FROM THE "MIKE"

I’m not sure if it’s because it’s the new fiscal year, or being close to “Social Media Day,” or just the extra time I seem to have each summer – but I find myself usually doing an Online Tune-Up during this time of year. I am a voice actor, and audio production entrepreneur. I rely […]

As a voice actor, and audio production entrepreneur, I conduct a Social Media Tune Up at least twice a year. I rely heavily on social media and the internet as one of my main marketing and branding tools. So at least twice a year, I make time to do a Tune Up. I spend a […]

By Tim Keenan and Mike Laponis The Human Voice Every one of us has an imprinted memory from our youth of an unusual or significant VOICE – either a voice talent or on camera actor, or even a singer or music group. That voice or collection of voices resonated with us somehow and planted those […]

These Tips Will Help Reduce Stress and Increase Creativity There are many techniques to better health! Some are as simple as breathing, mediation, and mindfulness. These techniques are PERFECT for voice over talent, voice actors and other creative types, but they are really of benefit to everyone! A few simple techniques practiced everyday can benefit […]

Some say rules are meant to be broken. Not this one! As soon as you don’t follow this, it is likely to bite you in the digital ass(ets). I guess you could say it is part of digital Murphy’s Law. It does not matter if you’re a voice over artist, digital film producer, video editor, […]

Mindfulness is a method and technique of of being fully aware and in the moment in a way that allows you to accept things around you, instead of allowing those things to be disruptive in your life. It is a technique that provides many benefits to your daily life, including your creative endeavors. Mindfulness allows […]

When you are creating content for your video, eLearning project, web site, or blog, you need to be able to have access to useful and affordable content that helps you reinforce your message. You need images, graphics, sound and music to put your entire message together. You want it to be eye-catching, ear-catching, and memorable. […]

I voice, record, and produce all types of audio projects. Two of the most effective and fun types to record are two-voice, dialogue radio commercials and explainer video narrations. They catch the ear of the listener. These types of voice overs are more creative and fun in presentation, and performance than other genres. Grab The […]

I used to be one who would use the same password (or two) for almost every login I had, almost everywhere. Along the way, I realized that’s not a good thing. Too many companies, servers, and retailers have been comprimised. You know what they say, if you haven’t been hacked yet, it’s because you just […]

The absolute loudest sound I have ever heard was the sound of a top fuel dragster as they would spin the rear wheels in the bleach box, just behind the starting line on the drag strip, to heat the tires up! I was only a few feet away, working as security to keep people out […]

What’s old is new! Want to try something fun? Take an “old school” rotary phone and put it in front of someone who is under 30 years old. See if they know how to make it work! How to “dial” a number?!! What is a rotary phone you ask? It’s an older model landline phone […]

You may recall from my ShakeAlertLA Blog, that I am a bit of an App collector. Finding useful, unique, and fun apps is something I enjoy! Some of them I use in my voice over work, content creation work, or just everyday life. I love to pass the info on to you in hopes you […]

I used to drive a pickup truck – I really liked it, except for how much it cost for gasoline and for what burning that gasoline was doing to the environment. One day, while heading home from the hardware store, I was T-boned by another vehicle. The other car ran right into my driver-side door […]

There are so many podcasts out there to listen to. In fact, there are over 630,000 podcasts available! No, I don’t mean episodes, I mean podcasts. The episode number is absolutely staggering, at over 18.5 million episodes. That’s a lot of listening! What’s Good? There are so many great podcasts out there, and they cover […]

This App Could Be Considered Earthshaking A couple of years ago, as part of my Twitter account, MikeRaphone , I began tweeting about #AppsWorthUsing . You see I’m a collector of sorts, of apps. I am not intentionally downloading as many as I can to increase my collection, but rather as I see interesting apps, […]

Time to Reflect and Renew Happy New Year! As we end this calendar year and start a new one, it seems it is a fitting time to take stock of our accomplishments, triumphs, and growth. This allows me to get set to move forth, in a strategic way, into the new year! So, here are […]

I am a bit of a technology geek. Always on the lookout for new tools for creating, archiving, and marketing content. I sometimes go overboard, Acquiring things that I think will be helpful in improving my workflow and becoming more efficient. Some of them miss the mark. Not these! They are right on target and […]

As we end the year and begin the holiday season, it only seems fitting that we look at what all we have to be thankful about, and all of our blessings in life. Even when there are horrible things in our midst, there are always blessings and goodness for which to be thankful. This is […]

As you try and find your way in the voice over world, don’t lose sight of what all you have done to get to this point. Although you may think marketing your voice talent is all about your acting chops, great voice, or ability to lift the words off the page and bring meaning to […]

About 8 years ago, I authored one of my very first blog entries as part of mikesvo.com. It was about using Twitter. At that time, I had been using it for a little over 1 year (I began on twitter in May of 2009). I wrote that it was a gold mine for me and […]

No matter what business you are in, you probably have clients or customers – or at least you hope you do. After all, that is part of what it takes to be sustainable as a business. Without clients you can’t exist – or if you do exist without them you won’t for long! What is […]

Just a little more than one year now on Twitter as I am fast approaching 4,000 Tweets. At first it seemed ridiculous to me – what could one do with only 140 characters and why would anyone even be interested in what I would tweet about?! And who would I follow?! So I started off […]

Social Networking is an excellent marketing tool for you and your business. When you utilize various Internet sites to connect with and reach out to others, you market your business to others, create a brand identity, make new contacts, and learn some things along the way. Best of all, it is FREE! (For the most […]