From Shakespeare to Sorkin to Commercial Scripts Word economy. I was taught early on to say what I mean, mean what I say, and to be terse in my writing. Well, I certainly adhere to clarity and intent. Brevity? Not so much. There’s a time and a place for it, such as when giving specific instructions. Or orders to my kids. Especially in those cases, it’s best to keep the message simple and straightforward. But when communicating an idea that you want others to truly understand, brevity can only take you so far. Take a little longer to get your message across, particularly if the intent is to spark a conversation. Paint a picture in words, describe a scene in some detail. If you’re writing an essay or giving a speech, you have to continually engage the reader or listener from start to finish. Stories work wonders! But what about in a commercial message? Typically, that’s only about 30 seconds of air or radio time. That’s a special skill, all unto itself. You have to grab attention, draw people in to what you’re saying and selling, and convince them to act on what you’re promoting. People like being entertained. We like stories. We like to make our own decisions, based on information or shared experiences. Most of us don’t like being told what to do or how to think. My favorite commercials use humor to make their point. Funny bits can become so popular, they move into the cultural lexicon. Remember Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” commercials from the 80s? There are a whole bunch of great commercials that capitalized on humor through the decades. I mentioned a few in a previous blog , if you want to check them out. Commercials are quite artfully crafted. You have to say a lot in a little bit of time. And do it well. The general breakdown of storytelling within a commercial is: Identify a problem Describe or give an example of that problem Show the brand’s solution and the benefits of that solution Give a call to action – what you want your audience to do afterwards. That’s a lot of messaging in a little bit of time. Every word counts. Every word and phrase are carefully chosen. Imagery is conjured very specifically with a scarcity of words. And it’s all constructed to grab the viewer or listener’s attention, keep it through storytelling or a bit of humor, and compel them to act afterwards. Creative terseness is an art form unto itself. Remember learning about Haiku in school? Haiku is a type of Japanese short form poetry made up of three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second has seven, and the third line has five. It’s a terrific way to teach organization of thought and specificity in imagery and word choice. Like writing a 30 second commercial, the author has to know exactly what he’s about to describe and the type of emotional or thought response he wants from his reader. Even harder, the poem has to match the musicality of the Haiku structure. There is definitely creative terseness in the best commercial scripts. I have to admire fine writing in a commercial script whenever I come across it. Because each word and turn of phrase are carefully chosen, I know that there is pure intent behind each one of them. My job is to make them come alive for the viewer or listener, whether or not they’re paired with pictures (TV or internet-based video) or not (radio or podcast). How to do that comes from a wide variety of acting and voiceover-specific training. Recently, I took two very different acting classes that have really helped me appreciate the creative use of the written word in very different ways. Shakespeare and Sorkin. Bet you never thought you’d see those two together in one phrase. We’re all pretty much familiar with the Bard, having studied one or more of his plays in school and perhaps seeing them produced on stage, film, or television. And many of us are familiar with the critically-acclaimed and popular works of Aaron Sorkin, which include such shows and movies as The West Wing , The American President , Newsroom , and A Few Good Men . They certainly seem quite apart in style, not even counting the four centuries between the two men, widely disparate source material, and their styles of writing. Shakespeare was highly descriptive in his prose, drawing heavily upon mythology and ancient history. Sorkin is known for his hard-hitting, razor-sharp stories about contemporary American culture politics, all with precise, rapid-fire dialogue. There are similarities, though. Both are playwrights – yup, Sorkin began his career before moving into writing for television and film. Both focus on dynamic and complex relationships between their characters. Their stories reflect the power dynamics and struggles of their day, though Shakespeare had to make his commentary more discreet, considering that his royal critics had the power to make heads roll if they were displeased. And both Shakespeare and Sorkin wrote for their popular audiences, because after all … an artist has to eat. The poetry and nuance within Shakespeare. The rapid-fire, hard-hitting prose of Sorkin. From each, I learned to better appreciate the power of the English language and the use of words to stir emotions, drive thought, and create reactions in their audiences. There is reason and intent behind them. Just as in a Haiku poem, they use their own structures – iambic pentameter with Shakespeare and overlapping dialogue to dictate the rhythm and energy in a Sorkin scene - to craft their stories willfully, building relationships, tensions, and turns of events. The well-written commercial message does that, too, embedding a marketing structure to persuade their audiences: problem, solution, call to action. As with Shakespeare or Sorkin, there is a story that needs to be told and told well. Some commercials tell their stories solely through smart word choice. These