Episode 364: Choice, Habit, Love: How Actors Build Real Momentum
Acting Business Boot Camp
Actors often wait for motivation. We hope a burst of inspiration will get us moving, keep us consistent, or push us to the next level. But real growth rarely starts with motivation. It starts with one small choice. In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about the simple cycle that has changed my life many times over. Choice. Habit. Love. It’s a framework you can use in your acting career, your training, and your personal development to build strength and momentum in a way that actually lasts. The Moment I Realized Something Needed to Change A few years ago, I was...
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Episode 363: The Power of Slow as an Actor
Acting Business Boot Camp
Why Slow Is the New Secret Weapon for Actors The entertainment industry glorifies hustle. Fast auditions, faster turnarounds, constant pressure to keep up. But what if slowing down is the real secret to booking more roles and building a lasting career? In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about the power of slow and why being intentional, grounded, and patient can make you not only a stronger performer but also a more fulfilled human being. The Myth of Hustle: Why Speed Doesn’t Equal Success We’ve been conditioned to think that “busy” means...
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Episode 362: Paywalls, Performances, and the Price of Transparency
Acting Business Boot Camp
The Irony of Paid Transparency I saw a post the other day that made me stop mid-scroll. An actor—let’s call him Workshop Guy—was going viral for saying he was “tired of gatekeeping in the industry.” He wanted to break down the walls, create transparency, build community… all that good stuff. And then, at the end of his video, came the link. A $200 workshop. I laughed out loud. Because, honestly, that’s not transparency. That’s marketing. Let’s talk about why. The Anti-Gatekeeping Paywall Here’s the thing: if your solution to exclusivity is to sell tickets to your...
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Episode 361: Self Tapes That Book Part II
Acting Business Boot Camp
The Heart Behind a Great Self-Tape I’ll be honest—I couldn’t even remember how I start my podcast today. “Hello, I hope you had a great week?” That sounds right. Anyway, welcome back to Self-Tapes That Book, Part Two. Last week we talked about tech and mindset, about creating a space that supports your confidence instead of draining it. The kind of space that makes you feel like you just slipped into your favorite outfit—the one that makes you feel unstoppable. That’s exactly how I want your self-tape setup to feel: effortless, energizing, and completely you. Four Keys...
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Episode 360: Self Tapes that Book Part 1
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics for any working actor today: self-tapes. They’re no longer an occasional request or a pandemic workaround. Self-tapes are the audition room now. That means your setup, your mindset, and your energy have to communicate professionalism and confidence before you ever say a line. After losing my voice for a few weeks (and getting some incredible help from Mandy Fisher, Rose Marie, and Taylor), I wanted to come back with something that felt useful and practical. Because here’s the truth: the actors who treat...
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Episode 359: Do Not Get Into Voiceover If Any of These 3 Areas Will Be Drained
Acting Business Boot Camp
Voiceover is a beautiful and rewarding field. But if you’re not protecting your energy, creativity, and finances, it will eat you alive before you ever find your footing. I’ve seen too many talented actors get burned out because they thought VO was just about having a “great voice.” It isn’t. It’s a craft and a business rolled into one. And if any of those three pillars is running on empty, your career won’t last. Energy: Your True Currency Behind every polished 30-second spot is hours of research, auditions, editing, outreach, marketing, and more. Without systems to...
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Episode 358: What’s a Motto With You?
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I talk about mottos. Those little slogans or mantras that can actually keep you going in a business that is often messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming. A motto is not just decoration. It’s a tool. It helps you: Stay grounded when the industry feels chaotic. Filter choices and make better decisions. Communicate your identity and values quickly. Build momentum through small daily actions. I’ll share a quick history of mottos, what makes a good one, and a few of my favorites like: Grow through every no Truth over performance Consistent action, creative life ...
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Episode 356: The Importance of the Language of the Agents & the CD's
Acting Business Boot Camp
Why Learning the “Language” Matters Actors spend years honing their craft, but many miss one critical piece: learning how to communicate in the Language of the Agents and the Casting Directors. This isn’t just about vocabulary. It’s about aligning your training, business practices, and mindset so the industry sees you as the solution—not the problem. As a casting director, I see it firsthand. Actors who know how to speak this language get representation, book roles, and build sustainable careers. Those who don’t? They’re quickly overlooked. The Three Pillars of a Successful...
