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5 Things You Should Stop Doing Right Now

Blog, Career, Freelancing, Money, Studio

Are you a nail-biter, a chain-sitter, or an overeater?

We all have bad habits we want to get rid of.

If you’re a serious voice talent, here are a few things I suggest you let go of in 2020. 

1. Spending money on new equipment while you’re still in a bad recording space.

Yes, I know you’ve been eyeballing that new microphone for the past six months now, but will it stop the neighbor’s leaf blower from blowing, or the deep rumble of the school bus from making a guest appearance in your auditions? Will it magically tame the flutter echoes in your improvised booth, and make you sound like the next movie trailer man (or woman)?

Not in a million years!

The number one thing that held me back from being successful as a voice-over, was the absence of a dedicated and isolated recording space. Once I built my own booth, I had the freedom and confidence to go after every job I felt I was suitable for. Last year, almost every production I’ve been involved in began in my home studio. It has paid for itself many times over.

Treat the space first. Then treat yourself to some shiny new equipment. If you must. 

2. Expecting the keys to the kingdom on a silver platter.

I’m a member of many social media groups dedicated to voice overs. A majority of these groups are supposed to be for professional voice talent. Yet, every single day I see amateur questions that have been asked and answered hundreds of times, coming from people who are too lazy to do their homework. In the age of the Internet no one can claim ignorance, so:

Stop playing dumb, people! It is embarrassing. 

It’s not that our community isn’t willing to share. If anything, the VO-universe is very giving to those who demonstrate relentless commitment and extraordinary talent. But I refuse to help people who want to pick my brain out of a false sense of entitlement, and a simplistic idea of what it takes to make it in this business.

So, dear colleagues: Stop giving free rides to those who don’t feel like learning how to drive. If you keep spoon-feeding a child, it will never learn how to eat by itself. 

3. Complaining without taking responsibility or action.

“The book I’m narrating is awful. The author is impossible to work with. The deadline for this project is unrealistic. They expect me to record a complete rewrite of the script for free…”

First of all: Stop whining!

Winners aren’t whiners. 

You’re a freelancer. You are free to work with anyone you want. Nobody is forcing you to narrate a crap novel about a topic no one’s interested in for a ridiculous royalty share. You don’t have to collaborate with a disrespectful writer who pretends to know more about voice-over narration than you do. If a deadline doesn’t work for you, then don’t agree to it. Never record a complete rewrite at no charge. Your time and your talent are valuable.

If you feel this particular pay-to-play you’re a “member” of, is greedy and unethical, don’t keep it in business by renewing your membership. Don’t tell me your livelihood depends on this one company. It’s bad business to put all your eggs in one rotten basket.

If you want quality clients, start doing the legwork yourself. It’s part of being a pro!

4. Working for less than you deserve. 

No matter what freelance business you’re in, there’s a quick and easy way to get rid of clients that treat you like dirt, and pay you accordingly:

Price for profit and raise your rates!

It’s not that complicated. Every time you accept a job for less, you send a signal to the market about your worth, and the worth of your colleagues. Clients aren’t stupid. They love getting more and more for less and less. We all do. But most people also understand that there’s a link between value and price.

Price is an important indicator of professionalism and quality. 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: When it comes to voice-over fees, you’re either part of the problem, or you’re part of the solution. As soon as you start competing on price and out of fear, you’re doing yourself and your community a huge disservice. As soon as you start competing confidently on added value, you’re teaching your clients about the worth of (y)our work. 

By the way, here’s something else you should stop doing in the new year:

5. Making assumptions about your clients.

So many colleagues tell me:

“If my quote is too high, I’m afraid the client won’t be able to afford me, and I’ll lose the job.”

Let me ask you this:

“How do you know what a client can or cannot afford? Did you talk to their accountant? Let’s say you didn’t get that job because of your higher bid, what did you lose?” You can’t lose something that wasn’t yours in the first place. Secondly, you’ve actually gained time to pursue or do a job at a respectable rate.”

Last year I’ve said “no” to more offers than in any year of my entire career, and this was one of my best years on record. I’m not saying that to impress you. I’m saying that to empower you.

Don’t ever pretend to know what your client is thinking of, or hoping for. You’re not in the mind reading business. You’re in the script reading business.

Never assume. Always ask.

Having said that, I won’t assume what things you’d like to stop doing this year.

If you like, please share them in the comment section.

Don’t let me stop you.

Paul Strikwerda ©nethervoice

PS Be sweet: subscribe, share & retweet!

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Filed Under: Blog, Career, Freelancing, Money, Studio Tagged With: buying a new microphone, freelancer, Freelancing, letting go of bad habits, Nethervoice, Nethervoice blog, Paul Strikwerda, Pay-to-Play, raising freelance rates, voice-over, voiceover blog, voiceovers

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Comments

  1. Monique says

    January 2, 2020 at 10:07 am

    Words of wisdom to take you into the New Year and beyond!

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    • Paul Strikwerda says

      January 9, 2020 at 7:40 am

      Thank you, Monique. Happy New Year!

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  2. Katie McCollow says

    January 2, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    Amen, brother!

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    • Paul Strikwerda says

      January 9, 2020 at 7:41 am

      Hi Katie, glad you liked my message!

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  3. Joshua Alexander says

    January 2, 2020 at 9:15 pm

    DUUUUUDE! So glad I read until the end! (Not that I wouldn’t). But “ You’re not in the mind reading business. You’re in the script reading business.”. <<<—- what a goldmine! Awesome advice and so timely.

    Thank you bruddaman, as always, for your rich store of wisdom!

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    • Paul Strikwerda says

      January 9, 2020 at 7:41 am

      Looking forward to seeing you in Atlanta, Josh!

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  4. Carolyn Rubin says

    January 3, 2020 at 7:39 am

    I am grateful as a “newer” talent to read your advice. I can happily say google has been my best friend as there is a steep learning curve and everyday questions come up for me. Facebook can be valuable for moral support but in the end it’s all up to me and my personal tenacity-and honestly F/B is a time suck in so many ways
    My NY mantras are “My time is valuable and my uniqueness is my gift”
    Happy New Year
    Carolyn

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    • Paul Strikwerda says

      January 9, 2020 at 7:43 am

      Wishing you an amazing 2020. Please thank Google for me for finding my blog!

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