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Business Planning

What is your “Why?”

April 19, 2022 by Caryn Clark

You hear it time and time again these days. What is your “Why?”

When I hear that, I usually end up like a deer in headlights, because I can’t wrap my head around anything that seems important enough to be a “Why.”  Meh.

What does it mean?

It means, why do you do what you do? What motivates you to keep going? What inspires you?

Let’s face it. Work can be mundane. I’ve been full-time in voice over for over 15 years. It’s the same grind, day in and day out. There are some really incredible benefts to what I do, too. I have unlimited earning potential, a flexible schedule, and I work on some really interesting projects!

But, I am also the marketing department, the finance department, and the human resources department. It’s not all fun voice work all the time! Sometimes I lack motivation or inspiration, especially since I’ve been doing this for so long.

This past week, my husband and I took a little vacation to visit friends in the mountains of Tennessee. We always love going there, and we dream of moving somewhere in the mountains one day. That day is definitely sooner than later since retirement age is getting closer (not that I’ll ever retire… but my husband will, and, well, I’m a planner). We had a chance to visit a few different areas of Tennessee on this trip, and they were absolutely gorgeous. One in particular is the perfect mix of rural, rolling hills with mountain views, coupled with quaint nearby towns with live music on weekends and old brick buildings with interesting little shops and cool restaurants.

Without question, it’s my why. I am definitely inspired to work even harder to make our retirement (LOL my semi-retirement!) dream come true.

 

 

Filed Under: Business Planning

Work From Home Strategies – Part 2

April 11, 2022 by Caryn Clark

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote and posted Work From Home Strategies – Part 1. This post is a continuation of tips and tricks I’ve learned over the 23 years I’ve been working from home.

– Take Vacations – When you’re working from home, it’s really easy to just bypass taking a little R&R time for yourself. With the flexibility of working from home, you are able to get things done around the house, or maybe knock off a little early to take a day trip somewhere or go shopping… but that isn’t really allowing you to disconnect entirely to relax. Taking vacations allow you to completely disconnect and re-charge! That is so very important! Matter of fact, we’re headed to the mountains later this week for a breath of fresh air and to visit friends. It’s been wonderful to have a trip to look forward to!!!

– Morning Routine – It’s tempting to sit around and work in your bunny slippers and robe, but it’s not really setting the tone for a productive time while you work. I had a boss that used to say that what you wear to work sets the tone for your professionalism when in the office (he wasn’t big on casual Fridays lol). The same holds true when you work from home. Also, we humans thrive on routine. Try setting a routine for yourself. Get up at a certain time (yep, that means setting an alarm – I get up at 7 each day), take a shower, walk the dogs, eat breakfast, and be in your home office at a set time each day. It really does help to set the tone for productivity.

– Everyone in Your Space Needs to Understand You Have to Work – this one has been a struggle for my household, and I bet the majority of people who work from home can attest to this. Especially if you have kids who are home, or a spouse who works a different schedule and is home while you have to work. It’s so very important that everyone in the house understands you have to work. There needs to be respect for your need to maintain a schedule, and for quiet time to get your tasks accomplished. Have a sit down family meeting to explain this. Talk through what everyone needs to make this work. Your job is just as important as anyone elses in the household. The fact you do it from home shouldn’t change anything.

– Sick? Take a Sick Day – If you work for a company, you get sick days. Take them if you’re not feeling well! As a self-employed person, I do not receive sick days. But hey, I still get sick. Matter of fact, I had a wicked case of food poisoning about three weeks ago, that had me in bed from Sunday night until Wednesday. On Tuesday, I did get out of bed with the intention of working, but it was futile. I managed to answer some emails, and eek out a quick little voiceover job, but that was it. I was definitely not at my best, and had to take some sick days. My clients were very understanding.

Working from home does require a certain amount of discipline. But I think we tend to put more pressure on ourselves than necessary. It doesn’t have to be drudgery. I have found that co-workers and clients are very understanding! They have lives and families, too. Yes, work needs to be completed by certain deadlines, and be done well. It’s a delicate balance of taking care of work and life. You can do it!

Most importantly, remember, work can be FUN. Don’t take yourself too seriously!!

Filed Under: Business Planning, Technology

Work From Home Strategies – Part 1

March 28, 2022 by Caryn Clark

While many people have only just recently started working from home, with the advent of the pandemic, I have been working from home since 1999. You guys. That’s a long time. Almost 23 years!!!

Granted, when I started working from home, I was working a corporate marketing job for a company in NYC. The WFH sitch was supposed to be temporary, but lasted nine years, until I left to become a voice actor.

It’s easy to mismanage working from home, because, as people, we want to be good employees and businesses. We want to please. So, we’ll check and respond to email at all hours, on weekends. Or we’ll get a jump on that client project because, hey, it’s just right here and I can work on it while I’m watching Wheel of Fortune.

Everyone is different, and people thrive in different environments. But for me, I had to implement a few things to make my WFH situation successful, while maintaining a social and family life.

Here are a few tips, as Part 1 of my WFH strategies:

– Create a dedicated workspace.  This was vital for me, both in my corporate WFH job, and well, obviously, in voice acting. I have created very comfortable, happy space in my home by using one of our bedrooms and turning it in to a studio/office. I do not record in a booth, but have utilized the entire room as a recording studio. I have natural light, which I LOVE. I recently re-decorated, too, which has made a huge difference in my happiness. I also like to burn a nice smelling candle – it really adds to my peacefulness.

– Keep scheduled hours. I generally keep 9-5 hours. In voice over, I do stray from that sometimes, because I have a number of clients overseas, and on the west coast of the US. Auditions and work are often needed asap, so, there are times when I’ll hop in to my studio to record during the evening. But in general, I keep office hours.

