You're the company's video spokesperson Do you know what the heck you're supposed to be doing to sell your message? Sadly, not everyone who's plunked down in front of the camera knows what to say, think, or do when the director calls, "Action!" Don't be the deer in headlights. It can be rather painful when you're sideswiped by reality. No one wants to end up as roadkill when the project doesn't go as well as intended. Do you know what the creative team wants? If not, it's time to ask three basic questions that will help you understand the what, who, and how of the message: What is the purpose or message of the video? Who is the intended audience? How would they like their story told? There is a tone and style to the message that will be in line with its purpose and target viewers. All three elements must be on point so the story will resonate with its audience and have half a chance to be successful. As the video spokesperson, you have to be an effective storyteller before you can hope to sell whatever it is you're supposed to be pitching. If you don't know the answers to these three questions, you can't properly tell the story. Want to be successful? Have a clear understanding of your purpose, the people you'll be addressing, and how to tell your company's story to maximize its appeal. The story has to be told before it can be sold. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Clarify the message and purpose of the video with the creative team. Understand the target audience and why you were selected as the spokesperson. There's a reason! Work the desired tone and style into your delivery on camera. You may have been chosen as the spokesperson for one or more of the following reasons: you're a match for the message (ex. a well-known athlete for a running shoe) or representative of the audience (ex. a retiree for a pitch for a Medicare plan) or the owner or manager of the company and speaking as the expert, in which case you probably know the answers to the how, what, and how and don't need to watch this video. For everyone else out there, just hit play. It's only a little over 5 minutes long. And there's a funny story about Betty White. Enjoy this and want more? Check out the videos in the On Camera Tips for Success series. 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

How to look good - and professional - in a video Do patterns work on camera? What's considered professional? How far can you go to express your individuality and still be appropriately dressed for the video you're making? Yup, wardrobe matters when you're on camera. It doesn't matter if you're a spokesperson, an actor, or a business owner being interviewed for the umpteenth time. You want to represent both yourself and your message well. Just like you once needed to know how to dress for that first interview or corporate job, you need to know how to present yourself for the camera. I'm talking colors, styles, patterns, and even type of footwear. If you're not careful, you could end up visually competing with your message. If viewers are more focused on what you're wearing (or not wearing, for that matter), that's all they're going to remember afterwards. And you certainly don't want to show up in the final product as a bodiless floating head (don't worry, it doesn't hurt, it just looks weird). Or be the one who ruined otherwise clean audio because you made loud squishy noises with every step you took. Avoid the pitfalls. Dress like a pro. You'll come off as polished, professional and credible. And on good terms with the editing team. Don't appear as a bodiless floating head. It looks weird, especially if you're making a serious business video and not a Halloween special. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Dress for the occasion Don't visually compete with the message Know your background, so that your clothing complements - not clashes - with it Unless you're making your own video, check with the production team for guidelines. They should have a well-defined idea as to what the finished video will look like. They may furnish clothing options, provide suggestions, or just ask you to bring in several choices for them to decide upon. But whether you have guidance or you're forging ahead on your own, you can't go wrong knowing some of these basics. So what are you waiting for? Watch the video already! Wardrobe is an important consideration for looking good on camera, but did you know that hair and makeup - even for guys - play a significant role, too? Check it out in this short video . 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

Speak more clearly and confidently on camera by getting your head in the game. Literally. You'll have much easier time speaking on camera - or with any type of public speaking - by relaxing first. Easier said than done? Or working within physical limitations? No problem. You don't have to turn to meditation, yoga, long walks in the woods, or an adult beverage to help you relax. A few quick and easy warm-up exercises for your head can go a long way in helping you rid yourself of tension or stiffness BEFORE you go on camera. This video will start with some basic relaxation techniques for your head, focus on facial massage and pressure points, and help you loosen any tightness you carry in your mouth or jaw. Simple enough to do in your chair The result? You will become more relaxed - and more engaging - when the camera begins to roll. And your viewers will pick up on your positive, easy energy and be that much more receptive to you and your message. People will be looking at our faces for clues as to whether they can and should trust us. Any nervousness we feel about being on camera will most likely be on display, front and center. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips When you're relaxed, you can more easily project your unique personality. Feeling sore or tense anywhere in particular? That's where you need to work on relaxing those muscles first. Viewers will be looking at your face - and especially your eyes! - for cues as to whether they can trust you and what you're saying. Muscle tightness is a sign of fear or nervousness, which rarely translates well on camera. What does the viewer perceive? An uncomfortable spokesperson or interviewee, and they're less likely to trust the individual AND the product or service. That's why most spokespeople smile and seem very easy-going. Their friendliness welcomes the viewer and shows confidence and expertise about whatever they're saying. And guess what? It works. Want more ideas for appearing comfy and confident on camera? 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

