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10 Habits Of A Voice Overachiever:
Working On Your Biz - Not Just In It
June 26, 2014

By Celia Siegel
Voice Over Talent Manager

"Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do.” - Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge: Secret to a Successful Life

Are you a voice overachiever? Or a voice underdog?

Becoming a voice overachiever is simply about working on your business - not just in it. Amazing talent isn’t enough … the most successful in this business commit time, every day, to being kickass business people.

What else do voice overachievers have in common? Swagger, bravado, a certain amount of diva-ness.

These qualities come from confidence gained from knowing they’re doing everything possible to empower their careers. Embrace the following 10 habits, and watch your voice underdog status soar to voice overachiever.

1. Have a bossy brand.
Tell people what to think about your brand. If you don’t tell people what to think about your brand and your voice - they’ll make it up. An intentional brand is how you take control of your VO career.

2. Build a network. By putting yourself out there, at networking events with people who can hire you, you’ll build a list of connections. It takes tenacity - but selling yourself gets you hired.

3. Finish auditions first. Often times, speed trumps talent. Get in front of your mic first. Make that audition your priority. How quick? The sooner the better - without letting it ruin your life. On that note …

4. Stay balanced. You sound great when you feel great! What fills you up? Do what it takes to be balanced - whether it’s yoga, music, or hanging with friends. 

5. Play the numbers game. What’s your booking ratio? (How many auditions do you need in a day to meet your goals?) It’s a numbers game. A formula. Knowing this takes away the uncertainty; it puts you in the driver’s seat.

6. Build your team. Successful people don’t do everything themselves. They delegate! If someone else does your editing, or your marketing, or picks up your dry cleaning (not that voice over talent have much dry cleaning!) - you can audition longer every day.

7. Focus on your own back yard.
Fact: there is a treasure chest in your back yard. Yes, even in smaller markets. Local companies need voice over too - ad agencies, TV/radio stations - there’s work everywhere. Grow your network of local buyers and your back yard will feed you.  

8. Think big AND small. Go ahead, have big goals! But care about the little stuff too - write your goals down, be accountable to somebody, measure your progress and keep statistics. The small stuff achieves big goals.

9. Tweet. Voice overachievers use social media to their advantage, by giving something valuable to the community (not just talking about what they’re eating). Have a social networking plan and commit to it. (For daily inspiration, follow me.)

10. Pick your top genres.
Study what you’re best at. Figure out where your work comes from - then devote 80% of your time to pursuing that genre. Spend 20% on other genres that interest you.
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ABOUT CELIA
Celia Siegel is owner of Celia Siegel Management, which specializes in voice over talent branding, marketing, management and consulting. Before founding and building CSM, Celia was a top west coast talent agent, and is also a certified business and life coach.  Voice talent clients are profiled on her website for review by casting directors, agents and producers.

Web: www.celiasiegel.com
Email: celia@celiasiegel.com

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Comments (4)
Philip Banks
6/29/2014 at 8:58 AM
Serious comment about "branding." Everyone uses the term but it is simply a piece of jargon they've picked up along the road.

Success in our business means connecting with the big hitters and you tell them what to think at your peril. If you want to tell them what to think then pick up the phone and say, "Hello, I'm a Voice Talent and noticed you're too stupid to hire me! Well this is why you should."

To be fair, it did work for me. I did it for 3 straight months and it got me a job shelf filling in WalMart ..AWESOME! :-)
Lance Blair
6/27/2014 at 3:19 PM
Yes to all of this! Especially on branding. It can't just be likeable. You have to make people understand it: and let people know that you understand it too.
Lori Furth
6/27/2014 at 3:08 PM
Thanks, Celia! Concrete things I can do to help my VO business..today!
LInda Joy
6/26/2014 at 10:40 AM
Brilliant, Celia! As always!
Thanks :)
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