Paul Strikwerda

Making Money In Your PJs is the new book by author and veteran voice actor Paul Strikwerda. Subtitled Freelancing for voice-overs and other solopreneurs, it offers a unique look at what it means to be and stay in business as a freelancing voice for hire. Paul Strikwerda: “Audiobook sales reached $1.6 billion in 2013 and are steadily growing. That’s one of the reasons why voice acting is hot at the moment. Year after year, thousands of hopefuls are led to believe that they can build a lucrative career as a narrator using a cheap microphone, a computer, and an internet connection. Others invest a hefty sum in expensive studio equipment, coaching, and demos, only to get nowhere. Making Money In Your PJs takes a revealing look into this booming industry where many are invited and few are chosen.” Strikwerda: “Every day, I see aspiring voice-overs treat their new dream job as a hobby and fail miserably. It’s not as easy as it seems. People need more than pleasant pipes to make a living as a voice actor. They have to have business acumen in order to succeed. That’s precisely the focus of my book.” Making Money In Your PJs covers topics such as: – Transforming a hobby into a profession – Successfully promoting a business online and offline – Turning potential customers into clients – Pricing services for profit – Getting paid on time, every time – What to do when business is slow These are topics that not only voice actors need to address. They apply to anyone who is self-employed. Although this book is written from the perspective of a voice-over, any solopreneur can benefit from chapters on freelancing, marketing, handling clients, and money management.” Making Money In Your PJs is neither a “get-rich-quick by doing voice-overs guide,” nor a step-by-step course that will take the reader from voice-over novice to top talent in three days. Rather, it is a practical, personal, and often humorous account of what life is like behind the mic. It’s written with insight, intelligence, and a healthy dose of “snarcasm.” Paul Strikwerda is a multilingual voice actor, coach, and writer with 30 years of experience. His weekly blog is one of the most influential in the voice-over industry. He's an expert-contributor to Edge Studio, Internet Voice Coach, the International Freelancers Academy, and recordinghacks.com. Paul grew up in the Netherlands and now lives and works in the historic town of Easton, Pennsylvania.