Don’t pass out, it’s just networking!

Don't pass out, it's just marketing!

When I told a friend that I gave the contact details of a fellow voice actress

(that is direct competition)

to a studio that was urgently looking for several American voice-over talents, she almost passed out.

“WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?” she said with a dumbfounded look on her face.

And that is precisely what I want to discuss today.

Before I give you my reasoning, let’s get all the adverse outcomes on the table:

What if all the bad things happened?

Yes, the studio could ONLY work with this voice actress and NEVER call me, meaning that I would lose a potential client and income.

This voice actress may never reciprocate by sharing my contact details with a potential client.

Now let’s get all the positives on the table:

But what if the good happens?

Me caring more about the studio getting the right voice for their project might make the studio respect me more, and they will call me for future projects when my voice is the right fit.

My voiceover friend is getting great paying jobs from this studio, and therefore, she is happy and successful!

So WHY?

First, the studio was URGENTLY looking for talent. They didn’t have time to go through the usual channels.

Second, this was an in-studio session in Paris and NOT a remote directed session. (meaning that their options were restricted even more)

Finally, just because the request is for a voice-over actress with a “Neutral American Accent” doesn’t mean that my voice will always be the right fit for every project.

The definition of Networking from webster’s dictionary is as follows:

Networking – noun Net.work.ing |\‘net-wər-kiŋ \ the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business… networking remains the No. 1 cause of job attainment

The very definition of networking is a a one-way street!

It’s an EXCHANGE.

This doesn’t mean only doing things that will benefit me but ensuring that everyone is successful.

I am certainly not saying to do this all the time. I am not going to give my clients the contact details of all of my competition every time they ask.

We've got this!

I am saying that it might be a better investment in your future to help the studio in a tight situation now to build a relationship with them for tomorrow.

I genuinely believe that helping the client find the right voice and caring just as much about the project’s outcome as they do will have long term benefits.

Remember, being in this business is a long term investment, and we should not always be focused primarily on short term wins. What do you think?

If we are not already connected, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me to start networking together and creating wins!

Stephanie Matard in her studio

Written by Stephanie Matard

Stephanie Matard is from the United States and lives and works in Europe (France). She is a freelance voice-over actress, and she has a recording studio.

Stephanie Matard is a native English speaker with an American accent. She is bilingual in English and French. When she isn’t behind the microphone she is translating or interpreting from French into English. Contact Stephanie Matard today for your projects! #dontpassout #dontfaint #itsjustnetworking #networking #helpingstudios #helpingothers #growtogether #actress #voiceactress #voicetalent #adr #ivr #telephone #video #commercial #internetvideos #corporatecommunication #longterminvestment