Will I ever return to social media, or am I going to stay away for good?
As you may have noticed, I’ve removed myself from social media since Christmas. At least professionally speaking.
I’m not going to lie. At first it was hard to get out of the habit of posting a new video every day and publishing a new story every week. I like writing so much and NOT blogging, not sharing, left a big hole in my life.
It also freed up a lot of valuable time.
Creating content every single day was and is good therapy for my brain, and I genuinely miss doing it… but I had to push the brakes. There’s also more to leaving social media than willfully observing radio silence.
I have stopped staying in touch with and responding to colleagues. If you happen to be one of them, please know it’s nothing personal. I’ve unfollowed most VO groups I belong to, to reduce my exposure to the echo chamber of work-related issues and regurgitated complaints and questions that have been answered a million times.
Mind you, this is all very temporary, although I don’t know how long temporary will last.
The truth is: I kind of like my self-imposed separation (and something tells me I’m not the only one who’s happy to hear and see less of me).
COMING BACK
Do you know the feeling you get when you return home from a LONG vacation? For Americans LONG is 7 days, and for Europeans, it’s more like 4 to 5 weeks. Anyway, being away from the familiar tends to give people a fresh perspective and a renewed appreciation of what they have. That’s exactly what I’m hoping for, and I think I’m beginning to get there. Slowly but surely.
I’ve always been very focused on the voice over community, giving it perhaps too much weight in my life. I ambitiously thought I could play a role in making people think more deeply about their profession, about being self-employed in the gig economy, and about how to run a small business in an ethical way. I thought I could be a guiding light, an instigator of positive change. I had a message and I wasn’t afraid to share it…. thinking, hoping that in some small way, I would make a difference.
But have I?
MEASURING CHANGE
Of course it’s hard to measure cause and effect in a straight line. When you drop a pebble in a pond, you never know what the ripple effect will be and how far it will go. Most people we reach on social media will never react, unless you’ve really pushed a sensitive button. These people are usually too busy being a passive consumer; a taker, not a giver.
One sobering thing I have learned during my absence is that silence is reciprocal. When I disengage, so does my audience. The minute people stopped hearing from me, I stopped hearing from them. Perhaps they were trying to give me some space, but nevertheless… it’s something I needed to experience after blogging for over twenty years.
Most online relationships, it seems, are quite shallow and mainly transactional: you do something for me (preferably for free), and I may do something for you, such as “liking” your post. It’s a fast-paced virtual world in which a silly picture of a cat will get more views than an in-depth article about the voice over industry.
As Tony Robbins keenly observed: “People will do more to be entertained than to be educated.”
NEW POSSIBILITIES
My momentary withdrawal from social media confirmed that it’s okay to stay away. I’m telling you: it’s fine to press pause, disengage, and rethink and realign some of your priorities. I’m in the middle of doing just that, and I have no idea where I will land, which is very freeing because everything is possible.
Let’s go back to the beginning of this blog, and answer my very first question: “Will I ever return to social media, or am I going to stay away for good?”
To be honest, I don’t know if or when I will be back. I’m leaving my options open pending review.
My NLP trainers always emphasized: “The meaning of your communication is the response you get.” That means I’ll be taking feedback from readers like you into account. Receiving no, or very little response, is feedback too, and if very few of my followers seem to care, this blog is nothing but a vanity project. My decision is also influenced by the cultural climate we’re in.
Let me explain.
FLOWERS AND WEEDS
The way I see it, there is very little demand or respect for critical thinkers in the current VO community. Critics are increasingly portrayed as being “unsupportive” and “negative” instead of as necessary. Their integrity and motives are questioned, they’re bullied, and they receive little support from within (I speak from experience). No one wants to be associated with a troublemaker, right? We’re all so afraid of the impact it might have on our career and reputation if we start to speak out.
So, let’s all focus on the flowers and minimize the weeds, even though the weeds are causing a lot of damage to the garden. And let’s embrace the continued FIVERRization of our beloved profession while AI-generated voices are taking over because cheap clients and non-professional listeners think they sound “good enough.”
The FUTURE is FAKE, people, and the genie will never get back into the bottle!
Or am I too cynical and sarcastic? Did I become one of those old-school whiners I’m trying to filter out of my social media feed?
Let’s all take a deep breath, shall we?
I don’t know where you’re at in your life, but I’ve decided to concentrate on areas I can actually influence. Right now my main focus is on my health, my physical and my mental health. I’ve changed my diet, and I have a daily exercise routine which I love. I’m also doing my best to stay away from stressful people and situations. You should try it for a change!
