GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

Whenever I get very vocal about a topic such as fair rates, pay to plays, AI, undercutting colleagues, or unscrupulous voice coaches, I get a lot of support for which I’m very grateful. But predictably, I also get responses such as:

Who does he think he is?

Why should I listen to him?

Doesn’t he have better things to do?

Or even:

Why doesn’t Paul go back to Europe where he belongs!

So, who do I think I am, and why should you listen to me?

To start with the last point, you shouldn’t do anything you don’t want to do. I can’t force you to read my stories or watch my videos. I don’t care if you don’t. I’m not posting stuff hoping it goes viral. That’s not a game I wish to play.

Who am I? Well, you won’t know until you start reading my blogs or watch my videos. What you see is what you get: someone who’s not afraid to speak his mind and share his opinion.

That last thing is very important. An opinion is nothing but a personal and subjective point of view. I don’t claim to tell THE truth. I claim to tell MY truth. I don’t want you or need you to agree with me out of a deep inner need to be liked or validated. I want you to think for yourself.

I see myself not as some fancy “influencer,” but as an encourager. I like to be a spark that lights a gentle flame. Nothing more, nothing less.

But what’s in it for me, you may ask. What do I have to gain? I don’t run a company that needs to sell products or services. In other words: I’m not motivated by money. Did you ever hear me promote my coaching, my book, or my voice over services? Do I end every video by pointing you to some kind of success program I’m selling? NO!

I’m not bashing the people who do (we all need to make money), but that’s not me. I don’t seek publicity to sell tickets to conferences, or to have me produce your demos, or to ask you to buy my microphones. I want nothing from you, but to hear me out for a few minutes.

I am giving myself to you, and the only thing I ask in return, is for you to take me seriously. There’s no sales pitch. There’s no catch. And I guess that’s pretty unique these days.

I don’t represent a group, a manufacturer, or a special interest.

It’s just me.

And maybe that’s why people listen.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been blogging about the voice over industry for twenty years now. Week after week… and on Instagram, every single day.

In all those years I’ve never had to retract a story because of inaccuracies. Not everyone has been happy with every word I have written, but if you don’t manage to piss a few people off, you’re not doing it right.

So, if something I said has rubbed you the wrong way, why don’t I go back to where I came from. The Netherlands?

First of all, I stand behind what I say. You have a right to your opinion, and I am entitled to mine. Secondly, do you think going back to Europe would shut me up? As long as there’s music inside of me, I will continue to sing! I will still be on social media, making noise.

Also… I’m not afraid of anyone or anything. As a stroke survivor, the worst thing that could happen to me, has happened to me. I nearly died and I survived. My time wasn’t up yet. Some benevolent force in the universe thought I still had some work to do, and maybe it’s this: talking to people.

Last but not least, take a good look at my environment. It’s Vermont at its best. It’s so beautiful, why would I want to leave all of this behind? This is the place where I find peace, and where I feel surrounded by love. And in case you didn’t know, I’m an American citizen, and proud of it! I’m also a proud Dutch citizen, by the way.

So, who do I think I am?

I’m Paul.

I’m Nethervoice, and I’m so glad we’re connected!

PS Every day, you’ll find a story or a video like this one on my Nethervoice Instagram account. Click here to see what I’m up to!