We’ve all started on pursuits that looked fun and assumed that’s for us. But as a voice talent involved in managing and operating a business, it’s important to know what works and what doesn’t. Voice acting is a competitive and exciting business, so talents need to be aware as to what works and respond correctly to the signs of required career changes. Be mindful of what is working and what is not working in your voiceover business through learning, leaving, and growing.
I first learned to ski in my 30’s. The sport seems fun, and although for years I saw the commercial clip of the skier falling down a ski run, I was determined that was not going to be me. After years of hit or miss skiing, today, I spend my ski resort time more on the small slops or the tubing runs. While I took many lessons over the years, I did not take time to hone my craft through regular practice. Over time, I realized that skiing might look fun, but it was not fun falling or poorly navigating the slopes. Skiing is a hazardous sport and not a casual activity. So, when I realized that I was not going to put in the time and effort to be proficient, I learned from my experience and hung up my skis.
Learning – As a voiceover talent, it’s important to know what is working and what is not. Voiceover learning means asking yourself essential business questions truthfully and honestly. Have you been working toward a particular skill set for years and it’s just not working? Are you putting in the hours needed to make your voiceover business successful? Are you effectively marketing to reach those in need of your services? Your response to these questions helps you learn from your efforts and determine what is and is not working.
Leaving – Leave behind the areas of your business that are not working for you. Major manufactures sometimes discontinue specific products that are not selling to concentrate on the products that are making money. In your voiceover business, do you have any areas that are not working well? Is it because the area you are pursuing is not your skill set or because you are not putting enough effort into that area? If it’s effort, you know what to do next. Likewise, if a voiceover genre is not working for you, perhaps it’s time to discontinue in that business area.
Growing – We as humans evolve in our life’s journey. As such, you may have had the “killer instinct” in some area of sport, but as you aged, you may have found that the same inclination for that goal waned over time. As a voice talent, note if it’s time to refocus your business attempts. Look for ways to incorporate sharing your voiceover expertise through your business.
Volunteering your voice talent is an excellent way to grow or help others learn from your experiences. You don’t need to be a seasoned talent to share with others what you have learned in your voiceover journey. It’s amazing how when you open your life and time to giving to others, your mind is opened to new ideas and creativity for growing your business.
Learning, leaving, and growing in your voiceover business helps your stay with what works, set aside what doesn’t, and grow into your future. Keep fine-tuning your voiceover career, and you’ll find yourself heading toward your harbor of success.
Break that lip!