If you’re still reading these lines, know that I appreciate you, and that I value your opinion more than you may realize. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section if you like. They will help me shape whatever’s next for this blog.
Please take good care of yourself and of those you love.
ONE LAST THING
This blog is being targeted by aggressive spam bots. That’s why I had to put an equally aggressive spam filter in place. This means that when you comment, you will receive an automated response that your comment has been flagged as spam.
Don’t worry. All I need to do is approve your comment and it will show up. Thanks for understanding.
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INTRODUCING GOODMOUTH MONDAYS!
RESENTING SOMEONE ELSE’S SUCCESS
WHY MY LOVE FOR VOICE OVERS IS FADING
TOP DUTCH VOICE ACTOR SINGS HIS HEART OUT
MAKING GOOD TROUBLE
I very much miss your honesty, wit and authenticity in this fake and shallow world. I started off this year by being brutally honest and posting on LinkedIn that people wanting to break into voiceover should NOT contact me for multiple reasons (I’m not a coach, I don’t offer services to help, my opinion is biased, researching for yourself is far more rewarding, the list goes on) and I was overwhelmed with responses when my contribution on that platform generally has a small reach. I think it was viewed by almost 9000 – in comparison to max 500. A lot of people did not agree with me and were shocked about how I could be so public about not offering help. But others sent me private messages to say they feel exactly the same way – yet they wouldn’t share their opinion in public. It would ruffle feathers. It wouldn’t look good.
We are not honest enough. We tiptoe around wanting to be liked and are afraid to step outside the box. But you Paul break that mould entirely. If it’s right for you I’d love to have you back but if you’re happier and healthier being silent then I’d say follow your gut.
My gut is a bit confused at the moment, but with some rest it will sort itself out. You are 100% right: we need more honesty in our business. No more “everything is always great” and “if you do what you love, the money will follow.” When you’re one of the top earners that may be true, but even the top earners have trouble booking consistently. That’s why we see so many new “coaches” advertising themselves. At this point I think it’s almost unethical to recruit new students because the landscape has changed so much, and not in our favor. But so many VO’s are in denial, just like the translators who thought they’d never be replaced by stupid software. Where are they now?
Exactly. How’s the gut feeling today?
Optimistic!
I do miss seeing your posts, Paul, one of the things I always admired about you as your ability to be brave and stick your head above the parapet. Because that is very hard in this business. I think if you feel better in yourself for not putting yourself under the pressure of having to blog and be present on social media all the time then do it when and if you feel like it. You are you. And will always have something interesting and insightful to share. I know how stressful social media is, I don’t particularly enjoy it. Last night I read something in a Voiceover group that really upset me and I can’t do anything about it because it will make me the villain and I cannot be bothered with the drama. I am sure you don’t miss the drama one bit! I will keep in touch with you regardless of what you do. But just do what you want to do and what makes you truly happy TanyaXX
Hi Tanya, I have to admit: it’s nice to be missed and appreciated! It means that what I’ve done in the past 20 years means something to some people. I may have been preaching to the choir, but some members have been paying attention! The nice thing about tuning out for a while, is that I don’t allow myself to get upset because there are no triggers. The reason I write and post so frequently is because, like you, I give a damn about the business we’re in, and the people who are in it. But quite often I get the impression that I’m one of the very few vocal people who seems to care. So, if others couldn’t be bothered, why should I waste my limited energy? That’s one of the reasons I am taking a break. Let’s see if someone else uses this opportunity to step up to the plate. I doubt that it will happen, but there’s always hoping.
Thanks for staying in touch, Tanya. Keep on colouring the world purple!
Good morning, Paul. First, thank you for your insightful content before your hiatus. When I stumbled across it as a VO newbie, I found it to be a prompter of genuine contemplation. Sometimes you stepped on my toes a little and, having been raised in the church, I know that’s an integral part of personal growth.
I withdrew from social media sometime last fall. Other than posting a few family pics, I’ve avoided it like an alcoholic avoids the bars. The social anxiety triggered by the constant circular pep rally was, for me, a very real thing and was affecting my mental health and my productivity.
I’m a happier person without it.
A few of my colleagues did notice my SM absence and took the time to reach out and check on me. These are genuine friends and I’m grateful to them and for them.
I don’t know if I’ll be back on social media or not. For now… I’m enjoying the quiet.
In my opinion, your content was valuable and came from a place of wanting to help individuals and the industry as a whole. Whether it was appreciated or not, your messages were genuine touchstones and I thank you for making them available.
