Judy Fossum

It’s time … It’s time … For what? For dinner? To start exercising more?

Okay, that’s all true and valid.

For me though, it was time for a much bigger, more encompassing change. A positive career change. It was time for me to take that “leap of faith” to pursue voice over full time.

Like many VO pros, I worked full time at my “day job” – as a meteorologist – while working in voice over part time during the late afternoons, evenings and weekends.

LUNCH BREAK SUBARU OFFICE …

It’s a familiar schedule to many. During my lunch breaks there were times I went into my “portable office,” my trusty Subaru Outback, and made cold calls and follow-up calls to help with my marketing efforts.

Auditions, recording commercials, message-on-hold projects and longer form narrations were completed, saved and sent well beyond the normal 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. time regime.

It’s the whole “you do what you gotta do, to do what you gotta do” scenario.

Then there were the training webinars – thankfully, many are held during the late afternoon and evening hours – and classes that I just fit in when I could.

Sure, there were long hours and working weekends, but I was good with it because I love voice overs – and I actually enjoy the business side of the VO biz, as well.

I also had a goal that kept me going and motivated. That goal was to work in voice over full time.

WHEN TO LEAP?

The big question for me to answer was WHEN?

• When do I make the proverbial “leap”?
• When will I be ready, both as a voice actor and as a business owner?
• When will I feel comfortable enough on a financial level to go on my own to work as a voice actor?
• When will I know when it’s the right time?

DREW A ROADMAP

I’m a planner and like to have a roadmap in place. Actually, it’s more like a series of stepping stones, to help steer me toward my goals.

So…where do I start?

1. Pay Off Debt. Pay off car loan. Pay off credit card.

2. Acquire Any Needed Equipment.

As I’d been working in voice over part time for several years, I fortunately already had my recording equipment. However, it was time for me to take an “inventory” of what I had, what I needed, and to update anything now, to eliminate as much overhead as possible.

3. Continue Marketing and Networking.

I have found that this crucial element to any business takes time. Time in that an initial meeting (email, phone call, in-person meeting) usually doesn’t lead to anything immediately.

It’s similar to planting seeds in the soil; it takes time for them to germinate. Some seeds come up, some don’t, and those that do start to poke through the soil at different times.

Networking with businesses, ad agencies and PR and marketing firms, and staying open to opportunities now that may lead to an audition and a potential gig later, is of the utmost importance no matter what stage of business you’re in.

4. Discuss Decision with Immediate Family.

For me, this meant having a heart-to-heart with my husband. He’s self-employed as well, so he’d already taken “the leap.”

He’s been so supportive and has always known that it wasn’t a matter of “if,” but rather “when” I made my decision. We just needed to make sure we were on the same page, especially when it came to finances.

We needed to be realistic.

5. Set a Date and Stick With It.

This was a huge step for me. I chose a date to tell my boss (a super guy) about my decision to pursue voice over full time. I also chose a specific date and told him when my last day working for him would be.

To keep myself accountable, I physically wrote down – wrote with a pen, not typed – those two dates on a piece of paper and wrote it on my calendar.

So when were the dates – last day at my day job and first day working full time as a voice actor – going to be? Hhmmm, back to that question again …

LIGHT BULBS POP

I finally realized that in order to make a “full-time wage” in voice overs that I needed and wholeheartedly wanted to work in/spend full time actually doing it!

Light bulb!  Actually, it was more like several light bulbs going off! It’s funny how you hear/read things at just the time you need them.

I was in the midst of reading The Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks when I was seriously deciding about when I should set my dates for moving into voice overs full time.

There are many great passages in the book, but the one that really hit home for me was the following:

“…if you are focusing upon that which is most important in any point in time, you move forward more powerfully toward that.”  I’m certainly no stranger to hard work, nor am I afraid of it. I was realizing, though, that it’s a challenge to make a full time income – at least at first – doing something just part time.

Things don’t happen overnight and I know it takes time to build clientele and a business, but you won’t get anywhere if you don’t start.

