Discover how on-set improvisation, adaptability under pressure, and strategic humor offer powerful takeaways for professionals in any industry. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an actor for a film or TV show? Believe it or not, there are a number of useful mindset and professional skills that the business world could borrow from this creative industry . I've lived in the business world and now thrive in the entertainment space, and there's quite a bit of useful crossover. The Reality of an Actor's Life: Creativity meets Unpredictability On the surface, business professionals and actors seem a world apart. They require and award different skill sets. On average, one certainly pays far better than the other and is considered far more stable, measurable, and less risky in comparison. In truth, for good and perhaps not-so-great, the entertainment industry is... Fun and quite creative. You’re hired to bring your unique self to a role, give it life, and enthrall the audience through your performance to live the story right alongside you. Often unpredictable. You have to be flexible, because you never know when an audition comes in (sometimes only 24-36 hours notice before it’s due), when you’ll be booked (commercials especially can have quick turnarounds of a few days) or called to set (the “call sheet” for the next day’s schedule is often emailed the night before). It helps to enjoy spontaneity – and be OK that your time is subject to the director or producer’s schedule. Not as glamorous as you may believe. It’s work…  Finding the auditions, either through agents or on your own. Studying your character and scenes and memorizing lines. Taping them, too, because auditioning in person for the casting director ended with Covid and it’s become the new norm. Very efficient for casting; a new way of auditioning (100% self-direction) for the actor. Sitting around on set, waiting to be called to set. Hello, repetition! Most scenes or cutaway actions are shot multiple times to capture different camera angles that will be edited in post-production to tell the final story. Learning to go with the flow. Like it or not, delays are brought on by weather or technical problems, or unexpected issues with cast or crew. The business and entertainment worlds aren't as far apart as you might think. They have much to offer each other. When you're on set, bring your own amusements. There's a lot of downtime! Just think how you might expand the envelope in your own business. A little fun can spark big ideas. Bridging Worlds: The Benefits of a Business Background You know what’s also unexpected? Seeing how old business skills come into play again, especially for commercials and industrials (like training videos). Clients who hire me to tout software or explain the ins and outs of using a particular product often appreciate that I have a tech background. It’s the intangible that comes through: familiarity with the industry and customer pain points, real world experience, and the credibility of someone who truly understands the meaning behind the scripted words.    Coming from the business world brings something else, too: organizational skills and a logical mindset. Before the pandemic, I helped run a charitable Meals for Monologues event, a food drive in which actors brought non-perishable items for local shelters in exchange for performing a one-minute monologue in front of an audience of casting directors and talent agents. Running it efficiently was a no-brainer for me, so I was very much surprised when so many people mentioned how impressed they were that it ran so smoothly.   Experience as an Actor Brings Much to the Business World There’s a flip side, too! The mindset and values that actors cultivate can contribute so much to the business world. Namely, the ability to quickly and easily accommodate change, to improvise solutions, and to apply humor to diffuse tense situations or showcase a problem (or solution!) in a non-threatening manner. Here are a few examples. Adaptability on the set of "Fatal Attraction" I’m glad that I can finally talk about this booking! You see, just like with many product launches, it’s inappropriate and potentially damaging to a show’s success to talk about or share photos of an unreleased project. You have to wait until a show airs, so that you don’t inadvertently ruin plot points or give hints that the producers aren’t ready to share. More than one actor’s career has been damaged by an overzealous desire to self-promote before it’s safe to do so.   " Fatal Attraction " is a long-running series on the TV One channel with true stories of relationships that end up in murder. As the lead character (the murder victim) in Season 15, episode 46, I worked with a stunt coordinator and makeup artist in multiple scenes as the violence in the story escalated. I especially got a kick (no pun intended) that my martial arts training, from back in my 20s, was useful in knowing how to roll and fall safely. There was a lot of learning on the spot, because so much action was unscripted. The shoot took place in early January, and the original two-day schedule was condensed last minute to one longer day when a winter storm bringing snow and ice threatened to shut down the city (Knoxville, TN) and endanger highway traffic. Since I live farther south in Atlanta, where we’re rarely prepared for the rare snowstorm, this meant that those of us from out of town had to be on the road the night before or settle in for a longer haul. As it turned out, I wrapped too late to get on the road, so I ended up enjoying my hotel room for an extra day. Better to stay off the highways until the capsized tractor-trailers were moved out of the way and the overnight ice had thawed sufficiently.   The lessons for business?   Lesson 1: Prepare Diligently, Adapt Instantly Stuff happens, clients come up with new demands, so adjust plans as necessary. Just be sure that you walk in to exceed expectations, with all prior materials studied and ready to be applied to however the situation may shift.   Lesson 2: Focus on the Final Frame (The End Result) On set, it’s what the camera – and the viewer – sees that matters. Getting punched in the face? Depending on the camera angle, receiving the blow can have the actor reacting by throwing back the head six inches away from the oncoming fist. (And a good thing, too, to avoiding a broken nose!) Timing is everything, so that the reaction fits the action. The final product has to be believable or the spell the story casts is broken.   Lesson 3: Prioritize Safety Amidst Production Chaos This extends beyond having a stunt coordinator on set or a competent firearms specialist to ensure that no weapons are “live” (think Alec Baldwin). With actors and some crew members driving in from all over the South, production worked hard to get ahead of the storm and provided for those of us unable to return home in time.   Improv! Get ready for ANYTHING.   The Power of Improv: Thinking on Your Feet from Film Sets to Commercial Shoots The magic of improv comes to mind when I think about the sets of a couple projects I did within the last few weeks. Since they’re both in post-production and not yet released, I can’t talk about them, but I will say one was a short film (the kind that ends up in film festivals) and the other was a big-brand commercial that will run on the internet.   Embracing Collaboration and On-the-Spot Creativity The short film was especially fun to do because the director welcomed input from the actors. We had a chance to elaborate on how we saw our characters and how they would react in various situations. The script invited both humor and improvisation, especially in a fight scene in which my character was the aggressor with a couple of weapons at her disposal. A nice change for little ol’ me! Playing the villian in a physical fight scene is rare for a petite 5’1” woman, so I relished every moment of it.   We played with different movements and different angles, to see what worked best on camera. One scene called for special effects, so we had to imagine what the final image would look like and react as one would in a serious emergency. We were even called back for some revision shots, when the director/producer decided to approach the scene in a different way.   The commercial itself was very much tongue-in-cheek to show that the big brand has a very human side. Yes, everything runs efficiently as far as its clients can see, but … well … people are people and sometimes the behind-the-scenes antics are really what makes it special.      The crew was very laid-back and the director was great about allowing the actors to try different approaches to the lines and movements. What made it fun for me was the open attitude (“Why not? Let’s try it!”) and the appreciation when something I did unexpectedly fit exactly what he had in mind. Navigating Client Changes with Flexibility There’s another commercial running right now on the internet that I shot last summer. It’s been well-received, because although it’s political (bi-partisan), it uses unexpected humor and sarcasm to get its point across. I play a flower shop owner sarcastically supporting the Durbin-Marshall bill that would end up harming small business owners like myself.   Originally, the audition asked for “wink of the eye” sarcasm, but on set, I was asked to play it straight per client change requests. After it was shot, the client decided to go back to the original concept, but the facial expressions and the tonality of the words didn’t match this redirection. Rather than reshoot, production swapped out different shots and asked me re-record the dialogue in what’s known as an ADR session, or automated dialogue replacement. Usually that’s done to improve the sound quality of an actor’s dialogue after filming wraps, but in this case, I just used a different tone. Best of all, as a voice actor, I was able to record and deliver it to production directly from my own studio, saving them the time and expense of finding a studio and engineer to create the new audio files. And the lessons for business? Lesson 4: Master the Art of On-the-Spot Adjustment  The client is always right. Even when they frustrate the heck out of you.   Lesson 5: Embrace Creative Problem-Solving (Even When Clients Change Their Minds ) There are usually ways to fix things without having to start over. A little creativity, a bit of an adjustment, and the client can be satisfied. Usually.   Lesson 6: Find Solutions Without Starting from Scratch Need a creative solution? Clear your head. Don’t get so stressed from not getting it right the first time. Take a little walk. Often enough, a workable solution will stroll into the room if you just leave the door open to some imagination and inspiration.   Finding the Funny: Injecting Humor Like a Pro You think you know funny? A lot of writers do, but sometimes it doesn’t translate as well onto screen. What seems hilarious on paper doesn’t always have the same punch on film. And sometimes the actors themselves naturally react in a way that works best. Collaborating with Writers for Comedic Gold  I’m cast in a lot of funny or light-hearted commercials. Humor sells well, especially when a brand doesn’t take itself so seriously or when it highlights the small absurdities in everyday life.     That’s what happened in that commercial for the big-brand that I mentioned earlier. But sometimes, it works when it goes totally out to sea, such as in the above 15 second commercial for Bobo’s gluten-free oat bars.   The shoot was totally wild, too. I don’t think I genuinely laughed as much on set as I did the two days I was in Chattanooga shooting it.   The day before filming, the other actors in my scene and I had a table read with the writers. Very unusual for a commercial; usually table reads are only held for TV, film, and theater. With commercials, you just show up on set, ready to go. These writers, however, were comedians or at least comedic writers, and they wanted to hear variations on dozens of possible one-liners that my zany mom character would deliver to my set daughter and her boyfriend.   