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Voice Over Training Articles
10 point action plan to manage your voice over success
By Stew Crossen
Whether you're a beginner or a superstar, voice-over success has to be managed.
Here are 10 steps to help accomplish that.
1. Create a solid foundation.
In my experience, your voice-over business must have a solid
foundation. Without a solid foundation, your business can
crash quickly. This foundation includes, but is not limited
to a:
- Good name
- Bank account
- Great demo
- Customer focused web site
- Solid business plan, sales forecast, expense budget
2. Create a short list of immediately doable, action items.
Be realistic and update this list regularly. Examples:
- Make 3 NEW industry contacts per week and introduce yourself.
- Contact 5 NEW potential clients each week. Soft pitch your services.
- Follow up with ALL existing clients and previous contacts once a month.
3. Create a short list of long term visions, and read it OUT LOUD every day.
Again be realistic, but think big. These visions may take
years or a lifetime to accomplish; however, keeping them in
the forefront of your mind may just make them happen sooner.
Examples:
- To record a best-selling audio book.
- To record a hit movie trailer.
- To become a spokesperson for a major retailer or corporation.
4. Keep records and track everything you do.
- Keep a record of ALL calls. Write down Who, What, Where, When and Why.
- Keep a record of EVERYONE you gave your business card.
- Keep track of what's going on in various industries (radio, TV, media). Try to spot trends.
5. Stay focused.
Things will get tough and you'll be frustrated. Things go
wrong and you'll feel like quitting. Don't.
6. Don't pretend to be something you're not.
If a beginner, don't act like you can do it all. If you're
an old pro, don't act like you know it all. Everyone at every
level has something to learn and something to share. The way you behave will become your image, and your reputation will be shaped by it. Make sure your image and reputation is top notch.
7. Don't associate with people who
are negative or engage in gossip or spread rumors.
Don't get into any business situations
or discussions with these types of people. Many folks have
failed at something one time or another and thrown in the
towel. They'll try to convince you, that you too will fail.
Stay away from these folks. Unfortunately, this may include
family members or close friends. Talk to these folks about
the weather or sports, but do not talk about your business.
8. Sharpen all of your skills.
Be realistic and honest. If you have an area of weakness (from
shyness or anxiety, to balancing a checkbook or using a computer),
find a way to overcome it. Hire a tutor or coach. Take a course
at a community college. Seek out a mentor. Ask for help.
9. Build upon your strengths.
When you have an area that you are good at, keep doing it.
Find ways to do it better, faster or cheaper. Too often when
people get good at something, they let it go and move on to
something new. While it's fine to seek new things, it should
not be done at the risk of ditching something you do well.
Make it a goal to:
- Find customers who need help in the area you're good at.
- Share your ability or knowledge with others.
- Build a reputation for doing something really well.
10. Don't get distracted by stories of instant success or others who hit it big.
Chances are, anyone who became an instant success probably
took 10 or more years to achieve it. Whatever success stories
you hear or read, chances are a lot of trial, tribulation
and failure has been left out of the story. Chances are, a
generous amount of sensationalism has been added. So, whether
it's the art, science or business of voice-overs, a firm foundation,
staying focused and managing your activities, will result
in greater success. Jumping from one thing to another, without
a solid action plan, will not.
Call or for voice-over information.
Stew "Beef Stew" Crossen
860.871.7515
Daily 10am to 8pm, east coast
Connect with Stew on:
Facebook | Blog | MySpace | Twitter
Member:
Connecticut Broadcasters Association
Connecticut Production Coalition
Hartford Radio History
Media Communications Assoc. Int. / CT Chapter
Voice123.com
VoicePunch.com
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