NOW IT’S TIME!

This was the epiphany – the realization – the light bulb moment for me.

It was the “It’s Time” moment. It’s time to make a decision and to set the dates. It’s time to take the leap.

So in making a solid decision that yes, voice over is what I want to do full time, I proceeded to work on my roadmap and stepping stones to get me to that goal. So I …

• decided on a start date to begin working in voice overs full time,
• began to tell people about my plan, which helped me stay focused, and
• gave my notice at my day job.

Once I gave my notice, things really became “real.” I can’t count the times I said to myself something like, “Holy cow, I’m really going to do this! This is it!”

THE COUNTDOWN STEPS …

When it comes to when, timing is different for everyone, since we haves different life circumstances.

For me, knowing when “It’s Time” came when I implemented and stuck with my plan of:

1. Paying off debt
2. Acquiring needed equipment
3. Continuing to market and network
4. Discussing my decision with my immediate family, and
5. Setting the dates and sticking to them

 

My journey of pursuing voice overs began eight or nine years ago when I started taking voice acting classes. Yes, it’s been and will always be a marathon, but that’s a-okay with me as I’m not a fast runner anyway.

There’s a time for everything and everything happens in due time. You’ll know when the time is right for you. Go For It!

What do I do next?  I have no idea what to do.  Ah…what?  I have no clue.

Take a breath (or several) and give yourself some credit.  When you think about it, you really do know what you need to do, whether that be personal or in business.

A Little Prompting/Encouragement:

Maybe it’s some alone time (after those breaths), a conversation with a friend or colleague, a little gentle prompting, or maybe it’s something you’ve read or heard (podcast, song, etc.) that gives you that sense of, “Oh, yeah, I guess I really do know what to do next.”

Being Ready:

Then again maybe you’ve heard those words of encouragement and workable ideas over and over, but weren’t really “ready” to hear (and to really listen) them, and subsequently taking action was a no-go at that particular time.  It’s okay.  We’ve all been there.  I can attest to that.  Then there’s something/someone that gets that fire burning again and you move forward with new vigor.  In fact it was a friend of mine who brought this to my attention after talking with her.  I’d been in a bit of a “funk”, and after speaking with her it dawned on me that actually yes I do know what steps I need to take next.

With Business:

Actions as simple as calling/emailing a potential client; cleaning out your inbox; cleaning the clutter off your desk and off your virtual desktop on your computer to allow for a more organized space to work from can jump start your day/new endeavor.  You know this stuff has to get done, so get busy.

Personally:

Calling a friend to catch up; doing some initial research about a new career you might be interested in; calling an agency/provider to get information about caring for an aging parent; drinking one more glass of water a day; eating a banana instead of a candy bar; going for a walk instead of watching yet another cute kitten video online.  Some of these actions are simpler than others, but all are certainly doable.

These seemingly simple acts of “doing” can be a catalyst and stepping stones to move further on with an idea, goal, lifestyle change, etc.

Getting started…that’s the important thing.  Have some confidence, believe in yourself, take those small steps, and then be proud that you took them!  Then take another, and another.  You’ve got this…one step at a time.  See…you do know what to do!

Boundaries come in many forms. Some are utilitarian and valuable. Others are seemingly useless and/or prohibitive (think negative self talk – more on this later). There are physical boundaries such as doors, fences, or perhaps you recently sprained your ankle and can’t get around as well as you used to, so you temporarily can’t get from point A to point B as efficiently. Then there are the boundaries that you can’t see, but you sure know that they are there. Self talk, especially negative, can throw up one of the biggest boundaries of all. Boundaries, seen and unseen, good and bad, are a part of life and a part of business. And some of those boundaries are no further away…than the tip of your nose.

Distractions: There are plenty of these now a-days. Constant stimuli from electronic gadgetry, texts, buzzes, emails, calls, IMs, DMs, ten gazillion social network platforms and Apps, and the list goes on. That doesn’t even count the dog barking, kids/grandkids asking for a snack, and your partner saying that he needs your help holding a wrench on his latest truck restoration project.

