If you’ve read this blog for a while, you’ve seen me mention Tom Asacker a few times. He’s a very bright man with some deep insights into marketing and branding. On his blog he’ll often use a quote as a springboard to one of this points. This example, taken from artist Vincent Van Gogh, offers some tremendously valuable insights.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
Tom then offers several examples from the retail industry of how little things have huge consequences. It’s no stretch to conclude that the voiceover business is just like every other business in this regard. Sweat the small stuff. It matters. Maybe more than you think.
Wow.
That is great advice- thanks for pointing this out Bob!
Kara
Kara,
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Be well,
Bob
Hey Bob –
Thanks for the link – what a great point! I have enjoyed your links to Tom Asacker several times before.
stu
Stu,
You’re very welcome. Thank you for your excellent blog.
Be well,
Bob
Very interesting.
So… to relate this to VO:
We need to make is easier for clients to buy from us, to hire us. How do we do that?
– Make our websites easy for people to find & hear our demos (no barriers to entry)
– Be responsive to our clients needs by giving them the read/delivery they want, on deadline (makes us easier to work with and so they’ll want to come back because they get what they want when they want it – express checkout!)
– Make people want to make a return trip (see above!)
– Make it as easy as possible for US to be the person to call when they need a voiceover done (see above!)
…Bob, only YOU could make me THINK at 1:30am!
Peace!
Liz
Liz,
I agree that it’s important to make it easy for people to find us. However, here’s how I understand the concept of “sweat the small stuff.”
When I do a really long form project (say, an audiobook) for a client. I pay for all of the incidental stuff out of my own pocket, or more precisely from the gross receipts I earn from that project. So, for a recently completed audiobook, I burned audio and data CDs of the complete narration and send that package to the publisher via FedEx. I paid for the CDs, the jewel cases, and the shipping. I did not add those items to my bill.
Now, is that the only way to do business? Of course not. Many people itemize extra charges for such things and do very well. I just see this as one of the ways I can distinguish myself from any business that always seems to find some way to get a few extra dollars from their clients.
In the last 25 years, a very high percentage of my clients have come back to me with more work, regardless of how I first made contact with them. (I’m still working with my very first voiceover client, who hired me for the first time in 1983!) I believe at least part of the reason for that consistent repeat business is because I’m always trying to get this reaction from my clients: “I’m so glad we hired Bob for this project.” Do I always succeed? Of course, not, but that remains my goal.
Be well,
Bob
See? I shouldn’t try & think @ 1:30am! 😉
Of course, Bob, I agree with all your points, and distinguishing yourself with the “small-stuff” makes you the go-to-VO for your clients, and in turn, turns into more projects for you.
Everyone is happy!…and isn’t that the point!
Luv ya Bob!
Liz