Podcast Summary: The Voice Over Coffee Shop | VOCS 077 | Coffee with Paul Schmidt

Host: Andrew Morrison
Guest: Paul Schmidt
Release Date: June 14, 2024

In Episode 77 of The Voice Over Coffee Shop, host Andrew Morrison engages in an insightful and candid conversation with his good friend, Paul Schmidt. Paul, a multifaceted voice actor, coach, and business strategist, delves into his journey in the voiceover industry, his personal struggles and triumphs, and the innovative approaches he employs to thrive in a competitive field. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and actionable insights for aspiring voice actors and industry professionals.

1. Overcoming Anxiety and Personal Well-being

Paul opens up about his long-standing battle with anxiety, shedding light on how it influenced his professional and personal life.

• Managing Anxiety:
  Paul shares, “[...] I am a staunch decaf guy. And the reason is I've talked about this once or twice. I've got anxiety and caffeine is like throwing gasoline on that shit. So I stick stringently to decaf” (01:34).

• Discovery and Treatment:
  Reflecting on his journey, Paul explains how his partner identified his anxiety, leading him to seek treatment. “[...] within 10 minutes, the guy goes, yeah, I think she's right. It's anxiety. He put me on 10 milligrams of Lexapro, and within 10 days, my life changed” (02:16). This treatment significantly improved his quality of life, transforming his irritability into a more manageable state.

• Unexpected Benefits:
  Paul discusses the nuanced effects of managing anxiety, noting, “When you don't have that anxiety, there takes a little more willpower to get going in the morning because that anxiety has a positive side to the coin, right? It motivates you” (04:18). While he no longer misses the anxiety, he acknowledges the discipline required to maintain productivity without it.

2. Entry into the Voiceover Industry

Paul recounts his initial foray into voice acting, transitioning from a radio career to embracing voiceover work full-time.

• Starting in Radio:
  Paul began in radio, handling audio production and creating commercials. “[...] we commonly call the radio read. [...] I started to realize that the stuff we were getting in from agencies and from national was better and it was different. And I discovered this thing called voice acting” (05:28).

• Pursuing Voice Acting:
  Influenced by Sandy Thomas’s book “So You Want to Be a Voiceover Star”, Paul sought to break into the industry. “[...] I spent better part of two years trying to break in. And what I found out was that if you weren't in New York or LA, if you didn't have coaching, [...] the world has changed quite a bit since then” (05:28).

• Going Full-Time:
  Realizing the potential to market directly to clients without needing agents, Paul made the leap to full-time voiceover work in 2018 after nine months of strategic planning. “[...] it took me nine months to go full time. And that's not common. And to be quite honest, it was too fast even for me” (08:01).

3. Diversified Voiceover Work

Paul outlines the variety of projects he undertakes, emphasizing his focus on corporate and commercial work.

• Project Breakdown:
  “50 depending on the time of year. Sometimes depending on the time of the month, it's 50 to 60% corporate stuff” (10:35). His portfolio includes explainers, product demos, commercials, and museum documentaries, with notable projects like content featured in over 250 aquariums worldwide.

4. Effective Marketing and Outreach Strategies

Paul shares his approach to marketing, highlighting the importance of personalized yet efficient outreach.

• Email Marketing Philosophy:
  Paul emphasizes brevity and value, stating, “Don't waste people's time, don't beat around the bush, right? Get to the point” (13:09). He advocates for understanding client segments and providing meaningful content tailored to their specific needs.

• Automation and Efficiency:
  To manage extensive outreach, Paul utilizes automation tools. “[...] you have to automate your system. I don't see how you can do it at scale and not use smart automation” (16:52). He advises grouping clients into target segments to streamline the personalization process without overwhelming effort.

• Balancing Prospecting and Content Consumption:
  Paul recommends using tools like blog aggregators to stay informed about different industries efficiently. “[...] use a blog aggregator to, you know, pull this information in for you automatically and then spend, you know, 15 minutes every day reading up on that audience segment” (16:45).

5. Integrating AI into Business Operations

Exploring the role of artificial intelligence, Paul discusses both its benefits and limitations in the voiceover industry.

• AI Tools Utilized:
  Paul incorporates AI for tasks like first draft editing on his podcast using Riverside’s AI features, which “[...] chop out all the silences, to chop out all the ums and us” (23:10). While he finds AI useful for initial drafts, he acknowledges the necessity of human oversight to ensure quality.

