3 of the Biggest Time Wasters for VO Entrepreneurs

You know what they say: time is money. When you’re running your own voice over business, this statement becomes even more true, because it’s YOUR money on the line! It’s all too easy, however, to fall into habits and behaviors that zap time and ultimately cost you money. Here are 3 of the biggest time wasters you’ll encounter as a VO entrepreneur, and how you can avoid them.

1.    Email - Email is one of the most efficient and convenient ways to communicate, no doubt about it. It’s also one of the most time-consuming, especially if you’re the type of person who keeps their email open all day and feels compelled to respond to each message right away. When you do this, email turns into a huge distraction that slowly chips away at your productivity. Instead of responding ASAP, try keeping your email closed or out of sight, and designating certain times of your day for checking messages.

2.    Trying to do everything yourself - There are things you’re good at, like voice over, and things you’re not so good at, like bookkeeping or website development, for example. If you’re trying to take on these tasks you’re not so great at, you’re wasting tons of time. Delegate these to someone who’s experienced, and you’ll not only save hours, but also lots of unnecessary stress.

3.    Overscheduling - You may think that cramming as much as you can into your day is a good thing, but it can actually be very counterproductive. When you’ve put 56 tasks on your to-do list for the day, your focus is simply on getting them done and checking off the boxes. This is great, except for you’re not really paying attention to what you’re doing, or committing 100% of your efforts. This leads to lower quality work that may need to be redone, or even areas that you completely overlook, requiring you to revisit that task later on. Instead, focus on the critical tasks, and allow yourself realistic timeframes to complete them.

Time really IS money, so if you’re committing any of these “time suck sins,” or any others that aren’t on the list, you’re missing out on potential profits. And remember, just because you’re busy, it doesn’t mean you’re being productive.