“Dealing” with Distractions:

It’s tough for sure and takes self-control and discipline, but learning to deal with all of the distractions from people, the phone, texts, emails, messages on all sorts of social media platforms, and honestly just social medial in general is essential. We’ve all got 24 hours in one day, but it’s our choice how to use that time. Answering everything immediately after receiving a text, message, call, email, etc. (at least for me) turns out to be counter productive. Sure we want to be responsive and courteous to our clients, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to on-the-second immediacy. Perhaps set aside a couple of specified times (and length of time), a type of “boundary” if you will, during the day to answer emails, texts, and messages; respond/comment on posts on various social media platforms; return phone calls. This does a couple of things. 1) It keeps you organized and helps you plan your day. 2) It gives you time to think/to take a “beat”/to be mindful/to breathe before speaking, writing, and/or responding.

Also, let folks know when you’re in your office/studio working. This is especially applicable if you work from home. Being up front and honest helps set a friendly boundary and mutual respect.

Of course emergencies will come up and are inevitable and your “routine” won’t always work, so you’ll work on things as they come up. However, having some structure (“office hours/time boundary”, etc.) can help you stay on track and organized.

Self Talk: Many times negative, non-productive, and in all honesty a waste of time, circular conversations where you mull over the same thing in your head over and over again can be counter productive, and can essentially put up a boundary that can impair you from seeking new clients, working on marketing, learning a new skill, among a myriad of other things.

Of course our thoughts won’t always be positive. Life happens, bad things happen, and it is imperative that we move “through” them and not ignore them hoping they’ll just disappear. Yep, and this is tough too, but it’s crucial to move through, feel (even the “bad” feelings), confront, learn, and then move forward with your life/business. This isn’t my area of expertise, but I feel it’s important not to linger in the negativity. Yes, acknowledge it (and this can be hard too), but then working through the negative self talk and moving forward is important so as not to get “stuck”. Getting stuck in these ruts isn’t fun and the rut can turn in to an ever-deepening hole (another proverbial boundary) pretty quickly.

Here are tricks that I use from time to time – physical movement and changing up your activity. Physically move to a different room, go outside, do something completely different to get your mind focused in a new direction. This isn’t “ignoring” whatever needs to be worked through, but rather can help spark a new way to deal with the issue or provide an “a ha” moment to solve a problem. And it just may help bring about a needed sense of peace and calm (reduced blood pressure, etc.), which is a good thing for all of us.

Sometimes the Answer is “No” — No as a Boundary: Some time ago I had a chance to work on a voiceover project, and I had to set up a boundary. I had been short listed and needed to send in one more voiceover sample recording before the final decision would be made by the client. After reading the script, I politely declined due to the subject matter (tobacco). I was friendly, but to the point in the subsequent email I sent to my client. They completely understood. Be honest, have standards, listen to your gut, have integrity.

Educational Boundary: There’s always learning and training to be done not matter what field or industry you work in. If you don’t know how to do what it is you want to do (for example, I would need to train with coaches and take several classes before trying to find work in voiceovers for animation and gaming), then classes will be necessary. Whether they’re online, in person or hybrid, there are many opportunities to learn and to take classes. Asking others in the field you are interested in, getting a mentor, checking out a webinar, reading, attending a seminar, there are more chances now than ever to educate yourself and to learn. Do your due diligence of course, but there are a lot of educational resources that are free! For example if you have questions about setting up a business, the SBA and your local SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) are fantastic resources. I’m a big believer in education, and it is something that can never be taken away from you. Go for it!

Looking Within/in the Mirror: Sometimes (and this can be the toughest one of all) the boundary that is holding you back is…yourself.

How do I work with you?