God bless,
Lorena🌻
A kindred spirit! I can so relate to you! If I decide to pull the plug, I’ll have to find another creative outlet though. Writing is good for my overall health and well-being. Perhaps I’ll start blogging about other things than the VO-industry. There’s so much to write about. Birds were born to sing, and I think I was born to blog.
I’ve been in this business for almost 40 years. It’s served me well but now I’m bored. Bored with idiots who think the right equipment will bring them success. Bored with so-called ‘experts’ clammering to teach me the path to success. And especially bored with those people making no effort to make their business work. The ones who ask questions that could be answered by Google. And those that think social media is the fast track to the big time. I’m loving retirement.
I hear you, Kevan. There’s a whole segment of the industry that caters to the incompetent and gullible. I’ve been giving free advice to newbies and pros alike, and did it move the needle? I’m not so sure anymore. People ask the same stupid questions and are too lazy to look things up. Or they think they know better with zero experience or expertise. But online, everyone can pretend to be expert, right? The prospect of retirement seems very attractive to me. Enjoy!
You certainly helped me! Not alone of course, but I absorbed all your free information, along with the same from other kindred spirits. With that and lots of paid training it helped me become a full time voice professional. Thanks!
Good luck, Paul and thank you for your work. May you enjoy every minute now away from your keyboard.
Best,
–Brad Avenyou
Thank you, Brad. Comments like yours make me appreciate the time I do spend at my keyboard!
Good morning Paul,
I will attempt to be brief…in short I agree with you 100%. As a fairly new VO talent(2 years) I have seen fellow VAs that started shortly before me(less than 5 years) now coaching other new VAs. To me this is predatory behavior and should not be tolerated. I’ve also noticed what was once a vibrant and strongly connected yet somehow open community turn petty and clique-ish. You see the same ppl at the same places getting the best opportunities…not based on talent but more on who’s class they took or which ‘big name’ has thier back. There was a time I thought the VO community was shielded from the turmoil and hatred seeping into the rest of society….unfortunately I was mistaken. To paraphrase Gandalf(LOTR) ‘They have taken the bridge, the beat of thier drums echo, they are at the gates….THEY ARE HERE!’ Do what is best for YOU and YOUR WELLBEING my friend, VO will be here when and IF you decide to return. I personally hope you do. Be well🙏🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
Every word of encouragement will make it more likely that I will return, Aaron. Especially when the author quotes Tolkien! You are right: it seems the VO community is no different from any other (online) community. Going to conferences may give the impression that it’s all one big love fest, but the people who need it most will never buy a ticket.
On the other hand, I strongly feel that -compared to other, even more competitive communities- our fellow-professionals are still among the least pretentious and most positive people you will ever meet. If there’s one clique I’d like to be a part of, it’s a clique of voice actors. Glad you’re one of them!
I always find your blogs thought provoking, Paul, and I do miss you! But I will defer to what’s best for YOU. If staying away makes your life/health better, I am 100% ok with that, knowing you’re taking the time to live the best life you can live. I can’t selfishly ask you to put aside your mental health just for my, your reader’s, benefit!
If YOU decide to come back, I will greedily read everything you write. If you don’t, I hope to engage as much as we can. I will always hold you in the highest regard. Thank you for being so open and honest.
That’s so sweet, Jen! I have to admit that part of my decision to take a break had to do with what significant others suggested I should do. People like my wife and my cardiologist. I’m so glad I finally listened! Thank you for being so understanding and respectful of my choices. I’ve always liked that about you!
I’m glad you’re listening to those most important to you. They’re the ones who really matter anyway. 🙂 I DO hope we’ll still get to see some beautiful VT scenes though!
I bet you’ll get to see a whole lot more than that!
Paul – I think you know how much I appreciate your views – your honesty and lack of BS in an industry (and indeed a world) that is increasingly susceptible and gullible, both impressed and unconcerned by fakery and the overwhelming emphasis on celebrity. I have muted all business posts on my personal FB feed – and am quite content to read posts by genuine friends about their children, dogs, dinners and holidays. I use my business page when necessary – and rarely tweet. Blogs are carefully targeted and I share only with people I know will appreciate them. I feel increasingly cynical about the industry – and retirement from social media is very attractive, though I love my work and have no intention of stopping. It will be interesting to see whether reducing engagement in social media will have any impact on the amount of work I am offered. I hope not – I know many audiobook narrators (in the UK rather than the US admittedly) who just get on with the job, don’t belong to any groups and don’t engage with social media at all but yet continue work . If disengaging from SM brings you more peace and joy than engaging in it – then do it! Health and well being are much more important. Whatever you decide Paul – I wish you luck, health and happiness. Hx
You’ve pointed something out I didn’t address in my piece today: the positive effect staying active on social media has for things like SEO and marketing. For me, blogging was my main way of marketing, even though it was never the main reason for blogging. It was more of a welcome side-effect. But with over 600 stories on my website, there are a lot of keywords that are picked up by search engines and these stories keep on attracting visitors. On the other hand, the Googles of the world love fresh content, and that’s what makes it a monster that’s always hungry for more. For now I’m quite happy not to feed that monster, although I realize that I will miss hearing from you in the comments, the moment I really call it quits. Peace, Love and Joy!
