Podcast Summary: A VO’s Journey – Ep. 295: The End-of-Year Sprint: My Biggest November VO Wins (and Losses)

Host: Anthony Pica
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Anthony Pica gets candid about the unique opportunities and pitfalls voice actors face towards the end of the year. Reflecting on his own wins and missteps, he shares practical strategies for maximizing your voiceover business during November and December. The episode is a motivational guide focused on staying hungry, ramping up efforts when others pull back, and being ready for last-minute opportunities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unique “Gold Mine” of End-of-Year Voiceover Work

• Importance of the Season: Anthony stresses that November and December are critical months when businesses look to spend remaining budgets and complete marketing plans.
• Budget Opportunities: Many companies have leftover budgets and urgent projects, making it a prime time for voiceover artists.
• Actionable Tip: Market yourself as “available for end-of-year work” and be ready for quick turnaround requests.

  "A good thing for you to do for your business is to set yourself up by promoting... that you are available for that end of the year work." — Anthony (09:56)

2. Staying Hungry & Avoiding Complacency

• The Danger of Settling In: After achieving some success, it’s easy to lose the drive that fueled early efforts.
• Momentum Analogy: Anthony likens entrepreneurial momentum to starting a train: starting up requires massive energy, but once in motion, it’s easier to maintain.
• Continual Growth: Success is fueled by “objects in motion staying in motion” – keep pushing to avoid stagnation.

  "When you start to settle in, you’re not as hungry as you were before, and you begin to let opportunities pass you by." — Anthony (03:18)

3. Real-World Example: The $2,000 Job That Almost Didn't Happen

• Anecdote: Early in his career, Anthony faced an end-of-year rush job with a tight turnaround and a big payout. Despite exhaustion from teaching and theater commitments, he recognized the opportunity and made sacrifices to deliver.
• Lesson: Last-minute, lucrative jobs often come during the holidays; being available can result in career-defining projects.

  "It was a big job... but they needed it very quickly. At that time, $2,000... was very exciting, but they needed it very quickly. And it was one of those situations where how was I going to accomplish that sort of feat with my schedule?" — Anthony (12:44)

4. End-of-Year Action Plan for Voice Artists

• Intensify Auditions: Double down on submissions for commercials and audiobooks, as authors and publishers often push to complete projects before year’s end.
• Proactive Marketing: Send out more marketing emails and post more on social media. Announce your reliability and availability.
• Self-Promotion Mindset: It’s not bragging to highlight your dependability; clients appreciate confidence and readiness.

  "In marketing and what we’re doing with our business, it’s important. In fact, it’s imperative that we let people know how we're reliable... We could be the person you need... to finish your work." — Anthony (24:03)

5. The Value of Perseverance Amid Industry Changes

• Tough Times = Growth: Referencing cycles like economic downturns and the recent rise of AI, Anthony points out that the strongest businesses are forged when times are hard.
• No Easy Excuses: There will always be new challenges like increased competition or new technology, but persistence pays off.

  "When times are good, that’s not when you build a successful business. You build a successful business when times are bad... It’s the people who stick around." — Anthony (32:10)

• Rocky Reference: Staying power matters more than the number of setbacks.

  "It’s not about how many times you get knocked down. It’s about how many times you get back up." — Anthony (36:14)

6. Updates on Anthony’s Business & The VO Community

• Academy Voices Update: Now represents 300+ voice actors, nearly 450 audiobooks published.
• VO Journey Academy: Bringing back weekly acting classes, including a new independent study (Acting 301) in January.

  "VO Journey Academy has been amazing. Right? ...we’re switching back to our specific weekly classes like acting 101 and 201. And I'm adding back acting 301..." — Anthony (43:07)

7. Core Takeaways for Listeners

• Availability = Opportunity: Your ability to be available, even when busy, can make or break you in voiceover.
• Keep the Momentum: When you step away, opportunities dry up; when you show up, more work appears.

  "The reality of our work is we have to be available. When you’re not able to be available... you can lose out on opportunities. And as, again, as the opportunities pass you by, less will come your way." — Anthony (49:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Complacency:

  "I can tell you that's the worst possible thing you can do is settle in. Because when you start to settle in, you’re not as hungry as you were before, and you begin to let opportunities pass you by..." — Anthony (03:18)

• On Holiday Hustle:

  "Opportunities come during this time of the year. Take them, take advantage of them. Don’t let them slip away." — Anthony (17:51)

• On Promotion:

  "It’s imperative that we let people know, right, how we’re reliable... If you don’t, no one is going to even know, one, that you exist." — Anthony (24:03)

• On Perseverance:

  "You build a successful business when times are bad... It’s the people who stay with it... who come out of the storm on the other end, intact and ready to go." — Anthony (32:10)

• On the Law of Motion:

  "An object in motion stays in motion. Keep going. Stay in motion, and it will stay in motion." — Anthony (40:22)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:10 – Setting up the end-of-year conversation, importance of podcast authenticity
• 03:18 – The dangers of complacency
• 08:25 – November as a critical month for targeting projects and budgets
• 12:44 – Personal story: The high-stakes holiday VO booking
• 17:51 – Tackling opportunities during holiday distractions
• 24:03 – The art and necessity of self-promotion
• 32:10 – Industry challenges: AI, competition, and economic downturns
• 36:14 – Motivational message: Getting back up after setbacks
• 40:22 – The power of staying in motion and keeping busy
• 43:07 – Updates on Academy Voices and VO Journey Academy offerings
• 49:13 – Closing thoughts on the business of availability and momentum

Final Thoughts

Anthony’s end-of-year episode is a practical, motivational call to arms for voice actors at every level. Whether you’re new or seasoned, the holiday period is packed with opportunity—if you’re willing to stay available and hustle while others rest. Anthony’s openness about his successes, struggles, and strategies delivers value for anyone building a sustainable creative business.

Listen if you want:

• Practical, end-of-year tactics for voice actors
• Motivation to push through seasonal fatigue
• A candid, no-nonsense view of growing a VO business through tough cycles

(All quotes and segments are from Anthony Pica, A VO’s Journey, Ep. 295.)