All voice actors know what a drag it is to be sick when you have work to do. Despite all the perks of owning your own voice over business, paid sick days definitely doesn’t make the list!
Although you might be tempted to stick out your fever, finish an important project for a big client, and lie to yourself that you’ll make your voice sound perkier in post production, you’re better off giving other areas of your voice over business more attention!
Let’s reiterate that first point. If and when you come down with flu-like symptoms, do the right thing and let your clients know that you won’t be able to meet your deadlines. Everyone can understand coming down with a virus at the wrong time! Even though you won’t want to disappoint your clients, respecting their timeline by letting them know as soon as possible that you are under the weather will increase your chances of working with them in the future. They need the option to hire another voice talent or to give you a few more days. Remember — you never want to send a client mediocre work!
Don’t worry! You don’t need to waste your sick days on day time television in bed when there are other more creative tasks to be done. Suggestions we got from our Facebook page include:
* Mix and match existing files. * Re-record famous opening narrations for TV shows (i.e., “Space … the final frontier … “) * Record a newscast for a fictional TV station. * Write zany voice overs for real or fake products. * Marketing!
It’s nearly impossible to stay on top of all the trends in the voice over industry. Use your sick time to catch up on social media posts/tweets/blogs/comments, make sure your website is up-to-date with a list of project you are most proud of, work on your newsletters, check out new products for your studio (even if you can’t afford them!), and check out what your fellow voice talent are up to.
Sick days are perfect cleaning days! Reorganize your studio, take some Lysol to your equipment, and organize your invoices.
Of course, if you’re really not feeling well, giving in to your couch, canned soup and pajamas won’t set you back either!
For your free voice-over evaluation and guidance on getting voice over jobs, visit our website. Our proven approach for getting voice over work have helped thousands of voice-over artists get started in this fascinating industry.