You may not be living in the woods subsisting on locusts and honey, but you are a voice in the wilderness, and your message has not gone unheard! Those who speak unpopular or unwelcome truths are, at the least, ignored. Increasingly, they are shouted down.
As I have yet to do anything truly professional in the VO world, my opinions are almost certainly inconsequential, but your presence has helped me profoundly and I thank you for that.
I am sure you will find a new balance going forward and I hope that includes sharing your thoughts through your blog and SM posts. Frankly, at this point you could easily repost many of your (less popular?) articles and they would still be fresh and relevant, as unfortunate as that may seem. But knowing you, even a little, your questing mind and creative spirit will not be content with that.
Your journey brought you to America, and luckily for me anyway, to Easton PA for a season. I treasure the moments we “worked” together at the Bachmann, and hope you find continued happiness and fulfillment now in Vermont.
First off, I treasure our friendship, and I’ll never forget that moment we first met in the Wegman’s parking lot! I’m so glad my writings have helped you in some way, and I always value your thoughtful comments, Michael. I agree: I am finding a new balance in my life and that’s why I’m putting an emphasis on personal healthy. I have been ignoring my weight for too long, and I’m working on making sure there’s less of me by the end of 2024. So, no matter what happens, people will see less of me going forward, whether I keep on blogging or not 😉 All the best from Newport, VT!
I for one am always interested in what you have to say. Maybe find a happy medium and post occasionally so that it’s not so consuming of your time and life?
I’m seriously considering that option, Rob. Or, as another commentator suggested, I could repost some of my older articles since they’re still relevant. Thank you for being such a pillar of strength and a treasure trove of legal information for the voice over community. But most of all, thank you for being such a decent, kind, and intelligent human being!
I for one will miss your content if you decide to go that route Paul. I totally understand if you decide to stay away however. in my opinion it’s usually not worth it to voice dissent in the echo chamber. Sean and I just released a podcast episode about this very thing. We will probably be chastised as well.
if however you continue to write again I will certainly continue to read and comment!
best of luck to you with whatever you decide
pauj
I will definitely listen to that episode, Paul. From the first time we ran into each other, you’ve always been a trusted friend. I feel you “get” me, and those people are hard to find.
Just like birds need to sing, I think I will always feel a need to write. What you don’t use, you lose. I’m just not sure if I want to continue preaching to a choir that’s in it for the applause and not for the music.
Yes I “get you” you lovable curmudgeon! You are a trusted friend indeed,
Hi Paul,
I’ve been following you for a long time and always appreciated your directness and sense of humor. I’m so glad that you’re staying healthy and continuing to make it your highest priority.
I have a love/hate relationship with social media and have contemplated deleting my FB and IG accounts several times, but decided to embrace them as an outlet for creativity, an essential tool for networking, and an easy way to stay in touch with friends and family.
If you’re taking a break from VO content, I would love to see more music related videos of you performing or sharing songs and artists that inspire you.
Funny you should mention music. To quote a song: “Music was my first love.” Of ALL the vids I’ve posted on YouTube, a music-related video has had more views than the rest combined. Is the universe sending me a message?
Paul, you ARE appreciated. The people that matter are the ones that take a minute to reflect. There are a lot of lurkers in life that pay attention, albeit behind the “safety” of their computer screens. You may never know the full extent of your reach, but know you are touching people.
Have I always agreed with you? Nope. But I often do. And, I always appreciate the folks that put themselves out there because their heart leads them to do so.
I’ve engaged with you so I’ve been on the receiving end of your big heart. Spoiler … I was aware of you long before. You just didn’t know I was there.
That’s one mysterious last line, Debra…. Now you have me thinking! Thanks for engaging with me, by the way. I’ve always seen blogging as a dialogue and not a monologue. I know that some of my stories have been well received and appreciated because people told me. It’s one of the reasons I kept writing them. But when I look at the twenty years I’ve been sharing my message, my ambitions and expectations exceeded the perceived impact. I always expected some people not to agree with me. But I’m a bit sick and tired of folks who resort to attacks on my integrity and motivation, instead of debating the substance of my opinions. Some will say that’s the nature of online communication these days, but I refuse to play that game for now.
