Management guru Peter Drucker says, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.” Efficiency and effectiveness are paramount to voice over talents and both are dependent upon daily habits. You know, those little things that can make us or break us?
Here are some success habits that I came up with that I work on daily that may be useful to you:
•The habit of practice, practice, practice! Even if you don’t hit perfect, you can’t grow without it! All successful voice over talent practice; it keeps a talent sharp and gives that competitive edge.
•The habit of going the extra mile. Giving more than is expected reaps really amazing results! Simply giving three slightly different reads of script to a client can set you apart from the rest, helping you to become a go to voice over talent.
•The habit of smiling. This is huge for voice talent! Smiling will come across in your read and will decrease plosives! Tip: practice in front of a mirror or on your web-cam.
•The habit of learning. Always be learning something new! No one is ever too good to get coaching or to learn new skills. Learning is part of being a successful voice over talent and it makes you more marketable!
•The habit of listening. Listening to what other voice over talent have recorded, listening to creative directors, listening to the client, listening to what you just read…it’s all important. Learn to listen and to implement!
•The habit of giving back. Blogging, posting valuable links and information on Facebook and Twitter, posting a voice over session on YouTube, volunteering your voice for a charity, these are all great ways to give back and to increase your value as a voice talent.
•The habit of being true to oneself. Be authentically you! Allow who you are to come through in everything you do. You are hired for more than your voice, let your personality come through. Sure, emulate and learn from other voice talents, but be you!
Doing what it takes to develop these habits is sometimes easier said than done, but easier said than done still needs to be done! Our daily habits become our character, our character becomes our reputation, and our reputation becomes our legacy. What will yours be?
Good stuff. Expect a pingback from my blog on this shortly.
This is so helpful to me. I am just starting out and I just want to say I feel like I found a home here at VoiceOverClub! Very welcoming and enlightening! Really meaty, practical information. Thank you!
Thanks Cathy! We’re happy to have you!