Since my web campaign has come together, I've met and talked to people from all over the place.  And, I'm learning as much coming up with answers to the questions you ask as just about anything else I've ever done.

Like the other day, a very nice woman asked me how I got to be so talented.  I said "Mom, I'm your son".  OK, now that the old jokes are out of the way, I really did get a nice complement from an inquiry to this web site.  She asked me where I learned to be a voiceover guy.  That really got me thinking.  I guess, I just got tired of the low pay of small town radio and started looking for ways to supliment my income.  As I built my studio and found some work coming in, I began to realize that unlike many other people I've met in the radio business, I had the unique ability to read things and relay information and not fall into the "radio voice" as bad as they did.  I could still detect a little of the "radio voice", but with the help of a couple of self-training books, audio books, and a voice coach, I'm shedding that very well. 

I answered her this way.  I've never developed the sense or ego that claims that I'm the best at what I do.  There's always more to learn.  There's always a different way to read a line or new emphasis to a word.  The key to being better is being willing to take a chance, removing myself from my normal comfort zone, and having fun.  I truly enjoy this business, and I truly enjoy learning how to better serve you.  With each new person I work with, and each bit of direction I get in a recording session, I can learn some new way of doing this that enables me to sound better than someone who refuses to accept that anything could be better than the way he just read that.  That little voice in my head always wants to hear something new.  And, as long as the voices in your heads keep wanting to hear what I have to say, I'll get you a fresh take on whatever lines you have for me.

It's been a long, wet, dreary spring, but the sun is finally shining!  I know, there's record heat in the rest of the country, but we're up here waiting for the rivers to go down, hoping the corn gets some heat pretty quick.  Thankfully--all of the big flooding was a ways from here, but my heart goes out to all who lost homes and businesses in the flood.

In fact, if you're a producer or talent in Iowa, Illinois or Missouri who is unable to finish a project, I'll jump in and help out.  Just click on the contact me button over on the left there, and we'll work out a very affordable solution.  

Winking Bull Productions is progressing nicely, and clients are responding to the follow up surveys well.  I hope to see some comments come back that can load into the comments page for all to see.

Personally, I'm looking forward to busy summer voicing a few concert commercials, just finished a few really fun fireworks commercials, and the stock car racing ads are back!  Maybe I can even find the time to watch a race or two this summer before it's all done.

Well, Contact Us over there on the left side of the screen if there's anything I can do for you.  Have a great summer, and I'll be talking to you soon!

Memorial Day is over, and summer is officially un-officially here.  That means summer hours here at Winking Bull Worldwide Headquarters.  On the rare occasion that I don't immediately answer your call, it probably means I'm on my lawn mower.  Ever since I bought a pair of Hocks Noise Breakers to use while announcing at a local race track, I wear them while riding my Forrest Gump style Snapper riding lawn mower.    And I do have to say that when I have to be in "work mode", the old Snapper is my second favorite place to be now.  It's quiet, and I can clearly measure the results.  When all the grass is shorter, I can stop and know I did it right.  That's the only part of this career that can wear you down--that little voice on your shoulder telling you that could have emphasized that syllable more strongly or enunciated a little better on that other syllable.  But--a wise friend once told me that once that voice in your head stops telling you it's not good enough--it isn't any more.

If you'd like me to bring that little voice on my shoulder to help me work for you, click on the Contact Us Tab on the left hand side of the page.

Thanks, and I'll talk to you soon!

What is Winking Bull Productions? 

Good Question.  The short answer--a dream.  Ever since I recorded my first Addy winning commercial, I wanted a studio in my house that I was in charge of so that any time the moment hit, I could try out a new idea.

The long answer--a dream that took 2 years to research, 2 months to build, and 7 years to pay for.  My own private, professional recording studio with a noise floor around -55db, a really nice vacuum tube pre-amped large diaphragm microphone, and a few processing toys.   There's a Gentner phone hybrid for your direction and a host of different formats if you prefer getting stuff in the snail mail instead of email. 

I am working with a marketing guru and two voice coaches now, and I'm ready to move up to the next level.  My studio has been gone through by a professional recording engineer to ensure that everything is in proper phase and level.  All impedences are matched and all circuits are balanced and earth grounded.  (If that last part went over your head, don't worry--those are pretty good things.)

Thank you to my early believers in Winking Bull Productions, and I hope to work with you again soon.  For all new visitors, feel free to click on over to the contact us tab there on the left and fill out the quick form.  Then I'll get a hold of you and we'll get to work.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to hear from you soon.

John Wiik

I've never really blogged before.  Seems like everyone has a blog anymore, so I thought I would give it a whirl.

I have just completed work on the massive overhaul of winkingbull.com.  It's been a long time coming--a lot of it was getting over the fact that you have a spend a little money to get business.  Here I was in the advertising business for 20+ years, and I wasn't advertising--wondering why people weren't calling me.  Now, you're here.  Advertising works!!!

The website was really easy--and a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.  I'm actually impressed with the new features here.

Well, on to Winking Bull Productions.  Some day I'll have to post the story on how the idea of Winking Bull Productions got started.  I don't have time today--but I'll work it in down the road.

I can tell you that I have taken some major leaps in the last 6 months since I found a wonderful voice coach.  I have landed some new work, and I'm looking to expand Winking Bull to be able to do voiceovers full time.  Right now, I have a very flexible day job, and I am able to work around my voiceover schedule.   Winking Bull Productions is also fully equipped and remodeled to reduce background noise even farther.  Cruise through the site--and leave your contact info on the contact us page, and we'll set up a time to visit about me becoming the voice of your next project.

So, is this what blogs are for?  I can just drain all my stress out the tips of my fingers for the world to see.  Wow. 

Talk to again soon!

John Wiik
Winking Bull Productions