The following is the curriculum for the most recent class. It will be updated as needed for the next class.
Week One
How to Profit from the ACX Marketplace
What Is ACX?
How ACX Differs from Other “Get Voiceover Work” Sites
Why You Want to Be on Audible.com
Getting Paid
How You Make Money
SAG-AFTRA (aka “The Union”)
How ACX Promotes You
Five Common Misconceptions About ACX
20 Ways ACX Is Better Than Voice123 (And All Other P2P Sites)
How to Join ACX
Adding Your Basic Information
Creating a Profile That Attracts Jobs
Most Important Element of Your Profile (most people miss this)
6 Competitive Advantages Your Profile Should Have
3 Key Elements of Your Professional Summary
“About You”: What to Include
“About You”: What Not to Include
How to Use “Awards & Recognition” if You Haven’t Won Any Awards Yet
“Your Website”: What You Should Link To
“Your Website”: Four Sites You Never Should Include
Uploading Your Samples
Format
Length
How Many You Should Upload
What if You Don’t Have Any?
Whether to Choose “Royalty Share,” “Royalty Share +” or “Pay for Production”
How Much to Charge
Assignments
Narrowing Your Field of Genres
Evaluating the Competition
Evaluating Profiles
Evaluating Demos
What’s Ahead for Week One
Additional Resources and Training
Video Training and Resources
Audio Training and Resources
PDF Reference Resources
Live Coaching Session
Live Narration Performance Coaching: Fiction/Non-Fiction Clips
Q & A Session
Questions/Clarifications About How to Profit from The ACX Marketplace
Questions/Clarifications About How to Join ACX
Questions/Clarifications About This Week’s Assignments
Week Two
Student Accountability Reports
Your ACX Demo Portfolio
Meeting ACX Standards
Preferred Demo Length
How Many Demos Should You Have?
Where to Find Demo Material if You’re Just Beginning
How Often You Should Update Your Demo Portfolio
Your Equipment and Software
Computer Equipment
Mac or Windows?
Microphone
Accessories
Recording/Editing Software
Where to Record in Your Home
Recording on the Road
Your Opportunities in the Nonfiction Market
Nine Niches for You to Explore
How to Voice Nonfiction Audiobooks
Your Most Important Goal
What to Narrate and What Not to Narrate
Handling Visual References
Two Things to Know About Your Audience
Three Presentation Requirements
Nonfiction Vocal Delivery
Three Requirements for the Listener to Be Happy
Nonfiction Enunciation Calibration
Voicing Steps, Lists and Processes
Identifying With & Connecting to Your Audience
Creating Related PDF Content
Assignments
Installing Software
Exploring Non-Fiction Opportunities on ACX
What’s Ahead for Week Two
Additional Resources and Training
Video Training and Resources
Audio Training and Resources
PDF Reference Resources
Live Coaching Session
Live Narration Performance Coaching: Fiction/Non-Fiction Clips
Q & A Session
Questions/Clarifications About Your ACX Demo Portfolio
Questions/Clarifications About Your Equipment and Software
Questions/Clarifications About Your Opportunities in the Nonfiction Market
Questions/Clarifications About How to Voice Nonfiction Audiobooks
Questions/Clarifications About This Week’s Assignments
Week Three
Student Accountability Reports
How to Record for ACX with Audacity
Gathering Your Assets, Software and Hardware
ACX Recording Standards
ACX Mastering Standards
Efficient Script Viewing
Auditioning and Performance: Step by Step
The “Stairstep” Method of Recording, Editing and Mastering
Editing Raw Tracks
How Pozotron Makes You Look Like a Genius to Your RH
Mastering Like a Pro
Audio Silence Standards
Building Room Tone into Your Read
5 Common Time Wasters Among Audiobook Narrators
How to Voice Fiction Audiobooks
Choosing Fiction Auditions Wisely
How to Identify Your Audience
How to Create Your Characters
Voicing the Neutral Narrator
Voicing Male Characters
Voicing Female Characters
Voicing Child/Teen Characters
When and How to Use Accents and Dialects
What if You’re No Good at Accents and Dialects?
Seven Vital Fiction Presentation Tips
Fiction Enunciation
Assignments
Installing “Secret Weapon” Mastering Software
Working with Pozotron to Proof Your Work
Exploring Fiction Opportunities on ACX
What’s Ahead for Week Three
Additional Resources and Training
Video Training and Resources
Audio Training and Resources
PDF Reference Resources
Live Coaching Session
Live Narration Performance Coaching: Fiction/Non-Fiction Clips
Q & A Session
Questions/Clarifications About How to Record for ACX with Audacity
Questions/Clarifications About How to Voice Fiction Audiobooks
Questions/Clarifications About This Week’s Assignments
Week Four
Student Accountability Reports
How and When to Audition for ACX
Selecting the Best Auditions for You
10 Reasons to Consider Auditioning for a Particular Title
5 Reasons to Decline an Audition for a Particular Title
About That Offer Pending Banner
Preparing for Your Audition
Choosing the Best Passage for Your Audition
How to Slate Your Audition
How to Submit Your Audition
REVIEW: How to Produce the Audiobook
How to Manage Your Clients
Three Key Metrics to Help You Identify the Most Profitable Titles
Moving from Auditioning to Booking
Managing Client Expectations
Setting Expectations When You Audition
Planning for Success
Booking the Client, Not the Work
Project Payment Clarity
Step-by-Step Client Folder Creation
How to Handle Complex Change Requests
How to Establish a Clear Paper Trail
Using Pre-Written Messages for Each Step
How to “Hand Hold” the Client
Dealing with Client Feedback
Assuring Client Approval
How to Handle Slow-to-Respond Clients
Setting Yourself Up as the RH’s “Narrator of Choice”
Things You Should Do to Make the Rights Holder Want to Work Only with You (that very few of your competitors do)
How to Manage Your Projects
Securing Your Assets
Setting Your Production Schedule
Scheduling Your Delivery Date
When Not to Begin Working
Scheduling for Disaster
Special Research Before You Begin Recording
How to Avoid the Narrator’s Worst Nightmare
Which Files to Save, and for How Long
Responding to Revision Requests
When and How to Invoice the Client
How to Create the Retail Sample of an Audiobook
How & When to “Sanitize” Your Retail Sample
How to Earn More from Every Sale (Even without Royalty Share)
Beyond ACX
Other Publishers and Producers You May Partner With
Assignments
12 Next Steps As You Begin Your Narrator Journey
What’s Ahead for Week Four
Additional Resources and Training
Video Training and Resources
Audio Training and Resources
PDF Reference Resources
Live Coaching Session
Live Narration Performance Coaching: Fiction/Non-Fiction Clips
Q & A Session
Questions/Clarifications About How and When to Audition for ACX
Questions/Clarifications About How to Produce the Audiobook
Questions/Clarifications About How to Manage Your Clients
Questions/Clarifications About How to Manage Your Projects
Open to U.S., UK, Canada and Ireland Residents
At present, ACX is open only to
- U.S. citizens with a Social Security number.
- U.S. residents (not necessarily citizens) of the United States who have a valid U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number and are able to submit Form W9.
- Canadian citizens and residents who have a Canadian Tax I.D., a Canadian bank account, and a Canadian address.
- UK citizens and residents who have a UK Tax I.D. (your National Insurance I.D. will suffice), a UK bank account, and a UK address.
- Irish citizens and residents who have an Irish Tax I.D., an Irish bank account and an Irish address.
If you don’t meet any of the requirements above, we do not recommend that you join this exclusive Master Class.