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The VoiceMe Podcast

Andrew Sutherland

The VoiceMe Podcast. Information and advice on the world of voiceover, hosted by Andrew Sutherland, founder of VoiceMe South Africa - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists. and Related Services - www.voiceme.co.za

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 23 min
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  • #54
    July 27 · 31 min

    Episode 054 - The Dangerous Middle: Why Intermediate Voice Artists Get Stuck

    You've done the training, sent the auditions, and booked some work. So why does it feel like nothing's actually moving? This episode looks at the dangerous middle: the stage where beginner effort has run out but professional momentum hasn't shown up yet, and where a lot of voice artists stall for years without ever making a clear decision to quit. Topics in this episode: Why an old demo or marketing message that worked once can stop working, and how to tell the difference between movement and real momentum. How to review your last 12 months of enquiries and bookings so you're fixing the actual bottleneck instead of guessing. Why weak positioning, outdated demos and stale marketing keep good voices invisible to the right clients. A practical 90-day reset for picking one constraint (craft, proof, positioning, or service and systems) and building evidence around it More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E53
    July 13 · 24 min

    Episode 053 - The First 10 Seconds - Why Clients Stop Listening to Your Demo

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za, the South African search directory for voice artists and related services. I'm Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and this week I'm talking about the first 10 seconds of your voiceover demo, and why clients stop listening. Topics in this episode: Why clients listen for suitability, not talent, when they press play on your demo How audio quality, weak openings and generic delivery lose you the listener before you get a fair hearing Why your strongest, most relevant clip should always come first, not buried at 35 seconds What separates a focused audition from five unfocused takes, and when to slate More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E52
    June 29 · 28 min

    Episode 052 - Voiceover Red Flags, Scams, Fake Jobs and When to Walk Away

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za, the South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I'm Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode I'm talking about voiceover red flags, scams, fake jobs and when to walk away. Topics in this episode: How to spot and respond to overpayment scams, fake casting calls, impersonation schemes and pay-to-work traps The AI voice data risk: what to watch for in contract language and clean sample requests from unknown people Red flags from real clients, including unclear usage, no confirmed rate, unlimited revisions and identity that keeps shifting A step-by-step verification checklist and what to do if you've already engaged with a suspicious enquiry More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E51
    June 15 · 23 min

    Episode 051 - Available Isn't Ready - Why Clients Book the Voice Artist Who's Easy to Work With

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za, the South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I'm Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode I'm talking about why being available for a voiceover job doesn't automatically mean you're ready to be booked. Topics in this episode: Why clients often book the voice artist who feels safest, not just the one with the best demo The difference between a weak reply to an enquiry and one that wins the job, with real examples How to be clear about rates and usage so the client knows exactly what's included The technical and script prep that stops problems before they happen on session day More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E50
    June 1 · 36 min

    Episode 050 - Live Directed Sessions Without the Panic

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I'm Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I'm talking about live directed voiceover sessions, and more specifically, how to handle them without the panic. Topics in this episode: Why live directed sessions feel harder than solo recording — and the two environments South African voice artists are most likely to encounter, including what changes when you’re walking into a professional studio versus working from your own setup How to prepare for a pro studio session — arriving warm, knowing the copy, and building a working relationship with the studio engineer, who is one of the most underused resources in the room How to listen to direction properly, decode vague or conflicting notes, and adjust your performance without ego or defensiveness — including what to do when the room does not yet know what it wants The hidden skill that separates artists who get called back: emotional regulation — and how to stay steady when the room gets uncertain, indecisive, or just plain quiet More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E49
    May 18 · 28 min

    Episode 049 - Revisions, Pickups and Scope Creep

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I'm talking about revisions, pickups, and scope creep, and why this is often the point where an otherwise good voiceover job starts to go sideways. Topics in this episode: The difference between a correction, a pickup, a performance revision, a script rewrite, and scope creep, and why treating them all as "just a revision" is costing you time and money Why voice artists keep saying yes, how scope creep builds quietly, and how to recognise the moment a job has grown beyond what you originally quoted Ready-to-use phrasing for communicating additional charges calmly and professionally, without damaging the client relationship Practical tools including a simple three-part request filter, how to set revision windows, and why "unlimited revisions" is riskier than it sounds More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #48
    May 4 · 21 min

