Ten Habits to a Successful Career

Successful business folks have a secret something that sets them apart from the crowd.  These habits are the foundation of their success and can be adopted by anyone who desires to make a splash in the world of business.   Here are ten of their power moves and ones which I strive to incorporate into my world of VO.  It's how I strive to run my voice over business and ultimately create that perfect voice over for my clients.

Step 1

Goal Setting. 
Successful business people have a clear picture of what they want and devise specific goals to achieve them. They break down these goals into manageable chunks and work towards them daily.  Similarly, I work with a small bunch of fellow Voice Artists and together we set our goals for the year and check on them regularly, kindly making sure that we are each making steps to achieving those goals.  Each day has its agenda set by a specific goal which we work towards.  These goals include a whole host of marketing, auditions, networking, training and holiday planning.   Proverbs 21:5 says "The Plans of the diligent surely lead to success". 


Step 2

Making decisions.
Successful business people make decisions swiftly and confidently. They gather all the necessary info, weigh pros and cons, and make a choice. They know that indecisiveness can lead to missed opportunities.  In the world of VO a voice artist has to make decisions quickly and be able to self direct.  I love self directing and also working with my clients on their project and taking direction from them.  Knowing when is a good take and when to do a retake takes experience.  At the end of the day I have learned to become more confident in my decision making and because I am always learning new skills and training, my accumulated knowledge gives me the confidence to make the right decision.

Step 3

Discipline.
In order to be successful one has to be disciplined. Successful business people possess an ironclad work ethic and are disciplined in their approach to work. They prioritize tasks and focus on the most important ones first.  Having a great work ethic really helps to achieving those goals and that is why I like to spend as much time as I can in the booth and in the studio.  When I'm not at home in the studio I am often walking my dog Messi and while I do this I work on breathing and voice warm-ups. Having a good routine helps too and an early morning walk and voice and body warm up gets me ready for the day ahead.  You could say that the whole of my day is devoted to something voice related within my business.

Step4

Adaptability
Successful business people can adapt to changing circumstances. They are flexible and open-minded and willing to change their approach if it is not working.  My voice over business started during lock down COVID times.  I was unable to perform at weddings on my violin with my string quartet and so needed to look for an alternative way to provide for the necessities of life.  I suppose you could say that I adapted to my change in circumstance.  Another area in my business that shows I am flexible is my ability to offer alternative reads and to take on board ideas and suggestions from my clients.  When you are ordering a voice over from me you can be assured that you will get the voice over that you want, done to your specifications and I am more than happy to adapt to your direction and suggestions.

Step 5

Communication.
Successful business people can articulate ideas clearly and effectively. They inspire and motivate others to work towards a common goal.  Good communication is key and by working with a group of fellow VO's we help to inspire and motivate each other along the way.  I am always ready to communicate with my clients so be assured of clear communication during the making of your voice over and I also offer video zoom calls so you can be in the studio with me and we can communicate directly. 

Step 6

Innovation.
Successful business folks are always on the lookout for new ways to do things better. They are not afraid to take risks and try new things.  Learning how to be a successful Voice Over Artist has been a steep learning curve, the learning of which does not stop as there are always new ways of doing things especially in the studio and working on the computer with digital work stations.  However, the recording set up is basically unchanged and once you are set up you are good to go.   But then there is the technical side to delivering your lines and learning how to do this takes practice and training.  I have been very fortunate to have been able to attend one of London's top Drama Schools and my acting training and 11 years experience in the theatre has stood me in good stead.  I have also trained with Gravy for the Brain and industry leading voice artists to guide me on the right path to VO.  There are also different trends in voice overs  that change over time so it is good to be aware of these and to adapt to them accordingly.

Step 7

Being savvy with money. 
Successful business people know the importance of financial management. They keep a close eye on their finances and make informed decisions based on financial data. When I first started in VO I sold my old violin to a pupil of mine and used that money to buy a microphone and an audio interface.  I invested the money also in further training and a website and with money generated by those initial voice over jobs I reinvested the money on getting professional demos.  Slowly the business has built up over time and I make sure that I am reinvesting the money into the business whether it is on training or new equipment so you can be assured of the best sound quality for your voice over.

Step 8

Persistence.
Successful business folks don't give up easily. They are tenacious and keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity.  I like to think that I have a certain tenacious spirit but I really don't find doing voice overs all that hard work because I love it so much.  I just love to keep on doing the THING, whether that is in the studio or in the booth.  Marketing or voicing, I'm doing my favourite thing so it doesn't feel like a drag at all especially when I am helped along the way by my lovely fellow VOs.  It is a creative job and I love being creative.

Step 9

Learning.
Successful business people are constantly learning and growing. They seek new information and ideas and are willing to invest in their personal and professional development. I can relate to this as I love to watch webinars and take workshops with Gravy for the Brain an online training company that specializes in all things to do with Voice Overs.  Training gives you the confidence to know that what you are doing is of industry standard and I am looking forward to going to London next year to The One Voice conference to learn more about VO.

Step 10
​
Being Ethical.
Successful business people operate with integrity and uphold high ethical standards. They treat others with respect and honesty, knowing that their reputation is their most valuable asset.  Building up a good reputation is important and also setting prices that do not undermine the work by other voice over artists is most important too.  I base my prices on the rates that are suggested by Gravy for the Brain.  To give you an idea of the prices set by Gravy for the Brain you can view their rates by clicking this link here  Rate Guide - Gravy For The Brain - Rates.

So there you are.  My 10 steps to being successful.  I hope you can incorporate these into your business and daily life and I hope too that you will be successful in your chosen career. Now to planning that holiday!  Go on.. we deserve it! xxx