First, take about 45 minutes and watch the videos from Derek Sivers on how he created CD Baby. I’ve talked before about how we were early adopters, releasing our first CD in ’99 at CD Baby when there were only a few thousand or less artists there. And he’s telling the truth – I remember those “second ring answers” and all of the personalized treatment for both us and our customers. It’s what built the loyalty we had for them through the buyout. Plus, Derek’s a very engaging speaker and this longer presentation is cut into very easily digestible nuggets, so it’s an easy view.

Sidenote about AppSumo: the first time I viewed, I didn’t get a log-in page, but the second time, I did. When that happened, I requested log-in with Facebook, and was taken right to the page. So don’t get discouraged if you think I gave you a null link – I didn’t! And it seems to be a really cool site, too.

The other resource well worth your time is a book I just finished reading called Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content by Mark Levy. It’s all about “freewriting”, a practice that takes the best of both brainstorming and stream of consciousness and turns them into the coolest business (and life) tool I’ve used in a very long time. You may *think* you know all there is to know about digging into your creative center, but trust me, this book is going to take it up a notch. Even something as simple as journaling will never be the same again.

Enjoy!

Voices.com Answers

Here’s a very cool new feature at Voices.com. It’s no doubt going to become the go-to voice over industry wiki, with questions from talent, clients, and everyone else (there are other people?!), answered by the experts — whoever you are! I’ve been on there myself sharing, and look forward to watching it grow.

Upcoming Bettye Zoller Workshops!

Ready for a road trip (or a chance to learn from a living legend in your own hometown)? The renowned, multi-talented Bettye Zoller will be hitting lots of cities over the next few months with her amazing workshops, special guests, and more, and you should learn more about it! We’re hosting her here in Kansas City in October, and we even produced these two videos to give you more info. You have no excuse now!

I, Dana Detrick, originally started SVM as an indie label back in ’96, with only the goal of releasing my own music. It didn’t take long for indie compilation albums, writing for zines, playing in other bands, voice over, licensing, production work, cat herding, etc., to get in the way.

But in 2010, I finally released a solo CD that I am really proud of called “Retribution Girl”. I’ve got nine tales of woe and of “Woah!” here for you, and you’re free to pick your price on it.

You can check out all the songs first below – they start with “Retribution Girl” and go through “Such Good Taste”

I’ve suggested $5, but if you want to pay more (or less – even $0!), just type it in the yellow box, and you’re good to get your download.

Keep in mind, this is just for enjoyment. If you want to license any of the tracks for usage, just hit me at dana@seriousvanity.com, and I’ll hook you up with some rates and some painless paperwork.

Goodbye to:

• Serious Vanity Records. It’s actually been gone for awhile, but you probably didn’t even notice. You can still find our music on iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, Napster, etc., plus all of the social networking music sites, but we are no longer taking part in the traditional record label paradigm. Something new and different and awesome is coming that will be the platform for all of the music we’ve ever made (and will continue making), but what Serious Vanity Records was sure wasn’t it. You can still license music from us, of course, too! That won’t change!
• Web Video. We still create it, but it’s not one of our main services. Audio is queen around here, so we now have more time and focus for creating the soundtracks of your dreams.
• Paul Clark. Ok, not really goodbye (since he’s still in and out of the studio all day), but in January, Paul launched Paul’s Guitar Shop, which quickly (and awesomely) absorbed the bulk of his time and efforts. If Paul was your contact here or you’d like to use his voice for your project, no worries. As well as emailing him directly still, you can also contact me for info or scheduling.

Hello there, Sexy! to:

• Illogical Marketing! What started as a blog where I vented my frustrations with traditional marketing and all that’s wrong with it, will soon be some actual marketing services, books, downloads, reference materials, and consulting. Hit the Category or Tag for the current blog posts, but also watch the Tab at the top of the page for more soon!
• Talent Unlimited! Ok, I’m not just saying I have unlimited talent. Back in March, I signed with Kansas City talent agency Talent Unlimited, so if you’re within a 200 mile radius of the metro, you must book my voice through them. If you’re outside the 200 mile radius, you can still contact me directly (though you’ll miss out on talking to these wonderful ladies who I truly enjoy working with!).
• Amazing Events! A little despondent over only finding networking groups where I’d have to convince fellow entrepreneurs that they need my services, I started my own. The Kansas City Creatives Networking Group was born on Facebook and has grown into a fantastic community of makers and minds. This October, I’ll be welcoming a local native/living legend to KCK for a workshop like we’ve never seen! But more on that in another post.

