Voice Actor and Singer / Songwriter Erikka J

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Woodstock, Georgia. This is fearless formula with Sharon Cline.

Sharon Cline: And welcome to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX, where we talk about the ups and downs of the business world and offer words of wisdom for business success. I am your host, Sharon Cline, and I am so lucky to be speaking with an Atlanta based voice actor. She’s also a singer songwriter. She’s an entertainer. She’s an artist vocal production person. She wears many hats, very, very talented. Very lucky to speak to Erikka J today. Welcome to the show.

Erikka J: Hey, thanks for having me, Sharon. Glad to be here.

Sharon Cline: I’m so excited to chat with you because we were lucky enough to meet completely outside of Georgia, which is kind of, kind of crazy.

Erikka J: Crazy.

Sharon Cline: We met in a voiceover. Uh, intensive. It was for animation and video games and things. And, uh, Kari Wahlgren, who is a very well-known, uh, voiceover artist and actor, um, she was leading this intensive. And so I just getting to know some of the people around me, I was like, Holy cow, you’re in Atlanta. Would you be on my show? Because this is actually like one of the very few times I’ve gotten to speak to someone who does similar things to me. So thanks.

Erikka J: Yeah. Of course. Yeah. It’s crazy. We’re we’re right down the road and excuse me, met in Kansas City so I know. Yeah, it was cool.

Sharon Cline: And I just got a glimpse of your booth for a second, and it’s nice to see someone else with a booth. So I’m just happy to have, you know, voiceover work can be very lonely because you’re just doing your own thing and your own little booth. And so it’s nice to talk to someone who can kind of commiserate with me.

Erikka J: Yeah, absolutely. About staying in padded rooms all day and trying not to choke on mic. Oh my goodness. I’m sorry.

Sharon Cline: It’s funny because I was looking at your, um, your bio and my goodness, you have had some really amazing success, and I. It’s funny. You were born in D.C.. I’m going to D.C. next week for a. Oh, cool. The podcast movement convention that they do every year that moves around the country. Um, yeah. And so I was looking through your bio and wow, you you have been able to perform in some of the coolest places, like the Blues Alley Jazz Club and Dumfries Summer Concert Series. You are, um, like, super successful in lots of different ways. Not just voice over work and not just animation.

Erikka J: Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. That was yeah, that was probably more music focused. And it’s it’s been a little while, but yeah, I had some, some great success there. I was kind of, you know, singing, write my own songs and also was in a corporate band for a long time. And then now my, my focus has really moved more so to voiceover. Um, so doing more of that, I just had this, uh fun campaign with Carters that that just released like a week ago. I need to post that. Oh my goodness. Congratulations. Oh, it’s. I have a one year old, so it’s almost like a refund. Like to be paid to do a commercial for them. Heck yeah. Um, store credit, I don’t know. Um, I’ve got Vicks running. T-mobile. Um, I did a I don’t know, I do a lot of voicing, so. Yeah. Georgia lottery. Um, Northside hospital here in Atlanta. Um, yeah. So. So it’s fun. I like to I like doing this work.

Sharon Cline: Heck, yeah. And I see that you also have some clients. Google and Amazon. Apple News+. Oh my goodness.

Erikka J: Microsoft. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: Kind of everywhere. Okay. So let’s go back and start kind of where where did you get started in voiceover for those of of the listeners who are interested in this kind of work, it always seems intimidating to get started. So how did you get started?

Erikka J: Yeah. Um, I was fortunate in that because I was an independent singer songwriter. Um, I already had like a home studio and knew how to record myself, and it had already had been through my audacity phase, and I was I was actually working in Pro Tools, which is much harder than Adobe Audition, which is primarily what I use now. Um, you know, because I was writing my own songs and arranging them and doing the harmonies. So using the multitrack and. Yeah, so I knew how to do all that already, and I was in the studio world. So I had a friend who was also a singer, and another one who was a, uh, a comedian in the area when I was living in Richmond, Virginia at the time, and they had mentioned that they were going to a studio to do a voiceover. And I was like, well, what’s that? You know, like I had no clue. And I was just like, huh. Um, my two oldest kids were were younger at the time, like elementary school age. And I was gone every weekend doing gigs and whatnot. So that was interesting to me that I could do something recording at home and make money for it. So I just started. I always say I do the Google Hustle and went online and started learning and went to a local studio and cut a demo and got on their list, booked a couple gigs like DC lottery with them. Um, and then it just kind of grew from there and I continued to meet people in the community and eventually got representation and better training. And yeah, now here we are eight years later and it’s it’s going okay.

Sharon Cline: Oh my gosh, so exciting. I mean, just think about the fact that you didn’t even have kind of that basic like I went to school, you, you just already knew kind of having had an instinct on how to do the voiceover work. I would say, yeah.

Erikka J: I mean, I guess and I did have to I did work a little backwards. So what helped me, though, was that because I had the music background, I sort of, you know, understood channeling emotion into the way that you manipulate words and sounds. Right. Um, so that was what I think gave me that initial sort of boost by eventually, you know, I started taking some, some voiceover courses that were more focused on the acting. And that’s what I was like, oh, this is acting. You know what I mean? So I can’t really like, brag, like, hey, it was innate and I’m just natural, like, you know, no, like I had to train to and I’m still training to this day, so I.