Apply your best on camera technique when making a video. And that includes knowing if you should sit or stand when talking to the camera. "Stand up! Sit down! Fight! Fight! Fight!" That was pretty much our cheerleaders' chant in just about every high school football game. It was rather catchy, but it wasn't totally clear what we in the stands were supposed to do. Stand up and sit down on command? With nary a "Simon says?" It was a conundrum. Similar confusion takes place on set when you're making a video. Unless you're advised - or told explicitly - you may not be sure whether you're supposed to stand, sit, or move around in front of the camera. Awkward! Maybe it would be helpful to have a bunch of screaming teenage girls telling you what to do and when. But if you're a parent, you may have already had your fill of screaming teenage girls. Especially those jumping up and down in your face, gently informing you at the top of their lungs what they think you should be doing for them. Nuh uh. Not happening. You'll decide for yourself, thank you very much. OK, so do you stand up or sit down when speaking to the camera? Well ... and don't you love this answer?... it depends. Really, it does. Besides, why give a good, ol' straightforward answer when you can revel in ambiguity? It's all about the energy you want to project And what you want the viewers to feel empowered to do after watching your video. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Here are a few things to think about: Laura's Quick Tips What type of video are you making? Works best for the subject matter? What works for YOU, the speaker of said video? What's the overall length of the spot? What type of energy do you want to convey to the viewers? What's your call to action? In other words, what do you want the viewers to do after watching your video? All of these matter, though there IS an industry consensus about which is typically most effective. Curious? Take a few minutes to watch this brief video and find out. Your choice, whether you sit or stand while you do. Enjoy this and want a few more handy dandy pointers? 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

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a magical portrait at Hogwarts? Well, now you can. If you're making a video, that is. That little box your video is appearing in is ... well ... really little. At least if you're talking to the camera with only your head and shoulders in view. One TINY step to either side can look HUGE on camera. And a simple movement from your arm could look like you're flailing around. Trust me, it's not a good look. Take a tip or two from the acting world and see how you can be most effective within what we call a tight frame. Even if you're going to be farther away from the camera lens so that your whole body showing, you still have to know how much you can move before you d.i.s. a. p. p e a ... from view. Just think of the magical portraits at Hogwarts. People can see the animated you within the picture frame that's your video, but only as long as you don't go off "visiting" some other portraits. The frame is that amount of your surroundings that will be seen on camera and specifically how you will be shown within it. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Find out how much space you have to move around: up, down, left, and right Get a sense of the tightness of the shot: head and shoulders only or full body? Adjust your movements to match the size of your frame - usually that means to keep them SMALL Ask these questions before you begin shooting the video, so that you can keep your gestures and other physical movements in proportion to everything else happening on screen. Remember that the camera magnifies everything. In a tight shot, the slightest, shift of weight from one foot to the other can be quite noticeable, making it look like you moved partly across the screen. Move too much and you could actually distract from the message you're trying to give. Practice a bit with your phone's camera after watching this short video and you'll see what I mean. I'm sure you'll get it, faster than I can say Abracadabra. Like these tips? There's a whole series of short videos to help you become more comfortable and effective on camera: On Camera Tips for Busy Execs . And if you'd like to explore a little 1:1 help, reach out for a free 15 minute consultation . 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

"Eyeline" is the acting term for knowing WHERE to look when you're on camera You're making a video. Maybe you're talking about your company. Maybe you're introducing a new product. Or maybe you're explaining a technical concept as part of a training video. It doesn't matter. Because when it's just you and the camera lens - especially when you're not used to speaking on camera - it can be a bit unnerving. One of the biggest questions is: where should I look? At the camera lens? At another point in the room? And that's just if you're the only person in the shot. But what if there are other people in the shot, as in a panel discussion? What's appropriate: speaking to the camera or to the other people? Or to your shoes? (No, do not talk to your shoes. That was a trick question. It's unlikely they'd answer back.) You need to know something about eyelines. "We're so used to directing our attention on the person we're having a conversation with. So what happens if no one is there? Just a camera lens, silently watching. And recording." - Laura Doman Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Speaking directly to the viewer? Address the camera. Is this a 1:1 interview? For the most part, ignore the camera and look and talk to the interviewer. Are you part of a panel discussion? Look at whomever is speaking, as you would normally. Be aware of where you should be looking while you're on camera, but don't dwell on it or let it distract you from saying what you're there to say. Focus on your message and the other person who is receiving it, even if the other person isn't really there (like a future viewer of the finished video). And feel comfortable to look away from time to time, just as we do in real life when we gather our thoughts or consider an important point. No need to stare - that's best reserved for Halloween or other creepy occasions. Curious about other acting tips for becoming more comfortable on camera? 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

