Thank you for attending tonight's ACX Workshop! Below is the recap from the Zoom and we've attached the PDF that Hanne presented during the session.

Thanks again!

-Heli Rae Hughes

Mentee, Hanne Rickert Voice Over

Necessary Components of the ACX Narrator PDF

Meeting assets for Book Your Next Audiobook Voice Over on ACX are ready!

Quick recap

Hanne conducted a workshop on creating profiles and navigating ACX (Amazon's Casting Exchange) for audiobook narration. She covered essential profile components including headshots, bios, samples, and credits, emphasizing the importance of SEO keywords and technical quality. Hanne explained compensation methods, including per-finished-hour rates and royalty shares, and advised participants to audition daily to increase their chances of booking jobs. She also discussed how to use the ACX platform to search for projects and connect with rights holders. The session included practical tips for creating effective samples and communicating with rights holders during auditions. Participants asked questions about pacing, genre focus, and preparing for auditions, which Hanne addressed with specific advice.

Next steps

• All participants: Create or update ACX profile, including professional headshot, bio (with SEO terms, genre/style, equipment, and skills), and at least 5 samples (under 2 minutes each, labeled by genre, POV, dialogue type, and tone), and fill in credits and awards sections.
• Heli: Send out the presentation/guide to all participants via email after the Zoom meeting.
• All participants (optional): Email Hanne after creating/updating ACX profile to request a profile review.
• All participants: Begin auditioning regularly on ACX (suggested 2-6 auditions per day) and consistently update samples to stay "top of mind" on the platform.
• All participants: If using Audacity, utilize the ACX analyzer tool for file compliance.

Summary

ACX Profile Creation Workshop

Hanne led a workshop on creating profiles on ACX, emphasizing the importance of a professional headshot and five essential profile components for voice actors. She instructed participants to create a profile on ACX.com, using their Amazon Prime account if available, and to consider the type of books they want to narrate when choosing their headshot. Hanne also mentioned that she would discuss the other profile components in detail during the workshop.

Narrator Headshots and Bio Guidelines

Hanne discussed the importance of headshots and bios for narrators on ACX, emphasizing that headshots should reflect the narrator's genre preferences and personality. She highlighted the need for engaging bios that grab the reader's attention and showcase the narrator's unique qualities. Hanne also mentioned that she had some updated bio samples but had not had a chance to incorporate them into the current version.

Voice Actor Bio SEO Strategies

Hanne discussed the importance of creating effective voice actor bios, emphasizing SEO strategies and the need to highlight unique skills, education, and equipment. She advised thinking about how potential clients would search for a voice actor and encouraged specificity in genres and styles to increase visibility. Hanne also mentioned that bios for roster listings should be in first person unless specified otherwise.

ACX Profile Setup Guidelines

The group discussed profile setup on ACX, with Hanne advising to use a commercial headshot for its versatility across platforms. Hanne clarified that bio should be written in third person unless otherwise specified, and recommended having at least 5 audio samples that showcase different narration styles and technical quality. She emphasized that these samples should be clean and simple, without added music, and encouraged using ACX's Audio Lab for submissions.

ACX Audio Sample Guidelines

Hanne provided guidance on creating ACX-compliant audio samples, emphasizing the importance of keeping samples under two minutes to showcase vocal range and emotion. She advised using familiar texts and selecting pivotal moments for narration, while also stressing the significance of accurate sample labeling with details like genre, point of view, and dialogue type. Hanne recommended including male-female dialogue to demonstrate versatility and suggested using the Audio Lab tool for checking file compliance, noting that its standards apply broadly beyond ACX-specific files.

Voice Acting and Credibility Building

Hanne discussed the importance of determining point of view (POV) for voice acting, particularly in audiobooks, as it affects pacing and performance. She advised adding various acting credits, including on-camera, film narration, audiobooks, and stage acting, to build a credible profile. Hanne also emphasized the significance of including awards, recognition, and training certifications to showcase an actor's skills and experience. She specifically encouraged Sailaja to list her directorial achievements in the awards and recognition section.

ACX Profile Creation Guidelines

Hanne explained the process of creating an ACX profile, emphasizing the importance of providing detailed information and submitting samples that are at least one minute long but no more than two minutes. She clarified that narrators should read and understand the audition material but not the entire book, and she discussed compensation methods, including per-finished-hour rates and royalty shares. Hanne also mentioned that narrators should be prepared to invest about three hours of work for each finished hour of audio.

Audiobook Narrator Royalty Structure

Hanne explained the royalty sharing structure for audiobook narration, where narrators receive 30% of non-exclusive international sales, with the actual rights holder getting the remaining 70%. She demonstrated how narrators can search for projects on the platform, noting that the median rate is $200 per finished hour, with experienced narrators typically earning between $200 and $400. Hanne also highlighted the importance of including specific search terms like "science fiction," "fantasy," and "BBC English" in narrators' bios to match with suitable projects.

Using Audition Files as Samples

Hanne explained how to use audition files as samples on ACX profiles, noting that short clips from auditions can be uploaded without copyright issues. She emphasized the importance of consistently uploading samples to stay "top of mind" for potential projects. Sailaja asked about using audition files as samples, and Hanne confirmed it was acceptable, suggesting the use of public domain materials as an alternative if needed.

Success Strategies for ACX Audiobook

Hanne discussed the importance of researching Amazon rankings and ratings before deciding on a profit-sharing option. She advised using a pseudonym if desired and emphasized the need for consistent work on the ACX profile. Hanne shared that auditioning daily is key to success on ACX, with a typical booking rate of 1 in 50. She also highlighted the benefits of keeping profiles up to date and suggested reaching out to rights holders for more information.

ACX Profile and Audition Tips

Hanne provided guidance on creating profiles and auditioning on ACX, emphasizing the importance of connecting with rights holders and using keywords effectively. She agreed to send out a presentation guide via email and offered to review new profiles. Falynn inquired about preparing for children's book narrations, and Hanne advised including sample readings from desired books, describing the narrator's voice, and using descriptors from their commercial demo. Raymondrandle asked about focusing on a specific genre for beginners, but Hanne did not provide a direct answer.

Nonfiction Voice-Over Career Guidance

Hanne advised Raymond to focus on nonfiction voice-over work, noting that his voice would work well across genres but suggested nonfiction as a good starting point due to its emphasis on point of view and speaking directly to the listener. She provided guidance on auditioning, emphasizing the importance of understanding context and pacing, and advised Shea on appropriate communication with rights holders regarding auditions, recommending brief and professional exchanges limited to essential questions.

Audible Audio Drama Opportunities

Hanne discussed upcoming opportunities with Tanya Eby, a casting director and writer, and Audible, which is expanding its audio drama and narration divisions. She encouraged participants to aim for multiple auditions daily, suggesting that consistent effort could lead to success. Hanne emphasized the importance of being active on ACX and expressed hope for future collaborations and bookings.