    Episode 048 - How to Read a Client Brief Like a Producer

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I’m talking about how to read a client brief like a producer. Topics in this episode: Why a client brief is evidence, not just instructions — and how to read it that way The four layers every brief contains, and why most voice artists only read one Red flag phrases that signal a job needs more definition before you proceed How reading a brief properly improves your performance, your quoting, and your professionalism More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - mailto:support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA X - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E47
    Sep 16, 2025 · 31 min

    Episode 047 - The Client’s POV - What They Really Hear

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast — information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za, the South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and today we’re stepping into a perspective that voice artists don’t often get to hear — the client’s. Topics in this episode: • Why clients use abstract language when giving notes • What they actually care about (it’s simpler than you think) • How to translate vague direction into actionable performance • Ways to manage contradictory feedback from multiple stakeholders • Practical strategies to become a “translator” clients trust More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E46
    Sep 2, 2025 · 13 min

    Episode 046 - Marketing Outside the VO Bubble

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast — information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za, the South African search directory for voice artists and related services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, we’re diving into a topic that could change the way you think about finding work - Marketing Outside the VO Bubble. Topics in this episode: Why the VO bubble is so crowded, and how to stand out by stepping outside it. Which industries are ripe for voiceover work (and often overlooked). How to reframe your marketing so it speaks your client’s language, not just VO jargon. Practical strategies: partnerships, case studies, and cold outreach that works. The challenges of educating first-time clients, and how to turn them into loyal, repeat business relationships. More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #45
    Aug 19, 2025 · 34 min

    Episode 045 - Demos Done Right

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast — information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za — the South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and today we’re talking about one of the most powerful tools in your entire voiceover career — your demo. Topics in this episode: What a Demo Is (and Isn’t) Booking Scenarios from Specific Demos How to craft your demo like a powerful sales tool The pros and cons of a single multi-clip reel vs individual clips Tips for Updating and Refining Your Demo Over Time More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E44
    Aug 5, 2025 · 22 min

    Episode 044 - How to Build Repeat Clients

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of VoiceMe and in this episode we’re going to dig into one of the most valuable skills you can learn as a voice artist: building repeat clients. Topics in this episode: Why repeat clients are such a game changer The five essential client retention behaviours that lead to repeat business Simple daily routines and habits that can help you establish trust and loyalty Common mistakes that make clients disappear More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #43
    Jul 22, 2025 · 12 min

    Episode 043 - Cold Outreach That Doesn't Feel Cold

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of VoiceMe, and today we’re going to talk about something that tends to make even seasoned voice artists squirm: cold outreach. Topics in this episode: Cold Outreach Strategies Crafting Relevant Messages Following Up with Leads Related VoiceMe Podcast Episodes https://voiceme.podbean.com/e/episode-006-getting-vo-work-marketing/ https://voiceme.podbean.com/e/episode-011-features-and-benefits-in-voiceover-marketing/ https://voiceme.podbean.com/e/episode-012-how-to-slide-into-your-client-s-inbox/ More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E42
    Jul 8, 2025 · 7 min

    Episode 042 - Burnout and The VO Reset

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of VoiceMe, and today we’re tackling something raw, real, and deeply human: burnout. Topics in this episode: Creative burnout and how to reset More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E41
    Jun 24, 2025 · 13 min

    Episode 041 - SAGA and The Fight for South African Actors Rights

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast — information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za, the South African search directory for voice artists and related services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I want to talk about one of the most urgent and critical issues facing the creative industry in South Africa today: the rights of actors and performers, and the complex, ongoing fight to secure fair treatment, legal protections, and sustainable careers in this space. Topics in this episode: Why SAGA is crucial for industry reform The real threat of AI to voice and performance work What the 2025 Competition Commission exemption means for rate recommendations Horrific real-world examples of performer exploitation And most importantly: what you can do today to create change Links: SAGA Website - https://www.saguildofactors.co.za/ SAGA on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saguildofactors/ SAGA on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/southafricanguildofactors/ SAGA on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/saguildofactors/ SAGA on X - https://x.com/SAGActors More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • S1 · E40
    Jun 10, 2025 · 21 min

