a.m. ET (2:00 a.m. PT) Car is dropped off at the lot, bag is checked at United, security is a breeze. I go over to the US Airways Club but it’s locked. Oh, they don’t open until 5:15 a.m. My, I AM early; I shall go buy my four newspapers – oops, two of them including the local paper haven’t been delivered yet. The shopkeepers say they are always late…much like their reporting. Total Travel Time: 01:00 hrs.

5:30 a.m. ET (2:30 a.m. PT) Having broke fast at the Club, I saunter over to Gate 12 and ask the gate agent if I might be upgraded to Economy Plus for the BUF to CHI route and she graciously does so…then she promptly boards me…on the plane, I mean…I mean I get on the plane. Oh bother, moving on. Total Travel Time: 01:30 hrs.

6:00 a.m. ET (3:00 a.m. PT) The doors on the United flight. And we are ready for pullback from the gate. Until we don’t. And then the pilot advises a weather delay in CHI – a weather-related all stop. Nothing in, nothing out. Sounds like my flight has the stomach flu. Total Travel Time: 02:00 hrs.

7:00 a.m. ET (4:00 a.m. PT) Weather has gone from heavy thunderstorms in CHI to heavy rain which the pilot advises is a good thing. I reckon that with the time change, I have about 14 hours left to get to the VOICE 2010 Red Carpet reception. I still might make it. Total Travel Time: 03:00 hrs.

8:00 a.m. ET (5:00 a.m. PT) Our pilot, who is starting to sound more depressed than his passengers, says he’s called for the jet way to return so we can stretch out. When the gate lady comes on board she says we ought not to get off the plane (can she overrule a pilot? Nah). She thinks we’ll get clearance in the next five minutes. But I’ve decided a reclined bathroom break would be in order, so I get off the plane. Total Travel Time: 04:00 hrs.

8:05 a.m. ET (5:05 a.m. PT) Finishing my business and head for the bathroom sink I hear gate lady say if to get our collective butts on the plane, it’s leaving. Bathroom occupants scatter like mice on the Titanic, startled but refreshed. Total Travel Time: 04:05 hrs.

8:15 a.m. ET (5: 15 a.m. PT) We pull back from the gate…about 10 feet, and stay there. My thought was gate lady was punishing us for getting off the plane and she would show the pilot who is boss. Total Travel Time: 04:15 hrs.

8:30 a.m. ET (5:30 a.m. PT) The pilot gets on the PA and announces that the plane’s radar is on the fritz. While not yet desperate, he sounds pretty sad. He needs to get the radar looked at and he’s called for the jet way’s return to plane so we can all get off and talk to the gate agent about rebooking options. I am off that plane before the first class passengers because I have been through this drill too often for my own good and am first in line to have my gate lady chat. Total Travel Time: 04:30 hrs.

8:40 a.m. ET (5:40 a.m. PT) My flight options are not great because they mostly involve going through weather burdened Chicago. My original hope (and why I booked United and not US Airways where I have more status) was not to fly east to fly west because that just seems to make the travel day longer. My east west journey is 2 ½ hours old and I haven’t left Buffalo. Maybe I’m not as smart as I hope I am. Looking for lemonade in a world of lemons, I plug in my electronics for some valuable charge time. Total Travel Time: 04:40 hrs.

9:05 a.m. ET (6:05 a.m. PT) Most of the passengers who had gotten off the plane to talk rebooking are back on the plane but no “get your butts on the plane” announcement has been issued so I remain charging away in the boarding area. Because I feel the need (and likely because I was nudged by my Guardian Angel Dad – world traveler that he was) I go to speak to the gate agent and her face looks odd at that moment. I also notice bags are being UNloaded off the plane (big hint). I ask if we’re going to be able to get out, she says it’s not looking good and I say “well then I will just hang out with you and get myself rebooked.” She directs me to a new lady at the counter and we begin the re-booking odyssey. Total Travel Time: 05:05 hrs.

9:25 a.m. ET (6:25 a.m. PT) The plane empties and the line forms – behind me. I resist the urge to smile at my fortune and the clan behind me ain’t jolly. Total Travel Time: 05:25 hrs.

9:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. PT) The main gate agent announces on the PA that all passengers must go down to the baggage carousel and claim their bags then go to the United Ticket counter (outside of security) to rebook their flights. Everybody…except me because I am in the middle of re-booking already. Again, I stifle a smile. Total Travel Time: 05:30 hrs.