Sharon Cline: Still do to and I’ve only been doing voiceover work for about four years, but I’ve been recording audiobooks for I think eight years now. But it’s interesting.

Erikka J: Bless your heart.

Sharon Cline: You are. Yeah, that’s hard work. I can’t.

Erikka J: Do it. I can’t do it.

Sharon Cline: It requires a lot of, uh, attention to detail, and my brain has to slow down in order to do it when it wants to.

Erikka J: Like the Iron Man of voiceover is audiobooks. I just I don’t know how y’all do it.

Sharon Cline: Well, I will say that. I mean, it is acting in the same sense, although you’re producing, you know, recording and producing and editing all the files. So it’s it’s labor intensive for sure. But the reason I got into voiceover is the same reason, you know, you did kind of where it’s like a shorter version of, of, of doing books, but being able to get paid from home, you know, at least you hope. And, um, I think when I think about the acting side of it, it’s shocking how different something can sound when you really are believing what you’re saying, as opposed to just phoning it in and thinking, I probably sound like I’m in a minivan right now talking about how great it is. But when you really, you know, make your mind believe it, you know, it’s it’s amazing how you can hear a difference.

Erikka J: It is, it is. And, um, you know, you hear people like, oh, well, I have a great voice and I’m just like, you know, you learn as you do this more and more, it has nothing to do with your voice. Like, everybody has a great voice, you know what I mean? Um, sure. There are some people that have, you know, maybe more resonance in their voice or whatever that gets people’s attention, or they just like your voice. But yeah, it’s it’s all about the authentic acting, especially these days, because in advertising, like, you know, the trends have changed because people don’t want to be sold to anymore. You know, they just just tell me about it. Just be a person. And, you know, that’s that’s that’s what we’re doing now. And being in voiceover is trying not to sound professional. Yeah. That is the profession.

Sharon Cline: That is a great tagline. It’s true because I used to like when I was kind of interested in voiceover. I used to go as I was driving, I would read the billboards and stuff and just kind of pretend I was different. Voice. I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but yeah, I used to pretend I was different voices and being all like. Announcer. And the minute you know, I got into school and realized that it’s really more just. We want it to sound very conversational, like you are just sitting, you know, in a little cafe, and you’re talking about how great the coffee is, you know? Oh my God. And it’s crazy because when I audition, I can tell when I’m. You feel it. It’s wild.

Erikka J: Yeah. Yeah.

Erikka J: Or, like, if you’re in a session and you do, like, three in a row, like, you’ll know which one. And it’s so tempting to be like, oh, it’s that one. But, you know, you let the buyer decide, but it’s like usually the one that you feel is the one, for me at least, is the one that they pick. They’d be like, oh yeah, I liked B. And I’d be like, yeah, that was the one that felt right to me.

Sharon Cline: And it’s funny too. I can hear it when I listen to voiceovers. I can tell when something has that feel to it as well. And just listening to one. And there was one recently that I heard over and over. I think it was on one of our local news stations, and it just was, and it played on YouTube all the time. And I was just like, you are not like, I was so jealous like, or envious because it was like, this is not a great voiceover at all because I feel nothing. You know, it’s not conversational at all. And I was like, wow, how how interesting to me that my ear has gotten trained to hear it that way.

Erikka J: Absolutely.

Erikka J: Yeah. It’s crazy.

Sharon Cline: So you had just done an audition, uh, just before we got on today, and I think, wow, look at you making room for me in this whole world. Oh, thanks. So, do you have some favorite clients that you’ve worked with? I mean, is there something that stands out as your absolute favorite voiceover? You did.

Erikka J: Oh, God. Um, well, we were just talking about the Carter’s campaign, and that was fun because it was like, I like to do kind of like that dry, wry, you know, like. And it’s funny because it doesn’t have a lot of emotion in it. And it’s like, it’s like the antithesis of cute is the whole campaign. It’s like, you know, um, you know, like you’re too much, you’re too good for cute type thing, talking about babies. Oh, yeah.

Speaker3:

Erikka J: Oh, so that was fun. Um, and we really played around in that session with different ways. And it’s, you know, it’s so nuanced, the little tiny changes that you can make and they’ll make a difference. So that was fun. And just most recently on my mind, um, what else is another good one? Peterbilt back maybe. Oh, God, maybe three years ago now, they were announcing a new, like, medium duty truck that they were announcing or whatever. So, um, and it went like live on YouTube. That was fun because, you know, for them to pick a woman and then a woman of color to voice it as opposed to, you know, your typical trucker you think of, like, you know, white guy, to be honest. And it’s like, oh, you guys kind of went, you know, left on that one. And it was a cool video with like big drums. And I was just like, yeah, this is, this is cool. So that was fun.

Sharon Cline: Oh, amazing.

Erikka J: Yeah, there are plenty others, but those are the two that come to mind.

