A VO's Journey: How To Organize Your Day As A Voice Over Artist (Ep. 239)
Hosted by Anthony Pica
Release Date: May 9, 2022

Introduction

In Episode 239 of A VO's Journey, host Anthony Pica delves into the essential strategies for organizing a productive day as a voiceover artist. Drawing from his extensive 20-year background in acting, coaching, directing, and teaching, Anthony shares invaluable insights aimed at helping both newcomers and seasoned voice actors streamline their daily routines to enhance their business success.

Technical Update & Podcast Insights

Anthony begins by addressing a technical glitch many listeners experienced on iTunes, where episodes between 16 and 44 were inexplicably missing. He explains that this issue originated from content settings during the podcast transfer process, affecting episodes that chronicle his transition to a full-time voice acting career.

“All those episodes, they're all live now. So if you have not, now, if you followed the podcast through the website or through the actual, like, buzzsprout... you’ve probably listened to them.”
— Anthony Pica [02:30]

He encourages listeners to explore these earlier episodes for a comprehensive understanding of his journey and the challenges faced while building his voiceover business.

Promoting A VO's Journey Elite Academy

Before diving into the main topic, Anthony promotes the A VO's Journey Elite Academy, highlighting its offerings:

• 50% off the first month special.
• Courses covering voice acting, marketing, technology, processing, and audiobooks.
• Six classes a week designed to aid voice actors in starting and growing their businesses.

He emphasizes the academy as a valuable resource for comprehensive training and community support.

“We've got that 50% off the first month special right now... it's really wonderful.”
— Anthony Pica [05:15]

The Importance of a Structured Schedule

Transitioning to the heart of the episode, Anthony discusses the critical need for a structured daily schedule to prevent getting sidetracked by non-essential tasks. Reflecting on his early days, he recounts how he focused solely on audiobooks, dedicating hours each day to auditions and production on platforms like ACX. However, as his business grew, so did the complexity of tasks, necessitating a more organized approach.

“I created... I was reading books on organization and things, and I came across this book about the four processes of getting stuff done.”
— Anthony Pica [09:30]

Key Strategic Indicators

Anthony introduces the concept of Key Strategic Indicators (KSIs)—tasks that are crucial for business success. He distinguishes between activities that are essential and those that are merely necessary evils, advocating for a focus on actions that directly contribute to securing work and expanding one's presence in the industry.

“Key strategic indicators are things that we identify that we absolutely have to do... to get work.”
— Anthony Pica [11:45]

Overcoming Analysis Paralysis

Sharing his personal struggles, Anthony describes his transition from being paralyzed by the need for a flawless plan to adopting a more proactive, "bull in a china shop" mentality. This shift allowed him to prioritize daily actions that drive his business forward, rather than getting bogged down in endless planning and preparation.

“I was just gonna go for everything I could go for... And then I realized, the most important thing... was to figure out what were the main things that I needed to go for on a daily basis that would ensure some success.”
— Anthony Pica [16:20]

Implementing a Time Journal

To maintain focus, Anthony recommends keeping a time journal for two weeks. This involves meticulously tracking every start and stop time of work-related activities to identify and eliminate time-wasting practices. By analyzing this data, voice actors can realign their daily routines to emphasize tasks that yield the highest returns in terms of bookings and business growth.

“Over the next two weeks, I want you to keep a simple time journal of the moments of work you were doing when you're working on your voiceover business.”
— Anthony Pica [19:10]

He underscores the importance of accuracy in this exercise to gain a clear understanding of how time is allocated between productive and non-productive activities.

Balancing Craft and Business

Anthony emphasizes the necessity of balancing skill development with business activities. While continuous improvement of one’s voice acting craft is essential, it should not overshadow the primary goal of securing work. He explains that in the initial stages, voice actors must invest significant time in marketing themselves, auditioning, and networking to build a sustainable career.

“You have to be amazing at voice acting and amazing at business. But when you're first starting out, you're not amazing at voice acting and you're not amazing in business.”
— Anthony Pica [25:00]

This dual focus ensures that voice actors not only hone their talents but also effectively market themselves to potential clients and employers.

Avoiding the Trap of "Necessary Evils"

Anthony warns against falling into the trap of spending excessive time on tasks that do not directly contribute to obtaining work. While learning new skills and enhancing one’s portfolio are important, they should not consume the majority of one's time at the expense of proactive business development.

“They should not, at least in my opinion, over take your job to get work.”
— Anthony Pica [21:40]

He advises voice actors to integrate skill-building into their schedules without allowing it to detract from activities that generate income and opportunities.

Final Insights and Motivation

Concluding the episode, Anthony shares his belief in the adage "LUCK stands for Laboring Under Correct Knowledge." He encourages listeners to view success as a result of consistent, informed effort rather than mere chance. By diligently applying the strategies discussed, voice actors can significantly enhance their chances of achieving their professional goals.

“Do the right things and the right things will happen to you.”
— Anthony Pica [28:15]

He motivates his audience to start their journey with determination, acknowledging that perfection is unattainable but progress is always possible through persistent action.

Conclusion

Episode 239 of A VO's Journey offers a comprehensive guide for voiceover artists seeking to optimize their daily schedules for maximum business growth. Anthony Pica's blend of personal experience and practical advice provides listeners with actionable strategies to prioritize essential tasks, avoid common pitfalls, and maintain a balanced focus on both their craft and business endeavors. By implementing tools like time journaling and adhering to key strategic indicators, voice actors can navigate the complexities of the industry with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

• Time Journal: Track every work-related activity for two weeks to identify and eliminate time-wasting habits.
• Key Strategic Indicators: Focus on tasks that directly contribute to securing work and expanding your business.
• Balanced Approach: Maintain a dual focus on improving your voice acting skills and actively marketing your services.
• Avoid Analysis Paralysis: Adopt a proactive mindset, prioritizing action over perfect planning.
• Consistent Effort: View success as a result of diligent, informed effort rather than relying on luck.

For more insights and resources, visit A VO's Journey Elite Academy and take advantage of the 50% off the first month special to accelerate your voiceover career.