Speak to Achieve

An Effective Approach to Becoming a Better Communicator and Achieving a Genuine and Impactful Connection

With over forty years of earned wisdom as an actor and voice-over coach, author Elaine A. Clark shares a wide scope of comprehensive information on how to build your communication skills from the ground up to achieve your individual goals, whether addressing an audience of one or one thousand, in person or on a livestream. Speak to Achieve makes use of Clark's proven Making It M.I.N.E.™ performance method that she has used since the 1990s to coach people on how to get out of their heads; access their emotions in alignment with the rhetorical triangle (ethos, logos, and pathos); connect with their personal truth; incorporate authoritative body movements; use specific gestures; comfortably share their history, uniqueness, and personality; and sustain listener attention. In Speak to Achieve, becoming a better communicator involves the following steps:

• Acknowledge and overcome roadblocks.
• Build trust between yourself and your audience.
• Construct a genuine bridge of connection.
• Use your personal journey to empower others.
• Captivate audiences.
• Motivate the audience to think, feel, and take action!
• Achieve results.

This interactive guide gives readers small assignments to acknowledge, test, and apply Clark's techniques and leads them through the creation of a story arc that can capture the imagination of both themselves and their audience. With Speak to Achieve, learn to own your inherent authority and intelligence, feel empowered by your message, and communicate genuinely with others to achieve your desired results.

Elaine A. Clark is the author of There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is and Voice-Overs for Podcasting. She is also the creator of two speech and diction apps, Activate Your Voice and Adding Melody to Your Voice. Clark’s Real Talking Tips podcast provides lessons to improve speech, voice placement, body language, and specific physicality to enhance communication. She was the founder and owner/CEO of Voice One for more than three decades before selling the business in 2019. Over 40 plus years as an actor, instructor, director, and producer working extensively with voice-over and on-camera actors, professionals, podcasters, and other individuals, Clark developed the Making It M.I.N.E.™ system as her unique performance method to quickly incorporate subtext, emotion, body movements, and gestures to grab audiences’ attention and achieve desired results. As a playwright, she is also the co-author of RIII*-Actor You’re Killing Me... a farce. Clark is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and instructs individuals and groups locally, nationally, and around the globe. Visit her website: elaineclarkvo.com.

Praise for Elaine A. Clark
"Elaine A. Clark, a renowned speech communication coach, author, podcaster, and app creator, sets herself apart from other industry experts by offering a multifaceted approach to elevating individuals’ performances across various platforms."
—International Business Times
 
"Speak to Achieve delves into three critical aspects of effective communication. It encompasses the art of connecting with various audiences, understanding how to apply communication strategies, and incorporating the elements of logic, authority, and emotion into one’s speech. The structure exemplifies Clark’s balanced application of the rhetorical triangle of ethos, logos, and pathos and her Making It. M.I.N.E.® method."
—OK! News 

"Elaine emphasizes the significance of emotion, storytelling, content organization, and performance techniques to captivate audiences and guarantee engagement. Her methodology focuses on creating an engaging narrative, structured content, compelling audio format, and an immersive auditory experience."
—USA Today 

"Elaine A. Clark, a woman of many hats with over 40 years of experience in acting, audio engineering, casting, directing, on-camera work, and voice-overs, offers a multifaceted approach to enhancing individual performances. Her extensive background has earned her helpful insights into emotional intelligence’s role in effective communication."
—L.A. Weekly 

"Clark emphasizes the importance of body language and spatial awareness. These can influence the perception of confidence and authority in an interview setting. She highlights simple yet effective techniques to “own” a space during an interview."
—Investing.com

"Elaine A. Clark and her remarkable journey as a trailblazing woman entrepreneur. Besides being an accomplished speech communication coach, Clark is an author, app creator, and podcaster. She has delved into various disciplines, including acting, audio engineering, casting, directing, and voiceovers in her 40-year career. Her extensive experience has shaped her multifaceted approach to improving people’s performances across different platforms."
—CEO Weekly 

"Unknown to many, effective communication is less about delivering a message and more about establishing a connection. Elaine A. Clark, one of the leading experts in voiceover and communication, states that when speakers share not only the polished parts of their experience but also the vulnerabilities, fears, and setbacks, they build a bridge of understanding. This bridge, founded on shared human experiences, allows the audience to relate more personally."
—New York Weekly 

Praise for Voice-Overs for Podcasting
“I feel very fortunate to have found Elaine Clark and was able to experience her coaching and directing firsthand. With my podcast at around 6 million subscribers, I figured there's always room for improvement, and I clearly came to the right place. She gave me that added boost to really connect with my listeners.”
—Jordan Harbinger, host, The Jordan Harbinger Show
 