    Episode 040 - Decoding Scripts Like a Director

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, Information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za - The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of VoiceMe and in this episode and today we’re exploring not just how to read a script, but how to solve it — like a director, analyst, or emotional interpreter. Topics in this episode: A 5-step process to uncover subtext and emotional purpose How to direct yourself with intent (even when no one else is) Real examples of adapting the same line for different genres Methods to sharpen interpretive skill More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Whatsapp - Andrew Sutherland (Bigmouth Studios & VoiceMe) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #39
    May 27, 2025 · 14 min

    Episode 039 - AI, Ethics & The Future

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za – The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I’m talking about a subject that’s has been unsettling for a lot of us – the rise of AI in the voiceover industry, and what it means for human voice artists like you and me. Topics in this episode: What AI voice technology can and can’t do Why clients still prefer human voice artists Real-world examples of AI voice limitations The role of emotion, nuance, and improvisation in VO Ethical concerns around AI training and voice cloning Contract red flags to watch out for How to protect your voice rights Ways to stay relevant and future-proof your VO career Embracing your uniqueness and adding more value Building community and advocating for ethical standards More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #38
    May 13, 2025 · 22 min

    Episode 038 - Sinemivuyo Mpulu, The VO Factory & The SA Voiceover Awards 2025

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za – The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode my guest is Sinemivuyo Mpulu. A South African voice artist, radio and TV host, and the founder of The Voiceover Factory, one of the country’s largest voiceover training communities and creative force behind SA's first Voiceover Awards. We Spoke about: His early love for performance and finding his voice through dramatic arts The need for a local voiceover community and how The Voiceover Factory became that home His viral “TikTok Billing” series and what it taught him about showing up online The SA Voiceover Awards launching this October—and why they matter so much for our industry Links: https://www.savoiceoverawards.co.za/ https://www.instagram.com/thevofactory/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-voiceover-factory/ More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #37
    Apr 29, 2025 · 45 min

    Episode 037 - Demystifying Voiceover Agents

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za – The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I’m talking about voiceover agents. I got the chance to interview two amazing agents from South Africa, Carlynn de Waal Smit from Contractors Artists and Sarah Woodward from Tongue Twisters, to demystify the most common questions artists have about agents. Topics in this episode: What a VO agent actually does day-to-day Common misconceptions about representation How to professionally approach an agent What makes voiceover demos stand out (or not) The realities of voiceover work booking frequency How rates and industry standards are evolving Links: https://www.contractors.org.za/ https://www.tonguetwisters.co.za/ More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #36
    Apr 15, 2025 · 11 min

    Episode 036 - From VO Side Hustle to Full-Time

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast, information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by voiceme.co.za – The South African Search Directory for Voice Artists and Related Services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of voiceme.co.za, and in this episode, I’m talking about how to take your voiceover side hustle full-time. Topics in this episode: Knowing when you’re ready to make the leap Building systems to treat your VO like a business Marketing yourself consistently (and confidently) The mindset shifts those separate hobbyists from pros Avoiding common mistakes that derail your growth And a step-by-step plan to make the transition on your terms More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

  • #35
    Apr 1, 2025 · 21 min

    Episode 035 - Mindset Matters - The BE A VO PRO Mindset

    Welcome to the VoiceMe Podcast - information and advice on the world of voiceover, presented by VoiceMe.co.za - the South African search directory for voice artists and related services. I’m Andrew Sutherland, founder of VoiceMe.co.za, and in this episode I wanted to touch on the business side of this career and specifically the growth mindset you’ll need to have to enter the world of voiceover. Topics in this episode: Mindset Matters – Limited vs. Growth Mindsets The BE A VO PRO Framework More Info: VoiceMe - voiceme.co.za Profiles & Pricing - voiceme.co.za/support#pandp Support - support@voiceme.co.za Phone - 0861 VOICEME (0861 864 2363) Facebook - @VoiceMeSA Twitter - @VoiceMeSA Instagram - @VoiceMeSA LinkedIn - @VoiceMeSA

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