After receiving a BA degree in Theatre/Speech Communication and Education, I traveled West and settled in San Francisco. In addition to finding industry related work in radio sales, media buying, casting, copywriting, advertising print layout, and recording studio office manager, I auditioned and performed in stage plays. On my theatrical resume, my age was listed as 6 months to 95 years old.

With versatility, adaptability, range, and gumption as my strong suit, I shifted into voice-over and on-camera. I joined AFTRA in 1981 and SAG a couple years later. In 1986, with two small children and one on the way, I founded one of the first voice-over schools in the country.

Testing the Techniques and System

💡 I shared these systems with my voice-over students and saw immediate results! Several of my techniques include:

1. How to use my Making It M.I.N.E.® performance method.

   • Begin with a physical reaction to open up your emotions and personal connection.

   • Incorporate purposeful gestures and movements to add intentions.

   • Bookend the message to create a story arc by defining the expected outcome in one word.

   • Connect emotionally with the heart and gut by sharing your point of view.

2. Adding specific movements from my Word Emphasis Chart to add variety and draw focus to key words and phrases.

3. Creating musicality with the speaking voice.

4. Changing attitude from problem to solution in the set-up, body, and resolve.

5. Standing, moving, and using microphone proximity to develop familiar reusable natural personas.

There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is 📘 Best Selling VO book since 1995

Trailblazer that I am, In 1994 I had a burning desire to take this first-hand experience and write the very first voice-over training book!

I happened to be on the phone talking to actor/author Ed Hooks when he had a brilliant idea. He said that I should write a VO book and gave me the direct phone number to his publisher at Random House in New York.

After a few shocked moments of courage gathering, I made the call. The publisher answered! He gave me instructions on what to include in the proposal.

Within two weeks of that call, I wrote the proposal, mailed it, was told “yes”, signed a contract, and received my first financial book advance.

There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is was published a year later, in 1995.

It was placed in the window of major book stores, featured in magazines, and quickly became a best seller!

New Editions become a 15-Week College Training Course

📕 Random House/Back Stage Books published the enlarged second edition of There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is in 2000.

📗 Ten years later I was courted by Allworth Press/Skyhorse Publishing to transfer my book there. This was Harlan Hogan’s book publisher and it seemed like a good fit since we were on book author panels together and co-teaching classes at various locations around the country. The third edition of There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is was published in 2011.

📘 The fourth edition of There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is, considered “The Bible of our industry” was published by Skyhorse Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster in 2019. For schools, universities, and colleges, it provides a 15-week course… and remains a best seller for individuals and voice-over study groups. The fourth edition expanded its extensive list of prominent voice actors who shared their performance and home studio secrets.

Elaine A. Clark’s Books Offer Solid Techniques to Get You

Out of Your Head, Into Your Body, and Motivate Listeners to Take Action

Three Books Every Speaker Should Read

The ultimate speech improvement book trilogy for business, voice-overs, podcasting, public speaking, sales, and personal speaking engagement, focus, and storytelling.

1. Speak to Achieve: How to Build Connection, Deepen Trust, Captivate Audiences, and Achieve Results.

   
   

2. Voice-Overs for Podcasting: How to Develop a Career and Make a Profit.

   
   

3. There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is: A Complete Insider’s Guide to Earning Income and Building a Career in Voice-Overs.

Real Talking Tips Podcast

Fifty-Two free Micro-Learning Speaking Lessons

As you read There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is, practice along with the Real Talking Tips podcast. The 52 micro-learning lessons compliment the written book so you can watch, hear, and practice the examples.

NEW APP UPDATES AVAILABLE NOW

1. Activate Your Voice: 5-minute Speech Warm-Up that improves your diction, resonance, articulation, and breath support.

   
   

2. Adding Melody to Your Voice: Includes 21 practice exercises to record and compare your voice, and a word emphasis chart to remind you of the repeatable muscle memory actions that add melody, tempo, rhythm, emotion, personality, and clarity to your speaking voice.

THERE’S MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS is an essential, practical guide for both beginners and experienced professionals.

This voice-over book bridges the gap between acting talent and business strategy. It includes:

1. Script Analysis

2. Vocal Techniques

3. Over 200 Practice Scripts

4. Self-Marketing

5. Industry specific tips for Commercial, Narration, Audiobook, Animation, Anime, Talking Toys, and Video Games

Need a speech communication, podcast, or voiceover coach?

Contact Elaine Clark. Click the button below to schedule a 1:1 session.

Study - Practice - Perform - Succeed!