It's Friday... But What If You Didn't Spend the Week Waiting for It?TGIF.
Every Friday, social media fills with people celebrating the weekend.
"I made it."
"Only two days until Monday."
"Time to finally do something I enjoy."
But what if you didn't spend five days waiting for two?
What if you built a career that challenged you creatively, allowed you to work from home, and made you excited to start each day?
That's one of the things I love most about voiceover.
Is it work? Absolutely.
But it's the kind of work where every script is different. One minute you're helping a child learn to read. The next you're voicing a national commercial, narrating a documentary, becoming a video game character, or telling a story that makes someone laugh, cry, or remember.
Every day is different.
Every day is creative.
Every day gives you the opportunity to connect with people using nothing more than your voice.
And that's a pretty incredible way to make a living.
Many of the women I coach didn't begin their voiceover journey in their twenties. They came from education, healthcare, law enforcement, corporate careers, real estate, finance, and countless other professions.
Some wanted a second career.
Some wanted a creative outlet.
Some simply wanted to rediscover a part of themselves they thought they'd left behind years ago.
What they all discovered was that voiceover isn't just about reading words on a page.
It's about storytelling.
It's about creativity.
It's about confidence.
It's about finding your voice—sometimes in more ways than one.
Spend Your Saturdays Doing Something That Inspires YouIf you've ever wondered whether voiceover might be right for you, why not spend one Saturday exploring it?
My Women in Voice Over (WIVO) Saturday Morning Workout Group is designed for women at every stage of their voiceover journey—from complete beginners to seasoned professionals.
Together we:

• Practice with fresh scripts each week
• Receive live coaching and direction
• Build confidence behind the microphone
• Explore commercials, narration, animation, promos, audiobooks, and more
• Learn in a supportive community where women encourage one another instead of competing

It's one of my favorite parts of every week because I get to watch women discover what they're capable of.
Who knows?
The hobby you try on a Saturday could become the career you love on Monday.
So while everyone else is celebrating Friday...
Maybe it's time to start building a life you don't feel the need to escape from.
I'd love to welcome you to WIVO and help you discover where your voice can take you.
Love Your Voice... One Booking at a Time.
— Lori Ann Hauser
Voice Actor • Director • Coach
Lori Ann Hauser VO Productions

The Body Speaks Before You DoWhat Body Language Can Teach Us About Voice OverWhen we think about body language, we usually imagine what other people can see: posture, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, and movement.
But body language is not only visual.
It is audible.
Even when your audience cannot see you, they can hear what your body is doing. They can hear tension in your shoulders. They can hear whether you are smiling. They can hear when you are grounded, guarded, confident, uncertain, connected, or simply reading words from a page.
In voice over, the body speaks before you do.
Your Audience Can Hear Your PostureThink about the last time you spoke with someone on the phone and immediately knew something was wrong.
They may have said, “I’m fine,” but their voice told you otherwise.
Perhaps their breathing was shallow. Their pacing was slower. Their energy felt closed off. Their words said one thing, but their body communicated something else.
The same thing happens behind the microphone.
Your posture affects your breathing. Your breathing affects your resonance. Your physical tension affects your pacing, articulation, emotional availability, and connection to the listener.
A voice actor can choose the correct emotion intellectually and still deliver a read that feels disconnected. That often happens because the actor is trying to manufacture a sound rather than experiencing the moment physically.
Instead of asking:
“What emotion should I use?”
Try asking:
“What would my body naturally do if this were really happening?”
That question can completely change a performance.
Confidence Does Not Mean Being Bigger or LouderBody language expert Vanessa Van Edwards often discusses the difference between expansive and contractive physical behavior.
Contractive behavior makes the body smaller. The shoulders may turn inward, the arms may stay close, and the gestures may become limited.
Expansive behavior creates openness. The feet feel grounded. The chest is relaxed. The body takes up space without forcing or exaggerating anything.
In voice over, confidence is not always created by adding volume or authority.
Sometimes confidence sounds quiet.
A financial services commercial, for example, may require the actor to sound grounded, reassuring, and trustworthy. Trying to sound powerful can easily turn the read into a presentation or sales pitch.
The more effective physical choice may be to stand comfortably, open the chest, release the shoulders, and speak as though you are helping one person make an important decision.
Real confidence does not need to announce itself.
It is heard through ease.
Movement Creates Natural TimingMany actors become physically still when they step in front of a microphone.
They lock their knees. They place their hands at their sides. They stare at the copy and try to control every word.
The result is often a read that sounds careful rather than conversational.
In everyday life, our bodies frequently respond before we speak.
We shrug.
We point.
We lean forward.
We tilt our heads.
We laugh, sigh, inhale, or open a hand before the thought has fully formed.
These small physical actions create authentic timing. They give the words somewhere to come from.
Try making a natural gesture before the first line of a script. Do not plan how the voice should sound. Let the gesture create the thought, and then allow the words to follow.
You may discover that the pause becomes more believable, the pacing becomes less predictable, and the copy begins to sound like something you are actually saying.
The Invisible AudienceVoice actors are often told to be conversational. Unfortunately, “conversational” can become another direction actors try to perform.
True conversation requires a relationship.
You are not speaking to a demographic. You are speaking to one person.
Reading an insurance commercial “to everyone” may create a polished but generic performance. Reading the same copy to your sister, your closest friend, or someone you genuinely want to reassure creates an entirely different vocal experience.
Your pacing may soften.
Your words may become more specific.
Your breath may settle.
You may stop trying to sound caring because you actually care about the person in your imagination.
Connection is not a vocal trick. It is a physical and emotional response to another human being—even when that person is only present in your mind.
The Smile ScaleA smile can instantly change a read, but simply telling an actor to “smile” is often too vague.
Not every commercial needs the same amount of brightness.
A subtle lifestyle spot might need only a slight lift. A family commercial may need warmth without becoming sentimental. A high-energy promotional read may require a much larger physical smile.
One useful exercise is to think of smiling on a scale:

• 0: No smile
• 3: Slight warmth
• 5: Friendly and open
• 8: Big, energetic smile
• 10: Full parade-level enthusiasm

The purpose is not to create a fake expression. It is to discover how small physical adjustments affect vocal tone.
The most effective smile is not always the biggest one.
It is the one that fits the brand, the message, and the relationship.
Emotion Begins in the BodyActors are frequently given emotional directions such as:
“Be more excited.”
“Sound concerned.”
“Give me more confidence.”
Those directions describe a result, but they do not always give the actor a playable action.
Physical cues can be much more useful.
For curiosity, lean forward.
For compassion, soften the shoulders and hands.
For confidence, ground the feet and open the chest.
For affection, release physical tension.
For joy, allow the smile to reach the eyes.
These choices give the emotion a physical origin. Instead of placing emotion on top of the words, the actor allows the body to generate the vocal response.
This approach is especially important with subtle copy. A gentle healthcare or nonprofit message does not need an actor to “sound emotional.” It needs an actor whose body is available, present, and connected.
Physical Circumstances Change the ReadAnother powerful exercise is to create an imagined physical circumstance.
Read the copy while imagining that you are:

• Carrying several bags of groceries
• Holding a sleeping child
• Walking through heavy snow
• Searching for something you have lost
• Trying not to wake someone nearby

The imagined activity changes breathing, thought patterns, rhythm, and urgency.
This does not mean every voice over performance should include exaggerated movement. The goal is to give the actor something real to experience beyond the printed words.
The body creates circumstances.
Circumstances create behavior.
Behavior creates an honest read.
A Simple Listening ChallengeTry this exercise during the week.
Watch a television commercial with the sound turned off.
Study the actors’ posture, gestures, facial expressions, and physical relationships. Based only on their bodies, imagine what their voices might sound like.
Then turn the sound on.
Notice how the physical choices and vocal choices support one another.
Next, reverse the exercise.
Listen to a radio commercial or voice over spot with your eyes closed. Imagine what the actor’s body is doing. Are they leaning in? Smiling? Standing firmly? Moving their hands? Holding tension somewhere?
You may be surprised by how clearly the body can be heard.
The Voice Follows the BodyGreat voice actors do more than read words accurately.
They physically experience the message.
Every script begins in the body. Posture influences breath. Breath shapes the voice. The voice reveals whether the actor is genuinely connected to the thought.
Your audience may never see your shoulders, your hands, your face, or the way you are standing.
But they will hear them.
The next time a read feels flat, forced, overly polished, or emotionally disconnected, do not immediately try to fix the sound.
Change the body first.
Then let the voice follow.