Keeping it Simple and Friendly:

I like to keep things simple. So to start out with, simply reach out. Do you have a question about what I do as a voiceover actor, what my timeline is, or just to connect to say hello to start a conversation (maybe we have a common interest)? Send an invite and message through Linkedin. Drop me an email at judy@judyfossumvoiceovers.com or through the contact page on my website www.judyfossumvoiceovers.com. Of course there’s always meeting initially through Zoom, which I’m happy to set up. Or…call! Yes the old fashioned…pick up your cell phone (or landline) and let’s chat option.

We’ll talk about your project, your needs, your ideas, and your dog (just kidding, but you get the picture). I’ll likely have a few questions for you as well. We’ll talk things out and see how we can help one another and partner on upcoming projects.

Getting Started:

Once we’ve decided that we’re going to work together, I’ll first need the final/approved script for your project. It’s very helpful if you can make note of any challenging names and how they should be pronounced. Other items I may have questions on regarding your script are how you would like me to handle numbers, years, and acronyms. For example, for the year 2010, would you like me to say “twenty ten” or “two thousand and ten”.

Before I begin recording I’ll review the script to see if I have any questions. Some other questions I may have for you are about the “performance” and if you have any specific directions for me on how you would like your project read or performed. “With a smile”, professional, like I’m talking to a friend, with some authority, an expert, dramatic, “over the top”, really anything. The more specific you can be with your directions, the better idea I’ll have as to how you want your project to sound.

I’ll also need to know about the “techy” side of your project about what format and what audio specs you would like me to save your audio in. For example, would you like me to save it as an mp3, wav, or aif file, or something else? 44.1 or 48 kHz? 16-, 24-, or 32-bit? 128-, 160-, or 192 kbps? It’s also important for me to know the length of time that I have to get the voiceover in at (ie – does it have to be exactly two minutes, or can it be between two and two-and-a-half minutes)?

Into the Recording Studio:

And…that’s about it. I like to keep thing simple and honest. Once I have this information, you can just sit back and relax and I’ll start the recording process.

If it’s the first time we’ve worked together I’ll send you a sample audio piece using a portion of your script to see if I have the correct tone, pace, and performance you are looking for.

I’ll then proceed with the recording session and will edit the audio per your specifications, save it, and send it to you likely via WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive. If the audio file is small enough, I may simply send it as an email attachment.

That’s a Wrap:

And that’s a wrap! Really it’s a simple process. The next step is for me to send you an electronic invoice.

Remember that anytime during the process you can reach out to me via email at judy@judyfossumvoiceovers.com or give me a call at 307.421.8817 to discuss any questions you might have.

Always “Connected”?: Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Clubhouse, Instagram, texts, various messaging/communication apps…there’s no doubt we’re connected. But…are we really? We “like”, maybe comment, post pictures, write and share stories, share, answer texts and messages at dizzying speeds. Sometimes (I’m guilty too) it feels like we’re “liking” a post or comment just for the sole fact of liking it. It keeps us “busy” or perhaps it makes us “feel good”. But again…does it really?

Being Social: On the other hand, having a presence on social media for one’s business (I feel) is important. It is a place to learn, share ideas and opinions, get the word out about events, classes, etc. It’s a wonderful way to reach out to many people at once.

Being Human and Remembering Others are Human: Over the past 18+ months, social media, Zoom calls/meetings (and other similar platforms), and webinars have kept us connected, learning, and growing for which I am grateful. Like many, a personal touch (metaphorically and actual) for me is even more relevant now. Sure, I’ve posted on social (mostly on Linkedin) about voiceover- and business-related topics, and if interested, here’s a shameless plug, https://www.linkedin.com/in/judyfossumvoiceovers/detail/recent-activity/.

But a couple of months ago I took perhaps a more “uncommon” approach when I reached out to voiceover clients and to those I hadn’t contacted in a while. Rather than sending out a bulk email or even personalizing an email through a CRM, I typed and sent out individual, personal emails one by one. You see, clients (businesses) are at the core…people. They are people with lives, feelings, bills, and ups and downs in life. The overarching goal was simply to reconnect with those folks I do and have worked with. It was to say “hello”, to wish them well, and to maybe spark a smile (I included a picture of summer flowers from our garden).