• Future Aspirations with AI:
  Committed to leveraging AI effectively, Paul is studying to become a certified AI prompt engineer to enhance his business efficiency. “[...] I want to learn how to run this stuff and use it for my business, to make my business more efficient, faster, things like that” (24:33).

6. A Day in the Life of Paul Schmidt

Paul provides a structured glimpse into his daily routine, balancing content creation, voiceover work, and personal activities.

• Weekly Schedule:

  • Monday: Identify weekly topics and draft initial content.
  • Tuesday: Finalize drafts for video production.
  • Wednesday: Focus entirely on shooting and editing content.
  • Thursday: Publish and promote content, including blog posts, videos, and newsletters.
  • Friday: Catch-up day for any pending tasks or planning for the upcoming week.

• Adaptability:
  Paul notes, “Sometimes I'm on track on that schedule, sometimes I'm not” (25:57), highlighting the dynamic nature of balancing multiple responsibilities.

7. Building and Managing VEO Pro

Paul elaborates on VEO Pro, his comprehensive platform designed to support beginner and intermediate voice actors through education and community.

• Origins and Evolution:
  Initially launched as the VO Freedom Master Plan, VEO Pro amalgamated courses, coaching calls, and a community into a single platform. “[...] last June, we moved them all under one platform... I'm now studying to be a certified AI prompt engineer because I want to learn how to run this stuff and use it for my business” (29:30).

• Features and Offerings:
  VEO Pro includes:

  • Courses: Covering essential topics like VO Rates 101, VO LLC setup, and VO SEO.
  • Community Engagement: Interactive mixers and peer-led workout groups to foster real relationships and combat industry loneliness.
  • Mindset Training: Over four and a half hours of audio-only content focused on developing a confident and effective business mindset.

• Target Audience:
  “[...] VEO Pro is for beginner and intermediate voice actors who are trying to level up their career” (33:27). The platform prioritizes community over content, ensuring members support each other’s growth.

8. Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Voice Actors

Paul offers valuable insights drawn from his experiences, emphasizing perseverance and proactive marketing.

• Persistence in Marketing:
  “[...] you have to let people know you're out there and people won't just line up with wheelbarrows full of money on the front step” (39:31). Paul stresses the necessity of consistent outreach to build a thriving voiceover business.

• Empathy and Support:
  Realizing the struggles many voice actors face, Paul advocates for helping others as a path to collective success. “[...] one day you might be able to help them” (38:19).

• Overcoming Early Success and Setbacks:
  Paul recounts a pivotal moment when a major client retracted, causing a significant income drop. This experience taught him the importance of client diversification and resilience. “[...] within three years I was making more money than ever. That was a huge feeling of self-satisfaction” (43:06).

• Letter to His Past Self:
  If Paul could advise his earlier self, he’d affirm his path and encourage patience and gratitude, recognizing that not everyone achieves rapid success. “[...] you were on the right track, maybe show a little bit more patience” (38:19).

9. Personal Interests and Work-Life Balance

Beyond his professional endeavors, Paul shares his hobbies and the importance of maintaining a balanced life.

• Fitness and Sports:
  Paul enjoys staying active through gym workouts, golf with his son, attending baseball games, and following his favorite teams, the Orioles and Ravens.

• Social Activities:
  He finds joy in visiting jazz clubs like Reveley in Richmond, fostering personal connections outside the voiceover realm.

Connect with Paul Schmidt and VEO Pro:

• VEO Pro Website: veopropro.com
• YouTube Channel: Search for "VEO Pro"
• Social Media: Various platforms under the VEO Pro handle

Paul Schmidt’s candid discussion on The Voice Over Coffee Shop offers a wealth of knowledge for voice actors aiming to enhance their careers. From mastering personal well-being to implementing effective marketing strategies and leveraging AI, Paul’s insights provide a roadmap for success in the evolving voiceover industry. His emphasis on community, continuous learning, and resilience serves as an inspiration for both newcomers and seasoned professionals alike.

This summary encapsulates the key elements of Episode 77, providing a comprehensive overview for those who seek to benefit from Paul Schmidt’s expertise without listening to the full podcast.