Hey Paul,
My take on this:
Let‘s assume for a second that you do not get much feedback. You then would rate your blog a „vanity project“. So? What‘s wrong with that?
You enjoy sharing your views on vo related stuff with people. There is no law that you need to be everybody‘s darling. And, at least for my taste, everybody‘s darlings are nothing short of boring. Who wants to be *that*.
My verdict:
Go on creating!
Best,
Armin
Your point about vanity projects had me thinking. Ideally, I want my blog to be a dialogue, and not a monologue (or sermon, as some have described it). My blog is not supposed to be an ego trip, but a contribution to my community.
I truly enjoy the back and forth with my readers (just like we’re doing now). I don’t need to be “everybody’s darling” but I do expect a certain level of civility and respect for my opinion, and for myself. The personal attacks on me have increased in 2023, and while I refuse to be silenced by people calling me names, it does irritate me, and causes unhealthy stress. I welcome and encourage spirited debates, but when people start accusing me of being a racist, I draw the line.
I’m a creator at heart, so you can trust that I will keep on creating content. I will use this time off to perhaps find a new direction. Alles Gute!
Hey Paul,
these days, people call other people “racist!” for not sharing their opinion on basically anything (which is really bad, because it trivializes real racism). So I would not worry about that aspect. Like, at all.
Best
Armin
It was implied that I was a racist for using an image of the three wise monkeys above a post about the Voice Arts Awards. How are these things even connected?
You need to do what you need to do for your health, physical and mental. If content creation is not good for you, then shut it down. If it brings you joy, then by all means, create content.
Your heart is good, Paul. You owe no one anything. This is entirely your call.
I appreciate that, Paul, and I believe one of my callings is to be of service to my community. But like most volunteers, I may suffer from volunteer burnout. You’re a content creator yourself, so I’m sure you can relate. Not blogging and sharing on social media has certainly left a void that wants to be filled. I especially miss the uplifting interaction with colleagues who have become friends. Right now my heart tells me to take more time to figure things out. Whatever I decide will be okay.
Paul, I’ve always appreciated your messaging about rate- and professional-integrity, and business development – as well as the guiding hand you offered as I started in VO – I’ll always be grateful for that!
Guiding you was my privilege, Paul! If a teacher is judged by the caliber of his students, you make me so proud.
I’m not a voice actor, to be honest I know little about it but sometimes have been curious.
It seems that many of us are tired of the “content” demands, and the transactional nature of relationships. It feels hollow.
It sounds like you already know the answers.
Moderation vs silence?
Everything in moderation seems like a sensible strategy for life!
Hi, Paul. I, for one, enjoy your fresh perspectives on the VO industry! We met briefly at VO Atlanta last year. (JMC knows me.) I suffered a stroke myself (I am told that you’ve had one, too) on 9/24/23, so my VO pursuits are kind of on hold as I continue to recover. If you get back into the posting game, please add me to the list; if not, enjoy a life uncluttered with social media!
I’m so sorry to hear about your stroke, Mark! I am living proof that there’s a lot of life after a stroke, but life will never be the same. I had to relearn how to walk, talk(!), and take care of myself. The easiest way to stay in touch is to subscribe to this blog (top right field). I will never sell your email address and you can unsubscribe any time. Wishing you the very best!
Hi Paul. No surprise to see so many appreciative comments here already. And when you’ve got the likes of Paul Schmidt endorsing you, as above, well, you know that your contributions weighted heavily in the positive side of the online equation.
Generally, I’ll avoid the sorts of people who claim to be ‘no-nonsense’ and ‘plain-speaking’ because what it often means is strident, entrenched in their views and lacking in nuance, empathy and compassion.
That’s not the case with you. I suspect I know which post/issue was the final straw that persuaded you to take this break, and while I felt the issue contained more grey areas than perhaps you gave space to, the overriding message was of being ethical, principled and consistent. That was somehow missed, and while I’ve mostly given up online debates in VO-land (after an entire group, including the host of that group, whom I otherwise respect, almost wilfully misread and misrepresented my point of compassion), I feel bad that I didn’t respond on here to that post (I may, yet) nor in FB groups where I saw discussions arise.
The bottom line, as you know, is that your mental and emotional health must always take priority. If you feel better off for not writing, speaking, engaging, then it’ll feel right to stay away. We’ll all be poorer for that, but we’re not your concern.
My only request is that you do pop up every now and again, if only to reassure all those people you’ve reached and touched that you and your wife are healthy and happy. Look after yourself.