9:40 a.m. ET (6:40 a.m. PT) My new gate agent wants to book me on a US Airways flight to PHL and on to LAX….the dreaded “fly east to fly west” debacle that I was trying avoid. Oh well. Anyway she can reach the US Airways ticket counter. I say “why don’t we call the US Airways Club in the airport?” She doesn’t have that number, so I pull up the handy i-phone and call the main US Airways Club number and they give me the local club’s number. Alas they can’t help us. We need to book the flight at the gate agent’s computer then walk to the US Airways ticket counter (outside security) to get the reservation blessed. Total Travel Time: 05:40 hrs.

10:00 a.m. ET (7:00 a.m. PT) After an unnecessarily long wait for my luggage to come off the baggage carousel, I traipse over to the United counter with my gate agent pal, she gives me her paperwork to take over to the US Airways counter, they get that all squared away and I am booked. Total Travel Time: 06:00 hrs.

11:20 a.m. ET (8:20 a.m. PT) Wheels to PHL. Total Travel Time: 07:20 hrs.

12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT) The Philadelphia airport is not known for great food so I do Chik-fil-a cause I haven’t had any protein all day. Cancelled San Diego Rent-a-car and set up car service in LA. Total Travel Time: 08:20 hrs.

2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT) Wheels up from PHL. I should land about 7:20 p.m. ET or more importantly (4:20 PT) Total Travel Time: 09:00 hrs. (Note this way also my approximate arrival time on my original itinerary.) Total Travel Time: 10:00 hrs.

2:15 p.m. ET (11:15 a.m. PT) This plane has free Wi Fi, maybe I’ll post my first blog from the air. Total Travel Time: 10:15 hrs.

4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT) Blog posed to the web FROM THE AIR. Very cool. Total Travel Time: 12:30 hrs.

7:21 p.m. ET (4:21 p.m. PT) Wheels down LAX. Total Travel Time: 15:21 hrs.

Tags: commentary, voice 2010, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
4 Comments »

That headline reminds me of Brent Musberger’s open when he worked for CBS Sports – “you are looking live at….” at the open of the NFL game of the week.

But the point of the headline is to let you know that John Florian’s Voice Over Xtra! WILL be blogging live from VOICE 2010 so you can follow all the action live. A nice benefit for folks who aren’t able to attend this year.

I will not be blogging live as my typing sux, suks…it’s not good.

I will be writing and EDITING some posts about the event, likely with a ton of pictures and maybe some video.

Tags: blogs, commentary, social media, technology, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice, voiceover blog by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Moderator John Florian with panelists Peter K. O'Connell, Trish Basanyi, David Kaplan & Doug Turkel

Though I publicly warned him that this might be a bad idea and privately promised he could drop me from his panel at any time in favor of someone who could actually offer some valuable content, John Florian of Voice Over Xtra insists he still wants me to speak at VOICE 2010 in L.A. with him, Doug Turkel, Trish Basanyi, and David Kaplan.

John will also unveil the results of his extensive recent industry survey on how voice actors use the Internet at the beginning of this presentation as well.

Our panel on Friday, June 4th at 11 a.m. is entitled “Voice Actors & The Internet”. I am to talk about voice over marketing and the internet…and I’m supposed to cover that in 10 minutes. Factoring in the raucous ovations I’ll get from the crowd just for being there 😉 , that will leave me with 5 minutes. No sweat.

Point here is if ya ain’t yet made yer reservations for this shindig, the only one of its kind for our industry, you really should come and I mean that seriously, not just because I am a presenter. For networking, education and even business opportunities, you need to attend. You are really missing out, I think, if you don’t come. To register, click here.

Tags: announcers, branding, commentary, marketing, voice actors, voice casting, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
7 Comments »

Male Voice Talent Bruce Miles

My friend Bruce Miles, who is an enormously talented and respected voice over talent, is FINALLY putting together voiceover workshops!

If you are in the Phoenix area, get yourself signed up for these no matter your voice over experience level.

At present, workshops are schedule to run from May 26th through June 30, 2010 on Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the beautiful Famous Army Studio near 35th Avenue and Bell Road in Northwest Phoenix.

The fee is $40 in advance and reservations are needed. Class size will be limited so everyone gets plenty of chances to read a wide variety of material every night. To reserve your spot call 602-234-2382.

Tags: commentary, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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