– Socialize.  It is far too easy to just not leave the house. I’ve been known to not leave to 3-5 days! Crazy, right? Purposefully do things to create opportunities outside of your home office. Schedule lunch with a friend or spouse once or twice a week, volunteer once or twice a month, join a professional organization and get involved… you get the drift. Just make sure you see people and remain a human, and not become a hermit.

– Exercise. This kind of goes along with socialize, but I wanted to give it its own bulletpoint. Make sure you move around!! It’s so easy to just sit at your desk, and keep sitting – between email, social media, work projects – you can get sucked in, and before you know it, hours have passed and your rump has been sitting in that fancy office chair for half the day! I used to take regular walks, and I do have to get up to walk our dogs a couple of times a day, so that’s helpful. I am also addicted to Pure Barre. That barre studio is my Happy Place! I love the people there, and the workout is wonderful. I try to get there at least four times a week. And yes, sometimes that’s during my work day, but that is also the beauty of working from home – flexibility in schedule!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Be sure to come back in the next week or so for Part 2!

Filed Under: Business Planning, Technology

Do You Have a Dream?

January 5, 2022 by Caryn Clark

It’s my career and a job, but to others, being a voice actor is fascinating.

You know what I think is fascinating? Making your dreams come true.

Every once in a while, I am asked to speak to groups about being a voice actor and/or my life experience. In the past couple of months, I have had the honor of speaking to a university class, and several high school art/theatre classes.

Today, I spoke to some high school classes, about 50-75 kids. They were a wonderful audience, and had great questions for me about the types of voices I can do, how long it takes me to record a commercial in session, and more.

We covered the gamut about running a business, and touched on many a topic, including branding, relationships and social media, being disciplined, and most importantly, following your heart to live your dream.

I can talk about running a voice over business all day, and yeah, voice over is incredible and fun and creative!

But talking about following your dreams and making them come true… THAT gets me excited!! That is a message I love to impart to anyone who will listen.

You see, I worked in corporate America for 10+ years before becoming a voice actor. I’d never set foot in a radio or TV station, and had barely ever spoken in to a microphone. But, I knew I wanted to be a voice actor. My first memory of voice over is going to Walt Disney World and hearing that magical voice over the speakers on the monorail or throughout the park. (The original voice, by the way, is that of Jack Wagner.)

But, what a pipe dream, right?

Or so I thought.

After working in a grey/green cubicle, traveling, going to client dinners, dressing in smart suits and pantyhose (they were still a thing when I was working in the corporate world), I decided to take a leap.

I always loved singing when I was growing up, and was active in my high school choirs, as well as in the University (of Florida) Choir. Singing was cathartic for me. My high school chorus teacher, Mrs. Sandra White, was my favorite teacher of all time, and frankly, she still is today. Were it not for her, I wouldn’t have learned the love of voice and music, and how therapeutic it can be. I’m fortunate that through social media, she and I can keep in touch.

But I’m not the greatest vocalist… certainly not good enough for a career. And, the other thing I love is words. So, I put the two together, and thought about giving voice acting a try.

Long story short, it wasn’t easy to become a voice actor. Not even a little bit easy. I was terrible, frankly. I had no experience – no broadcast experience, no acting experience, no improv experience, and I’d worked in a very buttoned up corporate world for years. Matter of fact, once I was hired for my first voice over job, I was fired/replaced after recording it. It was for a scratch track for a television show pitch.

That’s right, I wasn’t even good enough for a scratch.

I sobbed and sobbed. Then, I picked myself up, decided I needed to work harder, learn more, and get better. I found acting and improv classes to take. I found a different voice over coach. I auditioned everything I could get my hands on. I read out loud every.single.day. For months and months.

Then, I started booking… small things… but booking nonetheless. And one thing I really enjoyed doing were toy commercials. They were my wheelhouse, for sure. One day, I booked a series of television commercials for Hannah Montana toys produced by a Disney licensee.

I took that (marketing) ball and ran with it. I marketed to everyone I could think of, and built my business.

I think I’m one of the rare people in this business, who came from zero background, and am blessed to make a full-time living in voice over. I make a living using my voice.

I am absolutely, positively certain that if you have dream… to be a voice actor, an artist, a teacher, an actor, an athlete… whatever you dream to be and do with your life… you CAN. You absolutely, positively can make it happen. Don’t give up. Make a plan. Set goals. Surround yourself with people who will support you, and encourage you. When you fall, get back up. Make (another) plan. Rinse and repeat. I promise you, if you truly want to make something come true, you will

Filed Under: Business Planning, Marketing

Feelin’ 22?

January 5, 2022 by Caryn Clark

Hehe… see what I did there?

Happy New Year, y’all!!

Most people see the new year as a fresh start. I know I do. I was looking back in my social media “memories” and read that in 2011, I had THREE PAGES OF RESOLUTIONS!! Holy cow. I mean, I know those were years with some serious life changes, but man, I might’ve been a little ambitious in creating all those resolutions and thinking I could actually do them!

This year, I have just a few. Personally, be more intentional in my relationship with my husband, do more Pure Barre classes per week (the goal is five per week), read books more regularly and perhaps join a book club, find a Bible study group, and socialize a little more.

And, of course, I have a revised/updated business plan for my voice over business in 2022. More like a strategic plan, I suppose. It contains actionable items, with measurable outcomes and a timeframe in which to accomplish the goals/action items. The categories are client acquisition and retention, auditions, social media, and marketing.

What are some of your goals for 2022, personally and business-wise?

Filed Under: Business Planning

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caryn@carynclark.com

239.634.5039