How to Stop Losing Voice Over Clients

Losing a client is always a tough pill to swallow. It’s hard not to take it personally sometimes, and then, of course, there’s the lost income to consider. There are lots of reasons why client-actor relationships end, and some of them are through no fault of the actor and just cannot be helped. However, there are plenty of times when the actor is to blame, and this is what I want to focus on today. Here are a few possible reasons why you could be losing clients, and what you need to do to turn it around.

You Stopped Learning

As a voice over artist, it’s critical that you become a “lifelong learner.” Continuing your education and training is an important part of building and maintaining your skillset in an ever-evolving industry. Not only can you learn new skills, but it’s easy to fall into bad habits as an actor. However, if you make a point of continuing your training through workshops and classes, you are much more likely to recognize and break these habits before they can damage your career.

You Don’t Keep Up with Technology

By its very nature, technology is always changing and improving.  In this industry, it pays to keep up with those changes, as many of them can make your life as an actor a whole lot easier. If you’re resistant to change, though, and you cling to the old ways that you’re used to, you’re only going to hurt yourself. Equipment, editing software, online tools and delivery methods are all areas that you should be on the cutting edge (or at least close to it) of.

You Don’t Take Professionalism Seriously

Just because you do 90% of your work from your home studio, it doesn’t give you a pass to behave unprofessionally. Even if you’re recording in your pajamas, every interaction with clients should be professional and business-like. This doesn’t mean you have to be stuffy, but you definitely can’t talk to clients like they’re old school buddies. This means you need to remember the following: professional appearance for any face-to-face, understanding the politics of VO, knowing what to say and when to say it. Practice good email skills. Don't load up your messages with hip new abbreviations and smiley icons. (Hint: write in complete sentences... the way we would LOVE to see our scripts written like... and often don't.)