scripts stand on their own, made more powerful when spoken aloud in a voice over. Think about poetry or descriptive narrative. Or rap and slam poetry. Others tell their stories primarily through images, with only a brilliantly-conceived tagline to sum up their brand and company message. And sometimes only the name of the company is presented at the end of the commercial to drive the point home, because everything shown up to that point is utterly descriptive of the brand that it needs no explanation. Many more commercials, though, use a combination of words and images to tell their stories and compel audiences to take note and to take action. As a voice actor, it’s my job to bring those stories to life, and to have as many tools at my disposal to do so as possible. Basic voiceover training, such as “imagine you’re just talking to one person” is a start. Improv training inspires different ways of looking and presenting the material. Acting classes teach scene study and analysis, character development, the ups and downs of that character as you move through the script. There’s almost always an “arc” to what the character experience, no matter the script’s length! Reading, especially just speaking well-written words aloud, brings knowledge and appreciation of the power of words and imagery to move the human heart and spirit. It’s a multi-faceted approach. I’ve found that my best insights on how to bring a script alive originate with something I’ve read, studied, or watch from a source that’s completely different from a commercial message. That Shakespeare scene with Queen Margaret from “Henry V” gave me a new idea on how to convey a mother’s worry in that script for car insurance. The pointed word choice used by MacKenzie from “Newsroom” reminded me that punching certain phrases in the retail sales copy can create a stronger impact. And Haiku in general taught me that every word is there for a reason. Commercial copy goes through multiple revisions by many sets of eyeballs before it’s sent out to auditioning actors. Mostly. Or at least should have been. And it can be cut down and changed during a directed session to trim for time or deliver a greater impact. Time-honored Japanese poetry. Shakespeare’s epic comedies and tragedies. Sorkin’s modern, marvelously-written dramas. All skillfully use language to examine and define human inter-relationships, what I think of as “word ecology.” Well-written voice over scripts are successful because they do the same: they tell stories and in doing so, move us to take action. For my part, these disparate studies have helped me better understand a writer’s intent, so that I can tell the story that much more effectively. I should add that my business degree and prior experience in sales and marketing have been quite valuable, too. They help me a great deal to understand the purpose of what my clients are doing, the results they want to achieve, and how they’re going about doing just that. So where do you draw your inspiration from? It’s a good reason to develop yourself as a well-rounded person. You just never know when one facet of your life will support another in a wholly unexpected way. And help you pack a lot of punch into one rather concise message. Word economy. Word ecology. Sometimes no words at all. As long as you have a well-crafted story that speaks volumes. I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Learn the secrets of film and television acting You don't have to be a professional actor if you want to know how to use the camera to your best advantage. Knowing something about it, though, can go a long way to help you relax and feel more confident when you are asked to speak in a video as a: webinar guest presenter company spokesperson panelist online instructor or featured speaker in a Zoom meeting. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Want to learn how to speak on camera like a pro? Download my top 10 tips to become more comfortable and effective on camera. As the title suggests, this guide will help you relax while showing you how to keep your viewers engaged with some pro dynamic delivery techniques. I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Stumbling over words can be embarrassing and take away from your credibility as a speaker. Do you use filler words like "um," "you know" and "like" when you talk? They usually come out when you're not sure what to say next. Or how to say it. Unfortunately, they don't leave the best impression with your audience. Fluency is commonly understood as a sign of a confident, competent speaker. When you lack it, your delivery can be construed as annoying and grating, and at worst, damage your credibility. Here are three quick tips to get you to stop relying on those verbal crutches and become a more fluent speaker. Become aware of your favorite filler. Discover when and why it comes up most. Then, you can take steps to remove it as a crutch. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Slow your speech down. Stick to short sentences. Use pauses. Train yourself to be a better public speaker - on or off camera. You'll find people listening to you more often when you come across as thoughtful and fluent speaker, as someone who clearly knows what you're talking about. Most importantly, you'll have much better odds of attracting and retaining your viewers' attention. It's really not rocket science to become more comfortable and charismatic on camera. You just need a few tips. I have a library of 27 videos, each 2-5 minutes long, called On Camera Tips for Success . Only have less than a minute? Its companion series, On Camera Confidence , is a set of video shorts to give you quick tips on the go. I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Your TV and movie entertainment options will be severely tapering off in the coming months. Here's