I saw a nasty VO habit coming, and nipped it in the bud before it fully manifested. It will try to creep in slowly and methodically. A week here, a month there, and before you know it, BAM! You’re dependent on your two biggest clients for 80% of your work. This is a cardinal sin in VO; never, ever depend on a client, or even three, to be your main source of revenue. Ever. No matter what they promise you. This is especially true for Pay to Play sites. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but here it is again: They are only “Pay-to-Practice”. They’re a really great way for me to gain experience doing all kinds of different jobs, and if I book work from a P2P and gain a regular client, that’s a bonus. For me to run a successful business, I need to always have a desire for change. A need and thirst for it. Without the excitement and anticipation for different types of clients and challenges to help me grow as an actor, I’ll get bored. And when I get bored, I procrastinate. And the next thing you know, I practice less and less, take fewer classes, not keep in touch with my peeps, and the mic gets turned on less and less. If work slows down from a client, it isn’t personal. Needs change, trends change, brands change. The world changes. Don’t get lackadaisical, and never forget; it takes a village to pay your bills….Woot! I just made that up….you heard it here at TVAS first! ????. There are prospects and clients that would love to hear from you. Pick up the phone, or send an email sharing a new job you booked, it tells them you’re in demand and well, bookable! If you’ve built a relationship with your client, nurture it. Stay on the radar, but keep building on your client list. When was the last time you went to the grocery store, and bought one egg in a one-dozen egg crate?