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Episode 355: Grounded and Realistic Character Building
Acting Business Boot Camp
Hey there, it’s Mandy Fisher. Welcome back to the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast. I’ve been in the voiceover world for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I repeat over and over, it’s this: all voiceover is character work. Yes, even that five-second toothpaste ad. Even the audiobook that goes on for twelve hours. Even the one-liner in a loop group session. If I don’t believe in the character I’m creating, the audience won’t either—and you’d be surprised how quickly people can tell when something feels fake. Why Character Work Matters in VO Voiceover isn’t...
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Episode 354: Paula Tiso on Narration for Documentaries
Acting Business Boot Camp
This week’s episode is all about documentary narration. Voiceover actor Paula Tiso joins me to share her journey from sketch comedy in Los Angeles to working steadily in promos, radio imaging, true crime, and documentary series. We talk about training, the shift from “perky” reads to grounded storytelling, and what it really takes to support a story with your voice. About Paula: Paula Tiso is a veteran voiceover actor whose work spans documentary narration, true crime, television affiliates, video games, and more. She’s voiced Smithsonian Channel documentaries, Oxygen and ID...
info_outlineIf you're a creative who rolls their eyes every time someone says, “You should be on TikTok,” I get it.
I did too.
But I’ve also seen firsthand how a free platform with a low barrier to entry can quietly change your entire business.
Not overnight. But steadily. Strategically. Without becoming someone you’re not.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I use TikTok to stay visible, book clients, and build trust—without filters, dances, or pretending to be an influencer.
So, why TikTok?
I never expected to like it. I don’t love being on camera. I don’t enjoy over-polishing or oversharing.
But I do love showing up for my community. I love talking shop. And I really love when a new client says,
“I found you on TikTok… I just felt like you got it.”
They didn’t care about my résumé. They didn’t go through my website.
They watched a few videos, got curious, and reached out.
That’s the power of visibility.
Why Visibility Matters More Than Ever
I set a personal goal of 30,000 followers. Not for vanity.
Because I’ve seen how perception changes with scale.
At that number, people stop wondering if you're legit. They start assuming you are.
It’s wild, but true: I’ve had actors tell me they didn’t book the job because they “didn’t have a big enough following.”
So while I don’t love the rule... I’m learning to play the game.
What I Post (and How I Keep It Manageable)
I post just once a day, Monday through Friday. No weekends. That’s it.
My content rotates through three categories:
1. Trend-Based Posts
Not dancing. Not chasing virality.
Just using trending audio or formats to talk about life as a voice actor. Red flags. Weird specs. Behind-the-scenes stress. Stuff people relate to.
2. Original Content
This is where I share warmups, workflow tips, gear recs, or things I wish I knew when I started out.
The more specific, the better.
3. Personal Stories
No life-overhauls or tearful confessions.
Just honest stories from inside the booth: bombing auditions, almost quitting, learning the hard way.
Those posts? They connect deeply.
A Weekly Posting Roadmap
If you want to try it out, here’s a simple structure:
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Monday – A trend or audio reworked for your niche
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Tuesday – Respond to a question or comment
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Wednesday – Share a personal or client story
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Thursday – A POV sketch or observation
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Friday – Tips or encouragement for beginners
Repeat. Tweak. Evolve based on what’s resonating.
Use Your Analytics
TikTok gives you free data.
Look at what people are watching all the way through, saving, or sharing—and lean into that.
Kill what’s not working. Keep what is. Don’t overthink it.
This isn’t about being viral. It’s about being valuable.
Profile Tips to Help You Get Hired
You don’t need a perfect feed. But your profile should make sense to someone new:
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Clean, recognizable photo (not necessarily a headshot)
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Bio that says what you do and what kind of content you make
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Link to your site or lead magnet
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Keep your vibe real. Show up as yourself.
Don’t hide your mic. Don’t over-filter. You’re not selling a brand. You’re being a person.
What If You’re Not Using TikTok?
That’s totally fine.
But then ask yourself: Where are your future clients going to find you?
Instagram? YouTube? Discord? Email?
Wherever you plan to show up, you need a strategy.
And if you’re not going to show up at all? Then you need a different kind of strategy.
Need Help? I’ve Got You.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck about how to grow your VO presence online—let’s talk.
You can always reach me through mandy@actingbusinessbootcamp.com, or DM me on TikTok at @astoriaredhead.
I’d love to see what you’re creating.
Because we’re not just growing followers.
We’re growing careers.