Podcast Summary: VOCS 081 | Coffee with Lynn Norris

Title: The Voice Over Coffee Shop
Host: Andrew Morrison
Guest: Lynn Norris
Release Date: October 4, 2024

I. Introduction

In Episode 81 of The Voice Over Coffee Shop, host Andrew Morrison engages in an insightful conversation with Lynn Norris, a seasoned voiceover artist and savvy businesswoman. Lynn brings a wealth of experience from various industries and is a co-founder of VA4VO, a specialized platform designed to help voice talent outsource essential business tasks.

II. Lynn's Background and Transition into Voiceover

Educational and Early Career Foundations

Lynn Norris holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University, classically trained as an opera singer. Her journey into the voiceover industry began in the early 1990s with her first job involving ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) for the Saturday morning cartoon "Huntic." Despite initial setbacks, such as not being cast in her first audition, Lynn persevered, eventually landing the role of Queen Hippolita, the teenage queen of the Amazons, through a unique and improvisational approach to accents (06:16).

Corporate Experience

Before fully committing to voiceover, Lynn built a robust career in the corporate sector. Moving to New York in 1993, she held various positions at Oryx, a Japanese financial firm subsidiary, where she advanced from temping to supporting top executives in financial operations and technology. Her role evolved into interpreting business requirements for tech developers, bridging the gap between business and technology sectors (11:26).

III. Applying Corporate Skills to a Voiceover Business

Systemization and Organization

Lynn leverages her corporate background to implement effective systems within her voiceover business. While she finds large CRM systems like Salesforce excessive for her needs, she relies on spreadsheets and traditional to-do lists to manage tasks efficiently. Her preference for hands-on management and simplicity ensures she remains organized without overcomplicating her workflow (20:05).

Understanding Client Structures

Her experience in the corporate world enables her to navigate client organizations adeptly. Lynn can quickly identify key decision-makers and understand corporate hierarchies, facilitating more effective outreach and relationship-building with potential clients (21:12).

IV. Marketing Strategies and Learning from Outside the VO Industry

Embracing Marketing as Service

Lynn emphasizes the importance of marketing in the voiceover industry, viewing it as a form of service rather than self-promotion. Raised with the principle of letting one's work speak for itself, she recognizes that effective marketing requires confidently showcasing one’s abilities without appearing boastful (28:30).

Learning from External Sources

To enhance her marketing prowess, Lynn actively seeks knowledge beyond the voiceover niche. She follows industry leaders like Russell Brunson, Marie Forleo, and copywriters like Laura Belgray, integrating their strategies into her business. This approach allows her to apply broad, successful marketing techniques tailored to the unique needs of the voiceover field (33:58).

Notable Quote:

"Marketing is actually service. You have to be able to say to people, yes, I can do what you need, and I can do it well and accurately, and you'll be happy." – Lynn Norris (30:10)

V. Founding and Building VA4VO

Collaborative Effort with Brigid

Lynn, alongside co-founder Brigid, began developing VA4VO as a response to the increasing need for support services within the voiceover community. Their collaboration was rooted in teaching outsourced support work essential for voiceover professionals. By offering classes like "All About Outsourcing" at VO Atlanta, they received positive feedback, which propelled the creation of VA4VO as a platform to streamline these services (23:17).

Integrating Outsourcing Education

VA4VO not only provides outsourcing services but also educates voice actors on how to effectively delegate tasks, ensuring they can focus more on their creative endeavors. This dual approach addresses both the practical and educational needs of voiceover professionals (25:42).

VI. Delegation and Systemization for Business Growth

Outsourcing Critical Tasks

As Lynn's business grows, she has increasingly delegated tasks such as email marketing and lead generation to specialized services. By outsourcing these functions, she can concentrate on delivering high-quality voiceover work and managing client relationships, thereby enhancing overall productivity and business sustainability (27:03).

Utilizing External Services

Lynn employs various outsourcing services, including email campaigns and LinkedIn marketing, to maintain a steady flow of leads and client engagement. This strategy ensures timely communication with prospects and efficient management of marketing efforts without diverting her focus from creative tasks (33:20).

VII. Social Media and Personal Branding

Creative Content Creation

To maintain an active social media presence, Lynn launched "Wig Wednesday" on TikTok, where she dons colorful wigs and performs Shakespearean readings in playful accents. This engaging and humorous approach not only showcases her versatility but also attracts a broader audience to her personal brand (43:11).

Award Recognition and Networking

Her participation in social media and unique content strategies have led to recognition within the industry, such as being part of an award-winning musical audiobook. These achievements further enhance her credibility and visibility in the voiceover community (43:16).

VIII. Future Goals and Work-Life Balance

Pursuing Specialized Narration

Lynn is currently focused on expanding her expertise in medical narration, a field she finds intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding. However, she remains open to diverse projects, including political and commercial work, to maintain a versatile portfolio (39:41).

Sustaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Recognizing the importance of balance, Lynn strives to manage her workload to prevent burnout. She aims to sustain her voiceover career in a manner that allows for personal relaxation and time off, such as her recent two-week retreat to Croatia. By preparing in advance with backup equipment and managing her business efficiently, she ensures that she can take necessary breaks without compromising her professional commitments (43:11-44:38).

Notable Quote:

"I think mine are kind of open. I'm pursuing medical narration jobs... but I still love doing books and just got some more on my plate... focus on a few things at a time... That's not how you make a happy life." – Lynn Norris (39:41)

IX. Contact and Further Information

Online Presence

• Website: voicedbylynne.com – Explore Lynn's diverse voiceover work across various genres.
• Social Media:
  • Facebook: Lynn Norris
  • Instagram: Norris Lynn
  • TikTok: WigWednesday

VA4VO Platform

For voiceover professionals seeking to outsource business tasks or find support services, visit va4vo-ro.com.

Closing Remarks

Andrew Morrison concludes the episode by highlighting Lynn Norris's resourcefulness and talent, encouraging listeners to explore her work and consider utilizing VA4VO for their business needs.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Morning Routine Insight:

  "I don't actually drink coffee... it's mostly just water, occasionally tea." – Lynn Norris (01:22)

• First Voiceover Job:

  "So my hot mess of whatever accents at the time, I just kind of threw together some mishmash. And so that booked me the job." – Lynn Norris (06:16)

• Marketing as Service:

  "Marketing is actually service. You have to be able to say to people, yes, I can do what you need, and I can do it well and accurately, and you'll be happy." – Lynn Norris (30:10)

• Balancing Work and Rest:

  "I have to give myself any time to rest to just not do that. And then I feel super guilty when I do..." – Lynn Norris (43:10)

• Work-Life Balance Philosophy:

  "Focus on a few things at a time. Instead of 400 ideas and trying to make it all work and tiring myself out and then resenting the whole thing." – Lynn Norris (39:41)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and experiences shared by Lynn Norris during her conversation with Andrew Morrison on The Voice Over Coffee Shop. From her transition from the corporate world to voiceover artistry, to founding VA4VO and mastering marketing strategies, Lynn offers valuable lessons for both aspiring and established voiceover professionals.