why. Technology changes a lot of things and the entertainment industry is certainly not immune. Especially where money is concerned. On May 2, the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which represents over 11,000 screenwriters, went on strike over an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Last week, after many weeks' deliberation, the American Actors' union SAG-AFTRA, representing 160,000 performers, joined them. (In contrast, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) avoided a strike when they ratified a new labor contract with the AMPTP in late June, but it won't affect the huge work stoppages taking place.) So exactly what technological changes are the unions up in arms about? And how do they affect how actors and writers are paid? And is money the only thing at stake? Technology is the driver, but wage protection and safeguards ungainst the unregulated use of generative AI is the destination, What Writers Want The WGA wants improved payment contracts, which include mandatory staffing of a minimum number of writers per project and guarantees of weeks of employment for those projects. The studios, they assert, are pushing a "gig economy" on them that greatly undervalues their services and income potential, while eliminating the benefits of full-time employment. They also want greater residuals from digital streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, which have grown to be major players alongside the broadcast networks and theatrical outlets. The lion's share of content now is with streaming services, yet writers (and actors) see only pennies in residuals from those projects, in contrast to those provided from traditional sources. (For those wondering what constitutes a residual: Residuals are additional compensation paid to performers when a production is shown beyond the original use covered by the initial compensation. For example, for a theatrical film, residuals would be triggered once it is released anywhere other than theaters, such as on DVD, TV and new media.) What Actors Want SAG-AFTRA is calling for fair wages on union projects, transparency in viewership numbers for streaming, residuals on streaming comparable to what they earn with network TV, a streamlined audition process, and protections against the use of their image (without pay) by AI. The specifics call for an increased base compensation, regulated use of artificial intelligence, better benefit plans, and money for self-taped auditions. Until the pandemic, Hollywood and most regions of the US saw actors audition in-person. Now, actors are almost always expected to produce and digitally submit tapes of their auditions, which requires either a significant investment in time, money, and equipment to provide or to hire an outside self-taping service to do it for them. Essentially, actors are finding themselves spending money to apply for jobs. Actors also want to be compensated for streaming TV shows and movies based on the performance of those titles. The problem there is that streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu and Max do not share metrics with the public, or even with the creators of their films and TV shows. SAG is pushing for analytics from a third party to help determine payment. Studios are using artificial intelligence to reduce their costs, but it often comes at the actors' expense. De-aging actors or even reviving images of deceased ones may be seen as less expensive than hiring flesh-and-blood living individuals to perform those roles. More to the point, digitally duplicating background actors allows the studios to use and re-use images of these people far beyond the one day's work they were hired for. No actor, background or otherwise, would knowingly agree to having their images used in perpetuity without additional pay or consent. Why is SAG-AFTRA going on strike? “We need a contract that will increase contributions to our benefit plans and protect members from erosion of income due to inflation and reduced residuals, unregulated use of generative AI, and demanding self-taped auditions.” How Studios are Responding The rise of digital streaming services and the challenges created by the pandemic have stressed the studios, many of which are facing financial challenges. They say that producing so much new content to meet the demands of their viewers has significantly impacted their profits, incurring losses that have result in layoffs of thousands of employees. AI is seen as a saving grace, allowing them to significantly cut costs especially when filling in a background scene; it's easy to duplicate and manipulate images of non-speaking actors as needed. Rumor has it that studios are in no hurry to make a deal, and that they might wait until mid-autumn before returning to the negotiating table. There's even talk that they'll let writers (and actors) go broke before resuming talks in late October. Whether or not these rumors are true, it's clear how they're proceeding: fall schedules are filling with unscripted reality series and game shows. Going forward, they may decide to keep production costs lower by filming internationally, and thereby bypassing the American unions. Or they may decide to look for new foreign-produced films and TV shows to introduce to their (now bored) viewers. What it All Means to Audiences Where's it going? As of now, don't expect to see too many new original TV series appearing in fall schedules. There won't be any more promotional events, either; union actors can't appear in red carpet events, talk shows, premieres, glossy magazine covers or interviews, or conventions where popular actors, writers, and directors pitch their movies and TV shows to thousands of fans. It's said that 80% of production has shut down, with the remaining 20% close behind. As an actor myself, it's quite apparent