Tag Archives: Steven Jay Cohen

This Week in Links: ACX University Edition

Posted on October 6, 2017 by | Leave a comment

Yesterday, we wrapped up the 2017 semester of ACX University. This year’s event featured audiobook production, publishing, and marketing advice for ACX authors and actors. We broadcast enlightening conversations with bestselling authors, Audible Approved Producers, and the top minds from ACX and Audible Studios. You can watch all episodes below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notified about future ACX videos.

For Producers:

Performance Perfection: Go Behind the Mic – via ACX – In this episode, Sarah Mollo – Christensen performs passages and receive corrections from award-winning director Kat Lambrix.

How to Pass ACX QA Every Time! – via ACX – In this episode, David and Brendan from the ACX QA team discuss editing, mastering, and spacing issues, causes and treatments for each issue, and some fixes for after the fact.

Ahead of the Curve: Prospecting for Pros – via ACX – Audible Approved Producers Steven Jay Cohen and Neil Hellegers share their secrets for how to maximize their profit and time by finding great projects both on and off the ACX platform.

Beyond the Booth: Monetizing Your Voice – via ACX – Join us for a discussion featuring Andi Arndt and Carin Gilfry on how conferences, voiceover coaching, and performance awards can help you boost your bottom line.

For Rights Holders:

Peace, Love, & Understanding Your Audio Partner – via ACX –  Join us as we talk to publishing duo Piers Platt and James Fouhey, an author and narrator who’ve created eight audiobooks together.

The Life of an Audiobook Publisher – via ACX – Follow bestseller Kym Grosso through the process of creating an audiobook from scratch, all the way to completing the finished audiobook.

If You Market, They Will Listen: Marketing 101 – via ACX – In this session featuring bestselling author Lauren Blakely and author marketing consultant Kate Tilton, you’ll learn audiobook-specific marketing tactics to attract reviews and sell more copies.

The Elements of a Well-Reviewed Audiobook – via ACX – Paul Stokes of AudiobookReviewer.com and Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine discuss  how they choose which audiobooks make their listen lists. From the performance to the cover art, they’ll share how to improve your submission and improve your chances of receiving reader and professional reviews.

 

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This Week in Links: August 1 – 5

Posted on August 5, 2016 by | Leave a comment

This week’s #ACXU2016 live stream contained a lively and informative discussion on building and maintaining your actor brand. Featuring branding and social media experts from Audible as well as actor/author Gabra Zackman, this panel is a must-watch for Producers and Rights Holders alike. View the video below, then continue your audiobook education with this week’s recommended links.

For Rights Holders:

11 Ways to Overcome Marketing Dread – via Digital Book World – Many authors love writing but fear marketing. Find out how to bridge the gap with these tips.

Great Tips For Branding Your Book Series – via Book Marketing Tools – The same way that your business has a logo, and colors, and a style of presenting things, so too should your books have branding.

Marketing a New Book: 6 Tactics Authors & Publishers Love – via BookBub – With so many ways to market your (audio)books, it can be tough to figure out which to focus on. This post recommends some tactics to focus on, with easy-to-follow examples.

Get A Second Opinion On Your Book Marketing – via BookMarketingBuzzBlog – Seek the advice of others if your marketing isn’t working as well as you’d like. “Sometimes a small repair can fix a big problem”

For Producers:

Does It Make Sense To Outsource Proofing, Correcting & Packaging? – Voice-Over Xtra – A good look at the things that go into a decision to farm out your post production work.

Burnout Can Torch Your Throat – via Dr. Ann Utterback – Stress can take it’s toll on your voice. Dr. Utterback has some advice to help you avoid stretching yourself too thin to perform well.

How to be Believable – via Paul Strikwerda – “As a (voice) actor, it is your job to sell your lines so that the audience is buying it. In order for them to believe in what you’re saying, they have to believe that you believe it yourself. How do you do that?”

Sidestep the Snake Oil – via Steven Jay Cohen – A  changing industry has opened opportunities for new careers in voiceover, as well as some who seek to take advantage of those just starting out. Learn how to avoid opportunists who might not have your best interests at heart.

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This Week in Links: October 12 – 16

Posted on October 17, 2015 by | Leave a comment

For Rights Holders:

How to Be Retweetable – via CreateSpace – “The trick is writing something in 140 characters that moves your followers and their followers to retweet your content.”

Why You Should Use Video Media to Market your Self-published Books – via ALLi – “The written word will never be replaced, but video can be a creative way of delivering information and reaping the rewards.”

10 Useful Resources for Writers – via Book Marketing Tools – Writing may be a solitary task but that does not mean you should be doing it in isolation.

A 12-Month Strategic Plan for Marketing Your Book before Release – via LiveWriteThrive – “The key is to think of your book the way Ford thinks of a new car. It’s a product, and you’re a business owner.”

For Producers:

11 Sites Explaining Mic Pick-up Patterns – via Dave Courvoisier – “Why should you know or care about microphone pickup patterns?  Because the mic you use has a unique way of “hearing” you, which effects the way you’re going to want to “address” the mic.”

Don’t Worry About Those Dreaded “How’s” …Focus On Success – Where You Want To Be – via Voice-Over Xtra – “If you don’t have a picture in your head of what your success will look like, you may never get there.”

