What are some practical ways that we can take steps to start or jumpstart our careers?
It is February you might say, not January 2022. Well, I’m happy to say that February finally feels like we are starting a New Year! Things are opening up, and Spring is in the air, yet it’s not too late to start a business plan for the business side of show business. Although this plan will focus specifically on voiceover, I really encourage you to make a plan for how all your creative endeavors will fit into your life so that you can have a life as well as a career.
Make a Business Plan. This is not something that is set in stone. In fact, by putting this business plan into place, you can see how it works in your life to help you achieve your goals and allow for more flexibility in your life, while maintaining your focus. It’s a living, breathing plan, and you can make adjustments along the way. I’ve found having a plan can give us something tangible to go back to if we are feeling overwhelmed or having a bad week. I’ve thought of writing a book on this subject, and I talk about this when coaching or on my podcast ‘In My Voice.’ I look at why New Years Resolutions, don’t always stick. Many times I think it is because we try to bite off too much. We start out with gusto, good intentions, and then it falls by the wayside. So, let’s think about that as we put 2022’s plan together. It’s better to do something than nothing – 5 to 15 minutes versus skipping it for another day or week, which can become a month or a year. So, here we go…
Vocal/Technical/Business. Remember to cover all three of these components as you look at your plan. You will need your artistic skill, a studio or way to record yourself, and the business aspects of your VO career to put your plan into action.
You can make weekly goals, monthly goals, yearly, five-year, even a vision board/creative and visual ways of looking at your goals. In fact, I encourage inspiration and creativity. There is no right or wrong with this plan. But the one thing I always tell clients is that they will need weekly goals. I encourage you to make a five-day-a-week plan—maybe six—with one day off. I have to listen to my own advice. I tend to never stop. It’s a real challenge in today’s 24/7 world, but try to give yourself a day of rest—to unwind and unplug as much as possible. Structure it the way you see your week. It may not be a Monday thru Friday schedule, but one that fits with your life, work, etc.
Identify your basic goals, then work backwards. This may require a bit of research as well, but build that research into your weekly plan. Let’s say your goals are that to make a demo, find an agent, find a new agent, get more bookings. What are some ways to achieve those goals?
Things I encourage you to put into your plan.
You may realize many things from doing this business plan exercise. What your priorities are, what you really value, and what you really need in order to close a few gaps and make these goals come to pass—whether it is adding a new space/office, getting organized, implementing your plan financially, opening up some more creative spaces, or realizing this is a combination of the creative and the business side of your career. You may even realize that you need to add a personal life into your endeavors. It’s a balance, and we want to make this life our best life that it can be.
Next month let’s break down basic things the voiceover actor has to have in place as well as a few ideas that might help make moving forward in your goals a reality this year.
Got a question for Kathy about the craft or business of voiceover? Email us your question at info@greenhouseproductions.com!
Kathy Grable is an L.A. voice-over prototype with a warmth and sincerity that reminds listeners of a close friend. You’ve heard her in animated shows like Tom & Jerry, Rocket Power, and Futurama and commercials for Pepsi, Disney, Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King, and as the Baskin-Robbins “Talking Spoon.” Kathy was also the voice double for Nicole Kidman in the hit film Batman Forever. On-camera, she’s been seen in Mike & Molly, Harry’s Law, Last Man Standing, and The Wedding Band on TBS. She’s a sought-after V/O coach, director, and demo producer. When not performing, Kathy co-owns and operates a company that distributes e-books, comics, audio dramas, and her own podcast, In My Voice, with guests from all aspects of the voiceover world. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify, or go to https://anchor.fm/kathy-grable0 for all the episodes.