I was very moved by your caring response, Anthony! I will be the first one to agree that many of my blogs are flawed, and I know I don’t always succeed in presenting my case in the best way possible. It’s something I’ve been working on since I started blogging some twenty years ago. When I read old posts back, many years after they were written, I am critical of the way I put certain things, and I want to correct my own language, but I don’t because I want people to see me not as a pompous know-it-all, but as someone who makes mistakes.
The reason I wrote today’s story is to ask for help, and to tell my readers why they haven’t heard from me in a while. I love writing too much to stay silent, so I think I’ll have a hard time staying quiet. I just don’t know in which direction to go, but I’m giving myself ample time to work something out.
Interestingly enough, I have made similar choices…off social media, off Linkedin (almost like social media sometimes) and finding what works for me…such as finding balance in taking care of myself first. And, rediscovering what it is I wanted before leaping into the business of voice over. You are right. Everything is possible. I have no idea where I will land, but that’s ok. Listening to one’s self is key to a fulfilling life and to not fear possible challenges. I am already into a new adventure that I am creating not only to use my talents, but which could be of interest to a particular audience. And, I will return to media, but with different eyes.
Thank you for sharing your perspective and your journey on voice over and on the questions that need some attention! You made my day!
I knew I wasn’t alone. Thanks for confirming, Woody! Even long time YouTube content creators are leaving the platform because they can’t stand the pressure of having to come up with something new every day or week, while their revenue stream goes down. I make zero money from this blog. It’s all a labor of love, so money has never been a motivator for me. But my mental and physical health is, and I already feel the benefits of my choice to stay away for a while. All the best to you!
Oh brother – you’ve been away BUT – not forgotten. No, never. Stay mindful of what a man of substance you are + continue to make yourself, your family + your community a priority. You’re doing a singular thing for a beneficial reason + as it plays out, you + yours will be all the better for it! Appreciating you…Debby
And I appreciate you, Debby! Thanks for letting me know I’m unforgettable. So are YOU!
Great to hear from you Paul…and I’m glad you’re OK! i don’t always agree with what you think and say…but I’m GLAD you don’t shy away from saying it; especially when you use your professional AND “human” experience to say it. You always back up anything controversial with thoughtful perspective. And for those of us in the VO community – we especially should appreciate the value of “POV”, even if we don’t like it! Take good care and once again – glad to hear you’re OK!
This was one of the reasons I wrote a blog post today, to let people know what’s going on under the hood. I’m glad we don’t always agree because I’m not always right and every coin has at least two sides.
I do hope you continue to write the blog and share your thoughts about the industry. No one’s opinions are going to make everyone happy. We *should* all be able to read something and educate ourselves, even if we disagree with the information. I look to your blogs for education, not entertainment. Unfortunately fire storms can happen when unpopular opinions are shared. Maybe being alone in our offices and booths makes us so hungry for water cooler gossip and drama, that we forget the original thought and build bandwagons with pitchforks instead.
Whether you stay or go, thank you! And your health and wellbeing are more important than anything. Take care!
Thank you for wishing me well, Christi. My health is indeed my priority, and I am glad to have the opportunity to recharge and and reset.
Truth be told, there is very little demand or respect for critical thinkers in ANY community. Don’t blame you for backing off, my friend. If the ROI isn’t there (and I don’t mean monetary), there’s no need to continue. Few things in life are as freeing as quitting. You’ll do what’s best for Paul, I’m sure. All my best, my friend.
As a fellow-author you know that writers need to write, with or without recognition. So, no matter what happens, I will keep my pen close to my heart.
Absolutely true. But if/when the creative pursuit (writing or otherwise) becomes tedious or unfulfilling, there’s no reason you can’t simply say, “Enough.”
Best wishes!
Lucky for me, it’s never been that. The minute it becomes tedious and unfulfilling for my readers it’s time to stop.
Hello Paul
As a newbie in the VO world-I could be unrealistic, “pie in the sky” with my hopes in the VO industry-or so focused that I refuse to let my unrealized fears get in the way. Too late for me to turn back. I’m forging ahead with this new found career-but taking a different approach (maybe others have already) of thinking/doing smarter, not harder.
It was by chance I found you and was grateful I did as your style, grit and honesty were traits I honor in everyone.
You have been most helpful, courteous, and expeditious in responding when I have asked your advice (generous with your time) as well. I support your decisions (not knowing you in the flesh) which seems to be the way many ‘know’ one another in this industry and the world. Taking care of YOU is priority. I still have hopes however that your comment re AI will fall into the category of “cheapos” ONLY and that high quality companies will still use great, talented, unique and sought after voices-but there again, like actors, and singers-many are dime a dozen.In the meantime- I only want the best for you especially reading through these comments regarding your health challenges. Be well-from Laguna Beach, CA-USA. If your travels bring you here-email me. I’d love to sit with you and buy you a coffee-maybe something ‘stronger’ if your wish. Least I could do for all you’ve done for me.