Lori Ann Hauser is a professional voice actor, voice over coach, director, and demo producer specializing in women 40+, kids, teens, and performers building the next chapter of their voice over careers.
Visit loriannhauser.com to learn more about private coaching, demo production, and the Women in VO Workout Group.

Finding Your Voice at Every Age: Why I Love Coaching Women 40+ and Kids & TeensWhen people first hear about my coaching business, they sometimes ask an interesting question:
"Why do you coach women over 40... and kids and teens? Those seem like completely different worlds."
On paper, they are.
But in the recording booth?
They're remarkably alike.
After more than 15 years as a professional SAG-AFTRA voice actor, director, producer, and coach, I've discovered that these two groups often share something incredibly powerful:
They are learning to trust their own voice.
Women 40+: It's Never Too Late to BeginMany of the women who come to me aren't simply looking for a new hobby.
They're beginning an entirely new chapter.
Some have raised families.
Some are retiring from successful careers.
Some are finally giving themselves permission to pursue the dream they've quietly carried for years.
Others simply want work that is creative, flexible, and meaningful.
The biggest challenge usually isn't talent.
It's confidence.
Years of professional experience, life responsibilities, and self-doubt can make it difficult to believe there's still room for something new.
One of my favorite moments as a coach is watching that uncertainty transform into confidence. Suddenly, the person who was nervous behind the microphone is delivering authentic, connected performances and realizing they belong in this industry.
Voiceover doesn't ask you to be younger.
It asks you to be believable.
Life experience becomes an asset, not a limitation.
Kids & Teens: Confidence Before CompetitionYoung voice actors bring something adults often spend years trying to rediscover.
Curiosity.
Imagination.
Fearlessness.
Kids and teens naturally play. They commit to characters without overthinking every line.
But today's young performers also face pressures that previous generations didn't.
Social media.
Comparison.
Performance anxiety.
Trying to sound "perfect."
My goal isn't simply to teach microphone technique or audition skills.
It's to help young talent develop confidence, professionalism, and the ability to take direction while still sounding like themselves.
The best child and teen performances don't sound "acted."
They sound honest.
The Beautiful ConnectionWhile their ages may be decades apart, women over 40 and young performers often begin their coaching journey in very similar places.
They ask questions like:
"Am I good enough?"
"Can I really do this?"
"What if I fail?"
The answers are the same.
You learn.
You practice.
You grow.
No one begins as an expert.
Everyone begins with a voice.
What Makes My Coaching DifferentWhether I'm working with a 12-year-old recording their first commercial audition or a 58-year-old preparing for a professional demo, my philosophy never changes.
I create an environment where students feel safe enough to experiment.
Safe enough to make mistakes.
Safe enough to discover what makes their voice unique.
Technique matters.
Equipment matters.
Marketing matters.
But confidence is what allows all of those skills to shine.
That's why every coaching program is built around developing not only stronger performances, but stronger performers.
There Is No "Perfect" Age to StartOne of the greatest myths in voiceover is that there's a right age to begin.
There isn't.
Some of today's busiest talent started after 50.
Some booked their first jobs as teenagers.
What matters isn't when you start.
It's whether you're willing to learn, stay curious, and continue growing.
That's true whether you're 14 or 64.
Every Voice Has a StoryI've been fortunate to help students launch new careers, produce professional demos, book national campaigns, and discover talents they didn't know they had.
Watching someone find confidence in their own voice—regardless of age—is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Because voiceover isn't just about reading words on a page.
It's about connecting with people.
And authentic connection has no age limit.
If you've been thinking about voiceover as a second career, or you have a child or teen who loves performing, storytelling, or animation, I'd love to help you discover what's possible.
Your voice is already enough.
Sometimes it just needs the right coach to help you hear it.