Sharon Cline: So it’s interesting because it’s like that the the change of energy and sound and feel of a voiceover when it’s a different gender is kind of fascinating to me.

Erikka J: Yeah. Yeah.

Erikka J: Or or the ambiguous, you know, where it’s kind of like that androgynous sound, you know, where it’s like, has that masculine and feminine energy. That’s cool. You know what?

Sharon Cline: I have never been asked to do one. I’ve always been asked to do just, you know, like the mom next door or the girlfriend or something like that. But what would it sound like if it were sort of more androgynous? I’ve never been asked to do that. Yeah.

Erikka J: I mean, I don’t know that I’ve necessarily been asked, but I think it’s just like a vibe that they’re looking for and it’s like, you know, where it’s it’s not hyper feminine, but it’s it. You can tell that, you know, it’s like, you know, it’s it’s maybe a woman doing it or that there’s a feminine energy. I think it’s just that they’re trying to, you know, appeal to both audiences because that’s what it’s all about in voiceover is in the music that they pick, the creative that they do. They’re targeting all this to a certain demographic, right, that they’re trying to speak to. Um, so I think that, you know, kind of going for that, it’s that balance of male and female energy, maybe not really hard one way or the other. Um, I’ve seen some calls for that. Or sometimes they actually want like a non-binary talent, which is great for authentic casting, um, or trans talent or, you know, any LGBTQ, just like looking for, um, LGBTQ plus, right?

Sharon Cline: With all the other letters.

Erikka J: Honor everybody. Or, you know, or, like, if you’re looking for a person of color, if you are, you know, targeting a demographic demographic of color. I talk for money. Okay.

Erikka J: You know, all those things are great. So, um. Yeah, it’s just a way to create, um. And I love being a part of it, so. Yeah. Oh.

Sharon Cline: That’s awesome. It’s it’s interesting because now my ear is going to be tuned to see if I can, you know, kind of hear a difference between someone being some kind of non-binary and, and I can I have a lower register that I can speak in because when I do voices for books, if it’s a male, you know, I kind of lower things down a little bit. If it’s a woman, I’m a little higher pitched. So I’ve never thought about that. So I’m actually glad that you mentioned that. To me, it’s a whole other side that maybe it’s something I can work with a little bit. Who knows?

Erikka J: Who knows, who knows?

Sharon Cline: How do you market yourself? I know that you’ve got your website, and you’ve got all of the classic things that, you know, most people do with the Facebook and Instagram, YouTube, um, is it something that you do specifically or do you have representation kind of markets you.

Erikka J: Yeah. So both I’m actually working on redoing my website now. I’m working with a couple people to sort of help to craft what that messaging will be like. Um, so yeah, definitely having a web presence, um, getting the keywords in there for SEO so that I’m easily found my digital storefront, if you will. Um, and being present on some of the platforms, um, like there’s a marketplace for voiceover called voice one, two, three that I’m a part of and another one called Hidalgo. There are a couple others that I don’t participate in. Um, but additionally, yes, definitely social media, you know, LinkedIn, posting things on Facebook and Instagram, all that. Just telling everybody I know, word of mouth. Um, I’m not as active as I’d like to be, but I’m members of my local chambers of commerce. Um, and then I do have representation as well. So I have agents that kind of, you know, they they find the big the big swings, the big, the big league stuff. Yeah. Um, and send me auditions. And that’s what I had to do right before our call was, um, flip something over to my agent pretty quick that they were looking for like within a couple of hours.

Sharon Cline: So, it was so nice to be able to do this from home. I mean, initially when I started, I was I had started school in January of 2020 and the pandemic really hit in March. And, um, I was so surprised at how difficult it was actually to get equipment to be able to use at home because everything got sold out really quickly for people.

Erikka J: Yeah.

Sharon Cline: And it was a shock. Yeah. Um, but it is so great to be able to just kind of hop, hop in somewhere, you know, downstairs real quick because I have a booth in my garage. It’s kind of like under the ground a little bit with, like, heavy doors, and it’s got all the soundproofing and yeah, I can just go in there quick, do what I need to do and and get out. So it’s been, as a matter of fact, recording my demos was a challenge because I did that at an actual studio, and I had to wait and wait and wait until they let me. And then I had to have all kinds of protocol to make sure I was safe to go in there. But yeah, I mean it. It’s fascinating. The whole the whole industry is fascinating to me. Apparently it’s changed a lot since the pandemic.

Erikka J: Oh, yeah. I mean, that was the thing that, um, you know, a lot of people were saying that they were able to really, you know, as rough as a time. It was at the beginning of pandemic. People were actually doing better in terms of like, their businesses, their numbers, because people that were already had studios and were prepared and were just kind of like, you know, ready to hit the ground running, you know, really got a lot of work. Um, because, like you said, you know, a lot of other people were like, oh, I want something to do from home. What’s this voiceover thing? Yeah, a lot of people bought, you know, bought up like the big beginner equipment. And it was just it was crazy. And there was like this influx in the industry of new talent. Um, and, you know, some were just, you know, kind of trying it out and ended up selling their gear, you know, on Facebook Marketplace or whatever. Um, but some people, you know, kind of got into it, or maybe they came from the theater world or the on camera world where, you know, they weren’t doing things in person right then because of the pandemic. Um, so some of those people actually stayed with voiceover, um, which was which was cool. You know, you got to hear different voices, but um, I do enjoy doing it from home. It can be a challenge to make sure that you still get out and not, you know, not be like becoming a recluse all the way, you know? Um, like, oh, the sun was out today. I didn’t know because.

