Audiobook Coaches
Part Four of Recommended Audiobooks Coaches. Today we're highlighting Andi Arndt and Elise Arsenault.
This is part four of my little series highlighting audiobook narrators who also coach. Today, we’re highlighting talented actors and coaches Andi Arndt and Elise Arsenault. They both offer a range of coaching including one-on-one, groups, and conferences/workshops, either online or in person. I’ve had the pleasure of working with both of these powerhouses and respect and appreciate their approach in the industry.
-Tanya-
ANDI ARNDT
1) Do you have a bit of advice for narrators that is inspiring or uplifting you could share?
I like to ask narrators "what is your dream project?" because it focuses the mind on why you want to do this work in the first place. When you know what fires you up, you're in a much more proactive and powerful position as you build your career.
2) What kind of coaching do you offer? One on one, classes, workshops, conferences? Anything coming up?
Several years ago I started a coaches' consortium called narrator.life, which now reaches over 1,000 subscribers to our email list. We recently moved the group onto Mighty Networks, a community-building platform that allows coaching to be more of an ongoing conversation, with recordings of sessions shared via private podcast and a video course library.
Narrator.life offers online classes like our popular Open Studio format, a 4-week zoom course with 1 or 2 coaches and 12 narrators exploring a particular aspect of technique). In-person opportunities include the Palm Springs Retreat, coming up again this October, and the Voice for Narrators retreat in early July. The best way to get information is to join our Mighty Network or sign up for the email list.
3) How many books have you narrated OR how long have you been in the business?
Somewhere around 750 books narrated at this point in my 15 years as a narrator. Before that, I taught acting and voice for 12 years through the James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance, and I've studied Kristen Linklater's Freeing the Natural Voice method for over 20 years now.
4) What do you like to focus on with your students?
We do so much self-directing in our careers, whether in the booth or running our businesses, I really like to work with narrators to understand how to see and own what it is THEY are trying to do, as a performer and as a creative entrepreneur. We can really get muddled and burnt out if we let ourselves get pulled into what others are doing that seems to be succeeding.
5) Contact info or website?
https://narrator.life gets you to the Mighty Network and our email list.
6) Anything else you want to share?
The narrator.life faculty includes Vikas Adam, Erin Bennett, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Janina Edwards, Hillary Huber, January LaVoy, Timothy Andres Pabon, Marni Penning, Ann Richardson, and Emily Woo Zeller.
Elise Arsenault
1) Do you have a bit of advice for narrators that is inspiring or uplifting you could share?
Absolutely! I want to remind you that your voice is power. No one in the world has the unique perspective, skills, experience and sound that you have. We need to hear your voice, so if you’re game to grow your audiobook career and stretch yourself past your comfort zone it’s possible.
In fact, the deep belief in yourself is one of the most important things you’ll need to be consistent with, so prioritize self-development and personal growth work. Become your biggest fan so that you can become your best advocate to attract the most “right for you” projects and collaborations.
I want to remind you that there’s enough work in this industry to go around. Over two million books are published each year. That’s a lot of opportunity! Connect with publishers and/or authors to share your voice and express the projects you’d most like to work on.
2) What kind of coaching do you offer? One on one, classes, workshops, conferences? Anything coming up?
Yes, all of the above.
I specialize in helping actors build thriving audiobook narration careers working with publishers. I love helping actors add audiobook narration to their larger performance/creative portfolio.
Depending on the container you choose to work with me in, you’ll experience large, small, private coaching or a combination of all three. Transformation is possible in every space, and we prioritize growth as a community. You will not only grow in your craft and business, but you’ll also build a thriving network as you grow at The Global Actor.
Whether you work with me in The Great Audiobook Adventure™, Momentum Club or Power Group, I bring my expertise and experience as a performance, business, career and life coach to each session to help you face your pain points, move through uncomfortable growth, stay accountable and celebrate your ambition + traction every step of the way!
The Great Audiobook Adventure™ is enrolling now through July 31st. If you’d like to learn more, please begin with my free intro class Narrate Your Way to Abundance where we can assess if this path is for you and I’ll teach you three tools you need to begin working with publishers. Click here to check out this on-demand training: https://audiobookadventure.com/webinar/
3) How many books have you narrated OR how long have you been in the business?
I’ve narrated about 175 audiobooks over the past nine years and I’ve been a professional actor for the past 20 years.
I limit myself to 15-20 high-quality, well-paying audiobook projects each year so that I have the bandwidth to pursue all the things I’m passionate about.
I also act and sing in TV/Film, on stage, voice commercials, industrials, video games, etc. I’m an entrepreneur, speaker and love to coach!
4) What do you like to focus on with your students?
I help trained actors translate their acting craft to that of narration.
I help new to acting narrators learn how to tell stories with authenticity and honesty.
I love to teach my clients how to attract more of the work they want and learn how to release what’s no longer serving them.
Depending on what a client needs, we may explore acting/narration technique, habits, business strategy, long-term planning, project management, rate negotiation, the power of direct communication, organizational systems and more.
My sweet spot is helping actors embrace, manage and be proud of a multi-hyphenate creative career if that is what they are drawn to.
5) Contact info or website?
www.instagram.com/theglobalactor
6) Anything else you want to share?
Thanks for this fabulous opportunity to connect, Tanya! I love all that you’re exploring on this platform.
Stay tuned for our last post in this series next week highlighting audiobook narrators and coaches: Ronnie Butler and Karen Commins.
If you’re a coach or have worked with someone you’d recommend, let Tanya know. Maybe they will be featured in a new series in the fall.
TANYA EBY is a narrator, audiobook casting director, and writer. She’s taking a few weeks off from writing new content to focus on polishing her new novel, getting married to her beloved lumberjack, and getting her youngest kiddo off to college. Tanya will return with new content in August. To read over older posts, please subscribe.
Love these ladies! I started following Andi Arndt after taking a workshop with Ronnie Butler. I do a lot of romance, so he told me to listen to her audiobooks. She's fabulous!
And Elise Arsenault is so supportive. I took the Great Audiobook Adventure and it definitely leveled up my Audiobook career. I wish I'd taken it when I was first starting in audiobooks!