It was physically taxing, too. Once we were shooting, the writers would feed me two different lines to shout out while I was simultaneously popping up from behind the couch. (I was supposed to be a hallucination, not really there, except in my daughter’s imagination.) A hundred times, I think I did so – it was quite the workout! – calling out different lines as the writers fed them to me, all while balancing my tray of Bobo’s oat bars. They wanted my version of mom to be big and bold and totally over-the-top. Which is what they got!   Here’s the full 30 second spot with the two other types of moms, too: Embracing the Absurd: When Over-the-Top Works  And then there’s the Doritos spec commercial I shot in the fall that included me jumping into the lake wearing a complete business suit and heels and carrying a laptop: Ridiculous, but Doritos pushes into the absurd, the unexpected, the total package of funny. Never a dull moment for the actors, either!   Yes, there are lessons for business here, too!   Lesson 7: Leverage Humor to Connect and Humanize Your Brand Don’t take yourself – or your business – so seriously all the time. People relate to humor. They crave it. And it will get them talking (usually in a very positive way!) about your product.   Lesson 8: Embrace Imperfection – The Power of Relatability In this age of AI, perfection seems robotic. Be human – mess it up a bit, show personality and quirkiness, and push the boundaries once in a while. People see themselves in the imperfect and will be more emotionally invested in someone or something that appears relatable and human.   Lesson 9: Cultivate Fun for Employee Engagement and Creativity Employees who have fun once in a while on the job are more likely to be employees you’ll retain in the long run. People want to be appreciated. Gen Z and younger Millennials value self-expression. Give them opportunities and you’ll likely be rewarded with loyalty and creative ideas.   Bring Performance Skills to Your Business Strategy Mark Schaefer is a globally-acclaimed author, keynote speaker, and marketing consultant. In his recently published book “Audacious,” he posits that successful marketing is all about surprising your audience with the unexpected, the experiential, and the little bit “did they really do that?!” crazy. As a marketing futurist, he has a pretty good batting average, so yes! Put a little entertainment for your customers into how you present your business. You may find that it pays off in huge dividends. Does this mean that you have to start training you and/or your staff in the latest and greatest marketing strategies? Or take an acting class, especially if that's not something you ever wanted to do? Of course not! Just think how you might expand the envelope in your own business. Maybe try something a little different, reveal a more personal or quirky side in your next promotion, or even bring in someone to run an improv workshop, just to give your staff a little fun, freedom to play, and ideas for playing outside the familiar box.   Let's Collaborate: Add Personality to Your Next Project Want a fresh spin on your messaging? Maybe some good-natured humor or a fun, full-blown personality for your next video or commercial? Reach out to say hi! I’d love to learn about your newest project. Upcoming Events The Shameless Hussy's Guide to On Camera Confidence My 5 best strategies to go from Camera-Conscious to Charismatic and Confident! Thursday, May 1 at 4pm EST via Zoom Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Networking is an opportunity to connect ... and learn! Everyone talks about the power of networking, but do you know how to leverage an event to its full potential? I'm not talking about just walking around, shaking hands, clinking glasses, or passing out business cards - paper or virtual variety. I'm talking about CONNECTING with people. Beginning a relationship grounded in mutual interests or goals. At its core, networking is expanding your circle of people whom you know and who know you and what you're all about. Properly used, it allows you to... share resources refer good people to other good people who can help them build a solid reputation as a generous soul who provides value and is worthy of being liked, known, and trusted. Yup, you've got earn that trust. This past week, I attended four events, each one different from the others, and targeted to different areas of my life. They were fun, too, because the organizers made sure to target their potential attendees as a match to what they were offering - and to honor everyone's time by keeping to a publicized schedule. As a result, people received the value they were expecting and were engaged with the programs from start to finish. Network strategically. You only have so much time (and investment) to go around. Networking with new-found friends at an Atlanta business social. Before signing up as a member to anything, take time to check it out. Many organizations welcome guests, just for this very purpose. Different types of networking There are SO many networking groups around. How do you choose which to join? First, do your research as to what they offer and ask yourself: What do I want to achieve? Who do I want to spend time with? Is this an organization I want to invest time and money in or is this a one-time event? Your time and money are limited resources, so don't exhaust yourself with a scattergun approach. Talk to others familiar with the group or organization and see if meets your criteria. Or if something sounds particularly interesting, dip your toe in the water and find out if you like the people involved or if the event will help you make the new connections you're seeking. Broadly speaking, there are three categories of networking: Industry-related Educational Social Fuse president Trey Toler with guests Rachel Ooms and Jonathon McKenzie. Industry-related If you're looking for networking events, the majority of them are business-related. Networking is practically synonymous with business and it takes many forms: Business mixers Conferences Trade shows Workshops Happy hour meetings Speed networking Meal-based presentations Roundtable discussions Career fairs Joint venture partnerships Three events of the past week fell into this category, each quite different from the others. I certainly hadn't intended to schedule so many together within a matter of days, but I had good reason to attend each one. The first was a panel discussion hosted by FUSE , a local marketing association on a topic that I found interesting and relevant to my work: the pros and cons of in-house vs. outside advertising agencies. The evening also gave me a great opportunity to meet people who may be interested in my voiceover and on camera services - and I did make some valuable connections. Most importantly to me and the other attendees was that the evening was very well run. They made sure to include plenty of time for networking both before and after the panel discussion. Overall, it was a great opportunity to meet potential clients and partners, as well as learn from the guest experts. Hamming it up after class with acting coach Shari Shaw and friends. The second industry event applied to my work as a film and TV actor. It was an acting workshop hosted jointly by an LA-based acting coach and a well-known Southeastern-based casting director. While it was primarily educational in its focus, the networking was key. Not necessarily amongst the students, but honestly, the main draw was to perform for the casting director, with hopes of making an impression and being remembered for new casting opportunities. Secondarily, we were all there to learn from the coach. (Sorry, Shari , but you're really not surprised.) Finally, because we were a group of only 35 people, we expanded our industry social circles, which has become rather important since Covid. The seismic shift brought on by the pandemic is that in-person auditions have pretty much become a thing of the past. Once casting directors saw the efficiency and speed of their work accelerated by viewing many more taped auditions vs. seeing actors in person, it was game over for running from one casting location to another. The third business event fit squarely into this category of Industry-related. A conference for business women, focusing on sharing trends and strategies in marketing, branding, scaling, technology, and innovation. I was literally front and center as the MC and panel moderator for the Women in Business Expo and Symposium and the one to introduce our celebrity keynote speaker. I was also given a table to promote my On Camera Confidence coaching services , but honestly, I was too busy running around keeping things going to be at my table much. I even forgot to eat the lunch they'd brought for me! Still, I met tons of people and as MC, encouraged everyone to turn to their neighbor and meet someone new. It was a wonderful whirlwind of energy and excitement. On stage as MC and panel moderator for the Women in Business Expo and Symposium, with panelist Dr. Robin Gethers. Educational As the name implies, the main draw for this type of networking category is the opportunity for learning. Beyond formal education, this includes such things as cooking classes, chess tournaments, and lecture series. My fourth networking even last week was a short lecture series hosted locally by our children's university, which took its program on the road as a means to encourage fundraising from those associated with the school. I love a good lecture series! They featured three short presentations, preceded and followed by a networking social with food and an open bar. It's good business to take care of your potential donors! They didn't lean too heavily into the fundraising either, focusing instead on value that will bring us back to future events. The topics ranged from an overview of AI applications in the medical profession, to how emotion impacts science, to how plants are being genetically modified to better tolerate drought while producing higher yields. Not only did we meet a few new people, we were delighted to run into old friends who we didn't know had ties to the school. All around, it was very educational, a lot of fun, and ultimately conducive to their fundraising efforts. UPenn brought guest lecturers for a lively evening of education and social networking. There are other types of educational events that you just fall into through friends and other members of your family. Case in point: parents with school-age children. I'm talking team sports, school theater departments, or music programs, to name a few. When your kids are young and you're playing mom (or dad) taxi, you get to know their friends pretty well, and often their friends' parents turned into our friends, too - simply because we spent so much time together. When my kids were young, I became their elementary school's chess mom. It's not like I'm some grandmaster. I've never learned to play chess. Really didn't care to learn. I honestly don't have the patience to play a game that could take a few hours to win (or lose). But I sure know had to organize things, and before long, not only was I the chess mom herding the kids along, but I ended up assisting the coaches, running training sessions, carpools, and small tournaments. Rather quickly, that morphed into running large statewide competitons with other dedicated chess moms, joining the board of the Georgia Chess Association, and creating marketing strategies and materials to move the whole organization online. I met people from all walks of life, including friends that are still with me, long after my kids have grown up and relegated chess to an occasional pasttime. And yeah, I still don't know how to play. Just not my jam. Parents of young kids find plenty of socialization - and maybe a bit of networking, too! - while cheering on their favorite athletes. Social Social aspects are certainly a part of both industry-related and educational events, but don't forget that we build networks through friendships, classes and workshops, and shared interests and hobbies. Have you ever volunteered? Cheered on your kid's soccer team? Or attended a chocolate-tasting event? All opportunities for social networking! Tuning in to the chocolate (I love chocolate!), I'm looking forward to a very different type of event next weekend: a chocolate seder for women 50+. For those who're wondering if "seder" is a typo - it's not. It's the formalized dinner service for the Passover holiday. It's just that this event