You're not just talking to yourself! Here's how to deliver your message effectively on camera. Welcome to my new video series, "On Camera Tips for Busy Execs," where I share tips, tricks, and techniques from the entertainment world to help you shine on camera. The first step is to become comfortable on camera so that you can use it to your best advantage. And come across as believable and trustworthy, whatever message you're delivering. Here's how to do that, by learning how to talk to one person - representative of your audience - when you're in front of the camera. Talking to a vaguely defined group of people doesn't cut it. Why? Because there's no relationship between you and the unknown. And the camera will catch it. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! Laura's Quick Tips Talk to one person. Your eyes give it away. Do you believe in what you're saying? Connect by transforming a generic audience into one specific human being. I get it. We're all a little nervous the first time we're talking directly to the camera. Especially if we're the only one in front of the lens. But that doesn't mean you have to LOOK nervous, scared, or downright uncomfortable. With a few tips from the actor's arsenal, we'll get you looking like a pro in no time - at ease, full of good will and advice, and every inch the effective spokesperson. Love this 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

Industry conference fun & games ... oh yeah, and a lot of learning and schmoozing, too. What happens when you release over a 1000 voice actors from their teeny-tiny recording booths and set them loose in the biggest voiceover conference in the world? Besides pandemonium? Lots of laughs, love, hugs ... and learning, too. A huge THANK YOU to Anna and J. Michael Collins who took VO Atlanta in its 10th year from a great conference under the leadership of founder Gerald Griffith to an absolutely incredible level. So many top industry leaders, coaches, and mentors shared their knowledge firsthand as speakers, workshop instructors, and good friends. No need to talk about all the details! Suffice it to say that a lot of ground was covered, with eight sessions running simultaneously for two days straight. There's no way to get it all in without a Harry Potter wizarding world time-turner, but fortunately, there'll be replays of the entire conference for registered attendees to watch later. It'll be like getting multiple conferences for the price of one! The hallmark of the voiceover community is the warmth of its people. Everyone - and I do mean everyone - I met was truly very welcoming and supportive of one another. You'd think there'd be a heightened sense of competition amongst so many artists, but ... no. Just a lot of camaraderie, because most of us (I'm sure there are a few holdouts somewhere) see ourselves as unique. No one else has our voice, our personality, our essence. Rather, walking around the conference felt like walking into the bar at "Cheers" ... "... where everybody knows your name 🎶" ('cause you're all wearing name badges) Yeah, it CAN be hard to keep track of everyone. Especially when your brain is getting on in years. Like mine. Names? Yes, I'm good at recognizing names. Faces? Ditto, if I see them enough. Putting them together? Uhhh....give me a minute, why don't ya? But eventually the synapses DO connect and I have the pleasure of getting to know some very interesting folks. It's not hard, though, to distinguish the terrific people who've really made an impression on me, whether as friends, teachers, or industry giants. Here are some of the people I had the pleasure of spending time with this weekend: The Panels of Pros Besides the speaker one hour sessions and the three hour specialty workshops scheduled throughout each day, the conference hosted 16 panel discussions on just about every VO topic imaginable. One of my favorites was the coaching panel, featuring six industry veterans who've collectively coached tens of thousands of voice actors around the world in their long careers. Like anything, you have to keep training if you want to reach the top of your game - and stay there. These top coaches shared their best tips, as well as their personal stories, and inspired everybody to try new techniques and improve upon the ones we already have. The Buddies Voiceover friends are more than just our buddies. Often, they're also our accountability partners, helping us to keep track of our progress and map out our next steps. We're each other's cheerleaders and main supporters, too, when work slows down or life events disrupt our forward progress. Angela Colville and Marissa DuBois are two of my closest VO buddies. They're kind, caring, and very talented, and part of a group of seven (including me) who met through Marc Scott's marketing mastermind program in 2021. So wonderful to finally see them in person after all this time! Zoom meetings are great, but nothing beats a physical presence. Especially for hugs. We're all unique. No one else has our voice, our personality, our essence. The Coaches Dave Walsh - Commercial Dave's been my commercial coach for nearly two years. He has an amazing "True Tell" system to get to the heart of the copy and deliver it in an honest, authentic, and (shall I say it? Yes, I believe I shall) conversational way. One of the very best! Anne Ganguzza - Corporate Anne coached me several years ago and produced three demos for me: corporate narration, explainer video, and eLearning. I'm still getting compliments on them! Like me, Anne originated in the tech world. We pretty much speak the same language. I gravitated to working with Anne because of her business experience and mindset, which I totally related to from my own former corporate career. And of course, she's a natural teacher and a terrific demo producer who very carefully makes sure that each spot fits the talent to a T. Scott Parkin - Improv I've never coached with Scott one-on-one, but oh lord! the man is FUNNY. I first met Scott when he was the keynote speaker at the first VO Atlanta conference I'd ever attended, back in 2018. Later that weekend, he also taught an amazing improv workshop for kids and teens that my daughter was able to attend. I tried to weasel my way in, too, as a fly on the wall, but got swatted out faster than I could say, "please?" So glad to watch Scott in action as he ran a hilarious session on incorporating improv in commercial auditions. Nothing I hadn't heard before, but man, it was highly entertaining. Laura's Quick Tips Break out of your booth and mingle in person with all the other great VO folks! At least once a year. Want to vet a new coach? I did. Several, in fact. Attend their session or workshop. And see if you like their style. You're investing in your career when you attend a conference and really participate. Learn. Network. And have fun with your colleagues. I met some great new connections! Bonus: some of us discovered we were able to refer work to each other. Bingo! As I'm writing this on Monday morning, now a day or so after the fact, I realize that I could have, should have, taken more photos. What else is new? I was too busy schmoozing, learning, collecting business cards and some pretty decent swag, and racing to the lunch line - not to mention the restroom, where there's ALWAYS a line - to remember to stop and take more photos. Oh, well, There's always next year. Because, yeah, I'll be there. How can I not? Best VO conference in the world. And only about 25 minutes from home. If you want more info about VO Atlanta, check out their website voatlanta.me. And if you want to know what I talked about last year as a speaker for VO Atlanta 2022, r ead about it here > Yeah, it was good. 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