Why Your Life Experience Is Your Secret Weapon in Voice Over (Especially for Women)
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m too old to start voice over,” this is for you.
Studios aren’t just looking for perfect voices anymore.
They’re looking for real women — women who sound like trusted friends, seasoned professionals, caring moms, teachers, nurses, leaders, and neighbors.
That “realness” doesn’t come from a fancy mic.
It comes from your life.
Every challenge you’ve faced…
Every hard conversation…
Every moment you’ve had to be strong, kind, patient, or brave…
All of that shows up in your read.
That’s why women over 40, 50, and beyond are thriving in voice over.
You already know how to reassure, explain, lead, comfort, and tell a great story—because you do it every day.
Voice over isn’t about sounding younger or more “perfect.”
It’s about bringing your authentic self to the script and letting people hear the wisdom, warmth, and experience in your voice.
If you’ve been wondering whether you’ve missed your moment, you haven’t.
Your life hasn’t set you back.
It’s been preparing you.
Your voice isn’t valuable despite your journey.
It’s valuable because of it.
--
About Lori Ann Hauser
At LAH Voice Over Productions, I help women turn their life experience into one of their greatest advantages at the mic—whether you’re building a second career, finally chasing a dream, or looking for a creative outlet that actually fits the woman you are now.

Women in Voice Over Are in Demand — Why the Right Coach MattersBy Lori Ann Hauser VO ProductionsThe voice over industry has changed dramatically over the past decade — and for women, the opportunities have never been greater.
Today’s buyers are looking for authenticity, warmth, confidence, relatability, and emotional connection. The industry is no longer searching for the “perfect announcer voice.” Casting directors want real people with believable performances and genuine storytelling.
And women are leading the way.
From commercials and streaming promos to audiobooks, healthcare narration, eLearning, animation, podcasts, and corporate branding, female voices are in demand across nearly every genre of media.
For many women, voice over has become more than just a career path — it’s a creative reinvention.
At Lori Ann Hauser VO Productions, we work with women from all walks of life who are discovering their confidence behind the mic and learning how to turn their unique voice into a professional skill set.
Why Women Are Thriving in Voice OverToday’s industry values:

• Conversational reads
• Authentic emotion
• Trustworthy delivery
• Real-life connection
• Storytelling over “announcing”

Women bring depth, life experience, professionalism, warmth, strength, and emotional intelligence to the microphone — all qualities today’s market is actively seeking.
Whether you are starting a second career, returning to a creative passion, or exploring voice over for the first time, there is space for your voice in this industry.
Why Professional Coaching MattersVoice over is more than having a “good voice.”
It’s performance.
It’s interpretation.
It’s understanding emotion, pacing, audience connection, and storytelling.
Working with an experienced coach helps you:

• Develop authentic reads
• Build confidence
• Learn script analysis
• Understand current industry trends
• Discover your unique strengths
• Prepare for professional demos
• Avoid costly beginner mistakes
• Learn both the creative and business side of voice over

At Lori Ann Hauser VO Productions, coaching is designed to help talent sound natural, confident, and marketable — not overly produced or forced.
Why Choosing the Right Coach Is ImportantThe voice over industry is growing quickly, and not all coaching is created equal.
A respected coach should have:

• Real industry experience
• Professional directing and production knowledge
• Understanding of current casting trends
• Experience producing competitive demos
• The ability to guide talent honestly and professionally

With over 15 years of professional experience in front of the mic and camera, Lori Ann Hauser has coached and directed talent in commercial, narration, audiobook, animation, eLearning, and corporate voice over performance.
As a member of SAG-AFTRA and a working voice actor with professional industry experience, Lori believes coaching should empower women to find their authentic voice — not imitate someone else’s.
Women Supporting WomenOne of the most exciting shifts in voice over today is the rise of supportive communities for women.
Women are collaborating, encouraging one another, sharing opportunities, and building creative support systems together through workout groups, coaching sessions, and mentorship.
Confidence grows when women support women.
Your Voice Has ValueMany women think:

• “It’s too late.”
• “I don’t have the right voice.”
• “I’ve never done this before.”

