I received an message today asking for some thoughts about networking and getting “out there” in voiceover work. Here are my thoughts, distilled into a couple of paragraphs.
———————————————-
Honestly I really don’t network. I know it may look like I do, but all I’m doing is making friends. Sometimes that’s online, sometimes it’s in person. Just make friends and don’t worry about whether you’re doing the “networking” thing.
As for getting out there, all I’ve done is take the opportunities that I’ve found. Not even all of them. I’ve missed some important ones along the way, but those that I have taken have been done to the best of my ability.
The perspectives that have served me best are:
1. Voiceover work is a lot like farming. (I grew up on a farm in Minnesota.) You have to plant, tend and harvest. One (harvesting) follows the other (planting), but usually not immediately. It takes a lot of time, patience and effort to build a successful voiceover business.
2. I’m not really in the voiceover business. I’m in the problem-solving business. Most of the time the problems I solve have to do with my providing a voice for someone else, but not always. And it’s those “not always” situations that can make all the difference.
———————————————-
I hope there’s something here you can find useful.
[...] Bob Souer talks about his work. I learn something from his comments every single time, like in this post where he answers a question about networking and “getting out there”. Brilliant [...]
Pingback by Networking « Finding My Voice — August 25, 2009 @ 7:17 am
Bob, in two brief, simple paragraphs
you have profoundly communicated
what makes you, you. And what separates
you as one of the best in the business.
You have my deepest respect. Yes, indeed.
Everything you said was useful.
Thank you.
Debbe
Debbe,
Thank you for your very kind comments.
Be well,
Bob
Bob,
You’ve just provided a fresh perspective.
To my mind, terms like “market” and “network” carry a different energy than “making friends”. All accomplish the goal of “establishing a relationship”, but while two offer an open hand and the question “what can you give me?”, the other offers an open hand of support.
Thinking about it that way I’d much rather make a friend than a contact.
Thanks for the different view.
Lowell
Lowell,
Thank you for doing such an excellent job rephrasing and expanding on my post.
Be well,
Bob
I really like what you have said, Lowell. The words like “contacts,” “network,” and “market” that you mention
have always left me cold. While making a friend clearly
captures my heart.
The thing about Bob Souer is…
it’s genuine. And that’s the difference.
Debbe