Erikka J: I’ve been in a dark, paded room all day.

Erikka J: But yeah. So it’s it’s great work, but you do have to kind of make sure that you are really proactive and intentional about finding balance and getting some time outside and away from the booth and with other people.

Sharon Cline: I think that’s my big challenge, is anytime I find someone that does anything similar to me, I’m like, oh my God, can we just talk? Because it’s it’s fascinating and that you can be on your own and do your own thing and work. You get as much work as you want by as much as many auditions as you’re doing or whatever, whichever way you’re getting out there. But to be able to have a bit of a network or a community, I’m finding myself almost, um, like, not desperate, but appreciative of when I find someone else that I can say, what do you use to do this or that? Because I’ve had to figure it out, kind of on my own as well.

Erikka J: Right, right, right. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: So do you have are you associated with any voice over, um, associations here in Atlanta? I saw that you were, uh, had been to a, I think you were on a panel for a video conference that we have here in Atlanta.

Erikka J: Yeah.

Erikka J: So there’s veo Atlanta is the biggest and I think actually longest running sort of voice over, um, conference I think, God, what are we in a year 11 or this might be the 12th one coming up in 2025, right. Um, so I might be wrong in my numbers. Sorry, guys. Um, but yeah. So I was, uh, on a couple panels there and taught some classes. I just actually came back just this past weekend from one voice in Dallas. Wow. Um, and I think they’ve been doing that. God, this might be the fourth year. Um, I think that. Yeah. Um. And then let me see. What else is there? There’s a service that’s by the Society of, uh. Oh, my goodness, I’m drawing a blank today. Our Friday brain.

Erikka J: Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, I believe. Um, so. Yeah, I went out to there. That’s voice over conference, and I’ve been to their awards show before, and one there and one voice, actually. Um, yeah. Yeah. So there’s some great conferences. There’s mavo that’s a little bit smaller, more intimate. That’s in like Northern Virginia DC area. Um, there’s one in New England. I can’t remember the name of it offhand. I’ve never been. Um, and then there’s one for Wovo, I think this fall in Chicago, um, the World Voices organization. Um, yeah. So there’s a lot of great little conferences around, and I’ve been to most of them. I haven’t been to Wovo yet, the one in New England or and I’ve been to Maysville once last year.

Sharon Cline: What do you find, what is it like when you’re at these conferences? What do you get out of being there?

Erikka J: You know, so it’s like, um, you know, from my corporate life, you know, and even when I was with the government, like, I’ve been to professional conferences, I’ve spoken at those conferences when I used to work for the state in the procurement division. Um and, you know, it’s a very different audience when you get a bunch of actors together.

Sharon Cline: I can’t imagine the energy.

Erikka J: Even though it’s plenty, you know, there’s plenty of business and it’s very educational, you know? It’s also just really fun and loose, like, you know, you don’t have people like, I think I saw somebody asking about, you know, what to wear. And I’m like, you don’t have to wear suit jackets to these things. Like, there’s people that show up with purple hair and, you know, like stars on their face or whatever, I don’t know. You know, so it’s it’s it’s like a family reunion, especially at One Voice in Atlanta. Um, you know, people go out to dinner and have drinks or they hug everywhere, and it’s it’s a big love fest. Um, so it’s just it’s a good time. Um, but take your vitamin C and all that before, because, you know, it’s a lot of people. So all the crud comes around, and usually somebody posts a positive Covid test at the end.

Sharon Cline: So it’s funny you say that because last week’s guest, um, came down with Covid for the show. And I was like, you’re kidding. Like, it’s not in my mind still like it used to be, but it’s still around. So there, there it is.

Erikka J: Oh, it’s hanging around. I’ve seen quite a few, you know, double line tests and I’m like, pregnant. No. Okay. Covid. Yeah.

Sharon Cline: Never even thought of that.

Sharon Cline: That’s funny. Well, I’m also thinking how cool it is that the energy of what you’re talking about. They’re all so supportive of each other. Because I find that nobody’s voice sounds just like mine or yours. And there’s room for everyone. There’s a voice and a sound for everybody. And a client that is looking for the way someone sounds. And it’s so subjective. You cannot really contrive yourself to be any different than what you really are because, you know, it just won’t work.