that most work is coming to a standstill. Even non-union projects have slowed. Of course, summer is typically a very quiet time, but it's especially noticeable now. Still, there is work to be found. Commercials, non-broadcast projects like corporate industrials, and most voice over work are unaffected, as are any non-union productions. Still, non-union actors have to be careful what work they accept. SAG-AFTRA has made it very clear what actors can do, what they can't, and that any non-union actor who works in any struck production will never be permitted to join the union in the future. It's a serious situation that will undoubtedly take months to resolve. Expect the fight between unions and studios to be long and bloodied. In the meantime, if you're craving entertainment, enjoy some of those earlier shows you've always said you'd get around to watching. And read a good book or two. The movie and TV industry may be at a temporary standstill, but creative people are still producing their own content and sharing it via social media, webinars, podcasts, videos, and blogs. And it can be so easy to do! Especially if it's short form videos that can be created and shared on platforms like Instagram and TikTok ... or hosted on YouTube, like I've done with three short videos series. I'd be delighted if you checked them out: Find them here > I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Marketing Masters Revealed: Camera Tips, Message, Direct Mail & Promos What a great name for a podcast! The Yakking Show , by hosts Peter Wright & Kathleen Beauvais, delves into marketing, branding, SEO, and strategy for entrepreneurs and business professionals. I was delighted to be interviewed in a recent episode with three other authors of our new book, "The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever." We are a total of 36 marketing specialists worldwide, each writing a chapter about our specialty. Not surprisingly, my chapter is all about creating strong videos and leveraging them on YouTube, and I was delighted to share a handful of practical on camera tips. My fellow interviewees included Giuseppe Fratoni, who co-authored his chapter with Al Boyle about creating a powerful marketing message to grab your ideal client's attention. Jeff Tarran spoke about direct mail and how it's still very relevant in this era of digital communications. Sandee Rodriguez, who excels at matching unique promotional products to her clients' events, shared a bit of her secret sauce, too. Catch the 35 minute interview (also shown on video!) by clicking on the arrow in the above video. And if you'd like to have a most handy-dandy informative resource with 350 practical marketing tips, go to Amazon for The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever: https://amzn.to/3pQ8C1Z . Now available in paperback, audiobook and Kindle. Video isn't going away! In fact, it makes up over 80% of all online marketing content. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Relax! People want to hear your message - and you're the only one giving yourself a hard time about how you come across in the video. Make it conversational. No one wants to be lectured, preached to, or - worst of all - patronized. Be aware of your frame and learn how to make the most of this small space. "The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever" is a collaborative effort, led by well-known marketing strategist and futurist Mark Schaefer. We have some pretty most interesting back stories, too, answering frequently asked questions like, "how did you herd so many cats?" (Referring to the 35 other authors.) And "what's with the squirrel?!" If you're curious, hit me up in the comments below. Want to learn how to get more comfortable and charismatic in your videos? You don't have to be an actor to know how to use the camera to your best advantage. Check out my YouTube series, On Camera Tips for Success , with 2-5 minute videos on everything you'll want to know. Only have a minute? Get a quick tip in under 60 seconds in its complementary series of video shorts, On Camera Confidence. I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Own your unique voice to connect to your ideal client Are you or your business struggling to stand out from the sea of sameness? Trying to differentiate yourself from your competition? Hey, no one wants to be viewed as a commodity by our potential customers. We have to establish our value and showcase it front and center for all to see. This is how an effective marketing strategy can make all the difference. Business advisor Christine Campbell Rapin recently hosted me on her podcast, "Amplify Your Marketing Message," to talk about this very topic. Interested? In 20 minutes, you can pick up some very practical ideas to help focus your leads, prospects, and customers on your unique message. Available as a video: and as a podcast: I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Beat The Jitters And Shine On Camera With These Proven Tactics Want a lot of tips in a short period of time? Hang out with me and we'll talk about some easy techniques that you can start using today. On camera ideas like: How to relax so that you can let your bed self shine when the camera starts rolling How to make the camera your new best friend What to wear to keep the focus on you and your message, while allowing you to be comfortable, too. This original Livestream broadcast is available both as a webinar and podcast via the link below. And if you'd like more, check out the "On Camera Tips for Busy Execs" video playlist . These 2-5 minute videos are designed to help you, the entrepreneur or marketing professional, become more comfortable and effective on camera. Are shorter versions more your style? Catch the "On Camera Confidence" playlist , a series of YouTube shorts (60 seconds or