Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia M. Smith
Hi Patricia M., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Short version:
As a youngster, I read constantly. During elementary school, we were to bring a book when it was our class’s time to visit the rest room; I brought the dictionary. My interest in and ability for writing brought me to the editorship of the St. Cecilia Academy newspaper. The patient principal appropriately stopped me from renaming it the SCArlet Letter. Her prerogative; my massive enjoyment of wordplay.
As a lover of words, I became the communicator for my employers – sportswriter for The TENNESSEAN (many bizarre stories here), catalog writer for Service Merchandise, communications officer for the TN Supreme Court, Tennessee Housing Development Agency and American Red Cross Blood Services. Need a speech, news release, photo caption, marketing campaign outline? See Patricia M. Words on paper, words said out loud.
I enjoy learning. The variety that comes with an audition subscription (Voices 123, Backstage) offers a chance to help a company bring their mission or message to life. I’ve done auditions for non-profits working in Africa, lawyers practicing questioning witnesses, department stores, cartoon videos, banks, just lots.
My goals for my business are these: have fun, learn more, engage my brain, meet people, be sure it is self-supporting! I offer fun on Instagram @HerVoiceWorks: a Wednesday Word and a Thursday Tongue Twister.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The learning curve is steep. I learned how to record and edit audio! I can talk, but can I interpret the client’s specifications? What work fits my voice? How do I market my skills remembering the client’s needs are the priority? Which social media is useful, which efforts are wastes of time? Great support in Nashville for VO from the Tennessee VO Exchange (https://www.t-voe.com/). Helpful people, ready to share information and resources, guidance on equipment.
Getting the sound right in the home booth is on-going – working around mowing outside and the HVAC inside!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Work history – Mom guided me into teaching as a career focus. Geo. Peabody College for Teachers had a newspaper, too. And I reveled in it. Got to serve as Assistant Editor and Editor. When Vanderbilt undertook the logical process of absorbing Peabody, we had a picture of our president, walking down the Administration Hall’s front entrance: “President Duckworth Steps Down”. Hilarity for the 19-year-old.
After a long and engaging road filled with variety, all based on communications skills, retirement beckoned. Beloved children are grown and independent. Husband satisfied with his rounds. Me, sit down and watch the world wander, no.
My energy level is too high to relax. I’ve read aloud for church services for decades and to neighborhood children. A friend brought up the concept that folks made money with their voices. Ta da! The wonderful members of the Tennessee Voice Over Exchange provide a community to discuss genres, equipment, marketing, the ups and downs of what it takes.
I have the benefit of enjoying voice over, not as a hobby, (beware the IRS rules), but not as crucial for paying the mortgage. Extra benefits – patient husband and supportive adult children. VO fits in and around many other activities.
A voice over talent provides the audio for commercials, corporate narration for histories, learning for employees, new product announcement descriptions, audio books. I serve as Maia the Magpie – https://chartable.com/podcasts/babybus-kids-stories-bedtime-stories/episodes/169922885-maia-the-magpies-forgotten-tales-a-lost-wand-p1. I brought great joy to a researcher who now has his script about the Shroud of Turin available to all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC8jb8k2Z9w. I was happy to help with the script and the narration for a meeting of the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExdCmRe0RMI. You can hear the demo produced by the creative Joe Loesch on my site, HerVoiceWorks.com.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Be the helpful person. It can be as easy as holding the door and as specific as knowing whom to call for an answer. I won an award for networking from the women’s network – Nashville Cable. It comes naturally to me to connect people who can be useful to each other. People buy from those they know, like and trust. Be open to giving your time to another.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HerVoiceWorks.com
- Instagram: @HerVoiceWorks