Erikka J: So, it really is. It’s like it’s like people don’t think so, but it’s like your fingerprint, you know, like your your voice print is, is is different from from everybody. And you bring a different point of view and a different story that you’re bringing to the perspective, a different point of view to that, to that script. Um, so it’s really just about who’s the who’s, you know, fits who fits the bill. What’s the puzzle piece that makes this piece of art come together? Um, when you factor in, you know, the music and the visuals and the script and, you know, the what they’re trying to convey all those things. And then the voice is sort of the last little icing on top. Um, and yeah, I love that it’s not really a cut throat industry because there’s plenty of work and we’re all just kind of like, oh, you know, you were a better fit for that. People refer each other all the time. Um, it’s not quite like, you know, music or other art areas of art where it’s a little more competitive and cutthroat and sort of, you know, yeah, a lot of nasty envy and all that going on. That doesn’t really happen in voiceover. It’s it’s a much more friendly place.

Sharon Cline: So, what I love about that, just even comparing the music industry is, you know, there’s there’s, there’s radio, you know, and yeah, yeah, ways that people can hear music. But with voiceover there’s just a bunch of different ways that you can be out there in the world. Um, what did I hear recently? I was like, on an elevator. And this woman, this woman was like, uh, you know, saying the different floors that you’re on and what was on the floor. And I was like, what the heck? This is someone’s voice right now. And, um, I went to the movies recently, and they have all these, you know, voice over commercials happening. And I’m like, what? You could be in a movie theater. You know, it’s amazing. I don’t know, I love that about voiceover because it’s not like you are only limited to being able to play music or sing. You can be in all kinds of different areas. Yeah. Have you been able to use your musical talents, your singing ability, in voiceover at all?

Erikka J: Oh, I’ve done a few auditions with it, I haven’t. Well, way back, actually, I did do a singing thing and with like a two other people, we harmonized and all that. I think it was for like a paint company or something. Um, that was a long time ago. But yeah, I’ve done a few auditions and then particularly with, like, animation, um, you know, there’s some singing roles and stuff like that. So that’s been cool, but, um, directly not as much. Um, like I said, it just kind of helps me having that background and understanding, especially if I get the background music for the commercial or whatever that’s being used, that helps me to kind of like find the the right shade of tone, the right shade of emotion, um, to use. So that that’s been helpful there.

Sharon Cline: I think it’s because I sing as well. And so it’s it’s funny because when, um, in having just an ear for music, it does inform a little bit with voiceover. It does. Um, yeah. And I actually didn’t even put that together until just till just you mentioned it. I was like, you know what? She’s right.

Erikka J: Yeah.

Sharon Cline: What kind of things are you working on right now?

Erikka J: Oh, God. Um, what am I working on right now that I can talk about.

Sharon Cline: Oh, I know, right?

Erikka J: Un, that’s always the thing. It’s like once it’s out, you can say it, but there’s a lot of NDAing in this industry. Um. Oh my God. Well, uh, I’ll say that I did the, um. So I haven’t even been to listen to it yet, but there’s, like, these big bus tours in different cities. Um, that’s actually the name of the company is Big Bus Tours, I believe. And they, um, I did the one for Miami, and that’s actually been out for a little while, but I just did another city, and I don’t know if I can say, but.

Sharon Cline: Oh, that’s so cool.

Erikka J: That was something reasonable that I did. Yeah. So it’s like when you ride the bus like I’m one of the characters, so that’s cool.

Sharon Cline: Um, like, who would have ever thought that’s just another avenue? Okay. Sorry. Sorry to interrupt you.

Erikka J: No, no no, no, you interrupt at all.

Erikka J: You’re fine, you’re fine. And like you said, like I said, the Carter’s one was really cool. That recently came out. Um, recently, I had one that’s on the radio for Chevy. And I think before that there was one for Toyota. So that was cool to do some cars.

Sharon Cline: Amazing.

Erikka J: Um, a lot of I’m doing some political work too, because, you know, it’s a crazy year for that. So it’s a lot of that going around. Um, and a lot of people hear me in Marshall’s that’s been ongoing for a few years, but.

Sharon Cline: No kidding.

Erikka J: Yeah. Like they’re in store. Voice. So, like, it’s like, hey, Marshall. Shoppers. Like, that’s me.

Sharon Cline: Oh, my God. Amazing.

Erikka J: I’m trying to sell you a credit card. So I’m sorry, but.

Sharon Cline: I did one for Hobby Lobby. It was just an audition but and it was like in the fall, but it was for their Christmas sale, like after Christmas. And I remember thinking, what would it be like to be walking around in Hobby Lobby and actually hear myself say something like that? That must be the most wild thing.

Erikka J: It happened to me. We were in LA, but me and my friend of mine and other voiceover person and another actor, and she was like, is that you? And I was like, Oh.

Erikka J: And she started recording. We were in the Marshalls in LA picking out jackets for like this party we were going to for our agency. And it was like, that’s me trying to get you to sign up for the rewards program. So it’s fun to see your voice in the wild. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s cool.

Sharon Cline: Oh my gosh, that’s amazing. All right.

Erikka J: Well, when you hear your friends, you’re watching a commercial and I’ll be like, oh, that’s, you know, such and such.