Did it take extra time? Yes. Did people respond? A few of them did. Was it worth it? Yes.

I feel, now more than ever, it’s about letting people (businesses you work with) know that you are more than your business. And also acknowledging to them that you value them as a person, and more than just a “like” on their social media post. In essence, the value of acknowledging and honoring people and our humanness.

Looking Down: One of my favorite outdoor activities is kayaking. Not the kayaking on a river with class four rapids, but the type where you’re just relaxing and paddling to get around a lake or reservoir, to see the flora and fauna, and really just to enjoy and to soak in nature. I’m not new to kayaking but I’m far from a pro. My 10-foot kayak is one where you sit all on top, so your legs and feet are exposed.

 

In learning to kayak I recall always looking down at my feet and only occasionally glancing up to see where I was going. Getting the kayak to go in a straight line or to follow the shoreline, with my goal of getting around the body of water was haphazard. Sure I’d paddle and could “kind of” steer, but it wasn’t efficient and I would end up not really going where I wanted to go. I was always off course, and either a bit too far left or too far right. Still I kept paddling mostly looking down at my feet. I eventually got to where I wanted to go, but it wasn’t very elegant or efficient. Not that that really mattered as when I’m on my kayak I’m just having fun. Still it was a bit frustrating that my technique wasn’t at least improving. Why couldn’t I paddle in a straight line or follow the shoreline to reach my goal (for example, padding all the way around a reservoir)?

Voiceover Application: When setting goals, be it personal or voiceover (career) specific, I feel it’s important to know where you want to go rather than doing things haphazardly. One moves forward one step at a time. Business goals (at least in my experience) are obtained one step at a time too. Let’s say one of your goals is to connect with two new clients and get two new voiceover gigs/projects. Great! You have a specific goal. But if you just look down at your computer’s keyboard or at your phone (like looking down at my feel while paddling in my kayak) no forward movement occurs. Your eyes might be on your computer screen or phone, but if you’re just looking down at/scrolling through your social feed and looking at adorable baby animal pictures you’re not moving forward with your goals. It might “seem” like you’re getting something done, and the time certainly flies but, let’s be real and honest…nothing is really getting done to help move your business forward. There might be a little horizontal movement (a bit left and/or a bit right just like with the kayak analogy), but you’re really just standing still. That email or follow-up email isn’t going to write itself. That phone call or follow-up call isn’t going to make itself. In the case of voiceover, that audition isn’t going to record itself. You get the idea.

Better Steering: Meanwhile back at the kayak and after several years of paddling, it didn’t occur to me until this kayaking season (2021) that when I started to look up and out/forward when I was paddling that I was going forward faster and more efficiently! Well, duh, that makes total sense. When you drive a car or ride a bike you don’t look “down” at your feet, you look up and out to continue in a forward direction. Forward is great, but some of the nice things about a kayak are there’s no motor (quiet) and it is relatively small so you can follow the shoreline, perhaps see some water fowl and other critters, and see some pretty cool rock formations and plants. In order to do this, you’ve got to be able to turn. The same premise applies for turning as when you’re paddling in a straight line. Look up and forward at your goal, not down at your feet, and paddle in the direction of your goal. It’s amazing how this stuff works! I have no clue why it took me so long to figure this out. Perhaps it’s because I don’t consider myself an athlete whatsoever, and my eye-hand coordination isn’t the best. No matter, as I did figure it out and it has made me a better, more confident kayaker.

Better Business/Career Steering: Now back to your career/personal goals. How’s that email coming along? Did you make that phone call yet?

Admittedly, no one may answer your call right away. No one may respond to your email on your first try. Believe me, I can relate. But…they might! It might not be right away, and it might take several follow-up calls and emails, but you won’t know unless you look up and forward (not down) and take action steps to steer you toward your goals.