Business Planning

Woohoo!! It’s the end of the first quarter!!

While I make a point to regularly review my goals and strategies to achieve those goals, the end of a quarter is a good time to LOOK HARD at these action items, and re-group (whew, that was a lot of corporate jargon in one sentence!).

When I decided at the end of last year I needed to do something to re-kindle my love for my business aka breaking out of the slog, one of the first things I did was create a list of Things I Can Change. When I really inspected how I manage my business day to day and big picture, and how I FEEL about my business, well, the list became quite long. That’s actually a good thing!! It means I see the value of my talent and business, and there ARE things I can do to work better and happier.

I then took that list, and created a list of Things I Can Do in the Short-Term, and a second list of Things I Can Do in the Long-Term.

So now, at the end of the quarter, I’m reviewing that short term list, removing the things I’ve done (but keeping them as action items/strategies) and adding to the list of things I’ve discovered I can do to continue improvement.

I’ll share a little bit of my lists so you can get an idea of what I’m talking about, and maybe it’ll help you on your journey.

One of the things I noted was I didn’t have a lot of socialization. I spend a lot of time in my padded room, and I’ve lost the balance of being in/out of it. I’ve become a bit of an introvert, particularly when it comes to industry-related events. If you know me, introvert isn’t really a word used to describe me, but alas, it has happened! So, my list included:

• be sure to make plans regularly with friends
• make sure to work out on a regular basis
• join the Chamber of Commerce
• become active in our local American Advertising Federation chapter

I’ve accomplished most of these things, but not all, and then on the flipside, I’ve done some things I didn’t even note in this list!  I’ve not been great about exercise and need to work on that. But, I do plan things regularly with friends, I joined the Chamber (and in addition, I’ve joined their Women in Business committee), I am attending more Amercian Advertising Federation events when they’re offered, and I even joined the World Voices Organization, and will be a presenter at their May conference!

One of the other items I noted that I see as an issue with my business is my lack of control of income. I start at zero every month, and I always have. I don’t have any contract work. Last year, I had an incredible e-learning client I lost due to layoffs within the company. I’m not a spring chicken, and my ability to tolerate the roller coaster of a freelance income is waning. I think about retirement and get a little queezy!! Sure I have savings and an IRA, but it’s certainly not where I want it to be.

So, I made a second list, this on pertaining to what I can do to take control of my income. Items included:

• audition for EVERYTHING that comes my way (yep, this is me raising my hand that sometimes I just don’t do auditions)
• create a specific plan to contact X number of people on LinkedIn to create relationships
• find new e-learning client – at least one – but preferably, I’d like to have four or more.
• find new regular clients

I’ve made strides with a few of these action items, but not all. I definitely make an effort to audition everything that comes my way, and I’ve been much better about connecting with people on LinkedIn, for sure!! Still need to find a few e-learning clients and, well, new regular clients are ALWAYS welcome, right??

As you continue you review for 1Q23 (corporate code for 1st quarter 2023, IYKYK!), be sure to note the opportunities for improvement. But don’t forget to acknowledge all you’ve accomplished in that first quarter. Give yourself a high five!!

Today, I’ve been reminded of two almost opposite things.

It’s reassuring and a confidence builder to have experience, yet, there’s ALWAYS more to learn. Seek out ways to grow in your knowledge, and appreciate other perspectives.

I attended two events today, and left each feeling a different way.

After the first event, I was thinking to myself, “I have a wealth of knowledge the extends far beyond voice over. My previous work experience in the financial industry/marketing tends to be more relatable, and maybe even comforting, to people than my being a voice actor. I’m so glad I have worked in various industries, and experienced the things I have, thus far in life.”

After the second event, I left that meeting thinking, “Wow. We never know it all. I don’t care how long you’ve been in whatever business/career you’re in, there’s always a different perspective to consider, and it’s wonderful to learn from your colleagues.”

Keep growing.

#business #work #career #experience #event #people #voiceover#audioproduction #entrepreneur #freelancevoiceover #femalevoice

Are you ready??

Yep, here it is!

Hot Tip #3 in my series of evaluating your business and finding big and small ways to make improvements and advances in your business.

Join and become active in organizations related to your business.

Ok, you’re probably thinking, well, that’s obvious. Maybe it is. But, I am ashamed to admit, personally, the many number of years I’ve sat in my padded room, slogging through auditions and work without socializing with like-minded people in my industry. When I worked through the evaluation of my business, I realized, I missed the water cooler.

So, this year, I’m hitting it hard. I’ve been part of American Advertising Federation-Southwest Florida for a couple of years, but not been terribly active. I’ve decided to change that! With one quick show of interest, I am now headed to our state Capital of Tallahassee in February, along with a few of my colleagues, to attend Ad Day. I’m excited for the opportunity to learn more about helping to create positive change for our industry.