Sharon Cline: Oh my gosh, you know what? I love that because it is, it is such an energy of go, everybody go, go and get what you need out there. Go and have fun. And I think that’s something that I can tend to forget is how much fun this is. It is a lot of work, of course, but to pretend to be a different character for a little bit, or to pretend to be, you know, a concerned mom whose child is in this hospital and how great the hospital is, or all of these different characters in my mind that I kind of pulled down from the sky, you know, in order to access to try to, you know, book this job. It is fun to kind of forget who I am a little bit. I know it’s work, of course, but I love that part.

Erikka J: Yeah, we get to be like multiple personalities and not get called crazy. So I mean, that’s nice, you know, like.

Sharon Cline: You think people who don’t know much about voiceover in the world, what do you think that they need to kind of have an understanding of?

Erikka J: Um, it’s just the acting. I mean, it’s real. Well, I always say the voiceover is like this three pronged industry, this three legged stool. Right. So there’s the acting is first and foremost, not the voice, but the actual acting, like being able to, um, authentically portray something that isn’t really real and make it real for yourself. So it’s believable. Um, then there is the business aspect because you have to understand, like, like I said, I sign NDAs almost daily. You have to understand contracts so you don’t sign away your voice in perpetuity, which are the four letter words of our industry. Um, because our voice. Our voices, you know, are really like sonic branding. So there are, um, you know, conflicts that can come into play. Um, you can’t have an ad running at the same time for someone in the in the same industry. You can’t voice for Coke one week, and then while it’s running, you do another one for Pepsi, and they’re running at the same time, because then they sound the same, you know, and it’s that’s their branding. So understanding the business aspect so that you don’t end your career prematurely or, you know, not get compensated appropriately. Um, that’s really important. And then the technical aspect, because now we’re mostly recording from home, you’ve got to understand, you know, how to get your sound right, what to do when you run into problems, you know, having that, uh, redundancy and knowing how to troubleshoot and all that kind of stuff, having your, your acoustic room or booth or whatever you have, um, you got to have an understanding of all three of those things and be, um, like, really proficient at working in all three of those areas to, to really be successful.

Sharon Cline: I would say the frustrating thing that happens to me is somehow my sound will have changed from nothing that I’ve done. You know, there’ll be some latency or something where I cannot figure out what’s wrong, and I have to restart everything and just kind of cross my fingers and pray. But thankfully, there’s some really wonderful people out there who have made some great videos to help people. And that’s how I learned a lot of things is troubleshooting that way is I don’t know why audacity is not letting me do this. You know.

Erikka J: I gotta go through the fire sometimes, and then and then you still will run, you know, have a few heart attacks in the middle. I’ve definitely had a few.

Sharon Cline: Yeah, I would agree with that. I had a deadline that I was like, panicked because I couldn’t get anything to work correctly, and that’s just not how I am as a professional, you know? And this is this is who I am, you know, in the world. I want to make sure that I’m reflecting as best I can. So it’s good to know that you have the same thought process about that as I do, because so many things can go wrong. And I’m kind of, I know how to do what I know how to do, but outside of that, if there’s something I can get, um, panicked for sure.

Erikka J: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Sharon Cline: Um, would you say that the industry is different now than when you first started.

Erikka J: Oh, that’s a great question.

Erikka J: Um, a little hard for me to answer because honestly, in the beginning I wasn’t even really part of quote unquote, the industry. Like, I was just really kind of operating in a vacuum for like the first three and a half years, um, started to get introduced to the, to the industry, maybe a three and a half in and then really understood what I was doing about four years after I’d started. So I will say it’s changed in that there’s more of a focus in authentic casting and in diverse casting, which is always great. Um, obviously more of it being now open to people working out of their homes as opposed to. I did get called into the studio a couple times and glad that now it’s really the norm to do that at home. Um, other changes? Man, I don’t know. Um, because more people are recording at home, there’s more, um, ability to break into other areas like games and animation without being in LA. Um, still heavily LA based, and even some commercials, like, they’re like, we want you to be in LA, or we want you to be in New York. But it’s few and far in between now as opposed to being the norm. Um, definitely the style of reads as styles in marketing change pretty frequently. Uh, it’s much more conversational and loose and even thrown away a lot of times now. Um, just really kind of subdued and, you know, kind of just, I’m just talking right now, like a person, like I’m talking to you, but I’m telling you about this really cool drink I just had, you know, like, that’s how advertising is now. Yeah. Um, and that’s it. I think it was like that probably when I started, but way more so now. Um, yeah, that’s what I got off the top of my head.

Sharon Cline: And they add, um, I get asked to add vocal fry, which is so interesting to me.

Erikka J: That is coming back, right? Like, and it’s funny because I’ll see this summer very, very much against it. Like no vocal fry and that and in summer very much so like yeah, give us the vocal fry, you know.

Sharon Cline: Or they’ll or they’ll have a, um, like a particular actress that they’ll want you to sound like Scarlett Johansson or yeah, I don’t, I can’t even think of somebody else. But anyway, yeah, it’s interesting to me that there’s that style and it does really change the sound. Um, yeah. Tremendously.

Erikka J: Yeah.

