You’ve probably heard of
Imposter Syndrome, that
pesky feeling you’re going
to be eventually be “found
out”: not really quite as qualified, competent, or talented
as you’ve let people believe. Familiar?
It may not be universal, but it certainly shows up a lot with people
who do voiceovers. Usually you hear about it with those just starting
out, or who haven’t worked very long. I’ve been mildly surprised to
read interviews with successful and respected movie stars who express
the same concern.
But how often do you hear it from VO people well past mid-career?
That’s where I’m finding myself now. Not that I don’t believe in my
talents. Good Grief, it took me almost 30 years to learn how to say
“thank you” to a compliment instead of doing some kind of
“awww shucks, t’ain’t nuthin” deflection.
I’ve never been a whiz at self–promotion and marketing.
But after reaching a milestone where it’s evident I need to
learn and do those things in order to keep working…the ol’ brain
juke box has been playing “The Great Pretender” non-stop (and
not the Stan Freberg version).
To my credit, I’ve spent the last couple of years doing more
than sit and worry (and I’m an expert at that). After several
misfire attempts to create my own branding, with the best
ideas coming from friends like graphic artists Lou Dalmaso
(aztecdummy.com), and Rod & Nancy Rich (Monkeybravo.com),
I finally dove into some course work and consulting from the
lovely and brainy Jodie Bentley (actor-insider.com), who helped
me find ways of using visual imaging – added to some of my
signature elements – which might make someone want to
press the play buttons on my website and voiceover demos.
The very patient people at voiceactorwebsites.com (Karin,
Cameron, Brian and their crew) humored my offbeat sense
of style and finally turned it into something a website server
could love. And while I’ve been an award-winning copy writer
since the 1970s (National Addy, anyone?), the one thing I’ve
consistently been unable to promote has been…well, ME.
Enter voice marketing experts Marc Scott (vopreneur.com),
Paul Schmidt (vopro.pro), and Terry Daniel (uvtcoaching.com)
this past year, each with his own unique take on how to come
across as more than just one more annoying voice talent wanting
a job in those dreaded introductory emails (and all that that
implies). I’m still trying to learn and process all that stuff in this
battered brain which is way past its freshness date.
And that’s the story so far…just the tail end of a trip that’s
spanned over 50 years. It’s also where the “Syndrome” has
reasserted itself…on steroids!
My first Pro Teacher, Nancy Wolfson (braintracksaudio.com)
told me she wished she could reach inside my skull and
strangle the little voice in back that kept saying:
I credit Nancy with a lot good skills I which I still
use. But obviously, despite our efforts, the little gremlin still lives.
And he’s stunted my progress in putting these marvelous resources
to more immediate use all this time.
Even with these elements fueling my journey forward…I’m outta
gas. Emotionally, fiscally, and (most troubling to me) physically.
I’ve now been taught how to market, but do I still have anything
marketable? I’m still talented, but are they talents anyone wants
anymore. Does my experience turn off this era’s younger producers
or encourage them? Does my voice even sound as good as it has?
(I think so, but what do I know at this point?) Heck, I don’t even
seem to be able to interest other voice actors in learning from me
to any great extent (maybe if it was just one meet-up at Starbucks…
and, preferably, free?)
….So here I sit. Impostor Syndrome at fever pitch. Launch button
at the ready – but as Buzz Lightyear? Or Wile E. Coyote?
Getting back to blogging at least doesn’t require additional
finance. Maybe this entry can help the Imposter Syndromers
on the earlier stretch of the road see it can even happen to a
seasoned traveler, and take some encouragement.
Or maybe it’s just me talking to myself again, to be filed
away under “therapy”.
— over and out —
