There is a secret sauce recipe in this post at Adam Creighton’s blog that, if you follow these directions, will have a startlingly beneficial effect on your voiceover career.
Now, keep in mind that Adam is writing from the point of view of an actor pursuing on-camera work as well as voiceover work. In the case of someone (like me) who only does voiceover work, the comments about a headshot don’t really apply. But, preparing a personal “thank you” card for each of your auditions…brilliant. Having your own business cards? Pretty obvious, don’t you think? (Note to self: get the business cards done!)
The key point, about expressing gratitude for the opportunities you receive…is vitally important. I thought this was the best bit of the whole post…
I’ve heard people say, “I didn’t send a card, because I sucked at the audition.”
Get over yourself! Send a thank you card, and acknowledge the person for taking out of their day to spend with you. You’re sucking didn’t make their sacrifice any less.
A simple expression of gratitude. You’ll see. It will make a world-changing difference in your life.
A thank you card for an audition? Really? How successful has this exercise proved to be?
I’ve pondered this for a while and have failed find any value.
At an audition there are at least 2 people, the performer is there at his own expense, the person holding the audition is usually on “company time” and so it’s a pay day for them.
Sitting in the directors chair were I to receive a “thank you” card it would remind me I had auditioned this person but would have little impact beyond that.
“Dear Philip,
Thanks for seeing me, allowing me to work for nothing and then not giving me the job. I have so much time on my hands I had time to send you this card in order to give you a second chance at …….”
Forgive me if this comment seems a little downbeat. If there are real success stories I’d love to hear about them. My own view is the exercise would appear counter-productive.
Philip,
No forgiveness is needed. As always, I appreciate your comments and your perspective. But, I also know (from comments you’ve posted on the VO-BB, for example) that you do very few auditions and that auditioning isn’t a big part of the way you look for work.
Adam has his own point of view. I do not presume to speak for him. (And if he posts some related success stories on his blog, I’ll be sure to link to them.)
My view about the value of Adam’s suggestion to send Thank You cards after an audition are connected to your own suggestions found just below here in the post titled “Another tasty load of…Philip Banks.”
1990, 1991, 1992, 1994 and 2000 all relate, I think.
It is true that the single highest paying session I have ever done (just over $12,000.00) was booked without an audition, but every other high paying job I’ve done has been cast from an audition.
I do not see auditioning as “working for nothing,” I see it as applying for work. And in that context, sending a Thank You card afterward, makes a lot of sense to me.
You guessed my intention was to swing to the other extreme and I should say it was for the sake of opening the debate.
The key to the whether one sends a thank you card is the quality of the audition. Most are –
Director “We’ll see anyone you send”
Agent “They’re seeing anyone we send”. I honestly believe in this case a thank you card is a waste of effort. If an artist is specifically requested then I would suggest a polite follow up is a good idea.
Amongst many Voice Over artists there is a tendency to believe they have a “live one” when nothing could be further from the truth. A good test to see if you have a “live one” is to abandon the follow up cards or emails and pick up the telephone. It’s not the same as a card is it? The person may not take your call and for a lot of people it would be hard to get up the courage to make the call in the first place.
Unless the outcome is positive the reaction to a thank you card will never be known – Person to person interaction will let you know for sure. If the person is not available to talk what a nice phone message.
“Would you say Philip Banks called to say thanks for asking him to audition, thoroughly enjoyed it. No need to return this call”.
Philip,
Very well said. A follow-up phone call is likely to be much more revealing that sending a card.
Again, thank you for your insightful comments and contribution to the discussion.
Be well,
Bob
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