Erikka J: And I saw a TikTok that somebody actually sent as a reference, um, talking about vocal fry. And they were saying that, you know, and I realized why I tend to kind of use it sometimes, especially, um, and I also kind of just have a raspy voice a little bit anyway. But, um, it actually is something that’s helpful in music. And sometimes we slide into notes using fry. And I was like, oh yeah, that’s where I get that from.

Erikka J: Yeah it is. It’s, you know, when you come into it and like, ah, you know, so it’s like, oh yeah, we do that. You know.

Sharon Cline: I don’t even realize that I use vocal fry until I’ll be going back and listening to the audition that I did, just to kind of master it over and make sure it sounded okay. And I’ll be like. Interesting. I think there’s like a naturalness to it or even just any of the auditions that I do. I kind of download the energy of what they’re looking for, and then I guess I kind of get my mind in there and then hope that it comes out the way I want it to, or that the client likes. I will say that any time I’ve ever been booked for a job, it’s just the best feeling in the world because I, I know that they actually like the way that I was made, if that makes any sense. Like someone is going to hire me for the way that I was put together, that I did not change at all. Like it’s the best. I still get emotional about it. It’s kind of ridiculous, but I do, yeah, I do. It’s a great feeling. And it’s wonderful also to see that you have won awards for the work that you’ve done. That must have been the most exciting moment. I mean, I would have I would have been thrilled.

Erikka J: Oh my God, it was it was really cool. Um, it was, I guess 2021 when I won my first award, which was the service award. I won two that night. And that was like, whoa, I just won my first award. And now you gave me another one. What? Like that was crazy. Um, that was fun. And then the next year at One Voice was when I won three other awards and I was pregnant. So now I had like like my baby was on stage with me, you know, like, um, my one voice, actually, I won voice of the year that year, so that was cool. Um, and then I haven’t really submitted any for 23 and 24 because I was just kind of like, well, um, I take that back. I didn’t submit any in 23 because I just had a baby, and I was just kind of low key. Um, and then this year, I hadn’t even really said anything. You’re the first person I’m telling, um, that I submitted to the Tellys, and I won three. Oh my.

Sharon Cline: Gosh.

Erikka J: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I won a few tellys.

Sharon Cline: Oh my gosh.

Erikka J: Bronze telly. So I was just kind of like, you know, that’s cool. Um, so that was exciting.

Sharon Cline: Congratulations. That’s amazing.

Erikka J: Thank you, thank you.

Erikka J: So. Yeah.

Erikka J: Well, it’s nice to have your work recognized.

Sharon Cline: Well, it’s very validating.

Sharon Cline: I mean, you’re in the right industry. You are doing a great job. Obviously you’re successful. And just to have people in the industry to recognize you, um, and it does feel so competitive in so many ways. So to stand out in any way, I’m sure is something I’d be throwing out there all over the place. Look, you know because you have to stand out in some ways, you know.

Erikka J: Yeah, yeah. And there’s nothing wrong. Like, I know some people, you know, have different views on awards. It’s like, you know, just do the work. But we’re human and everybody loves a little validation, and there’s nothing wrong with it. And it’s, you know, great to sort of, you know, for your website and for when you’re marketing to clients that don’t know you to have, you know, that authority to be able to say, you know, hey, I do know what I’m doing. Um, you know, I didn’t like, just start in the pandemic and have no idea, like, you know, I’ve done training and I’ve worked with people, and and I got an award for it. And, you know, this is like your social proof, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Sharon Cline: No, not at all.

Sharon Cline: Anything to stand out just a little bit. Well, if someone were in the industry looking for an agent and having representation, what would you recommend for them?

Erikka J: So, um, I always sort of and I just said this on somebody else’s podcast a week ago. Um, I’m always very careful so that it doesn’t come off the wrong way in like that. I’m devaluing their work at all, but I compare. It’s very easy for Creatives, you know, actors, voice over actors to just sort of see the agent as like the end goal because it’s like, oh, I’ve accomplished this. You know, I have an agent, you know, and like that’s like, wow. But whenever somebody has somebody else outside of the creative arts has a business, they they don’t outsource their sales until they’re at the point that they have a product that they need help selling. Yes. Right. And the way I see it, for actors, we really should be treating our businesses the same way in that if you are striving for an agent, you need to make sure that you first have a product that is, you know, ready to sell. And that is so good that you need help selling it. And then you outsource your sales team. And that’s what I see agents as because we’re partners, you know, it’s not like they’re above us, you know, like, oh, you know, my agent is my boss or anything like that. But you are part you’re in a partnership, so you have a great product. They have a network of people that are looking for a product like yours, and now you partner up so that they can market your product to the marketplace too.