Second, I’ve joined World Voices Organization, aka Wo-Vo. This is a group of voice over professionals from all around the world. Their mission is to “inform and educate members of the voiceover community, and other business professionals, about the best practices, standards for ethical conduct and professional expertise as it relates to the voiceover industry.” Yep, a group of people who want to help each other and the businesses they deal with, and look out for each other? Sign me up!

Last, but not least, earlier this week I attended the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce luncheon, at which Brian Ososky, the Director of Marketing for Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods, presented poignant information regarding tourism after #HurricaneIan. Our wonderful community is strong and resilient. We’re re-building one day, one hour, one brick at a time, and this organization is an integral part of making sure the world knows #ourspiritremains. After the luncheon, I knew I had to join. I am now a member of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

So, get out there and join an organization of like-minded people. I promise you, it will clear the cobwebs and invigorate your entrepreneurial spirit once again!

#business #people #work #marketing #community #opportunity #advertising #tourism

www.carynclark.com

Another hot tip for you! Are you ready????

Last month, I explained I was evaluating my business, to determine what I do well, and maybe not so well. I promised I would share tips with everyone, in hope that what I learn can help you, too!

Ok, here’s the hot tip.

Note your accomplishments.

Woah.

You know, now that I think about it, this might be a four part series on my thoughts about noting accomplishments. I’m not really one who enjoys doing this, big or small.

So, let’s start small. Accomplishments don’t have to be big! They can be something that is seemingly an every day thing, but out of the ordinary FOR YOU.

Examples could be auditioning for something you normally wouldn’t attempt, getting through parts of a to do list (or heck, if you’re lucky, ALL of the to do list!), checking off one of your short term “goals” like maybe contacting X number of people on Linked In, or clocking in your exercise for the day.

It doesn’t have to be grandeous. Just something you set out to do that day, and you did it. ACKNOWLEGE it. Every day. Acknowledge what you’ve set out to do, and what you’ve accomplished.

Now, you might ask, HOW do you acknowledge your accomplishments for the day?

Well, being I work from home, alone in a padded room all day, I am making an effort to note my accomplishments not just to myself, but to my husband. When he gets home, obviously, we talk about the day, but usually, it’s talking a lot about his day because, well, my day sometimes isn’t all that exciting compared to his. I mean, I record and submit auditions, which, I don’t lament over because, well, why? My work can often be exciting, but getting amped to talk about the voiceover I did for Joe’s Garage isn’t exactly riveting dinner conversation.

However, rather than sweep it all under the rug with a shrug and a sigh, I’m making an effort to share what I do each day with my husband. It could be that I auditioned for a cool video game part (stepping out of my comfort zone), or for example, yesterday, I posted on Instagram about a book I read, tagged the author, and she and I actually conversed via social media (I’m still pretty jazzed to have spoken with such an incredible creative mind as hers, who wrote a book I couldn’t put down).

So yeah. Note your accomplishments, every.single.day. You have them, so talk about them! It will help you to realize, you ARE doing things, you’re CONNECTING with people, and you DO have purpose!

#voiceover #femalevoiceactor #commercialadvertising#entrepreneur #businessadvertising #videoproduction#business #video #socialmedia #workfromhome#instagram #creative #linkedin

Birthdays certainly cause me to reflect, these days.

I have been doing voice over for SEVENTEEN years. That’s a long time to do any one career. I love doing voice over and am so very lucky to have it as a career, but holy cow, we freelance folks wear ALL the hats of a business owner, and it can be overwhelming.

I’ve been taking time to evaluate my voice over business, using a book to help guide me through the process, answering questions along the way, taking notes, and brainstorming ideas.

There have been so many useful things that have come from this process thus far. I’m going to share my journey here, with the hope it helps others.

Ok, so first tidbit to share. Are you ready?

Do one new thing every day toward building your business. It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering, just some thing.

Here are some ideas: write a social media post, a blog post, create a video/vlog post, start a relationship with one new person on LinkedIn by sending a note, do an audition you might not normally do (last week I did a video game audition – usually I pass on those), update a page on your web site, send an email thank you (or better yet, a snail mail thank you) to a great client, contact a client you haven’t heard from in a while… you get the idea.

Just one new thing. Every day.

Try it. Let me know what ideas you’ve come up with, and, let me know how it goes! I would love to hear your successes (and even not the successes… every experience helps us grow!!). We’re here to support each other!

#businessbuilding #entrepreneur #freelance #voiceover#femalevoiceover #videoproduction #commercialadvertising #instructionaldesign elearning