turns the idea on its head and makes it a purely fun social event, held a week in advance of the actual holiday. Believe it or not, chocolate isn't mentioned anywhere in the Haggadah (the short book with the order of the Passover dinner, the story of the Biblical Exodus, and the prayers, actions, explanations behind the rituals). I have no idea what to expect, just that it should be delicious. No doubt I'll come away with a stomach ache and an extra pound or two out of it - but I bet I'll make some new friends and truly enjoy what's being served! Group games and sports are also networking events, because friends enjoy introducing other friends, and sometimes those meetups turn into business relationships. Yup, I've networked on the pickleball courts. Not intentionally, but people from all industries like to join in the game and conversations naturally go to inquiring about family, hobbies, and what line of work one's in (if not retired). It's an easy way to get to know someone - and you can tell a lot about a person by the way they play and handle wins and losses. Virtual networking options are plentiful and well-suited for those more introverted. Networking for introverts What about those of us who like the idea of networking, but can only take so much at a time? Or not at all? At least, not in person? Or who want to network, but just don't feel comfortable initiating conversations? Networking isn't just for the extroverts who like getting out there and mixing with large crowds of people in noisy rooms. Truly, that can be a bit tiring for anyone. If you're more introverted, you can go about it in one of two ways. First, consider looking for smaller events. Ideally, networking groups of 16-30 people allow you to meet most everyone and have time for more than a superficial conversation. But if that's more than you want, there's nothing to keep you from attending for a short period of time, with the goal to only meet two or three others. I know a very introverted individual who attends conferences, but schedules plenty of breaks during the day to return to his hotel room for quiet alone time before venturing out again. Another idea is to frequent virtual networking events, of which there are quite a few. I belong to several and thoroughly enjoy them. Virtual events can be especially helpful to an introvert, because you're never "trapped" - you're physically in your own space and you always have the option to step back and disengage for a bit by turning off your video. Some of my favorites include the Grand Connection , the JV Directory , and Innovation Women . Another way to network virtually is through social media. If your purpose is primarily self-promotion, then you can post photos, videos, and comments on Instagram, TikTok, and even Facebook and meet new folks. (Or Discord, X, Threads, YouTube, or any number of other platforms.) Personally, I and so have many other business-minded individuals have found LinkedIn to be the best to building authentic relationships. Quite a few of my contacts over the years have become friends that I've even met in person! You can also join groups with specific interests. I'm a member of numerous marketing, women-focused, acting, and voiceover groups on Facebook and they've been wonderful, both for professional and personal purposes. What to choose, what to choose ... maybe a little of both? Both great options! What do you really want to get out of a networking event? Let's go back to that strategy question, so you don't waste time, effort, or money chasing networking opportunities. To recap, what do you really want to achieve? Who are the people you enjoy spending time with or whom you'd like to know? And before signing up as a member to anything, take time to check it out. Many organizations welcome guests, just for this very purpose. Others welcome guests to drop in for events that appeal to them, paying slightly higher guest fees than members to join in. Here are some basic reasons people join: Business contacts Friendships Information Social outlet Group participation in a mutual interest or sport Free food (yes, many of these events do offer complimentary small bites and desserts!) A chance to get out of the house (with so many people working from home, this is a real need) There are really no wrong answers! And usually an organization checks more than one box. Remember what your mother may have told you: if you don't try, you don't get. If you're like me, you'll probably meet some pretty incredible people along the way, so put yourself out there and have a good time. coming up... The Shameless Hussy's Guide to On Camera Confidence a FREE webinar! Thursday, May 1 4pm EST Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Voiceover conferences are more than industry get-togethers - they're often social salvations What do you know about the life of a voice actor? Well, with the word "actor" in its title, you might imagine that more than a few are the starving artist type. It's not easy work to come by, there's a lot of rejection involved, and the vast majority don't earn a respectable living from it. All true. Maybe not the starving part. Quite a few hold full-time jobs or juggle two or more part-time employment. You might also think that voice actors primarily work in animation, like your favorite Saturday morning cartoon when you were a kid. Not quite true, though some do. The rest of us would love to be in their shoes. Most of us work quietly and unrecognized in many other genres: corporate narration, eLearning, political, medical, documentary, audiobooks, telephony, explainers ... and yes, the better known genres of commercials (radio, TV, internet), promos, and video games. Me, I primarily work in commercials and corporate, eLearning, and explainers, though I've done a fair number of voice overs for film, TV, and YouTube animated videos. What you may not realize is that professional voice actors these days work from home studios. Thank you, Covid! It was a trend in its infancy before 2020, but Covid closed down recording studios and opened the market for home studios, and it's now here to stay. If you're a voice actor today without a professional, broadcast-quality home studio, a good volume of work may be bit hard to come by. Well, those home studios can be teeny tiny, often just 4x4, and more than a little confining when you're recording inside one for hours each day. No one else to interact with (unless perhaps a client via audio for a directed session). Just you, your mic, your script, and the equipment needed to make it all happen. Oh, and a nice little padded room to dampen echoes, keep unwanted outside noises out of the recording, and ensure a quiet noise floor. So when you have a chance to bust out and meet some other human beings for a change, you're all over it! In the industry, we call that a voiceover conference. And we love 'em. Conferences are for learning - and reconnecting with colleagues. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves. Drinking from the firehose Voice actors joke that we spend our time in padded rooms talking to ourselves. Literally true. I don't really fall into that category because I mix it up with my on-camera work - where I'm always with a ton of people on set - and my On Camera Confidence coaching. It's a nice balance. What do you get most from conferences? When I was starting out in VO, back in 2018, I was drinking from the firehose. Trying to absorb as much as possible. It was mind-spinning, but also exhilirating. I mean, if you're going to jump into the water, learn to swim with the best coaches out there. VO Atlanta has always delivered. In recent years, with much more experience under my belt, it's more like cherry-picking. What do I want to learn? Which coaches, casting directors, or agents do I want to learn from most? It's a great opportunity to do a deep dive into one or two areas, rather than sampling many superficially, and especially to pick up a new skill or two. For me, that was learning live announce, also called Voice of God, from the ceiling-crasher herself, Randy Thomas, who's voiced umpteen Oscars, Emmys, Tonys, and so many TV shows and specials. Loved it! Can't wait to learn more. Conferences are also great ways to network. Nowadays, it's meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends that I love best. The best way to make new friends? Besides walking straight up and introducing yourself, think about becoming a speaker. Best way to accelerate the networking! I've been a speaker at VO Atlanta 2021, at the One Voice USA conference in Dallas in 2023, and will be for the Mid-Atlantic Voice Conference in DC in November. When you're a speaker, people approach YOU, and if they've heard your talk, you already have a great jumping off point for the conversation. What makes a conference especially memorable? Anna Collins, the organizer of VO Atlanta, and her husband J. Michael Collins, a hugely successful voice actor, coach, and demo producer - and godfather of our industry! - put on a phenomenal four-day event. This is how they make it especially exciting, enough to sell out with over 1000 attendees: Fresh, up-to-date content and speakers every year. Additional workshops (for extra $$) that provide deep dives into particular topics of interest, led by well-known and respected leaders in those areas. Fun and surprises in the way of entertainment, prize drawings, and spontaneous appearances of free champagne. A well-run event with plenty of good food, ambassadors on hand to welcome attendees and smooth out any technical problems, and a hotel or conference center that's well-compensated, so they go the extra mile to treat your attendees the way you want them to be treated. Smiles and professionalism all around. I'm not the only one already looking forward to next year's conference! Getting the most for your money Conferences aren't cheap, especially if you're a solopreneur and have to travel and put yourself up at a hotel on your own dime. Thank goodness for business expense write-offs! They do help. To get the most bang for your buck, know why you're going and what you want to come away with from the conference? Updated industry briefings? New connections for business opportunities? A chance to promote your products or services, either as a speaker or as a sponsor or vendor? When you have a goal, it makes it so much easier to plan your time and prioritize which presentations or social events you attend. One of the biggest challenges may be to put into action those things you've learned, long after you've rturned from the conference. Guilty! I tend to take copious notes, because I. Don't. Want. To. Forget. A. Thing. Except that when I'm back in the whirlwind of my typical workday, that folder of notes doesn't always get looked at. And some of those great ideas are buried, only to resurface when I finally get around to cleaning out my office. Does that happen sometimes to you, too? Don't let it! If you can, perhaps on your way home, summarize the most important takeaways and keep them with you. Or throw the mishmash of notes into ChatGPT and ask AI to sort it into highlights and actions items for you. Make the most of the conference, even long after it's over. That's my To Do this week (in addition to everything else that got log-jammed because I was away from my office for 4.5 days). Sigh. It takes a bit of work even after the conference to be sure I got full value. But you know what? In the end, it's well worth it. Upcoming Events Women in Business Expo and Symposium Saturday, March 29 11am - 4pm EST Atlanta, GA (I'm the MC and panel moderator!) Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Perfectionism is boring. There's a reason accidents draw rubber-neckers. If your goal is to be the picture perfect on-camera speaker ... STOP IT. Stop it right now. You're heading in the wrong direction. Perfectionism is boring. B-O-R-I-N-G. Perfection, by definition, is unattainable. Excellence, yes, that's a worthy and doable goal. Perfection will always just be out of reach. Human quirks, personalities, and even mistakes are so much more relatable, watchable, and entertaining. If you want eyeballs on your videos, media appearances, and online presentations, quit emulating the 'bots and be unequivocally and unapologetically human. Train wreck? It happens. Be your own superhero and rise from the wreckage. Train wrecks are fascinating Let's be honest. While most of us enjoy a well-organized, well-delivered speech or presentation, the ones most memorable are often those went off track. Something happened. The technology failed and the speaker was left stranded without notes or visual aids and had to wing it. An audience member challenged the speaker and exposed him or her as unprepared, not forthcoming (even a bit of dishonest), not as knowledgeable as supposed, or openly hostile at being challenged. A physical, mental, or emotional breakdown by either the speaker/presenter or an audience member. These are pattern disruptions - no one saw them coming! The interest lies in how the speaker handles them successfully. Done well, those trust, credibility, and respect metrics increase dramatically and prove to be blessings in disguise. Mishandled, well, those make great stories shared around the social media water cooler. It's not like we're trying to make a train wreck happen - it is and should be a rare occurrence. It's that we should give ourselves time to acquire and develop new skills. And be as patient with ourselves getting there as we would be for anyone else. You can't win the race if you don't show up. The hardest thing is just to get started Stop second-guessing everything you're doing in the pursuit of "getting it right." Especially if you want to stand out amongst both AI avatars and your human competitors, lead with your unique personality and perspectives. No one else is quite like you, and there is no right way of being you. Except to just be you. Your skills and comfort at speaking on camera will improve over time. Everyone has to start somewhere, Everyone makes mistakes or does things inefficiently or ineffectively at first. Me, too. I look at my earliest videos and see that I was too presentational vs. conversational and far too focused on getting the information out there, rather than sharing it more personably with my audience. I learned. I'm still learning. You can and will, too. But if you don't get started, you'll never begin that journey. You'll never improve. People are far more patient and understanding with us that we are with ourselves. So give yourself permission to try and fly, even if your running start lands you flat on your face. Pick yourself up, review what you didn't do too well, make adjustments, and go again. On Camera Confidence is a process, one that you CAN develop to look and sound great while developing a reputation as a go-to expert. Here are a few of my favorite tips: Relax - enjoy the message vs. worrying how you come across. Let go of worries about your appearance or how people will judge your expertise. When you focus on sharing what's important and do so from both your heart and mind, your knowledge and passion will shine through and leave a noticeable impact. Visualize your story's roadmap - know the journey you'll take your audience on by telling it as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Stories naturally pique our interest and draw us in to the storyteller. Thinking of your message as a story keeps you on track, too, and provides structure to your material. Having difficulty keeping the stops along the journey in order, without missing a single one? Create visual images for each part of the journey and imagine a narrative where each image by necessity leads to the next. Enjoy your role as a storyteller - even if you're called upon to update a group with rather dry facts, find the interest, find the fun in what you have to say, and share your enthusiasm. When your audience sees that you're enjoying sharing information, they'll find it more interesting, too. Want to make a strong impression? Learn to be comfortable in your own skin - even on camera! - and showcase your confidence and unique personality, Bessie lives on her own terms. Don't keep tweaking 'til the cows come home Those cows are on a bovine bender and they're NOT coming home anytime soon. Some tweaking is good. You'll improve. No problem. Overworking your material or delivery, though, can be a drain of time, resources, and energy without enough benefits to justify the effort. We call that rapidly diminishing returns. I'm not saying that you shouldn't strive for excellence. You should! Just don't fall into the perfection trap. Excellence vs. Perfection. The cold, hard truth is that perfection is a goal imagined differently by each person, and often reset. When is enough, ENOUGH? And good, GOOD ENOUGH? The answer: usually when it involves limited available time and money. Or patience: yours, friends, family, or co-workers. Or when someone grabs whatever you're working on and hits you over the head with it. That's a clear indication that you might have slid into obsession. Try this instead: Know your constraints and honor them If that means setting limits to the amount of time and money you can spend on something, decide what those limits are BEFORE beginning work. Then stick to then. Yes, that calls for self-discipline. I know, it's painful. But it's better than a knock on the noggin. Define what you consider to be an excellent result Make sure that it's a reasonable goal and achievable within your constraints. Write it down, keep it clearly in mind, but make sure it's realistic. If it helps, share your goal and your work with others for outside opinions. Just make sure you ask those who have your best interests at heart! Focus on creating and delivering the excellent rather than the perfect Do your best with what you have. Don't spend unnecessary time and/or money tweaking towards perfection when you can create an excellent result on time and within budget. If you're bumping against a deadline, chances are you'll grow impatient with yourself, discouraged by your efforts, and end up getting barely anything done. In other words, perfectly unproductive. (Congrats, I guess - you achieved perfection. Just not how you imagined it.) And if you're in a sour mood, you probably won't be much fun at parties, either. Be gracious to yourself and allow time for improvement This is especially applicable to the performance part of speaking on camera. It takes time. If you stumble during a live presentation or livestream interview, collect yourself and go on. No big deal, we've all been there. If you're creating a video ... guess what? You can edit out the flubs in post-production. Return to the beginning of the point your stumbled on and just go over it again. Presto, magico - it comes across smoothly in the final edit. Remember that DONE imperfectly is often better than INCOMPLETE Are you on a tight deadline? This is where perfection can be the enemy of good. Sometimes having a project done well enough and delivered on time is far more preferable than having a more polished version completed too late or not at all. Laura's Quick Tips Working on a project? Strive for excellence, not perfection. Improve. Don't obsess. Know and work within your limits - every project has some sort of deadline and budget attached to it. Honor them. Don't waste time on diminishing returns, especially if no one else can tell the difference between "tweaked" and "not tweaked." You'll end up frustrated and risk burnout. If you screwed up, you screwed up. Sometimes how you handle things counts more than how well you talked about them. Take a chance at something new or scary. You'll improve with time and experience. We thrive when we allow ourselves to expand and grow, even if it seems a little risky at the time. I'm a recovering perfectionist. I've had to learn some of these lessons the hard way because I have wasted time trying to perfect something that really did not need it. Conversely, sometimes I've made the end result worse by unwittingly overworking it. Acting training taught me that one. Because acting is an art, not a science, and one that requires a measure of spontaneity. And nothing kills spontaneous, authentic response than overplanning. Even in theater, where performances are repeated over and over, the best actors find something new in each retelling of the story so that it doesn't appear stale, uninspired, or over-rehearsed to the audience. In film and TV, some of the most memorable scenes are created from spontaneous, honest reactions to what's happening in the moment, not what's been scripted on paper. And these are the ones that prove to be far more "perfect" than those originally planned. Additionally, the performance element - whether it's acting, public speaking, or teaching - is perceived subjectively, not quantitatively measured. The content can be measured, but the impact that the actor, speaker, or instructor leaves differs with each person who receives it. The moral of the story is to let go of the harsh self-judgment, the thinking that you're falling short of the mark, or that you'll be "found out" to be less than adequate. (That's the ol' imposter syndrome!) You're holding yourself back! Focus on what you have to say, find the joy or fun of sharing it, and allow yourself to make mistakes. Hey, if you want to make an impact, don't be afraid of the train wreck. Own it, work through it, and rise above it. Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER  •  ON CAMERA  •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Set your pace based on your subject matter, audience, and intent Are you the tortoise or the hare? Or the Goldilocks of pacing?  When it comes to public speaking  –  or talking to the camera, which is a form of public speaking – how do you know what the right speed should be? Do you take it nice and slow so that everyone can follow? Or do you raise the energy by speaking quickly? Or maybe you prefer the middle ground, whatever that means to you. Well, to state the obvious, avoid the extremes. Too slow, and you’ll put your viewers to sleep. Or more likely, they’ll become impatient and switch you off. Too fast, and they may not understand your words clearly or process quickly enough what you’re saying. A fast pace can be appropriate, but keep the words short and simple so that they can be understood easily enough. What’s your purpose? Who’s your audience? These are two of the best guidelines for choosing your pace.  Technical material? Calming and meditative? Either way, catch your breath and take your time. Slow and Steady Keeps Your Audience on Track Generally speaking, a slow pace is ideal for giving step-by-step instructions and sharing detailed or technical information. The last thing you want is your audience scrambling to keep up, focusing more on note-taking than on understanding and retentioin, or missing out altogether on important information. A recorded message can be replayed, but that becomes tiresome after a while. When you record to the camera, you probably will not have a live audience to gauge reception. If you’re not sure of those parts in which you’d naturally slow down, based on an audience’s reactions, imagine hearing your presentation for the first time yourself. What would you want emphasized? Or, do a dry run or two of your presentation and note where your trial audience would prefer a slower pace. Chances are, they’d be happy to give you feedback. When else does a slow pace make sense? Meditations and telling ghost stories around a campfire! One leads the listener to a slower, more relaxed state of being. The other adds tension, as the campers are in suspense as to what happens next (usually told with a very loud bang). As a voice actor, I’ve recorded both types and the slow pace, combined with music, is incredibly effective. Any parent, grandparent, or caretaker will also tell you that we instinctively talk to young children to make sure of their understanding and to give them time to respond. The same with speaking to or recording a video for the elderly, who may be hard of hearing. Enunciation certainly is important here! It also helps greatly for the hearing-impaired who may be reading lips. Thank goodness for the proliferation of captioning – just make sure to use them so that your videos are easily accessible by all audiences. Will you be recording or speaking live in a room that could double as an echo chamber? Besides giving everyone headaches, the reverberating sound can greatly undermine the understandability of your speech. If you can, treat the room with