If you attended the NAVA gala, you can skip this blog as you’ve already heard what I’m about to say. ACTUALLY……maybe you didn’t. Why? Because there were 400+ of the Who’s Who of voiceover in that room chattering up a storm and I practically had to shout like Juan Peron on a balcony to be heard. That’s not an indictment of the noisy crowd, but reason to celebrate.
See, here’s the thing…..in just one year, the NAVA Gala, an event where people come from far and wide, sometimes at great personal expense, to then GIVE BACK EVEN MORE by bidding on auction items, making donations, and spreading the word, has grown to a size equivalent to the One Voice Conference USA…..in other words, pretty much tied for the second largest headcount among industry events. And no one is there to GET……everyone is there to GIVE.
Conferences are incredible and valuable things, but you pay for your admission with an expectation of RECEIVING…..knowledge, insight, face-time, a few free drinks, maybe some good Southern fried chicken….free swag on closing day. But just over a week ago, in LA, hundreds turned out to GIVE back to an organization that is dedicated to fighting for our collective existence as professionals.
This tells me something that runs counter to so much of the FUD (look it up) that we see on voiceover social media these days. It tells me that, in spite of synthetic voices….in spite of current and past and future? strikes…..in spite of a rapidly changing media landscape that naturally engenders uncertainty…..WE, as a profession, WE, the voice actors…..WE ARE WINNING!
A room full of people bidding 10x market value on autographed VO-industry memorabilia to help NAVA fight for us. A room full of people standing up so fast to just DONATE thousands of dollars that the folks writing down paddle numbers could barely keep up. A room full of people only half? based in LA, the rest spending copious amounts to fill up hotels and airplanes just to be there to give. This, my friends, is not an industry in difficulty. It is an industry full of success stories.
However, all too often, the increasing tenor of social media, with small but noisy groups of tut-tutters sniping at those who post their wins and amplifying struggle stories and doom and gloom about the NEXT BIG THING THAT WILL BE THE VOICEOVER APOCALYPSE, not only gives the impression of an industry that is doing poorly, but moreover discourages the many talent who are absolutely thriving from sharing their successes for fear of being labeled show-offs. And ultimately, this damages all of us, because mood matters……when collective psychology says, “things are bad,” people don’t fight as hard for fair rates, because if things are bad we need to take what we can get, right? Even agents might be afraid to push for more when in the grips of a culture of negativity. When newer talent are talked down to and dismissed for asking questions or told, “why bother in this market,” they might hesitate to speak up when something goes right for them, or avoid making that one move that would be the difference between them reaching their goals or not, or just give up altogether.
Negativity breeds more negativity, which ultimately leads to defeatism and collective damage.
This is not to dismiss those who ARE legitimately struggling. And there are many. And for innumerable reasons. And yes, we want to hear those stories too, and help, and lift you up and see you become a part of this vibrant, thriving community.
But this is meant as a challenge to those who ARE NOT struggling. To those who are fu***ing crushing it right now day in and day out, or week in and week out, or who just booked their first big national thing but aren’t sure if someone will say something critical if they post it….. IT’S TIME TO SHOW YOUR A**
This industry needs to know that there are hundreds of talent out there booking daily. Thousands booking weekly. And that for many, 2024 will have been their best year yet. It’s time to change the conversation. It’s time for those who win in the shadows to step out and LEAD the conversation. To show and tell, and heck, if you can, TEACH others how you did it. If you are hitting six figures plus and you care about this industry it’s incumbent upon you to send the elevator back down….to make yourself known….and to yell to the rafters that IT CAN BE DONE AND THIS IS HOW. The voiceover business NEEDS YOU. We need new blood, new thought leaders, new perspectives, and new stories about how building a career in the 2020’s looks different, but can still be just as rewarding as ever.
Are you up for the challenge?
J Michael, you always have your finger on the pulse! I greatly appreciate your words and you are spot on! This is a community that builds one another up, fights for one another, refers one another etc… you get my meaning. This is a unique corner of the industry and Im eternally blessed and grateful to be a part of it.
Nailed it. While I think we are still seeing a much needed market correction to the flood of undertrained talent during the pandemic, this industry is still kicking ass. There is still more work out there than in any previous decade.
Spot on as always, JMC! 🙌🙌🙌
Yes! This VO industry has changed my life FOREVER. I adore voiceover and guess what? It loves me back with 000s and I couldn’t be happier. You are 100% correct.
See you next year!
Having a comfortable, and flexible fully work-from-home 6 figure “survival job” pretty heavily colors the lens of success, so for me I’m still a long way off from feeling like a successful VO, and I’ll be honest that really grates on me often. But, despite feeling like a really slow year, it’s been my best to date, and I’m up 85% over last year, which was also my best year. So it’s all moving in the right direction, just way slower than I’d hoped, and that’s a part that I really don’t have much control over. But, if it were easy… eh… I dunno it’d probably still be worth it. .
I’m not sure you’ve ever posted a blog I disagree with. And the streak continues!!! : )
Nicely said! As someone who does coach those interested in entering this industry, I agree that we need to share the wins and celebrate the successes while not shying away from acknowledging the difficulties too.
When I speak with people interested in getting into the business, the only “discouraging” thing I say is that this is more than buying a cheap mic and talking into for money. This is hard work and takes a lot of time and money. If that’s not for you we wish you well. If you’re up for the challenge…then welcome to the tribe and we’ve got your back!
Spot on as usual. I know my journey is one that was hard due to a few things but I am launching my coaching in 2025 and will coach on business and performance for new talent… then send them onward to the top tier coaches that helped me the past 2 years. It is hard but it CAN be done with patience, perserverance and INVESTMENT in time and money. It is NOT a free ride. Thanks for always hitting the nail on the head and not my thumb…
JMC, you always nail it. Your particular blend of optimism and realism, along with your vast industry knowledge, make every one of your posts feel like a fresh breeze blowing through a room that’s grown just a little (or sometimes more than just a little) stuffy. Thanks, as always, for this great perspective.