This document contains a transcript of an online chat about finding and working with voiceover coaches. Participants shared their perspectives on what qualities make a good coach, how to find one, and whether online or in-person coaching is better. Key points included the importance of a coach's experience, passion for teaching, and ability to provide honest feedback to help students improve. Coaching was recommended not just when starting a voiceover career, but on an ongoing basis to continue developing new skills.

1. Finding A Good VO Coach In
Today’s Industry
Twitter Chat
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015
12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET
#WoVoChat
@WorldVoicesOrg
www.worldvo.org

2. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Featuring
Simone Fojgiel & Terry Daniel

3. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q1: What are the qualities of a good
VO Coach? #WoVoChat

4. A1: She/He’s updated with the latest trends about
voiceover techniques. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A1: She/He’s experienced, with many proven records about
his work that you can either listen or watch online.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A1: The ability to listen and understand strengths and
weaknesses. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A1: A good coach has excellent marketing skills.
#WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

5. A1: She/He’s passionate about this profession and loves to
share his knowledge openly with others. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A1: She/He understands that students won’t be a
competition, but an extension of her/his Mastery.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A1: A good coach has the ability to select scripts for
different talents based on skill set. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A1: A good coach sticks with you long after your demos
have been produced. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

6. A1: Experience, honesty, on top of current trends, not
bitter. #WoVoChat
@RebeccaDavisVO
A1: A good coach isn’t afraid to say no to a potential
student if they can’t cut the mustard. Not just in it for cash.
#WoVoChat
@MarcScott
A1: A well established + working VOT who can assess
your voice personality honestly and guide you
appropriately. #WoVoChat
@dabvoiceovergal
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A1: Familiar with all aspects of industry…union, non-
union, online, agents. #WoVoChat
@CullingworthVO

7. A1: A good coach should also teach you about how
important the business and marketing side of VO is.
#WoVoChat
@aganguzza
A1: You need to communicate well. Understanding their
direction and you communicating your needs. #WoVoChat
@Ferociousbeast1
A1: A good coach is up front about pricing and doesn’t
ask for the whole thing at once. #WoVoChat
@CourVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

8. A1: An understanding of the voice as a mechanism, the
anatomy, not just an awareness of it as a tool within
voiceover context. #WoVoChat
@NicRedmanVoice
A1: A good coach can demystify the myths and mysteries –
share generously. #WoVoChat
@NancyHalpinVO
A1: A good coach shouldn’t have to ‘tell’ you they’re
good. Their students should be the ones doing that.
#WoVoChat
@MPVoiceovers
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

9. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q2: How difficult is it to find good
voiceover coaches? #WoVoChat

10. A2: It’s not difficult at all. Ask a voiceover pro, Google it or
ask in a VO group on FB. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A2: Absolutely not. You just have to be willing to put in the
effort to find them. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A2: It can be difficult to find a teacher locally, especially
in certain cities or countries. But that’s why we have
Skype. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A2: Not at all. Use your colleagues to find out who their
go-to coaches are. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

11. A2: It’s quite difficult to find good voiceover coaches in
Spanish in the U.S., especially native speakers. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A2: You need to be certain that besides her/his experience,
their Spanish is pure and they they excel in
pronunciation/vocalization to improve yours. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A2: Prior to look for a Spanish VO coach locally, I
suggest you look online and make serious research.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A2: Be aware tht your Spanish VO coach is involved in
Voiceover & has excellent references both as a teacher &
as a talent. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO

12. A2: It isn’t hard to find a good voiceover coach. You just
have to do your research. Reach out to people you trust as
well. #WoVoChat
@RebeccaDavisVO
A2: Ask friends, recommendations idea. Also talk to the
coach before committing. I offer a free consultation pre-
booking. #WoVoChat
@NicRedmanVoice
A2: Finding a good coach isn’t as hard as trying to wade
thru the B.S. of the crappy ones. Research requires
effort on your part. #WoVoChat
@MPVoiceovers
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A2: Yes, there are so many great teachers to choose
from & getting one in your $ is difficult for beginners.
#WoVoChat
@ferociousbeast1

13. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q3: Can you have effective coaching
sessions online, or is in-person still
the best way? #WoVoChat

14. A3: Skype, Google Hangouts and other video conferencing
platforms are my everyday tools for teaching. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A3: Of course I would love to work with someone face-to-
face, but video calling has revolutionized the potential for
learning. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A3: If you have access to a good coach or teacher
nearby, by all means do coaching face-to-face!
#WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

15. A3: I personally love to coach online one-to-one. That lets
me tailor my classes based on my student’s needs.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A3: All my sessions are online. I have students from all
around the U.S. & Latin America; it’s an absolute wonderful
experience! #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A3: You can definitely have good coaching sessions
online. Some are even doing group coaching
online!#WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

16. A3: In person if possible, but online affords you coaches
that you ordinarily may never have access to. #WoVoChat
@aganguzza
A3: Hands on is necessary for some voice work, it certainly
helps; breath, alignment, etc…but Skype is workable.
#WoVoChat
@NicRedmanVoice
A3: I’ve had brilliant sessions online. And when distance
is a problem, it’s the only way to roll! #WoVoChat
@dabvoiceovergal
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A3: Quite possibly, but not for the first session. A good
coach will need to get the measure of the client before
going remote. #WoVoChat
@rogeradw

17. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q4: How do you deal with bilingual
Spanish/English students? #WoVoChat