carpets, wall hangings, and soft curved or upholstered surfaces to dampen the bounce of sound waves off bare floors, wooden furniture, high ceilings, and empty walls. At the very least, use a head or lavalier mic to bring your voice as closely to the mic as possible. If all else fails, speak slowly and allow time for your voice to bounce off surfaces before continuing. Want to wake up the room? Get some sales people motivated? Use an energetic pace. Speedy Gonzales, at Your Service I loved that little cartoon mouse. Perhaps because I’m naturally a bit of a fast-walker/fast-talker (which came in handy when I was a debater back in school). Just like there’s a place for a slow, steady tone, there are also many calls for a quicker pace. A faster pace comes in handy when you’re trying to energize the room, such as for a sales meeting or motivational conference. You want everyone in rah-rah land? Get up and away from the podium. Move around a lot. Use humor and entertaining graphics, video clips, and stories to keep your audience interested and totally engaged. Add an interactive component to your presentation, but by all means, use a happy, quick, and even a clipped pace to keep them on their feet. Your energy will be contagious, which is what these event organizers are hoping for. Looking for a step or three below rah-rah? Most of us would rather be there, too. Keep a quick pace, perhaps less energetically delivered, and you’ll convey happiness, optimism, and encouragement. The upbeat tone you set will be enough. If you authentically feel good and excited by your material, you’ll deliver it from the heart, and that too is a great way to raise the personal energy of everyone in the room. If talking quickly is just not in your comfort zone, don’t push it. If you tried, it could just come across as forced, and people would be much less likely to accept the truth of what you’re saying. You also don’t want to trip over your words by speaking too fast or rely on verbal fillers like “um,” “you know,“ and “well…” when you can’t think quickly enough of the next point. Know your comfortable pace and stick with it. There are great speakers who are naturally fast or slow and it’s just part of their signature style. Besides, you’re probably already at … (drumroll, please) the Goldilocks pace. When in doubt, go natural: not too fast, not too slow ... just whatever's right for you. The Goldilocks Pace That in-between place is the Goldilocks pace, and that’s where most of us aim to live. Easy to understand and follow, energetic enough to keep us engaged. How do you know if you’ve nailed it? Many of us think we’re there, only to be told later that either we need to pick up the pace (people are falling asleep or walking out) or that we’re racing through our presentation and need to take a deep breath and relax into it. That’s when a dry run in front of a live audience pays off. Or just record yourself in video fashion with your smart phone and see how you come across. Show the video to others and see what they say. Chances are you’re just fine. If not, see where you need to adjust your pace and practice until you find your sweet spot.  The Goldilocks pace is your own natural, comfortable way of speaking. It’s also varied speech. You instinctively slow down when you’re explaining an important or complex point, and speed up when you’re bridging from one topic to the next. Most of us don’t speak in a measured, monotone pace, so you shouldn’t either. Where do I go from here? Pace is part of what I call dynamic delivery. Other components include volume, tone, and strategic use of the pause and I'll highlight all of these in a future newsletter. All of these together contribute to a speaking style that is interesting to listen to, engaging, and relatable to your audience. Looking to discover how you can can be more effective on camera? Book a free call with me and we'll talk about how and where I think you can elevate your speaking style. In the meantime, if you're in the Atlanta area, I'd love to see you at my next event! MC and Moderator for the Women in Business Expo & Symposium Saturday, March 29 11am - 4pm I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

The key to taking a great headshot is in your mindset - and imagination! I was talking with a friend the other week and she was getting ready to take new headshots for her realty business. Understandably, she was a bit nervous. So much rides on taking a great professional or corporate photo. You want to look your best. Plus, all wrapped up in one package, you need to come across as friendly, approachable, and relatable, yet also authoritative, competent, and serious-minded about your work. That's quite a lot of manage in one look. Should you smile or not? Stand or sit? Look into the camera or off at a slight angle? How should you dress or wear your hair and makeup? The list goes on. As if all those concerns weren't enough, you're challenged to look comfortable and natural, even though the experience of literally being in the spotlight is often anything but comfy and normal. In talking with my friend, my advice was pretty much the same as what I regularly share with my clients about developing their own on-camera confidence for videos and online appearances. After all, it's still about knowing how to prepare for and work with the camera. After her session, my friend reached out to tell me that the suggestions were quite helpful, so I thought I'd share them here in this blog with all of you. Whether you're preparing for your first headshot session or a seasoned veteran needing an update, here are some broad guidelines for you to reference. A great headshot captures the real, genuine you in an unguarded (not self-conscious!) moment. Wanna know a secret? To capture your authentic self on camera for a headshot, have your thoughts on a real story you're recalling. Plan out your looks - what do you want to convey? Start with some basic organization. What types of looks do you want? My realtor friend had three in mind. Friendly - approachable and relatable Expert - knowledgeable and experienced Caring - "I'm there for you" vibe Of course, she would like to convey all three with one look. Chances are there's going to be some "bleed through" - she'll review photos that blend two or maybe all three of these characteristics. Knowing what you're going for, though, gives you a solid jumping off point. Settle into your body so you look natural and at ease The secret to looking and speaking at ease for the camera is to get comfortable in your own skin. Release nervous energy and negative thoughts with some light physical movements. Hydrate Drink plenty of water before your session. Your body will feel less tense with a throat that's not so dry (always heightened by anxiety!) and your muscles will feel less tight. Relax Easier said than done, right? Nope. Three quick and easy exercises you can do on the spot: Shoulder shrugs up and down - better photos result when your shoulders aren't up around your ears. Head circles, followed by slowly tilting your head back to face the sky and then forward towards your chest. Knee bends and twists at the waist from side to side. Breathe Take a moment, close your eyes if it helps, and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose for four seconds, hold for two to three seconds, and then breathe out slowly through your mouth for four seconds. Do a few times and you'll feel your nerves settling down. Adjust your mindset and fire up your imagination The biggest takeaway here is not to worry about how you look, what people may think of you when they see the photo (or during the shoot if you're in a public place), or anything that has to do with the photographer's job, like the lighting or composition of the photo. Your thoughts should be on the story you're telling. Huh? What story? you may be wondering. It's the story of you interacting with your client in a very positive way. A warm greeting. A deal being closed. Seeing how you've helped your client through a difficult transition. Whatever emotion is driving the story, it will be reflected in your facial expression. The photographer's job is to capture those moments on film. If it sounds like you're doing a little playacting, you are. Except your story is real, because you lived it. Here's where an acting technique comes in handy to help get you where you want to be. Imagine that you're with a great client and you're walking through a scenario. Let's say you are a realtor and you're showing someone a home that's just been renovated and is looking quite lovely. Run the story through your mind, how you will see your client excited to see that gorgeous new kitchen and - gasp! - it's within her price range. How do you react? Happily? Click! The photographer captures that moment. Pleased? Click! Another great look. Responding to a worried question? Click! You obviously are listening and care for your client in that photo. Let the photographer do his or her job and catch those golden moments. Not ever snap is going to be great. You may have your mouth open, your eyes slightly closed. Those won't be used. But ... the ones that are will reveal real emotion, a smile that's real and natural, not composed for camera. What if you're not so adept at running stories through your head like that, especially if you're nervous or self-conscious? Get some help! A good photographer may be able to able to prompt you, much like the fashion photographers in the movies ("work it, baby, work it!") ... but in a less intimidating way. Or perhaps a friend can come along to engage with you in real conversation, standing either behind the photographer or slightly off to the side, if your photographer wants options where you're not looking directly to camera. Talk with your friend, react naturally - even with conversation and laughter - and let the photographer do the magic. Just check with your photographer beforehand if you want to do this, so that they're on board with it, too. A bonus tip The best tip I can offer overall? Know that people who see your headshot aren't judging on glitz and glamour or the lack thereof. They're getting a sense of who YOU are before they meet you, or triggering a memory of meeting you when they look at your photo afterwards. Human beings naturally orient right to the face to get a sense of someone. What's their first reaction and is it positive or negative? Then they'll focus on the eyes to see if they match the facial expression. A disconnect? Oh, no, someone may be lying or masking real intention or emotion. You don't want that disconnect in your headshot. You want WYSIWYG: "what you see is what you get." That's why you need to create real, natural, authentic expressions in your headshot photography session, even if the experience unnerves you or you just don't like the spotlight. Remember, it doesn't really matter whether you're laughing, smiling, or appearing quite composed in your photo. It's the read of "genuine" that makes your headshot work. Give these suggestions a go in your next headshot session. I can pretty much guarantee that they WILL make a difference - and when they do, please drop me a line to let me know! Need any help preparing? Reach out to me and we can work together so that your new headshot puts you first and foremost in your clients' minds in the best possible way. Women in Business Expo & Symposium Let's meet in person! I'm the MC and moderator for 3 panel discussions Saturday, March 29, 2025 11 am - 4 pm EST Atlanta, Georgia Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Size DOES matter when it comes to your camera frame Here's how to get framed in a good way. (Not the "getting tangled up in something illegal and being blamed for something that you didn't do" kind of framing.) We're talking about camera frames here, not getting tangled up in something you didn't do. When you're in film, TV, or video production, frame refers to the camera shot. Specifically for you the speaker, that's how much of you and your surroundings that the viewer will end up seeing. For film, TV, and longer-form video, that's the typical 16:9 ratio or landscape view. For short videos on social media, it's flipped to 9:16 or the portrait view. Up close and personal, the frame determines how much of your body will be shown. Typically, it’s somewhere between a close-up (head and shoulders) and a waist up shot. When you know your frame, you'll know how big - or how little - your movements, gestures, and even expressions can (or should) be. Sorry, but the visiting habits of a magical Hogwarts portrait don't work too well in the real world. Here's how it works. Imagine that you’re a magical portrait hanging at Hogwarts. You’re an animated picture that can move within your frame, which is defined by a top, bottom, and left and right sides. Because you’re magical, you can move beyond the boundaries of your frame and visit other portraits, but in doing so, you’ll totally disappear from view in your own frame. You may still be heard, but you won’t be seen. That may be OK if the action is on something else is going on in your frame, but the act of you slipping off the side of your frame will have the viewer wondering where you went. Better instead to just cut from your shot to another focused on a different action.  