less) designed to leave you with a few well-chosen, practical tips on a wide range of topics. I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Don't be your own worst enemy! Kick negativity to the curb. There are often enough naysayers and Debbie Downers out there who'll pick at our self-confidence. Why join your voice to theirs? It certainly doesn't help you rise to your best potential in any way, shape, or form. We're usually our own worst critic, finding fault where few others would even think to look. The truth is, most people are too busy with their own concerns to even notice a flub in your speech, the pimple on your nose, or that you look a wee bit older than you did the year before. Cut the negative self-talk and get out of your own way! Easily said, you may be thinking. Not so easy to do. Well, there ARE a few good tricks to turn our thought processes around to a positive outlook. Some call for a realignment of our thinking. Others are adjustments to our physical habits. This video will give you a few ideas to play the mind games in which you WIN. With the right emotional energy and expectation for success, you’ll feel calmer, more confident, and more capable. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips No one's better at criticizing you than ... you. You're harder on yourself than you'd be on anyone else. Or they''d be on you. It's all totally unnecessary. And a significant waste of creative energy. Flip the script. Here's how. Finding these ideas useful and want more? Check out On Camera Tips for Success . I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Working from home? Don't let bad or non-existent internet service drive you away Remember when the main reason people moved to new neighborhoods was to enroll their kids in “better” public schools? I do. I was 9 years old the summer that my parents decided it was time to move to a larger house and a more highly-rated school system. So off we went, precisely 2.7 miles down the road to a neighboring suburb. With a new elementary school where my old friends … weren’t. It’s a familiar scenario. But today, internet connectivity – and reliability! – have become just as important a consideration. Who doesn’t work from home in some capacity? Or depend on the internet for electronic communications and digital entertainment? Not many, at least for those below retirement age. It wouldn’t be an issue if connectivity and reliability were fairly standard across the country. But they’re not, especially in rural areas or in places where a monopoly of service providers is in place. And that can be a problem. Case in point: I have a marketing friend who lives with her husband and son in a neighborhood that they’re mostly happy with. But - and it’s a big “but” - their internet provider has a monopolistic hold on their community and delivers shoddy, intermittent service. Not only is it hard for my friend and her son who depend on reliable connectivity for their work, but it’s driven her husband to renting out hotel rooms just so he can do his! Talk about an extreme. Like me, her husband is a voice actor. And believe me, internet availability, fast download speeds, and reliability are huge issues, especially when we’re working with clients in live, remotely-directed recording sessions. What do you do when you internet service is spotty? Well, he leaves his house, packs up his recording equipment and a portable Tri-booth (or Vocal Booth To Go, which is what I use when traveling by car), and rents a nearby hotel room, just to do his work. Untenable! And an unnecessary expense and nuisance. My friend and her family are moving, just so they can work without service interruptions. What should you do if you were looking for a new place to live? Do your research BEFORE you sign on the dotted line What home buyers can do If you’re purchasing from a homeowner, see what type of internet connection they had set up for themselves. What company did they use for phone and internet services? How many devices did they run at one time? Did they have any issues streaming movies and TV? If the service is still operational, use an app like Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com to test the download and upload speeds. Check to see if lines and connections for Cable or DSL are already present in the home. If the house is already pre-wired, you can choose the fastest option. Ask the neighbors what they use and how happy they are with their service providers. Check sites like Broadband Now.com to find out who the providers are for the area. Options for renters Before signing a lease, ask the landlord or building a manager which Internet service providers serve the building, and then compare costs and speed options available. If a renter is already living in the building, test the current connection speed on Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com. Moving into a new neighborhood? Internet connectivity – and reliability! – have become just as important a consideration as the quality of the local school system. Routers and modems and connections ... oh my! Routers can become less effective over time, and upgrading to a better router can do a lot for your internet speeds and reliability. If yours is years old, replace it. Check online to see if updates are available to keep them at top performance. Modems become outdated, too. How can you tell? You've had your modem for more than 5 years. You need to reset the modem regularly. Your Internet connection drops out. Your Internet speeds are either slow or inconsistent. Your modem makes a buzzing or humming noise often. Help, I'm stuck! What if there just isn’t a decent option available and for whatever reason, you can’t simply pick up and move to a different area? Consider one of these options: Use cellular. Most of the major cellular carriers have an