“I have been itching to dive into the world of podcasting for years with no idea how to go about it. And then, hello! Elaine Clark, whose books and coaching have guided and jumpstarted the career of voice-over actors for years, is bringing her expertise to podcasting. Thank you, Elaine! With the inspiration and tools from your book, I cannot wait to host my own podcast. Please promise to be my first guest!”
—Bob Bergen, three-time Emmy-nominated voice actor
 
“The best ear in the business. When Elaine hears a problem, she corrects it until we get it. LOVE her knowledge.”
—Trish Bell, voice actor and former radio announcer

Praise for There's Money Where Your Mouth Is
“There are countless books about voice-over with suspiciously similar titles to There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is, and at least one of them significantly plagiarized it. Why? Because this book—from the moment it was first published—firmly established itself as the Bible of our industry and Elaine Clark as the ultimate authority. Now, at last, she’s giving us a new, up-to-date version of the best book on the business. Let’s just say it’s the New Testament!”
—Harlan Hogan, voice actor and author of Voice Actor’s Guide to Recording at Home and on the Road with Jeffrey Fisher and VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor
 
“In today’s competitive voice-over market, it’s all about specifics. From acting, to analyzing copy, to agents and marketing, There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is generously outlines and details the business of voice-over.”
—Bob Bergen, two-time Emmy Award– and Annie Award–nominated voice actor and voice of Porky Pig for Warner Bros.
 
“Elaine Clark is the GO-TO gal for all things voice-over. Elaine’s expertise and keen ear have kept her in the business for over thirty years and that reliability and knowledge are what clients want to hear. As a talent, why wouldn’t you want to study with someone who is SO in touch with business? Hands down, Elaine is your girl!”
—Mary Lynn Wissner, director, Voices Voicecasting

“I know that to succeed in voice-over, the actor needs skill, training, and knowledge. There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is can save you time and money by giving you the information you need in a well-written book. Elaine knows her stuff, and the information in her book is invaluable to anyone wanting to get into the voice-over business!”
—Bill Farmer, the voice for over thirty years of Disney’s Goofy, as well as Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, Bugs, Daffy, Sylvester the Cat, Foghorn Leghorn, and Yosemite Sam

“I first discovered this book as a newbie in voice-over. The information is presented clearly, concisely, and most importantly, from an industry vet’s perspective. When people ask me, ‘How did you get into voice-over?’ I immediately point them to this book.”
—Cissy Jones, video game actor, narrator of the Academy Award–nominated documentary Winter on Fire and many other national commercial, promo, and animated properties
 
“When looking for a text to support the introduction to voice acting class at San Diego Community College, I found There’s Money Where Your Mouth Is to be the perfect choice. Students are able to test their talent using the many real-world examples that cover the gamut of the business and figure out if they have what it takes to make it. With the business changing so fast, having a new edition with up-to-date business and marketing chapters will continue to make this a must-have book for anyone wanting to know more about the business and where they might fit.”
—Connie Terwilliger, full-time voice actor and voice-over instructor
 
“As a full-time voice-over talent, I often get asked about resources that I would recommend for someone who’s interested in getting into voice-over. Elaine’s book is always at the top of my list. Personally I think it should be on every voice talent’s bookshelf, both ‘newbie’ AND pro. From how to approach a script, to the business of the business, Elaine covers it all. And she does it because she knows how to do it. She still does it every day. Getting your information from a trusted pro is essential to starting and making it in this business (yes, it IS a business). Elaine is just that: a knowledgeable, trusted pro. And keep a highlighter handy; you’ll use it a lot as you read this book!”
—Liz de Nesnera, English/French voice-over actress
 
“This is a fantastic book. Elaine Clark has been in the business for a long time and she has shared invaluable information and advice here. Whether you are new to the business or you’ve been here a while there is plenty for you to gain from reading this book.”
—Rachael Naylor, Buzz Magazine and the VoiceOver Network
 
“Practical advice for the beginner voice-over talent all the way up to working pros. Elaine answers all the key questions you may have about our industry and helps guide you through the sometimes complicated maze that is voice-over with helpful tips and insights.”
—Joe Cipriano, promo announcer for major TV networks and coauthor of Living on Air: Adventures in Broadcasting
 
“Nothing feels more natural than being in front of the camera doing my thing. When it comes time to go into a carpeted room alone and talk to a microphone, that is not so natural. Elaine has a brilliant way of making you feel instantly comfortable, like she was a friend for years. A few minutes later she had me using my hands (as I feel natural doing anyway) to create changes in my voice. Amazing! Her techniques are incredible. Her system is quick and clear. I now look forward to that carpeted room.”
—Dave Fennoy, voice actor who takes the words off the page