Let’s talk about how to best work within your frame, what to keep in mind while you’re moving around in it, and how to use the camera to give a 3D feel within 2D media. How do you decide on the size of your frame? Experiment! Try different sized frames for your videos. What works best for casual short videos? For long form? Fit the frame to your message, however you think it’ll be best received. Working within your frame So how do you know how much space you have to work with? If you’re working with a professional production company, there’ll be a videographer or director of photography to set up the shot. Their job, aside from lighting, is to position you nicely within the frame of the video. Typically, you’ll be centered in the shot, depending on how much of the background is involved in the video. If you’re self-taping, then you can use the flip screen of your camera to see how much of you and your surroundings are seen on camera. Get a feel for the space. As you watch yourself, move your arms up and around you to judge how much movement you can allow yourself before you’d disappear from view. How much of yourself should be shown on camera? That depends on your subject matter and what you’ll be doing, your artistic preference for the shot, and your own comfort level about being on camera. The “talking head” shot shows head and shoulders. Many more people are comfortable shooting from the chest up or from the waist up. If you’re demonstrating a product that requires whole body movement, you may choose to have your entire self in frame. A professional videographer may alternate between closeups and full body shots to add interest and dimension to the video. They may shoot your scene multiple times at different angles and then cut and edit their videos into a single production. Alternatively, the video may just be filmed once in a wide shot and later edited into closer-up frames. Forget Mr. DeMille ... are YOU ready for your closeup?! Small is LARGE on camera The number one rule when appearing on camera is to keep your movements small, especially if it’s a tight shot like from shoulders on up. The bigger the frame, the more freedom you have to move and gesture. That’s why it’s important to know your frame or, if you’re self-taping, deciding ahead of time how large your frame will be. Why small movements? Because the camera will act as a magnifying glass. Remember that viewers may watch your video on screens of any size. A lot of movement on a cell phone screen can be engaging, but on a large monitor, it’ll be quite distracting and potentially quite annoying. In closeup shots on a large screen, you’ll literally be larger than life. If you’re using a professional production company, they will show you where to stand. If you’re following a script that calls for walking from place A to place B, they’ll tape colored marks on the floor to show you where you’re supposed to “land and stand” at different points in the script. Otherwise, stay planted squarely on both feet and minimize any natural swaying you may have while you speak. Are you a big hand talker? If wild gestures are part of your animated style, practice taking them down a notch or two. While they may bring your story alive when you’re telling it to a physical audience, they’ll be much too distracting in a close-up video. Simple gestures that accentuate your points work well; movements like pointing, shrugging, or holding a hand up to count or to indicate “stop” are natural and part of our body language. If you can’t keep your gestures small enough, though, keep your hands below frame so they’re not seen. The movement of your shoulders and arms will be enough without viewers having to see your hands flying all over the place. If you’re a very bouncy, energetic type of person, would you be better off sitting? Not necessarily. If you choose to stand, do so squarely but comfortably on both feet. Don’t shift your weight around; the camera will catch and amplify the movement. That’s not to say you should stand stiff as a board – that physicality just announces that you’re uncomfortable or possibly about to say something dishonest or true. Adopt a comfortable stance and stay put. You may want to practice it on your camera phone beforehand so that your body language reflects your message.  If you choose to sit, be sure not to slouch! If you’re leaning too far back or to one side in a close-up frame, it’ll give the impression that you’re detached from your message and your viewers. Unless you mean to convey a “devil may care,” very casual attitude, use a backless stool. It’ll make you sit up straighter and offer a clean background, too (no views of the back of a chair). Just don’t use a swivel stool. You’ll be tempted to swivel, especially if you’re nervous, and you’ll give the impression that you’re lacking in confidence. It just may make your viewers a little dizzy, too. Not a good move. Working 3-Dimensionally Within a 2D Frame You can create excitement, intimacy, suspense, and an assortment of other responses by the way you move and relate to the camera – all while staying within your frame. These movements are tiny, but they’ll seem much more deliberate on camera.... Angle your body to make a point. Take a teeny tiny step forward or lean in a bit to demonstrate sincerity or the need to really talk directly to the viewer. Cock your head slightly to one side to indicate a thought or new idea. Move your arm or hand slightly toward the camera to offer up a point (but don’t get too close or your arm or hand will look outsized and a bit aggressive). Lean back a little from the camera and then return to your normal posture to show assessment or a dash of confidence. Hands on the hips and a nod of your head forward says “in the know.” Experiment! But just remember that a little goes a long way. Working with a professional video production team If you’re working with a professional production team, tell them what you’re trying to convey in your video and they’ll work with you to get the framed shots that support it. They may have suggestions to enhance your delivery, too, or techniques to add interesting angles. If you plan on moving from place to place in your video, know that they’ll need time to set up the lighting, sound, and camera angles for each shot. And be sure that they show you exactly where to walk and stop at each station (with tape on the floor). And if you're on your own? Making videos yourself with your mobile phone? Trial and error is the answer - you'll figure out the right framing for yourself soon enough, just by looking back at what you've recorded and how it compares to other videos you like. And if you'd like some feedback, maybe some advice ... well, you know where to find me. Always happy to help! Extended through February 3! Over 30 Free Gifts! Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

The holiday season is past, but the gift-giving continues! I'm delighted to take part once again in the Grand Connection's Winter Grand Giveaway, now through the end of January. Together with 30 other GC members, I'm sharing my favorite freebie: 10 strategies to become more comfortable, charismatic, and EFFECTIVE on camera so you can land more clients. If no one's watching your videos, something has to change - and often that begins with how you approach your videos in the first place. The other gifts range from business services to tips on health, marketing strategies, and mindset. Perfect if you're looking to start 2025 off strong and could use a fresh marketing toolkit, a boost in productivity, or a self-care practice to give you more get up and go. If you're unfamiliar with the Grand Connection, take a look at their list of upcoming events . Plenty of guest speakers and networking, plus special interest groups for marketers speakers, authors, and podcasters. I've been a member for the past couple of years and have been pleased with the value. You 're welcome to come twice as my guest to any event that piques your interest - no pressure to join. Enjoy these offers ... and be sure to let me know which ones you like best! Want to learn how to be great on camera? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER  •  ON CAMERA  •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

How to preserve your voice for that important online appearance The bane of any speaker - losing your voice when you need it most. Aacck! Go ahead, reach for that throat lozenge or spray. We both know that when it matters, every little thing helps. To help you know what those things are, here's a checklist of quick remedies for nurturing your pipes. Some will take longer than others to produce a positive result, but take it from a voice actor, they can get you through your session. Just don't push yourself! Trying too hard to force a strong sound from a weakened throat will not end well. Trust me. (Been there, done that.) Vocal health includes both preventative measures and immediate remedies. Shoring up your immune system and keeping yourself hydrated is something you should always  be doing, not just when your throat is on fire. Prevention is always the best remedy If you're already suffering from a pained throat or a diminished voice, I'm really not trying to make you feel worse than you already are. Promise! But shoring up your immune system and keeping yourself hydrated is something you should always be doing. Start right away, even if you're not feeling 100%. These measures can help you heal more quickly. Hydrate! Drink water throughout your day, every day. It's the perfect lubricant for your throat and body and flushes out toxins pretty effectively, too. Sleep. Get your zzzz's in every night. Give yourself the luxury of a good night's sleep on a regular basis. Rest rejuvenates the body and helps you fight off infection. Vitamin C . I recommend 500-1000 mg a day to strengthen your immune system. Chewables are easy to take, especially for those of us who don't like swallowing pills on a daily basis. Vocal help when you need it NOW You're in the midst of a sore throat, bronchial infection, nasty cough, or froggy voice. To the rescue! Try: Humidifier - the perfect antidote to cold, dry winter air. Steam baths, showers, or even inhaling steam from a very hot water in a bowl can help you feel better quickly. Throat Coat tea by Traditional Medicinals is incredibly soothing! So is hot broth or soup. Swallow instead of cough . You'll save a lot of wear and tear on your strained vocal cords. Gargle with salt water . A 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 8 oz. water should do it. Honey - in lozenges or in hot water with a squeeze of lemon. Retire your voice . When you don't need to talk, don't! Give it some rest, so it'll have strength for when you really need it. Speak quietly and use a mic when you're talking on camera. A good mic, either standing or lapel, will pick up your voice just fine, as long as it's well-positioned (near your mouth). If you're soft, the audio output can be boosted without you having to strain your voice. Think "confidential" and you'll naturally speak more intimately or at a lower volume, which avoids strain on your voice. Saline nasal spray or wash can clear out mucus and strengthen your voice. Check out a neti pot to help relieve sinus pressure; just be careful to following instructions properly. Ibuprofen or aspirin are good