option to provide WiFi from their cellular system using a cellular WiFi router. Use satellite. There are several satellite companies that provide internet to anywhere in the US or Canada. Investigate a DSL line through the phone company. Point-to-point microwave. Laura's Quick Tips Do your research before you decide to buy, rent, lease, or squat somewhere. Ask the locals about their services and then verify that you can get similar quality, too. Make sure that your own equipment is up-to-date. Hopefully, you can make some changes so that you don't have to totally uproot yourself to a new home, but if you do, at least you can avoid the problem of bad internet service again. Until the technology changes again and makes everything you've done a moot point.... But in the meantime, you can relax about all that and just worry about the really important stuff about your new neighborhood: the tax base, school system, local air and ground traffic patterns, HOA, crazy neighbors (see HOA), etc. And when all that gets to be too much, at least you know that you’ll have good internet service to escape into. 😉 Bad internet service not enough of a worry to keep you up at night? No problem! We got you covered with all kinds of other weird, unsavory stuff to think about. Like dive-bombing owls. Read all about it here > I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

A Tale of Two Ski Resorts When push comes to shove, great customer service MATTERS. You may find cost-cutting deals. You may be OK with poor service in exchange for low rates. But if you’re paying for a decent product or service, the human element – customer service – may very well determine if you’re a returning customer. Or not. I find this is especially true when it comes to vacations. After all, you’re paying for an experience. Or a getaway to relax and recharge your battery. You may not want or need the royal treatment, but you’ll expect to get your money’s worth and be treated fairly. My husband and I recently took a four-day ski vacation. Usually, if we’re going to ski, we’ll aim for January through March when the snow is best. This year saw a record-breaking snowfall, such that the Utah ski resorts decided to extend their season a few weeks into late April. A very unusual event and my husband Alex, whose love for skiing is only eclipsed by his passion for tennis, was desperate to go. Not so deep down, I’m a fair weather skier. Groomed scenic black and blue runs on a sunny, warm day? I’m there! Freezing temps, blinding snowstorms, and poor visibility? Not so much. I’d rather sip hot chocolate (or something …!) by the fireplace instead. Surprisingly for late April, we didn’t get the spring skiing. It was cold and snowed just about the entire time we were there, with low clouds and fog obscuring what would have been spectacular views. What irked us, however, was not the weather, but – and this is where the conversation on customer service comes in - how the ski resort handled their guests. It’s much harder to win a new customer than it is to retain a happy one. Park City We booked a very nice hotel with a well-respected name in Park City that had easy, close access to the Canyons ski area. We didn’t know until we arrived that: The entire Canyons ski operation had been shut down at the end of their original season, about a week before we had arrived. When we called the hotel to book our reservation (a few days after the original last day), we asked about ski in/out availability, and they said nothing about that part of the ski resort being closed. Only 20% of the Park City ski resort was operational, greatly reducing the number of lifts and runs. We still had to pay 100% - full value - for the ski pass for access to only 20% of the mountain. WHAT?! Ski operations were severely understaffed because the resort and the town (with its many restaurants) had lost most of their contract workers, South American nationals with work visas that had expired at the end of the original season. The runs that were open were not well-maintained, but very short, rather boring (and flat), and required a lot of trudging along on skis to access. Including the initial walk up the hill to access the first available ski lift. The few employees we did see looked overworked. No happy campers there. Consequently, we were quite put off by Park City. It’s not good customer service to charge guests 100% for a full mountain experience and then give only a poorly-maintained fraction of it in exchange. So we went a little farther down the road to … Deer Valley Built as a luxurious residential ski community, Deer Valley is squarely in the white gloves service end of the skiing industry. And it shows most in their excellent customer service. Case in point: Half of their mountain was open for business. Lift ticket prices were correspondingly half the regular rate. The runs were beautifully maintained. Long, winding, picturesque, and perfectly groomed. A fair weather skier’s dream. Guests were greeted and treated well, despite half the park and almost all of the restaurants on the mountain being closed. The result? As far as Alex and are concerned, we will return to Deer Valley. We had a terrific time and look forward to enjoying it another season when the full terrain and amenities will be open. Park City? Most likely not, though we did enjoy our last morning in town on its Main Street, visiting its museum (which is excellent by the way and a fascinating look into its origins as a mining town) and coffee bars. Lessons Learned We could have done a better job of researching before we finalized our plans, but after nearly 30 years of skiing together, we’d never run into this situation. Going forward, you can bet that we will: Hesitate to accept the promise of a hotel, resort, or other establishment that everything is la-dee-da perfect in unusual