How do you differentiate your brand in a very competitive market? Every business needs a way to distinguish itself from its competition. Otherwise, you risk being seen as a commodity. Join Lori Lyons and me as we tackle this challenge. Lori's a marketer, podcaster, and website designer; I'm a voice and on-camera actress. Certainly no dearth of competition for either of us! Here's how we break through to establish ourselves as unique, value-driven solo entrepreneurs. First broadcast on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 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

Want to leverage LinkedIn to boost your visibility and engagement with potential clients? The LI Rocks Conference is a virtual event that brings together more than 20 global speakers for 24 hours over 2 days, featuring both live presentations and replays good for 12 months. This year, the event was held March 1-2, 2023, but all the presentations - plus freebies from the speakers - are still available with the purchase of a replay ticket for only $47. The topics are related to business, technology, and innovation, including: video content strategies social selling LinkedIn audio accessibility for ALL users company pages branding networking strategic marketing ... and so much more. Including my topic, Professional On-Camera & Voiceover Techniques to truly elevate your delivery in your own videos. Curious? Head over to www.lirocksconference.com or click the button below. Available virtually! 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

Voice overs are all around us, on TV and radio, in film and commercials. Even our phone systems. Curiosity has no age limit and many seniors enjoy learning about new things, especially when it reflects how much the world has changed in their lifetimes. Join me at Somerby Sandy Springs Senior Living for a peek inside the world of voice over: what it is, how it works, and even what you'd sound like on air! Wednesday, March 8th 2 pm - 3 pm EST Somerby Senior Living 25 Glenlake Pkwy NE Sandy Springs, GA 30328 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

Shy or nervous about appearing on camera? Join Sheryl Plouffe and me on her podcast, "Cash In On Camera," as we talk about how to be your best on camera. Are you creating a video? Appearing as a guest online? Or just worried about making a great impression in an online meeting? We'll cover your concerns and give you some tips, tricks, and techniques to help you shine (as the seasoned pro you are!) in your next on camera appearance. Monday, February 20th Available via YouTube & podcast "Cash In On Camera" 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