to have on hand to help with a sore throat, fever, or headache. Cough suppressant can get you through your session, too. Less coughing means less strain on your vocal chords. Doctor-prescribed corticosteroids to decrease inflammation, if speaking is something you absolutely must do and none of the above suggestions is helping. Laura's Quick Tips of What NOT to Do! Don't clear your throat - it's actually harsher on your voice. Try swallowing instead. Avoid alcohol and caffeine - they dehydrate your system, which is counter-productive. Don't push through a fading voice, you'll only strain it. Don't whisper, it'll only make the problem worse. That's because whispering pulls your vocal cords tight, where they can't vibrate, and actually puts extra strain on them. Don't shout or sing - these may merit a "duh," but know that even a little shout or song can worsen your voice very quickly. How long will this last?! If you have laryngitis, you may find yourself without your usual strong voice for a week or two. Some winter viruses that make the circuit can drain your vocal strength for 3-5 weeks longer, unfortunately. That's certainly happened to me and it's very frustrating. Laryngitis takes time to heal. Your vocal cords or voice box are irritated or swollen, and that just takes time. If it continues to persist after a few weeks, then it's time to see your doctor. If the laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics. If instead it's related to a candida or yeast infection, you may be given an antifungal. Maybe your problem is related to sinusitis? If you have a persistent infection, that allergy you think you have that causes you to reach constantly for the tissues and clear your throat may warrant a visit to your friendly, neighborhood ENT specialist. Check it out - always better safe than sorry! Upcoming Events Smart Business Mastermind February 17 - 18, 2025 Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Watch our spec Super Bowl commercial for Doritos! What does it take to make a winning commercial for the Super Bowl? I love comedic roles. I especially love comedic roles in well-written scripts for projects that may get national attention. The top prize of all? A commercial for a top brand aired during the Super Bowl. I've had two opportunities for that this year. One, I didn't book. I did make it to callbacks, but the producers decided to "go another way." That's producer-speak for "You didn't get it." The other has a decent job of making it. I was cast by a top Atlanta production house, FUGO Studios , for a Doritos spec commercial. A spec commercial is a fully-produced spot that may or may not be ever broadcast. In this case, it was for the Doritos' Crash the Super Bowl annual contest to find the best customer-produced commercial. It's a pretty good deal for Doritos: a ready-made commercial with plenty of publicity that's fun for the general public. But it was a real hoot to make, too. And we've done well! Out of thousands of submissions, "Home From Work" made it to the semi-finals, one of the top 20 favorites chosen by Doritos. This week, the Doritos powers-that-be will choose their top three and ask viewers to vote for their favorites. Hopefully, "Home From Work" (which you can watch right now) will be the clear winner. I watched all 20 and while I'm slightly biased, I think ours is quite original and topical. And funny as hell. I hope you think so, too. "Funny and outrageous" is what counts when making a Doritos commercial and all 20 semi-finalists delivered. Strangely, three different commercials used urns (complete with ashes) and at least two featured the very elderly. There were two comedic takes on historical/Biblical events (the Trojan War and The Flood), another about alien abduction (always a fan favorite), and at least one that I didn't think would be considered suitable for family viewing during prime-time viewing, if you know what I mean. At the time of this posting, you can watch all 20 semi-finalists here . Starting on January 14, the top three will be presented ... and your vote matters! Especially if "Home From Work" is among them. If so, please please pretty-please vote for us! Ordering up more Doritos, 'natch. Doritos made me do it... Oh, about the title of this post? Yes, I did jump into a real lake in mid-October, fully dressed in business attire and pumps, carrying a fake laptop. Disclosure: I'm not much of a swimmer, especially fully-dressed and in cooler weather! Fortunately, a hunky lifeguard was floating nearby, out of sight of the camera, holding the little fishing boat steady for the shot. Yelling "help! help!" after the director called "Cut!" did cross my mind (just because), but considering that I felt like a cat plunged into water, I just made for the dock as fast as my little heeled legs could kick. Those towels looked WARM. So did the lifeguard, but I'm a married mama and discretion dictated sticking to the towels. FUGO Studios took great care with every detail. If you watch the commercial closely, you'll see the "break glass in case of emergency" stand with Doritos inside, an entry labeled "Cool Ranch Room," and my cubicle made up like a real bedroom. FUGO did an amazing job. Most scenes were shot in one day in a nearby office suite that production had rented, with plenty of extras (background actors) to provide that bustling office feel. My fishing boat scene took place on a different day at a lake just an hour north of Atlanta. No CGI there, just real wet little ol' me. And yes, it was done in one shot. The director told me exactly how they wanted it to look, down to the expression on my face and the determined leap to get to those free Doritos at the office. Considering the weather, the time it would take to get ready again, and all the other logistics, I was going whole-hog for that one-take wonder. Fortunately, production was pleased with my literal leap of faith. Another virtual day at the office. Behind the scenes How did I get the role of Janet, the wacky, Doritos-obsessed employee? They had all actors audition for one of the two boss roles. I submitted an audition for the lead boss, the one who starts off the commercial. They really liked my takes on it, but considering how the commercial ends - and I'm not spoiling anything, just look at the thumbnail above the producers chose for the spot! - they thought it would be a bit creepy and inappropriate for a woman to be standing there in her undies. I totally agreed. Maybe in bygone days when women wore slips under their dresses or skirts; you saw plenty of slips in older movies. Much better to be the fully clothed comic relief. Even if I got totally drenched. What's it like on a film set? Busy busy busy! Except when you're not doing anything at the moment. Film sets aren't all action all the time. It takes a while to set up each shot just right, with multiple takes to get each shot the way the director wants, and then again with usually more than one camera angle. There's plenty of downtime when you're not in the scene that's shooting. If you ever want to be an actor or even an extra, bring plenty of materials to keep yourself busy when you're waiting to be called. The best part? When you can see the finished piece. Actors don't often do until the movie, TV episode, or commercial is screened, the exception being a red carpet event or a production that shares part of all of the finished work. With corporate industrials, which are for a company's internal use, we almost never see them, which is a shame, because I've been a part of quite a few very creative projects. But all in all, I find it great fun and often come away with some terrific stories to share, though I often have to wait until a piece is aired before I can talk about it or share any type of promotion. You're not done living 'til you're permanently horizontal, so make the most of it. Subscribe on YouTube for new videos! A few takeaways from my quantum leap into the deep, dark cold Even if you're not ever considering making a commercial - or jumping into a lake fully clothed - there are a few takeaways from this story: Be bold  - just like the Doritos. You're not going to stand out if you don't try something new and different from time to time. Even if it doesn't work out. Take risks  - nothing dangerous or unwise, but if you want to expand your horizons or experiences ... go for it. Enjoy what you're doing!  Otherwise, what's the point? Unless you have to make the $$ to pay the mortgage, send the kiddos to college, etc. Then try to find the joy in the little moments. It's what makes life worth living. My philosophy is that you're not done with living until you're permanently horizontal, so make the most of it. And pursue your passions before you run out of time. Acting is one of mine and I certainly hope you enjoy this particular result. So... if you like our Doritos commercial, the team and I would greatly appreciate if you vote for "Home From Work" if we make it to the Top Three. And we sincerely thank you for your support...! Glutton for punishment? Have a looksee at some of my other recent projects . #DoritosCrash Want to learn how to be great on camera? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER  •  ON CAMERA  •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

Short form video continues to dominate How can you and your business be most visible to your target market in 2025? No surprise here, especially if you've been following me on social media or reading this blog. Across social media, short-form videos certainly seem to dominate as the viewers' preferred type of content. Why not? Short videos are great for grabbing and holding attention, especially as TikTok and Instagram reels. Even LinkedIn in 2024 started its own short video feed for mobile users. They're easy to watch from start to finish, considering their very short length. They're very easy to share and promote across platforms. They're relatively quick and easy to make, thanks to cell phones and the popularity of informal, spontaneous clips. Not convinced that social media is THE way to go? The HubSpot State of Marketing Report 2024  reports that 63% of marketers state that social media drives the highest ROI of all marketing channels. And short videos overwhelmingly are favored over other types of content by most viewers. So, focusing on short-form videos, what do you need to know and do differently? Some of the 2024 trends continue to gain in strength and popularity, while others are just gaining traction and may not be on your radar yet. Here's my list of the top 10 video trends for 2025. Think of short, vertical, captioned videos - all in a series Demonstrating your skills in a how-to video series? Choose one project or step per video. A short video series sets your audience's expectations. They'll see you sharing your knowledge and expertise on a regular basis in a familiar format and know to be on the lookout for more. 60-90 second videos Here's your sweet spot for attracting and retaining eyeballs through to the end of your message. The KISS acronym doesn't just stand for "Keep It Simple, Stupid." It also means "Keep It Short. Simple." (Yeah, I made that one up.) By and large, the traditionally defined limit of a short-form video is 60 seconds are less. Over the past year or so, some platforms like Instagram have expanded that to 90 seconds, and now YouTube has just announced that it's expanding its Shorts maximum length to 3 minutes. I suspect that retention will fall off as attention spans are so notoriously short, so play the odds and keep within the ideal 60-90 second range. Portrait (vertical) mode The mobile phone continues to be the preferred way to view content, so lead with short-form videos shot in portrait or vertical mode for easiest viewing on phones. Our pocket companion leads other devices with 63% of consumers opting to learn about brands and products with quick searches made on the fly ( HubSpot State of Consumer Trends 2024 ). Want to reach younger audiences (GenZ and millennials)? That's where you'll find them. The majority of Gen Xers, too. Only the Boomers and those of the Silent Generation seem to prefer the larger desktop alternatives. Hmmm. Could it be habit or does the larger, easier-to-read screen make all the difference? I suspect both. How are they going to find you? Hint hint. Keywords, not hashtags Want to be found in 2025? Use keywords in your titles, captions, and other descriptors when posting videos. Hashtags were already fading in effectiveness in 2024. With voice search on mobile devices becoming more common, again through the younger generations, think long-tail keywords, too, using words or phrases used in casual conversation. Muted videos Videos that can be enjoyed without sound are increasing in popularity because ... well, many of us are looking at our videos rather than paying strict attention in meetings or during phone calls with our mothers-in-law. Caption your videos - always. Not only does it make watching your video doable on the sly, but it helps the audio-impaired enjoy your content, too. Multi-taskers, too. Clowning around with the director and fellow cast members on a recent vertical short-form film shoot. Now being promoted on TikTok - at least as reported by my kids! Short video series As an on-camera actor, I've auditioned for and been cast in vertical short films that are sold as a video series. They're along the lines of telenovelas - over-the-top, highly dramatized emotional stories that read like soap operas on steroids. They're shot the same as any feature film, but then they're cut up and serialized with a mini cliffhanger at the end of each short episode, each of which is only two minutes or less in length, and then sold as a series to subscribers. My kids discovered one of these projects on TikTok and got to see me in a very fun role, as a greedy, vain, and murderous stepmother who'll stop at nothing to see her son climb to the top of the social and corporate ladders in pursuit of riches and prestige beyond imagination. 