circumstances. Even top notch hotels that should care about their guests’ experience. Ask locals or call around the area (restaurants and shops) to learn the real truth. If nothing else, we would have learned that the whole area depending heavily on seasonal employees with contracts with expiration dates and work visas that were non-negotiable. By inference, we would have suspected that the ski resorts would have had trouble finding workers, too. Rethink our decision to spend money where we’d have limited recreation, limited dining options, but full costs. In the end, we had a nice trip (once we decided to ski only in Deer Valley), but we feel we got burned a bit because we didn’t know the right questions to ask. Or that we’d even have to ask these sorts of questions. So, here’s one more lesson learned: In an unusual situation, think of everything that could be a problem and see if any of it has merit. And when in doubt, either don’t go or decide to risk it and view the whole thing as an adventure, however it works out. One that you’ll enjoy just because it’s something different. I think I remember one advertiser summing it up best, whatever it supposedly applied to: “Know before you go.” Yup! Got it. Thanks. And for anyone out there who offers a product, service, or experience … don’t screw with your customers. It’s much harder to win a new customer than it is to retain a happy one. Laura's Quick Tips Experience is a hard teacher. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Don't screw with a loyal customer. They're not going to stick around. 'Nuff said. Except a friend who used to be in the restaurant business told me this axiom that he had his employees follow: People will forgive bad food if they experience great customer service. They won't forgive or forget bad customer service, no matter how great the food is. Customer service MATTERS. How do you provide great customer service? Back in my days of corporate sales, the tenents of customer service were plain and simple. And we were dedicated to them. Here's the formula we followed: Read more about it here > I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Fast talker, slow talker. Or maybe you're the Goldilocks of speed? Choose the right pace when you're on speaking on camera. It does make a difference! It's not just WHAT you're saying on camera that matters. It's HOW you're saying it, too. The pace at which you speak is important. It affects the viewer's impression of your products, services, and overall message. Sometimes you want to take it nice and slow, so that everyone can follow what you're saying. Other times, you want to raise the energy in the room by speaking more quickly and excitedly. There's also the Goldilocks zone, that happy medium between putting your viewers to sleep and getting so swept up in your message that you begin to sound like a teenage girl hyped up on sugar. (Tip: Don't go super-sonic. Trust me, no one will have a clue what you're saying. If you have a teen girl at home, you know what I'm talking about.) The right pace also depends on who you're talking to, the content of your message, and what you're trying to achieve. A sales pitch to a young audience will generally bounce along much faster than an instructional assembly guide. As an added benefit to your viewers, you might also consider captioning your videos to make them easier to follow. That also allows your viewers to watch them silently when in a noisy environment - or if they're hearing-impaired. There's a happy medium between putting your viewers to sleep and getting so swept up in your message that you begin to sound like a teenage girl hyped up on sugar. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips HOW you say something is as important as WHAT you're saying. Your pace and tone greatly influence how well your message is received by your viewers. Never talk down to your audience! People like to learn. They do not like to be lectured. Don't forget to pace YOURSELF when making a video. You don't want to run out of energy halfway through! Ready? Then take a few minutes to watch this video. You'll find out about several different pacing options and styles of delivery to consider. See how your tone influences your delivery and how you can maintain your chosen pace throughout a potentially very long taping schedule. Like these tips and want more? No problem, there are plenty in this video series. Check out On Camera Tips for Success . I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY

Are you a voice actor interested in expanding into on camera work? I'm delighted to be a speaker at the One Voice Conference 2023, coming to Dallas on August 10-13, 2023. My topic? "From Mic to Lens: Expanding from Voice Over Into On Camera Work." Hey, why not? I'm both a voice and on-camera actor working in film, TV, commercials, print, and corporate industrials. On camera work can be lucrative, a lot of fun ... and quite different from the comparatively quiet world of voice over, in which we mostly work alone from our home studios. Find out what skills you already have to ease the transition, new training you'll need to pick up and master, the tools of the trade, and how to get started ... the RIGHT way, so you don't get scammed by some of the shysters out there. Thursday-Sunday, August 10-13, 2023 Details coming soon! (check back here, as I'll update this section when they're available) I'm Laura Doman, a former tech industry sales executive, hands-on mom, voice & TV/film actress, and improv performer. I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories, from the friendly CEO touting new upgrades to your sassy best gal pal dispensing some necessary, real-world advice... Let's Talk! COMMERCIALS •  EXPLAINER VIDEOS • CORPORATE NARRATION •  ELEARNING • K12 • MEDICAL NARRATION • CHARACTERS & ANIMATION • TELEPHONY