But the industry is actively searching for authentic female voices with real-life experience and emotional truth.
There has never been a better time to begin.
Whether your goal is commercial work, narration, audiobooks, animation, or simply reconnecting with your creativity, professional coaching can help you take the next step with confidence.
Learn More About Coaching & Voice Over Training Lori Ann Hauser VO Productions

Women, Voice Over, and Reinvention: Lori Ann Hauser’s Perspective on Coaching Women & Young Talent
YOUR STORY & PERSPECTIVE
1. What made YOU specifically passionate about coaching women and kids/teens instead of just coaching everyone generally?
As a woman who made voice over my second career later in life, I deeply understand what many women are searching for when they step into this industry. So many women have spent years taking care of everyone else — raising children, building careers, supporting families, managing households, and putting their own creativity on the back burner.
Voice over becomes more than just a career path for many women. It becomes a rediscovery of themselves.
I noticed women were looking for:

• a creative outlet
• flexible work they could build around their lives
• a supportive environment
• confidence
• freedom to finally do something for themselves

I wanted to create a no-judgment space where women could explore creativity without fear of failure or embarrassment.
With kids and teens, I saw something equally powerful. Young talent often comes into coaching fearless, imaginative, and willing to try anything. Helping them channel that creativity while building confidence and communication skills is incredibly rewarding.
For both women and young talent, voice over becomes transformative far beyond the microphone.


2. What differences do you notice when coaching women 40+ or 50+ compared to younger students?
Women over 40 and 50 bring an incredible amount of life experience into their reads. Many have worked multiple careers, raised children, navigated challenges, and spent years learning how to connect emotionally with people. That depth translates beautifully into modern voice over.
They are often:

• emotionally intelligent
• professional and dependable
• relatable and authentic
• strong storytellers
• willing to work hard

At the same time, many women entering VO later in life battle:

• fear of technology
• fear of judgment
• imposter syndrome
• lack of confidence in themselves

What’s beautiful is watching that confidence grow. Once they realize their life experience is actually an advantage, everything changes.
Younger students often have energy and fearlessness, but mature women bring authenticity — and authenticity is what today’s industry is looking for.


3. What are the biggest emotional obstacles women face when entering VO later in life?
Confidence is probably the biggest obstacle.
Many women wonder:

• “Am I too old?”
• “Can I really do this?”
• “Can I learn the technology?”
• “Will people judge me?”

A lot of women have spent years putting themselves last. They’re used to supporting everyone else’s dreams, not their own. Voice over requires vulnerability, creativity, and putting yourself out there — and that can feel intimidating.
But once women realize they are allowed to take up space creatively, their confidence starts to grow tremendously.


4. What do women bring to voice over that younger talent often cannot?
Women entering VO later in life bring resilience and real-life experience.
They understand emotion because they’ve lived it. They know how to connect with people because they’ve spent decades doing exactly that.
They’re also often:

• less afraid of hard work
• more willing to keep going after failure
• emotionally grounded
• relatable
• authentic

Modern voice over is no longer about sounding like an announcer. It’s about sounding real. Women with life experience naturally bring that realism into their reads.


5. What misconceptions do women have about starting a VO career after 40 or 50?
Many women believe:

• they’re too old
• they can’t learn the technology
• the industry only wants young voices
• networking will feel overwhelming

None of that is true.
The industry has shifted dramatically toward authentic, conversational, believable voices. Mature women are needed in:

• commercials
• eLearning
• narration
• healthcare
• corporate training
• audiobooks

There is space for real women with real voices.


6. What makes your coaching style different from other VO coaches?
I’ve been where my students are.
Before voice over, I worked in law enforcement and as a criminal justice professor. I understand what it feels like to reinvent yourself and step into something new later in life.
I’m not just teaching scripts or microphone technique — I’m helping people find confidence in themselves.
My coaching style is:

• supportive
• engaging
• honest
• encouraging
• personalized

I coach one-on-one and in group workout environments so students receive both individualized attention and community support. I want students to feel safe enough to take risks creatively.


7. How important is community/support for women in VO?
Community is everything.
The more women connect, network, and support one another, the stronger and more successful they become. Voice over can feel isolating if you’re trying to do it alone, especially as a second career.
That’s one reason I created my Women in Voice Over Workout Group.
We are a community of dedicated voice actors who come together to support one another and sharpen our craft. The purpose of these workouts is simple: to continue honing our skills while increasing our booking potential.
In each session, we openly share:

• coaching tips
• technical advice
• job leads
• recommendations
• encouragement

While receiving support is valuable, true growth also comes from giving support. The women in this group build each other up, celebrate wins together, and create genuine professional relationships.
The transformations I’ve seen are incredible:

• shy women becoming confident performers
• students learning to trust their instincts
• women stepping into leadership roles
• lasting friendships forming

It becomes much bigger than voice over.