November 5th 2024 marked our 3rd year of living in Vermont, and of loving every minute of it!
Some well-meaning colleagues have called me “lucky,” and I feel fortunate indeed. But Lady Luck had very little to do with it. Being here is the result of careful planning, of saving up, and of not selling myself short.
I have been ridiculed for my defense of fair and decent rates by a Fiverr generation, but I am indeed reaping my reward. I am living proof that you can ask for, and get paid a good rate for good work. This allowed me to buy my dream home, and give up (what many saw as) a dream career.
Mind you, this wasn’t an easy path to take, but I love the destination! And here’s the good news: if a silly guy like me can do it, YOU can certainly do it too.
But you can’t do it by yourself.
You must surround yourself with supportive, intelligent people who have your back no matter what, and who know more about things you know very little about.
Listen to those people, and let them handle the things you’re not good at, and pay them well. It’s an investment in your future.
Happy Vermontiversary!
Thanks, Jen. Can’t believe it’s been three years, but these years have been the best of my life!
Thank you, yet again, Paul. It’s sooo true, and I never thought about it quite this way.
You are one of those rare souls who are so honest and caring that you tell it like it is, the hard work and the potential risks and rewards. And I count myself blessed to be able to call you Friend. ❤️
The feeling is mutual, Michael!
We must not fall into the trap of “zero sum” thinking. Too many people believe that they “lose” if someone else “wins”. It’s why I love the voiceover community. That attitude is either missing or a very small minority. The more people who do quality work, the better for everyone.
And quality work can/should command a quality price!
Good for you, Paul. Well said.
I, myself, never sell myself short when it comes to auditions. I feel like I’m in the minority when I submit $3000 on a job is posted with a budget of $400.
Basically, treat people fairly (in communication, pay, etc.) and they’ll do the same.
In my over forty years of doing business, I have found that quite a few people do not reciprocate. They take advantage of those who are being nice and polite. All they want is more for less, because that’s the way to make money. Buy low. Sell high. They don’t care about whether or not a talent can pay the bills. They don’t care about our expenses. All they think of is: “What’s in it for me?” “Fair” usually means “an equal exchange,” and with rates going down and down, fairness has eroded. It’s one of the many reasons I left the business in july of this year.