Erikka J: And, you know, and then you see if you can get a sale together. Um, so anybody that’s looking for an agent, I would make sure that your product is ready for that first so that you don’t waste your agent’s time and you don’t waste your time. Um, and then you put it out there. So, um, if you’re at that point that you feel like you’re ready, you’ve been through coaching, you’ve got great demos and all that kind of stuff, just get to know people, go to the conferences, go to workshops where they’re at, um, you know, get to know them on a human level. Let them know that you’re looking for representation you’d love if they take and listen to your stuff and if they’re interested. And you also like look at their rosters on their website and see, you know, if you fit, like if they already have ten people that sound like you, maybe check another roster, you know, to make sure that you are actually serving a need. Um, that they, that they, you know, maybe don’t have on their roster. Um, yeah. So just approaching it from more from a business and logical perspective than from the emotion of I got to get an agent to be successful. Would be my recommendation.

Sharon Cline: I think that’s excellent advice. I also love that. What you’re talking about is not just anyone can just put together their own little demos. You know, at home and then be like, I need an agent now. But there is something to be said about experience and professionalism. And like you said, that product being, um, marketable, really marketable. Um, and I think I’m at, I’m at the point of where I’m like, I don’t know that that’s the next step for me. I don’t know if I’ve had enough work or not, but I do know that it’s more challenging to, like you were saying, get into the big leagues of the different auditions that are only associated with agencies. Um, yeah. The only outside work that I’ve been able to get out is like through the different voice, like voices one, two, three. And I’ve and local like the Chamber of Commerce and local people that I know But.

Sharon Cline: How else would someone have access to any of these large auditions that are for major companies, like. I mean, let’s just go for the big dream like Disney. Do they only go through agents, would you say?

Erikka J: Primarily, yeah. But however, um, I’ve heard, you know, of people saying, you know, that they went and connected with, you know, casting directors on like, LinkedIn, you know, let them know what they’re doing, um, you know, looking at their posts and commenting and making sure that they’re engaged with, you know, in complimenting them on their work. It never hurts to build your own network. Um, I do think that a lot of them, they go through agents because, you know, that’s how they can, you know, kind of whittle down their list. So they’re not having to go through thousands of submissions themselves. But, um, so yeah, agents are definitely the first step. And finding agents that work in the areas that you want to work in. And even starting local with looking for agents is always a great idea. But it doesn’t hurt to, um, you know, branch out and try to meet the people that the actual buyers. Um, I do know people that have said they’ve gotten promos, for example.

Erikka J: Which are very typically going through agents just because they had a relationship with somebody and had continued to build that through LinkedIn. They initially reached out on LinkedIn. So, um, so yeah, not impossible.

Sharon Cline: Not impossible. Well, what I love too is that your local here to Atlanta, but you are all over. You know, your nationwide, but it makes me feel like you don’t have to be, like you said, in LA or New York in order to be successful. I like that I’m kind of sitting where I am at the moment.

Erikka J: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Erikka J: And I mean, you know, a lot of film is coming to Atlanta. So I mean, it’s it’s still not a small city. It’s still top ten DMA. And, you know, um, a major city, a major hub. So it’s not a bad place to be. Um, but yeah, with the work that we do, it’s pretty, uh, remote friendly and global. So. Yeah, it’s it’s great.

Sharon Cline: Well, I just wanted to see if there’s any way that people were wanting to get in touch with you. What do you think the best way is?

Erikka J: Yeah. Um, my website is Erica j.com, which is e r I k a j.com. Um, my mom knew I was going to be double trouble, is what I always say. So I have double K’s.

Erikka J: Two K’s in my name. Um, yeah. If you go to my website, you can hear my demos and all that kind of stuff. All my socials and my contact form will go to my email there. So that’s, that’s, uh, probably the easiest way to get Ahold of me.

Sharon Cline: Well, Erikka, I can’t thank you enough for spending some time with me and just giving me even some inspiration for myself in order to kind of progress in this, in this career. And it does feel lonely. And so I think I have underestimated how important it is to connect and to go to these different conventions and network a little bit and not and not feel so isolated, which is it’s a very surprising part of voiceover. I never would have even thought about it, but being able to talk to you actually makes me feel like I’m not quite so alone. So thank you. I really appreciate the time that you spent with me.

Erikka J: Group workshops are great for that too. Like there’s Atlanta VoiceOver Studios local here. They do in-person and online stuff. Um, and then I have to plug, um, if anybody knows Jennifer Hale, she holds the Guinness Guinness Book of World Records record for like most prolific female voice actor in video games, I believe.

Sharon Cline: Holy cow.

Erikka J: Um, yeah. Like nuts. Like, I think like 600 credits or something like that. Right up there with Carrie. Um, but yeah, Skills Hub is her. I think it’s skills hub after. Skills hub life, I think is her site, and it’s like a subscription thing. And you have access to all these coaches. Like, that’s a great way to build community for new people to. I got to mention that because because she’s really built something nice there.

Sharon Cline: Oh my goodness. Well, thank you so much. Anyone out there that’s listening I hope they all take this advice. This is like gold.

Erikka J: So awesome. Thanks for having me Sharon. This is really great. I’m glad I could be helpful and you’re a delight to speak with.

Sharon Cline: Oh, thank you and you as well. And thank you all for listening to Fearless Formula on Business RadioX. And again, this is Sharon Cline reminding you with knowledge and understanding we can all have our own fearless formula. Have a great day. Bye.