Hi Amplify friends... I'm new here. Looking forward to sharing interesting things, learning something new and engaging in conversation with you! http://amplify.com/u/k022

The Troublesome Truth about a Voice-Over Career

This video by veteran VO Pro, Paul Strikwerda, will now become 'the primer' for those who have misconceptions about how easy it must be to just 'talk' for a living.

A Special Holiday Greeting from the VO Community

Just a few of the very talented men and women that make the Voiceover community one of the best group of people you'll ever know, want to wish you a Very Happy Holiday:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM VOICE TALENT EVERYWHERE!

With thanks to Terry Daniel for his idea and skill in putting this together...in a day.

Derek Chappell
-The Voice of Your Business

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Social Media and Audio Married - Audioboo

You never know where your next client may come from. Better yet, you never know just how that client may have found you. That is why you brand, market, sell, and get yourself 'out there', to be heard and hired. That being said, I came across a blog article a few weeks ago, written by my friend and fellow VO artist (and social media guru) Dave Courvoisier, about a program that 'married the best of social media with audio', called Audioboo. Sounds perfect for a voice actor, huh? Dave's explanation of Audioboo is as simple as the program itself:

Record audio, match it with a picture, a place, some words…upload, post, cross-post to other social media platforms. Share, podcast, follow, comment, get followers. The program is pretty intuitive and it does a lot. You really need to visit and watch the video where they introduce its features.

I figured I'd give Audioboo a try as one more way to get my voice 'out there'. Right away I came across a practical use in my VO business. I produce a daily sports calendar for a small, local radio station. Their budget isn't huge, so their website isn't fully equipped to handle a lot of audio. So, I linked the daily sports calendar from their website to my Audioboo page. Now, when someone clicks to listen to the sports calendar, they are taken to my Audioboo page, where they can also listen to other audio of mine that I've posted on the page, such as my demo's and recent work I've completed. You never know who just might click and listen...it may be my next client.

Derek Chappell

The Voice of Your Business

September named as - National VoiceOver Appreciation Month

January gets "The New Year....February gets "Valentines Day"....March is flowing green with "St. Patrick's Day"....etc, etc, etc. Well move over November & December, because the fabulous month of SEPTEMBER has arrived....as the self-proclaimed - NATIONAL VOICEOVER APPRECIATION MONTH !!!

Derek Chappell
The Voice of Your Business

The Art of Voice Acting - 4th Ed.

If you, or someone you know, is even remotely interested in the fun and fascinating field of Voiceover, then this book is a MUST. THE ART OF VOICE ACTING, now in its 4th Edition, is considered by many in the industry, to be THE Voiceover Bible. Written by my friend, mentor, and voice coach, James Alburger, it covers every topic and answers so many questions you may have, whether you are a beginner or life-long pro.

I encourage you to pre-order your copy today by going to www.voiceacting.com.

-Derek Chappell
The Voice of Your Business

Longtime Yankee Announcer Passes

May we all live so long and enjoy what we do. Longtime New York Yankee PA announcer Bob Sheppard passes away at 99. What a legend he was and oh what legends he saw play the game.

Derek Chappell
The Voice of Your Business

Derek's Voice Career on Google

Working Without a Net

Since I started this blog as an avenue to share news, thoughts and insight about my passion and part-time gig as a voice talent, I've not mentioned anything about my "day job", thinking it a good idea to keep them separate. But, my day job is a huge part of who I am and what I do, so I think it is worth mentioning in this forum.

For the past 14 years, I have practiced law as a partner in the Jordan & Chappell Law Office. My partner, and mentor in the practice of representing injured workers all over the state of Kansas, Gary Jordan, and I, have mutually decided to end the partnership and continue to practice as sole practitioners. I am very glad to say that we part, as partners, on very good terms. We have decided to continue to share office space, staff, etc. It is a move that will benefit us both in the long term.

I am very grateful to Gary for the opportunities and guidance he has given me, as well as our staff for their support and understanding. The Jordan & Chappell Law Office officially ended its existence today. I feel like the safety net under my high-wire has been removed.

Today, April 1st, a new era of business and responsibility begins for me as I continue to represent my clients, as....Derek R. Chappell - Attorney at Law.

No Foolin'.

Derek Chappell
The Voice of Your Business

My Demo's Are Now on My Voiceover Blog

For your convenience, I've copied my demo's from my website to my blog. (Ok, I didn't actually do it because it was way too complicated for me.) My thanks to Jason Sikes at Village Green Studios, for doing the 'technical' work.

Jason created my website and has done so for many voice and on camera talent. His website is very entertaining, like reading an old comic book, and you can see samples of the websites he has created. If you are in need of a website or web host, I highly recommend Jason @ Village Green Studios.

If you haven't signed up to receive my blog via email, I hope you will consider doing so.

Thanks.

Derek Chappell
The Voice of Your Business

Social Media vs Having a Life - Find a Balance

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, My Space, Google Buzz, Blogger......

It's easy to feel overwhelmed in this ever-expanding world of 'Social Media'. I found this article on Mashable very helpful in remembering how to have a balance in your life.

Derek Chappell - The Voice of Your Business