Best to you and thanks-if you return-I’d like to be “let back in”.
Thank you so much for the coffee offer, Patrice. It’s a bit of a schlep from Vermont, but one never knows… I don’t have a crystal ball so I can’t say for sure if we’re ever going to be replaced by AI voices, but the bottom end of the market already is. Even non-fiction audiobook narrators should be very worried. But just as one cannot replace Yo Yo Ma with a robot, I think there will always be room for exceptional talent.
I’m so glad you got in touch with me and that you found our interaction helpful. You certainly have the right mentality and talent to do very well in this competitive market, and I wish you nothing but the very best!
Hi Paul! I’m very glad to see your face and to read about what you’ve been up to. No matter what you decide about your relationship with Social Media, I do hope you continue to write your blog. I miss seeing your videos and hearing your voice, but I understand how taxing it is to post so regularly. So glad to hear that you’re concentrating on health and wellness right now! Hope you’re feeling great.
Leslie
Thanks for the encouragement, Leslie! Posting every day isn’t super taxing. It’s something I imposed upon myself to keep my brain cells working. What is taxing are the attacks on my character, my presumed motivation, and on me as a person. People are welcome to disagree with, and debate me on the points I’m making, but they should never question my integrity. The second thing that’s been wearing me down is the fact that very few stood up for me when I was accused of being a racist. Lastly, I disappointed in the way the complacent VO community handles criticism and critics like me.
A big part of me misses writing a weekly blog and taping daily videos, but it’s for my own good to lay low a little while I contemplate my next steps in peace.
I certainly value your contribution. You do you though. That’s what I’ve always appreciated about you, your singular, honest truth. Though selfishly I’d like the see you and Bob Bergen chat it up publicly, before you throw in the towel.
Thanks for the suggestion, Mark. Here’s something most people don’t realize: I believe I’m much more coherent as a writer than as a speaker. Writing affords me the luxury of time to gather my thoughts and be as clear as I can be. Writing allows me to rewrite or delete and add entire passages. I’m too spontaneous as a speaker, and as a result I speak before I think and that could get me in unnecessary trouble. I became aware of this after my stroke. After my stroke, impulse control became a huge issue for me. It’s reflected in the way I eat, the way I spend money, and in the way I communicate. The remedy is not to handle my own finances, and to follow a strict diet. Most social media videos I shoot are using scripts on a teleprompter so I can be as succinct as possible. All of this to say that I’m not going to debate anyone other than on paper (and Bob and I have publicly exchanged thoughts in the past). Lastly, after all the heartwarming responses below, I don’t see myself throwing in the towel just yet. You wait and see!
I have always appreciated your posts, Paul! Whether they are pictures of beautiful Vermont, old photos of you and your family, or videos where you bring up a controversial issue in the VO community, I think you add something to the world, and I appreciate your blunt honesty as much as your support. However, I completely understand stepping away as well. I stopped blogging last year to deal with all of the things going on in my own life, and I don’t know when I’ll get back to it, though I honestly hope to. Whatever you decide, know that you have added something valuable to the community.
With love from Georgia,
Billie Jo
Comments like yours make it so hard to step away from social media, and I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of you! I am also in awe of your resilience, knowing just a fraction of what you’ve been going through. If I can offer just a little bit of entertainment, distraction, information, and inspiration to people like you, it’s totally wort it!
At the same time I want (and need) this time off to reflect and recharge. I was pretty close to becoming a diabetic, and that was a huge wake-up call to me. That’s when I decided to make my health a priority. But other commentators have suggested that I can do both: take care of me, and keep on creating content albeit at a different rate.
Glad to hear you aren’t out of the fight just yet, Paul! I appreciate your blogs and believe that we need your voice to help us with thinking critically at least in the Voice Over world.
Take a rest and take care of yourself. I look forward to reading more from you when you are ready.
I’m so happy to hear that, Paul. I am feeling the itch to start writing again, but I am suppressing the urge to give me time to do what needs to be done. Change is an inside process, after all.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for such an honest post (well, thank you for all of your honest posts!)
You published a blog post a few years back with reasons NOT to become a VO. I’d spent some years trying to break into the industry without much success and reading that post was a light bulb moment.
I stopped pretending that I wanted to do commercial vo and settled instead on narrating my own children’s stories as a podcast. This has provided me with enormous happiness and now I’m finishing a book.
