The Not Silent Voiceover Blog Archive: 2014

A Legacy of Professional Voice Acting Insights & Industry Evolution

If 2013 was about immersion, 2014 was the year of structural integrity. This was the year I officially introduced the concept of the "Voiceover Architect", the idea that a sustainable career isn't built on luck, but on a deliberate blueprint. Twenty years into my career, these entries document a shift from managing a "job" to leading an entrepreneurial firm, tackling the hard questions about money, values, and the power of social capital.

Key Topics and Career Milestones from 2014

Becoming the "Voiceover Architect"

In 2014, the Not Silent Blog began to focus heavily on the business of the business. I explored the "Success Trifecta" and the mental shift required to treat voiceover as an entrepreneurial venture. This included defining your "Money Voice" and building a referral engine that works even when you aren't in the booth. These posts laid the early groundwork for the high-level consulting I provide today at VO Strategist.

Community Resilience & FaffCon 7

My Good Karma Network faced both celebration and sorrow this year. We saw the continued growth of peer-to-peer learning through FaffCon 7 and the APAC (Audio Publishers Association Conference), but we also paused to remember the legendary Vanessa Hart. Her legacy of kindness and professionalism remains a cornerstone of how I view the VO community: as a place of collaboration rather than competition.

Tactical Evolution: The Mobile Rig & Characters

Even as the strategy grew more complex, the tech had to keep up. In 2014, I pulled back the curtain on my mobile recording rig, a necessity as the industry moved toward 24/7 availability. I also delved into the creative side of the booth, sharing five specific tips to help audiobook characters stand out. Proving that a "Strategist" must still be a master of the craft.

Veteran Tough Love: The BS Detector

2014 featured a series of "tough love" posts. I challenged talent to check the "batteries in their VO BS detector," warned against the dangers of hosing yourself with automated email blasts, and addressed the reality of "Voiceover Class Warfare." These entries serve as a cautionary guide for talent looking to avoid the "get-rich-quick" schemes that often plague the industry.

Featured 2014 Topics

• Mindset: "Pressure vs. Stress" and "Are you a Player, a Watcher, or a Hater?"

• Business: "Quitting or Getting Fired: Which is Better?" and "Why Should I Pay You That Much?"

• Strategy: "The Power of Voiceover Referrals" and "Network Like a Child."

Reflecting on 2014?

Looking back at my 20th anniversary year, 2014 was about the realization that you have to "adapt or go blind." It was the year I stopped being a person who happened to do voiceovers and started being the CEO of a voiceover corporation. The Architect mindset developed here is what allowed me to thrive through the industry shifts of the next decade.

From my village to yours, this is Tom Dheere, the H is Silent, but I'm Not.

Thanks For Reading!

To learn more about me, hear some samples, or download my demos, just go to www.tomdheere.com.

---

Tom Dheere is a 30-year veteran voice actor who has narrated virtually every genre of the industry, from high-stakes corporate narration to complex technical medical scripts. Known as a "street-smart professor," Tom blends a human-first performance style with a CEO’s understanding of ROI and project deadlines. When he isn’t in the booth helping brands find their resonance, he mentors new voice actors and produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.