Podcast Summary: The Voice Over Coffee Shop - Episode VOCS 075 | Coffee with Mark Ryder

Host: Andrew Morrison
Guest: Mark Ryder
Release Date: May 18, 2024

1. Introduction to Mark Ryder

In episode 75 of The Voice Over Coffee Shop, host Andrew Morrison welcomes Mark Ryder, a renowned voice actor known for his extensive work in promos, trailers, and commercials. Mark Ryder is celebrated for bringing nostalgia to countless audiences with his voice work across major platforms like Fox and campaigns for blockbuster movies such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Bullet Train. Additionally, Mark is the founder of Veoli Life Coach, where he mentors aspiring voiceover talent.

2. Coffee, Fasting, and Personal Routines

Mark and Andrew dive into personal routines, starting with their coffee habits. Andrew shares insights from recent studies on how coffee affects the brain, highlighting that caffeine doesn't provide energy but blocks sleep-inducing receptors. This leads to a discussion on the infamous 2:30 PM coffee crash.

• Andrew Morrison [02:24]: "You give yourself 30 to 45 minutes after you wake up to let those things disperse before you drink your coffee and then you don't crash."

Mark reveals his commitment to long-term fasting, explaining how it induces a state of autophagy, which helps eliminate bad cells and reduces inflammation—a crucial benefit as one ages.

• Mark Ryder [03:24]: "I do it because it puts my body into a state of autophagy after about 18 to 21 hours."

3. Transition from Radio to Voiceover

Mark discusses his transition from radio to voiceover, driven by necessity after being downsized multiple times from corporate radio jobs due to shrinking budgets.

• Mark Ryder [10:35]: "It took a lot of time and patience... it's either going to kill you or make you strong."

He emphasizes that transitioning required leveraging his innate voice talents in a burgeoning industry, which wasn’t as widely recognized two decades ago.

4. Navigating the Voiceover Industry

Mark shares his initial strategies for breaking into the voiceover world, including door-to-door marketing, networking, and consistent auditions. He underscores the importance of patience and persistence, comparing the journey to building a relationship where you can’t force immediate results.

• Mark Ryder [12:27]: "It's like a relationship. You can't just be like, love me."

5. Building and Maintaining Relationships

With the shift towards unsupervised promo work, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark highlights the challenge of fostering relationships remotely. He advocates for personal touches like handwritten notes and active engagement on social media to maintain connections.

• Mark Ryder [14:58]: "You definitely have to be more creative to foster relationships."

6. Marketing and Self-Promotion Strategies

Mark rejects traditional cold-calling and mass emailing, choosing instead to rely on word-of-mouth and a strong portfolio. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in marketing oneself.

• Mark Ryder [17:56]: "I'm just gonna say, be yourself."

He also shares his strategy of building a robust team to handle numerous auditions efficiently, allowing him to focus on quality over quantity.

7. Representation and Agency Relationships

A pivotal moment in the conversation revolves around managing representation. Mark advises that if an agent isn't delivering results after approximately a year, it's time to consider a change.

• Mark Ryder [21:13]: "If you have an agent that does nothing for you, you don't have an agent."

He recounts his straightforward approach when switching agencies, advocating for honesty and clarity.

8. Keys to Success in Voiceover in 2024

Mark defines success in the voiceover industry as an "almost unhealthy, relentless pursuit of passion and excellence." He believes that being in the top 2-3% requires unwavering dedication and a genuine desire to excel.

• Mark Ryder [23:07]: "It takes an insatiable desire to learn other people's things."

9. Continuous Learning and Adaptability

Emphasizing adaptability, Mark discusses his ability to channel various characters by drawing inspiration from influential figures and personal experiences. This skill allows him to meet diverse client needs effectively.

• Mark Ryder [26:26]: "I’ve learned to channel the specialness of other people."

10. Coaching Philosophy and Techniques

As a coach, Mark focuses on helping clients tap into their creative sides, encouraging them to draw from nostalgic influences to embody different characters. He advocates for investing in quality coaching as an investment in one’s career rather than an expense driven by fear.

• Mark Ryder [34:29]: "Every week, when I'm done with this session, I'm empowered, I feel better, I'm more confident."

11. The Importance of Quality Demos

Mark stresses the significance of producing high-quality demos, warning against poorly made ones that fail to leave a lasting impression. He only produces demos for his coaching clients to ensure authenticity and effectiveness.

• Mark Ryder [32:15]: "A great demo leaves the person on the other end going, 'I want more of that.'"

12. Overcoming Fear and Managing Stress

Mark shares personal anecdotes about dealing with fear, such as performing in front of Greg Kinnear and handling challenging sessions. He likens overcoming fear to his experience of skydiving, suggesting that once you've faced extreme fear, other fears become manageable.

• Mark Ryder [35:05]: "Because I go, well, I did that. I lived. So everything else should be easy."

13. Balancing Work and Personal Life

Highlighting the importance of work-life balance, Mark explains his decision to stop auditioning on Fridays to prevent burnout. He prioritizes personal time while remaining open to urgent opportunities that align with his goals.

• Mark Ryder [46:59]: "I chose to stop working on Fridays. It just don't work."

14. Advice to Aspiring Voiceover Artists

Reflecting on his journey, Mark advises newcomers to invest wisely in their equipment and studio time, emphasizing the difference between approaching voiceover as a hobby versus a professional endeavor.

• Mark Ryder [52:05]: "Come at everything from the mindset of being an entrepreneur and not a hobbyist."

He cautions against the temptation to buy numerous microphones without understanding which best suits one’s voice, advocating for informed and strategic investments.

15. Closing Remarks and Further Resources

Mark concludes by inviting listeners to visit his website, VCoach.com, for coaching services tailored to all levels of voiceover artists. He emphasizes that effective coaching should leave clients feeling empowered and confident.

• Mark Ryder [55:45]: "I coach all levels... great coaches make you feel good."

Andrew wraps up the episode by directing listeners to additional resources and encouraging them to engage with future episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Morrison [02:24]: "You give yourself 30 to 45 minutes after you wake up to let those things disperse before you drink your coffee and then you don't crash."

• Mark Ryder [03:24]: "I do it because it puts my body into a state of autophagy after about 18 to 21 hours."

• Mark Ryder [21:13]: "If you have an agent that does nothing for you, you don't have an agent."

• Mark Ryder [23:07]: "It takes an insatiable desire to learn other people's things."

• Mark Ryder [34:29]: "Every week, when I'm done with this session, I'm empowered, I feel better, I'm more confident."

• Mark Ryder [52:05]: "Come at everything from the mindset of being an entrepreneur and not a hobbyist."

Resources Mentioned:

• Mark Ryder's Voiceover Work: RyderVO.com
• Mark Ryder's Coaching Program: Veoli Life Coach
• Podcast Information: VocsCoffeeShop.com

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Mark Ryder's disciplined approach to voiceover work, balancing personal well-being with professional excellence. Mark's insights on persistence, quality, and authenticity serve as valuable lessons for both aspiring and seasoned voiceover artists.