This is the second of five blog entries that will focus on getting your **** together for 2017. Click here to read the first one on Cash Flow. Next up: Tools!
Tools are, technically speaking, your stuff. And you need lots of stuff to run your voiceover business. Stuff like:
Recording Equipment: microphone, mic stand, pre-amp, cables, monitors, surge protector
Office Equipment: computer, printer, scanner, filing cabinets, webcam, external hard drive
Office Supplies: pens, pencils, printer paper, paperclips, staples, ink cartridges
Schwag: business cards and giveaways, everything from letter openers to drink coozies
…and much more. Tools aren’t just the tangible stuff, by the way. Intangible tools include recording software, anti-virus software, file delivery software/programs, accounting software, and contact management software.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Have a Budget. Remember how we talked about Cash Flow last week? It’s critical that you make good decisions with your Tools and invest within your means. Determine all of the Tools you need for 2017 and budget accordingly. Remember, the best pre-amp on the market isn’t necessarily the best pre-amp for you. Oh, and never ask an encyclopedia salesman if you need an encyclopedia. Which leads right into the next tip…
Seek input, but don’t be a dink. One of the most cliche questions is “What kind of microphone should I buy?” It’s annoying because 1) I have no idea what kind of microphone should you buy and 2) this question has been asked on every online forum there is and has been answered exhaustively. FUN FACT: the little magnifying glass icon with the type-able box next to it means SEARCH. Use it! You are not the first person to ask these questions. Do your research BEFORE you seek input from pros who have answered these questions ad nauseam. We are happy to help, but please respect our time.
Keep Your Receipts. Every Tool that you purchase is a business expense and therefore can be written off. This includes things like mileage (but not the actual gas you use) and membership fees (for P2P sites and industry-related organizations like SAG-AFTRA). Oh, and don’t chintz on the warranties and insurance! The one time you don’t get it is when your Sennheiser 416 will fall into the toilet. Trust me. FYI every March I teach a webinar via Edge Studio about how to file your taxes as a voice talent. Hit me up for more info if you’re interested.
NEWS AND NOTES
Contest! The first three people who email me at tom@nulltomdheere.com will get a free digital download of the audio book Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging.
Announcement! The first audio book of 2017 I will narrate is Stop Guessing: The 9 Behaviors of Great Problem Solvers by Nat Greene. It will go on sale April 3rd.
VO Strategist Stuff! My next Edge Studio “Business And Money 201” webinar will be this Thursday, January 12 @8PM EST. The subject: Cost/Benefit Analysis. We’re going to talk about why you did so well (or not so well) last year. Click here to sign up.
More VO Strategist Stuff! I want everyone to be set up for success in 2017 with strong, clear goals and a kick-ass business & marketing plan. With that in mind…all VO Strategist students who book a session in January get 25% off!!! Just reply to this email or contact me at tom@nulltomdheere.com to get the ball rolling.
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Argyle Day and Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
From my village to yours; this is Tom Dheere, GKN News…
Tom Dheere is a 20-year veteran of the voice over industry who has narrated thousands of projects for clients in over a dozen countries. He is also a coach at Edge Studio, voiceover business consultant known as the Voice Over Strategist, and is currently writing & producing the comic book “Agent 1.22”.