'Natch. Yeah, those are fun roles, especially when I get to work with stunt coordinators to make sure I stab and die just right . Bwa ha ha. In more sedate business terms, creating a short video series means that your audience will expect to see you sharing your knowledge and expertise on a regular basis with them in a recognizable format. Good stuff, as it builds credibility and trust in you and what you offer. I've been doing this for a few years now, with my long-form video series On Camera Tips for Busy Execs and short-form series like On Camera Confidence for Business and my MOMisms . (I have a new series in mind, coming in 2025!) I've kept mine consistent with the series title on the top of each short-form video, but it's not necessary. Some content creators like to add anticipation by adding "part" to their video titles. The content itself can be tips (one per video, like I like to do), monthly challenges, before and after shots with customer testimonials, reaction shots, or even behind-the-scenes glimpses - especially those with mistakes. (People do like seeing train wrecks and blooper reels.) Create a YouTube playlist on your channel and upload your shorts series there for easy consecutive viewing. Human vs. AI-generated videos AI makes a terrific assistant, researcher, organizer, and ever-patient teacher, but don't expect it will do all the heavy lifting for you, especially with regard to quality. AI-generated content is still easy to spot and using it too freely will have you lost in a sea of sameness in 2025. While AI can generate basic videos, they're obvious and ultimately self-defeating. Honestly, what intrigues you more? A personable video host speaking with warmth and gentle humor or a series of photos and film clips narrated by an AI-generated voice? Keep the human connection front and center in your videos and all your social media content. The old marketing tried-and-true axiom still holds in the age of AI: make your marketing about your customers, their pains, and how to solve them. You know your customers best, so tailor your content to their particular needs. Be very specific, too, when using AI and always work with the results afterwards to put your own voice and thoughts on the material. Speed of content delivery does not trump its quality when it comes to measuring effectiveness. If you're a small business owner or service provider, be front and center in your videos, talking directly to your customers and the unique way you help solve their problems. That's how you'll stand out from your competition. AI tools for your videos Short-form videos are relatively quick and easy to shoot, particularly since casual, informal content is better received than their professionally-packaged, highly produced counterparts. If you're making long-form videos, typically longer than two minutes, there are some very helpful AI tools that can automate some of the most time-consuming tasks or help clean up things like filler words and long pauses. Check out Loom AI and Descript to edit out unwanted small sound bites, time and transcribe videos, and create interesting transitions. They and other similar tools can generate video titles and summaries, suggest keywords, and help ideate posts to promote your videos. You can take this one step further with personalized videos. Loom Variables allows you to add audio variables for customization, such as addressing customers by name. Expect to see more personalized and interactive videos in the future! A live interview or webinar invites engagement with both hosts AND viewers. Live videos, livestreams, and webinars Want to engage with your audience in real-time? Nothing beats live interaction, especially for a customer or potential client who can have their questions and concerns addressed on the spot. LinkedIn Live and Zoom offer platforms for hosting, sharing, and recording real-time videos that can be accessed through a simple link. Restream and Streamyard are popular products for sharing and recording live videos across multiple social platforms simultaneously. Webinars remain one of the most popular ways to host workshops, sales presentations, and training on a large scale to virtual audiences. These tools will only improve in 2025. They all have free versions, but except for LinkedIn Live, also have subscription levels to extend the reach of your live broadcast to larger audiences and across more platforms. Podcasts with a video component If you're a podcaster, consider (if you're not already) creating a video version of your show. This trend has been gaining traction in 2024 and will only continue to pick up steam in the new year. You're missing out if you don't have a video counterpart to your show. YouTube is the 2nd largest search tool after Google (after all, it's owned by Google). With video gaining in popularity, why would you not want to be found when you could have so easily uploaded your video to your YouTube channel? Create short video clips of your best conversations with tools like Opus.pro for additional content to attract larger audiences. Remember, you can always record a video interview and then strip out the audio for your podcast. You probably know this already, but transcribe your video and use for blogs and social media posts. Don't you just love repurposing content in so many ways so easily?! Encourage your customers to create UGC for you If you're selling a consumer product, consider adding user-generated content (UGC) to the mix. More than just a customer testimonial, UGC content shows someone using your product to make their life or work easier. It can help build trust, and when customers share their own videos, it creates a sense of community and shows others that real people love your products. You can run fun campaigns or contests where customers share photos or videos they’ve taken with your product. Just know that you'll have to screen your customers carefully so that you have the right people representing you in these videos! They'll need to know how to take decent videos at home with a mobile cell phone, sound, lighting, and background and how to speak to the camera. (Introduce them to my blog, videos, or LinkedIn newsletter if they need pointers, or I can create a basic video that teaches everything tailored to your product for you.) Your customers will also have know how to edit and send you well-framed videos to your specifications, unless you have a post-production team in place. As an actor, I've seen plenty of postings from companies looking for people to film UGC with their products. Some, in the early days, even offered to send the equivalent of a small taping studio with their product. As an actor, I can tell you that these don't pay very well compared to proper industry standards, but on the flip side, seasoned professionals can film UGC easily from their homes. Just know that as a business, you will be paying for someone to produce UGC for you. Be sure that they're your ideal type of customer and that they know how to create useable content worthy of sharing on your platform, or you'll just be throwing your money away. What's your video content strategy in 2025? If you're a bit stumped about how to expand into any of these video trends, let's talk. I can help you strategize and come up with a content plan to boost your visibility, which in turn leads to winning more clients. And if you need to tailor your presentational or speaking skills to the camera, I can help with that, too. (It's my specialty.) Here's to a strong start in 2025! Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING

The ideal holiday gift is good humor and an invitation to laugh Did you know the Mayo Clinic says that you can find relief from stress through laughter? It's no joke. it seems that the very act of laughing enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Impressive. That just makes me glad to do my part today and every week with my MOMisms, humorous takes on life through the eyes (and arguably slightly warped brain) of everyone's favorite female, Mom. Or whoever stands in for her. As a thank you to all my readers, I'm offering up four holiday-themed MOMisms. Two are for Christmas, one is for Hanukkah, and the last is for New Year's. I hope they make you smile and lift your spirits during this holiday season! Especially if it's also a stressful time for you, due to too much or too little family togetherness, overbearing work demands or a lack of work, or health or money issues of any sort. "Laughter is the best medicine - unless you're diabetic, then insulin comes pretty high on the list." - Jasper Carrott A couple of Christmas jollies Concerned about running up the bills this month? You're not the only one! Or maybe you're wondering if you've made the "nice" list (though "naughty" is much more fun). Hanukkah Harry would be proud A few tidbits about Hanukkah: Hanukkah starts on Christmas this year (2024). Not Christmas Eve. Christmas Day at sunset. Just about the latest I remember it ever beginning. This is because Hanukkah follows the lunar calendar, which wobbles all over the solar calendar. Fun fact: In a thousand years, despite its system of leap years, the holiday's going to end up in January because the Hebrew calendar year is simply about six minutes and 40 seconds too long.   Despite what some people think, Hanukkah is not "the Jewish Christmas." It's actually a minor holiday, commemorating the purification and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the defeat of the Greek-Syrian army in 200 BC. Its close proximity to Christmas - especially this year! - has seen the gift-giving (which traditionally belongs to the holiday of Purim) cross over, but that's as close as it gets. Want to celebrate? Eat anything fried in oil! (It's the miracle of a one day's supply of oil to light the Temple's menorah somehow miraculously burning for eight days, just enough time to make new oil.) It's tradition to enjoy potato pancakes (called latkes) and donuts. Throw in some chocolate gelt (coins) and a dreidel, and you've got a party! Here's to a strong start in the new year! Party time! And once the hoopla subsides, it's time to think about over what worked and what didn't over the last year. Course corrections for work we call strategic planning. In real life, they're "resolutions" and I think theyre designed to be rather fleeting. What do you think? Thanks for your support over this past year. Best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy holiday season! Want to learn more? Let's talk! I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances. VOICE OVER •  ON CAMERA •  CONSULTATION & COACHING