Field Notes

-Being observant goes a long way. Are you exhausted after a workout? Remember that feeling and how you sound when you talk. Try utilizing it for a gritty sports read. -Observing others is great info as well but don't get caught up in trying to sound like or imitate someone else. Your best tool is YOU. Don't try to become someone else

- Let's talk about losing real quick. Today I lost 3 opportunities. Not small ones either. We're talking major portfolio pieces and $100,000+ worth of income. 3 gut shots all on one day. These were all nearly closed deals. But here's the real takeaway. Nothing changed. I didn't really lose anything because it was never mine to begin with. I'm still the exact same and I can still land similar opportunities going forward - It's moments like what I mentioned above it's important

-In my eyes, there's a major way to kill your credibility. Using AI images in your posts when complaining about AI taking over VO. Yall... Just don't use it. I know it's quick to type in the prompt and get that image you need, but it's really not a good look and I genuinely think it makes you look a bit out of touch. Maybe hot take, but that's where I'm at. Gimme your thoughts on this one -Please don't record and post your auditions online without permission yall.

-Did a company pay you more than $600 this year. Congrats! Also, you may be hearing that you need to send a W9. It looks scary and it looks overwhelming, I promise you it's not. Download a blank copy from the IRS and just fill in the necessary info. It's only about 6 boxes overall plus a date and signature. Plus did you know that you don't have to redate and resign it for future clients? Just keep it on file (unless any if your info changes) and send when needed! -Should you

-There's a lot of advice out there. None of it is necessarily right or wrong 100% of the time. The way you run your business is ultimately up to you though. Nothing wrong with trying a few strategies then sticking with what shows the best results. -Contracts ohhh contracts. No one likes to think about them but I promise they aren't that scary and when used correctly are there to protect you. I'd advise everyone to go to the NAVA website and check out their contract templates

-Personally, I think everyone could stand for a little less screen time these days. Most people know that our phones have a spot in the settings to tell you your weekly usage. Check it out and see if you can cut an hour or two every day. -Marketing should be scheduled. Set a time, choose a block in your day, and put it in your calendar. Don't make it a goal, make it a priority. Turn off distractions and give it then same attention you would a live session until your timer is

-Your voice is affected by so much more than you could ever imagine. Emotional, mental, physical, external, internal. there's a lot you can use to your advantage but a lot can also unknowingly cause you problems. Everyone is different so check in from time to time and keep track of your voice. You'll be glad to learn what hinders you so you know what to avoid before important sessions. -As an example for above, my voice is always wispier after a workout. It's thinner and has

-Hackers are getting worse every dang year. And by that, I guess I technically mean they're getting “better?” Point being that there are always gonna be people looking to take advantage of you online and it will most likely happen when your guard is down. You don't have to live in rigid fear but stay vigilant, do your research, and trust your gut when something feels off. -Got a session of screams coming up? Maybe some grunts and breathing sounds? Don't be afraid to talk to y

-Hydration starts yesterday. If you want to have cleaner reads and less clicky, slobbery tongue noises then drink water consistently. Not just the day of your recording -Don't assume ill intent from the get go. We work a tricky industry and sometimes people genuinely may not know better. Long lasting business relationships, like any relationship, thrive off of clear communication.

-No such thing as too many industry connections. Do I need a bulk frozen seafood supplier or a guy that specializes in premium yard pebbles? Nope. But when I do… I'll be sure as sh*t glad I met them and stayed in contact. -ispot tv. Use it! It's great for keeping an eye on spots you were in or getting a gauge on the market and hearing trendy reads.

-Wear sunscreen. Yall little microphone goblins are in padded, windowless rooms all day long. Summer is coming… you will get burned -Nothing wrong with taking some “you” time. Businesses are built in the long term. You won't get there if you're burnt out (<--haha sunburn joke)

-If you schedule your daily tip series of LinkedIn posts to save time, make sure you schedule them for the correct month and don't unknowingly miss like 5 days… oops -On a more serious note, scheduling yourself time to do things by ACTUALLY writing into your calendar makes you more likely to follow through

- You are who you choose to be. Not a single choice, but a culmination of the big and small. Although just because you chose something once, doesn't mean you can't choose differently now. - I suffered silently for 20+ years. I thought that being anxious, exhausted, and empty was the default. Sometimes it even felt like the high. Part of me feels like having to put on a facade for the first 2 and half decades of my life is what made me a great actor, but that might just be me

-Have a lead you want to keep up with? Turn on their notifications on any socials you follow them on. Knowing every time they post gives you more, and easier, opportunities to leave a like or a comment to stay visible to them -LinkedIn is weird. Sometimes you send a connection request but it doesn’t follow the person. Sometimes you follow but that little bell doesn’t come up for you to allow post notifications. Sometimes there isn’t even an option to connect! What’s my point

-Rejection isn’t real. I hear something all the time “I had to learn to deal with 100 rejections before I heard 1 yes.” The intentions are right with this message but I’d encourage any actor or creative worker to reframe the mindset completely here. Let’s take a sports mindset approach here. You want to learn how to do a kick serve in tennis. So you go out, toss the ball and… your serve is flat. That wasn’t a loss, a failure, a miss, or a rejection of your talent. It’s just p

- As a freelancer, your career should be like a sample platter, especially early on. So many people just never try, because they want to feel like they’re ready first. You’ll never be fully ready. If you have an idea and think you can make it happen to some degree or another, just give it a shot. Don’t let it be all consuming but let it take over 10% of your usual work day. Work it into your marketing and just see if you get any bites! You’ll truly never know until you just T

- “What’s your rate?” “Well, what’s your budget?” Don’t be that person. If someone asks for your rate, give them one and give it confidently. No caveats, no “but I am open to negotiating.” Just give your rate and if they give a hard “no” THEN you can bring up negotiations if you still want to. Having no confidence in your rate signals you don’t believe your worth OR don’t even know it. Not a good look - Can’t give a rate yet? Not enough info about the project but the client i

-An amateur counts their losses. A professional counts their wins. But a true master of their craft doesn’t count. They just do. -Please exercise. We sit in a booth all day long and that aint ideal healthy livin, my friend. It doesn't matter how you do it, but just make sure you're moving and healthy. This industry is a long game anyways. Stay healthy so you stick around long enough to see your pay off.

-Never kill a bug if you can help it. Kindness comes in all sizes and I believe the little things matter just as much as the big. Respect life of all kinds. Being small doesn't make you unworthy of life. -The world is just a mirror. Fill your life and attitude with positivity, kindness, and a good mindset whenever you can. The world will reflect it back to you.

-Bring up price early! Will your rates potentially scare off clients? Yes. That's the point. You want to work with people who respect your rates. Plus, they want to know early on what they'll be expecting to pay. Don't wait until invoice time to scare someone with your rate -Have minimums and stick by them. Sometimes you can't quote out the gate. Minimums are a great way for your client to know the bottom dollar they'll be paying