18. A4: We focus a lot on script analysis & interpretation.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A4: Spanish & English often emphasize words that are
different when expressing the same idea. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A4: I give much importance to the melodic variation,
which is different than in English. The more creative the
melody we voice, the more believable & successful the
message will be. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A4: I concentrate a lot of energy in pronunciation,
vocalization. Spanish VO artists are ambassadors of our
language! #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO

19. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q5: I’m broke. Is there free VO
coaching anywhere?#WoVoChat

20. A5: Many coaches offer payment plans. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A5: Coaches need to eat too, so there is no such thing as a
free ride. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A5: There are lots of great blogs to learn from for free.
#WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A5: If you can’t afford a coach, study the business while
you save for one. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

21. A5: Some might be willing to barter. Have any skills you
can lend them? #WoVoChat
@RebeccaDavisVO
A5: Training for a profession of any kind shouldn’t be seen
as an expense, but rather an investment. #WoVoChat
@MarcScott
A5: You get what you pay for. Free may end up costing
more in the long run. #WoVoChat
@pacificVOS
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A5: Yup! Scholarships from VO Peeps, Edge Studio
script library and free peer feedback; really nice coaches
donating their time. #WoVoChat
@ferociousbeast1

22. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q6: What’s your expertise as a Spanish
Voice Over Coach? #WoVoChat

23. A6: I specialize in eLearning/Corporate/Training Narration. I
LOVE those formats! #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A6: I specialize in Radio/TV Commercials. I’ve been doing
this for 25 years already! #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A6: I specialize in bringing out the real soul of a future
VO professional in front of the mic. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A6: I like to mentor new VO artists who don’t live in the
U.S. and want to find job opportunities in our market.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO

24. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q7: How does a coach know when I’m
ready for a demo? #WoVoChat

25. A7: They will have worked with you for months. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A7: I wouldn’t trust a coach who says you’re ready after
one session. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A7: Some people take months and some take years.
Whatever it takes. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A7: A good coach/mentor will work with you until you’re
ready. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

26. A7: When the student shows they’ve learned the concepts
and shows progress. #WoVoChat
@CourVO
A7: If you have to rely on a coach to tell you when you’re
ready…you aren’t ready. #WoVoChat
@bradvenable
A7: The student should feel comfortable as well as the
coach prior to making a demo. #WoVoChat
@aganguzza
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A7: Everyone’s ready at different times for the demo. Try
working with at least 2 coaches before doing one.
#WoVoChat
@RebeccaDavisVO

27. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q8: Should I only invest in coaching
when starting my VO career? How can
coaching benefit me for the life of my
career? #WoVoChat

28. A8: Not only in VO coaching, but also in courses related to
Social Media, for example. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A8: You should also invest in learning more about technical
issues that for sure will be very useful throughout your
career! #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A8: Coaching not only will help you at the beginning but
also throughout your career. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

29. A8: Those who believe that after 25 years do not need to
improve their techniques, they’re wrong. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A8: Coaching will help you to explore the unknown
possibilities your voice has to offer in an industry that
demands more specialty/diversity. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A8: Media is constantly changing, and therefore the way
to communicate changes too. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org

30. A8: NEVER stop learning. Our market is morphing all the
time. Gotta keep up. Learn-Learn-Learn like a sponge.
#WoVoChat
@JohnnyG53
A8: Every fine VO coach I know claims to continue to get
coaching on an ongoing basis. #WoVoChat
@dabvoiceovergal
A8: Invest in learning the BUSINESS of VO. #WoVoChat
@aganguzza
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A8: Styles, deliveries, etc…change. I’ve been in
workshops w/some of the tops in our biz. They don’t
stop either. #WoVoChat
@RebeccaDavisVO

31. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q9: What is the difference between a
VO coaching company and a mentor?
#WoVoChat

32. A9: A mentor works with you until you’re ready. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A9: A mentor doesn’t disappear long after your training is
complete. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
A9: A mentor is more than just a coach. He/She is a
friend, coach and psychologist! #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A9: A coaching company USUALLY has the same
agenda for all talents. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

33. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Q10: What is one rule you always use
in determining a coach or teacher’s
worth? #WoVoChat

34. A10: Proven experience. Online material that I can
hear/watch/read about her/him. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A10: Reputation and where the comments come from.
#WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A10: Delivering what they promise. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A10: Not rushing you through the process, as if you’re
just a number. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

35. A10: Involvement in the industry. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A10: The type of questions she/he may ask me about my
interest in becoming a VO actor. #WoVoChat
@SimoneSpanishVO
A10: Are they a voice actor themselves? #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A10: Most importantly, no blowing smoke! Honesty is
the best policy. #WoVoChat
@voiceoversbytd

36. A10: They spend time to talk to you about the realities,
hardships and joys of the industry. #WoVoChat
@aganguzza
A10: The quality of their students. #WoVoChat
@JohnnyG53
A10: Experience and relevance for today. #WoVoChat
@CullingworthVO
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
A10: Client or peer recommendation. #WoVoChat
@rogeradw

37. #WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
Join Us for the next #WoVoChat on
Wednesday, August 5rth
12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET!
Topic: Audiobooks

38. Check out the entire 7-22-15 #WoVoChat at our
Storify:
http://bit.ly/1gOUDQX
Join us every other Wednesday of the month in 2015 for
#WoVoChat at 12pmPT/2pmCT/3pmET!
#WoVoChat www.worldvo.org
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