Thanks for staying with us through all of our growth, changes, goodbyes, and hellos. You’ve made the last 15 years really great, and I can’t wait to give the next 15 the hell it deserves. ~Dana

If you would have told me on New Year’s Eve that one of the biggest stories of 2011′s first week would center around the voice over industry, I would have accused you of hitting the champagne a little early. Not that the world is oblivious to what we do (after all, voice over is everywhere, from traditional commercials to signage in the grocery store). It’s just not something that’s discussed on a national scale.

But enter Ted Williams, the velvet-voiced vagabond making headlines after the viral video of his performance for an Ohio news crew on an on-ramp made him an instant international sensation. The media will no doubt be spewing lots of Ted-related details (both good and bad, given the nature of modern media) in the coming weeks, but I don’t think that’s what we really need to learn from him.

Businesses (voice over and non) have a lot to learn from what he’s done, both meaningfully and perhaps in a ‘blissfully unaware” state. Here’s are my Top Five Ted Takeaways:

1. Know your strengths. Ever hear the saying, “If you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one.” (or something similar)? So many times, we’re afraid of losing a potential customer or client, that we don’t disqualify any based on the niche we’re really meant to serve. With Ted, he didn’t say in his interviews, “I have a great voice…I can do radio work, audiobooks, in-flight announcements, telephone recordings…”. He said, “I have a voice for radio.” Sure, he could do all of those things, but he knows what he does best. How much easier would it be to reach the customers and clients you really want and need if you did that same thing?

2. Convey those strengths in a way your clients can understand.. A week ago, I had no idea who Ted Williams was. But today, in less than ten seconds, I can tell you he is the God-given “Golden Voice” of Radio and you know exactly what I mean. Is your message and branding communicating who you are that efficiently?

3. Use that message to find where your clients are. A piece of cardboard and a Sharpie may not be the branding tools you’d choose, but they did the job for Ted. His short message fit on that cardboard, it was different enough from the “Will work for food” motorists were used to seeing that it got attention, and it was positioned in a route that got heavy traffic, where broadcasting professionals were obviously traveling on a regular enough basis to know Ted would be there. What simple tactics could you use to get more traffic to your message and position yourself in front of more of your ideal clients? Are you being bold enough, or are you staying on the “safe corner”?

4. Be prepared to meet your critics with a smile…and an answer. I was impressed that once Ted was met with questions about his checkered past and potential for falling off the wagon from all of the stress of this new-found fame, he didn’t stutter or try to hide. With the same smile, he was able to give a well-thought answer that rivaled some of the best risk reversals I’ve heard from professional marketers. Sure, the potential is always there for things to not work out perfectly. Are we just as confident that we can meet those concerns as we are that we can deliver for our clients?

5. Make the most of the moment. There’s no way Ted could have been prepared for everything that’s come his way over the last week. But certainly, he’s not letting the attention go to waste. He’s got some fantastic opportunities already delivered on, and he’s sorting through all of his options for everything else. Are you prepared to make the most of your opportunities? If you land that great PR you’re aiming for, do you know what you’re going to do with it? Landing the client is great, but are you future-pacing to make sure you’re going to keep them long-term? Are you building a relationship…or just looking for a “gig”?

I’m looking forward to seeing this story further unfold, and no doubt just like it came, it will be yesterday’s news soon enough and we’ll all be speechless at another turn of fortune or local discovery turned overnight sensation. Good luck to Ted and all he and those around him now have, and thank you for the lesson in business!

You can check out one of our collaborations at Varsity.tv and if you’re in the states, on your local Fox Sports Network this weekend! Look for the University of Maryland All-Girl cheerleading performance, and you’ll hear our own Dana Detrick‘s voice overs as part of the mix!

We’ve found this to be true, on both sides of the coin, and have made a few changes in our daily routine in order to facilitate our business that you may want to adapt to your life, too. Get the info now at our 100% Organic Podcasts blog…

Since so many people are using adding tools that lack the personal connection, feel free to direct message Dana and Paul to let them know how you found them. You’re guaranteed a personal response, instead of the automated greetings and generic URLs you’re used to getting from other Tweeters!

Both feature Dana Detrick this month! Besides being SVM’s founder and co-owner, a producer, composer, performer, voice artist, office manager, and anything else that pops up, Dana lends her wisdom in the June 2009 South Africa edition of Oprah Magazine in Aisha Iman Jefferson’s article, “Personality Pick-Me-Ups”. Look for some great tips and stories from Dana and other professional women like her who have altered their personality and work styles to become happier, healthier, and wealthier!

You can read the article here now, or if you’re in South Africa, look for it at your local magazine retailer!

Our friends at Distribber.com will soon be launching a fantastic service where you’ll be able to get your film in outlets like iTunes for a flat fee, without needing a traditional distribution deal. Right on!

Pop over to their website right now to not only reserve your invitation to their grand opening sale, but to also receive (for a limited time) ‘Filmmaker’s Worst Distribution Mistakes’, a special report from DIY Distribution.