Reading your post today I realised that I never told you. So THANK YOU!
Also, I take a break from social media every year – roughly around Lent. It’s lovely!
Sending very best wishes and looking forward to hearing more from you on whichever platform is best for your health.
George
I am so glad that my post was so helpful to you, George. At the time I wrote it, many colleagues called me a “Debby Downer” (if that expression rings a bell. It’s a Saturday Night Live reference).I am also thrilled that you have carved out your own path which -in my opinion- is the only way go. Wishing you continued success!!!
I am so honoured you came out of your self-imposed social media break to wish me a happy birthday and share snowy photos – it was much appreciated.
I hope you won’t stay away forever, I think this business needs people like you that will hold up a mirror to all the rubbish that is going on, but I quite understand that that gets rather tiring after a while!
I sincerely hope I will cross paths with you and your slipper clogs in the real world again before too long.
I still remember sharing a pint with you at VO Atlanta, Liz! To be clear, I don’t get very tired of writing, but I do get tired of having to deal with people who question my motives and my integrity. Even after this blog post someone suggested it was written as clickbait to get more views, as if my cry for help was some insincere gimmick. It’s those kinds of reactions that I don’t appreciate. One might argue that they come with the territory, but I am hoping against all hope that people can choose to remain civil and assume the best about one another. Warm greetings from cold Vermont!
I love your content; and almost always read or listen to it. That may not say much to you, but it says a lot to me because I very rarely stick it out and read an entire article anymore. My life is so busy and I have to choose very carefully the content I consume. I’m always going to choose to consume yours. But I’m also very out of sight out of mind just by nature of the busyness of my life. I thought of you often over the last couple of months and wondered when you would be back, but never reached out, and for that I’m sorry. I do think you add value to the Voice-Over community. I too am tired of the echo chamber- it was the whole reason we started Booth Besties. And yet eventually, we just became part of the echo chamber no matter how hard we tried. It gets exhausting to try to fight it. but I wonder if you’re thinking too small? Why limit your light to the Voiceover community? Could you speak to a broader audience freelancers in general, or just people? Your insight and your ability to see to the heart of a matter, could benefit any who choose to read or listen to what you have to say. Regardless of what you choose I’m always team Paul!
I am tickled and thrilled that you’re one of my regular readers, Aleesha! I can’t think of a better compliment for a blogger. To pick up your point about reaching a broader audience… that’s one of the reasons this blog is doing better that 99% of voice over related blogs with thousands of hits every single day. That’s not bragging, but those are the numbers and the feedback from my webmaster who analyzes the data for me.
This blog is read by lots of creative freelancers such as on-camera and stage actors, videographers, script and copy writers, photographers, authors, and many other self-employed people. Some of my clients even read it every week! The reason for its popularity is this: I look at freelance life using the lens of a voice over, but I will often write about topics that appeal to anyone running a freelance business.
Most VO blogs will never reach a wide audience because their focus is too narrow, and there’s too much navel gazing. My big challenge is to use my reach to monetize the time I spend every week to write my content. As you know, people want and expect things to be free, and putting all the posts in a book isn’t going to pay the bills either. Even with all the nice things people have said to me below, I think my popularity would fade rapidly the minute I put up a paywall and aks my readers to donate 25 cents for every blog post they read. It’s the same reason why so many newspapers are in trouble: why pay if you can get it for free.
But I digress… I’m enjoying my time off, but answering all these comments has been a reminder of how much I love to write, and how much I would miss it if I stay silent. In other words, you will hear from me again, I promise!
Paul,
I was just thinking a few days ago that I had not seen you post anything lately. My first thought was that you were taking a break and then I was concerned you were in bad health. I am glad to read that you are doing well and focusing on you! I really enjoyed your writing and more recently pictures from your new VO studio in the country. Honestly it seemed like you really found a place of peace. I hope you continue to bless us with your VO thoughts. You have been an inspiration to many. Blessings! Jim
I’m so happy to hear from you, Jim, and thanks for thinking of me! I did announce my break from blogging in december, but that’s such a busy month for many. I can’t keep track of what’s going on myself! Moving to Vermont was the best thing we ever did. It’s is so peaceful and quiet, my studio doesn’t even need double or triple walls. We live very close to Canada, and are surrounded by nature. This is the perfect place to rest and reflect. I have a feeling the writer in me can’t keep quiet for too long, so stay tuned!
Late to the party here, but I love what you share and am happy to receive it on whatever terms you decide is healthiest for you. If you stopped blogging, your voice would be missed. (No pun intended.)
But I L O V E puns!