Marketing

Recently, I had an interview with CanvasRebel, where they asked, “Let’s talk about the first dollar you made as a creative. What can you share with us about how it happened?”

You can read all about how I made that first dollar, and how I was subsequently fired hours later, by clicking here. 

I also discuss how I built my social media presence, and what I think non-creatives struggle to understand in the journey as a creative.

I hope you enjoy the interview!

As a voice over talent, there are a number of tools you can use to help you maximize your business.

I recently started using VoiceOverView, and let me tell you, it’s AMAZING! I’ll admit, I was a little intimidated about having to enter each audition and job for tracking, but honestly, it takes seconds to do, and is worth the few extra key strokes.

If you dig data and statistics, VoV is for you. It’s not a CRM, but a way for you to track various metrics of your business, including jobs you’ve booked, in what category or genre, auditions submitted, and, the most important stat – money you’ve made. You can track this by client, and by genre/category. There is also Job Source Mix and Growth, where you can compare the stats month to month and year over year. Oh, and there is a Top Ten Client list, that auto updates so you can see who you work with most.

It allows you to link invoicing software to it as well, so you can follow the life cycle of a job, from booking, to delivered, to invoiced, to being paid. You will also be able to see all of your clients, in one spot, and categorize them as well (agent, production house, etc.)

Dani States is the creator of VoiceOverView. She’s a voice actor herself, and created this tool with all of us in mind. While it’s already robust, she continues to make enhancements – example, pie chart view was just added to a number of the graphic stats.

There is even a reminder system, where you can add tasks and reminders for yourself, and check them off as you complete them. One of the features I love is reminders – if there’s a client you haven’t done business with in a set period of time, their name, email and last date you worked with them will pop up in the Reminder area, so you can contact them to say “Hi, just thinking about you…” and stay in touch! Genius and so easy!

All in all, VoV is an amazing tool, and for only $96 a year! I am beyond thrilled to use it. It truly helps you understand your business.  Click here to learn more and subscribe! 

What’s next?

This month, I celebrate a 17 year career in voiceover (19 years including years spent pursuing/studying, if we’re being entirely accurate).

Where does time go?

17 years ago this month, I quit my career in marketing/writing and started in vo full time.

Though, I wasn’t making enough money to really sustain myself. That would come about three years later. It’s still not always rainbows and butterflies. Being a freelance voiceover is an incredibly tough career. It’s a roller coaster, and any voice actor who tells you differently, is (I’m going to be bold here) lying to you. This is not a 9-5, 401K, health insurance, office summer picnics and Christmas parties, annual review where you’re told what a good job you’re doing, steady income… kind of job.

When I look back at my career, I think about all the wonderful and amazing projects I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of, the incredible creative minds and writers who’ve directed me in sessions, and all the hard work it took on my part to get here, 17 years later. The clever marketing ideas, the iterations of web sites and demos, the wondrous experiences with various coaches, the hundreds and thousands of auditions, the wonderful lifelong friends I’ve made, and… life… all the life I’ve lived in that time that shapes my perspective when I approach a piece of copy.

Lately, I’ve encountered a number of stories from role models, actors, and others who didn’t hit their peak until their 50s! Pretty astounding, right?

Take Martha Stewart. She’s a pretty shrewd business woman, always has been. But, she didn’t create the empire we know and love her for until her 50s! Vera Wang didn’t get into the fashion business until she was in her 40s. Heck, even Ray Kroc didn’t buy his first McDonalds till after the age of 50.

This morning, I woke up wondering, “What’s next?”

I’ve always said, voice over is a great career because there is NO ceiling. The opportunities are endless. One can pursue so many different lines of work in vo. Now, it also involves talent, and maybe a little luck. 😉

So, today, I wonder, “What’s next?”

I have some ideas. And I’m always open to ideas.

#voiceover #entrepreneur #narrator #videoproduction #audioproduction #futureplanning #sayyestoopportunities

This is me. Kicking myself.

Why?

Because I should’ve started using a CRM (CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, and a CRM is a tool/database that helps you keep track of your customers and potential customers) a long time ago.

I was a brat, and “diiiidddddnnnn’t wwwwaaaannnnnaaaa!!!”

I remember having a consult with Marc Scott, oh, about three years ago, I guess, and literally said to him, “Yeah, that’s not for me.”

At the time, I was killing it on the pay to play voice casting web sites. Plus, the thought of cold emailing people made me cringe.

It still does. I do not want to be that annoying vo talent.

But, the pay to play voice casting web sites are not working very well for many talent these days. (PS: If you are a #creativedirector and cast #voiceover via a casting web site, I’d recommend you look at other avenues, b/c they’re not doing talent any favors, just taking loads of our money. I’m hoping that tide will turn, but until then…)

I’m in the initial baby steps of using a CRM, just sending emails right now to select people. It’s not as bad as I thought it’d be. The key is creating emails that aren’t the same as what everyone else would send… be unique! I like to take the honest approach, myself.

I sent 20 emails the other day, and received one reply that there might be a job for me next week.

That’s success right there!

So glad I’m doing this!

Get on it. Put the brat in timeout and do what you gotta do to build your business. Everyone’s doing it, why shouldn’t you?

#marketing #CRM #videoproduction #advertising #commercialproduction #voiceover