Getting Ready for the Colder Weather as a Voiceover Artist – via Victoria DeAnda – “The more you do to make sure you do not get sick, the more likely you will be able to get through these next few months being just as productive as you are the rest of the year.”

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This Week in Links: January 19 – 23

Posted on January 23, 2015 by | 2 comments

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Before we get to this week’s links roundup, we’d like to remind you that you have just under one week to submit your audition for the latest Audible Studios open casting call. Male actors can audition to read Exile, Texas, while female actors can submit their take on Copper Moon. Don’t miss your chance to earn up to $2,700 reading for Audible’s Grammy award-winning studios!

For Rights Holders

Social Media is a Waste of Time for Writers—Hmmm, Think Again – via Kristen Lamb’s Blog – Learn how an author’s social media presence can can bolster their other marketing efforts.

Publishers Know You Didn’t Finish “The Goldfinch” – via Buzzfeed News – A good look at reader engagement analytics.

When Characters Cross Ethical Lines – via Blood Red Pencil – “How does a writer create questionable characters so readers root for them in spite of their ethical lapses or downright crimes?”

Pen or Computer: Which is Better for Creativity? – via Huff Post Books – Author Warren Adler offers his opinion on analog vs. digital writing.

For Producers

Setting your own Recording Levels: A step-by-step guide for Audiobook Narrators & Voiceover Artists – via Steven Jay Cohen – Steven offers a comprehensive guide to getting your sound correct from the outset.

Speed Up Your Audio Editing in Audacity – via Dan Absalonson – Tips for streamlining your use of this popular DAW.

“I Don’t Like The Sound Of My Own Voice” – Well Shut Up And Go Home – Via Gary Terzza’s Voice-Over Blog UK – Tough love form Gary for voice over newbies.

One Image Shows Just How Talented The Simpsons’ Voice Actors Are – via Kotaku – Have some fun marveling at the talent behind TV’s longest running cartoon.

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This Week in Links: November 3 – 7

Posted on November 7, 2014 by | Leave a comment

The holiday season is approaching, and we’re here to remind you that now is the time to review your schedule to ensure you meet your holiday season production goals

Completed productions must be submitted to ACX no later than December 5th for the best chance to be available for sale at Audible, Amazon, and iTunes by the end of the year.

The best way to ensure your titles move through our internal QA quickly is to make sure you’ve followed our Audio Submission Requirements. We’ll be back next week to discuss the top three reasons titles fail QA and how to avoid them.

Now, on to the links!

For Producers

[VIDEO] – My Voice Over Trick to Match Pick-ups With Original Audio – via Bill DeWees – Let Bill teach you how to insert corrections seamlessly.

What is Holding You Back? – via NetherVoice – Paul Strikwerda has an idea for getting the most out of your VO career.

Adding Punch & Roll to Adobe Audition – via Steven Jay Cohen – Tips for making use of this priceless recording technique, with bonus info for TwistedWave and Audacity as well.

Ya Gotta Draw The Line Somewhere – via CourVO – You can’t spend ALL of your time promoting yourself on social media. Learn how to judiciously use your time on social media.

For Rights Holders

9 Books Aspiring Writers Must Read – via Live Write Thrive –  Nicolette Morrison shares her list of the best writing about writing for new authors.

How to Reveal Character Emotion Without Venturing Into Cliché – via Jane Friedman – Learn about “indirection of image” and how to use it to apply the “show, don’t tell” theory to your character’s emotions.

The First Sentence Is a Handshake – via The Atlantic – “According to science fiction writer William Gibson, a book’s opening should be an inviting enigma to the reader—and a motivational benchmark for the writer.”

ACX Storytellers: Sharon Hamilton – via The ACX Blog –  Get inspired by Sharon’s great relationship with her narrator, J.D. Hart.

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This Week in Links: September 1 – 5

Posted on September 5, 2014 by | Leave a comment

For Producers:

So You Want To Be A Voice Actor? – via Voice Over Herald – Thinking of jumping into audiobook narration? VOH has five points to ponder to decide if the industry is right for you.

Configure Reaper for Voiceover and Audiobooks – via Steven Jay Cohen – A great primer on how to set up this popular recording software for audiobook production.

Learn Voicing Tips From Robin Williams – via Online Voice Coaching – Looking back at the career of the celebrated actor can provide lessons on improving your own voice over abilities.

With a Little help From My Friends – via steveoneillvoice – Learn how monthly Google Hangouts enrich the VO journeys of six voice-over artists.

For Rights Holders:

What Happens When your AudioBook Ends Up Sounding a lot Different than Expected – via R.C. O’Leary.com – Hint: it’s usually not a bad thing.

An Author Website Checklist – via Digital Book World – Whether self published or traditional, new or experienced, there are certain elements every author should have on their website.

10 Ways for ADD Authors to Be OOH! SQUIRREL!!!! …Productive – via Kristen Lamb’s Blog – Kristen’s got advice on how to stay focused in the ever-distracting modern world.

Easy Tips to Help You Save Money on That Necessary Edit– via Live Write Thrive – LWT has a nice breakdown of what a good editor offers, how much it will cost, and ways to get the most out of your money when hiring a professional editor.

 

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