The season is upon us to grapple with that yearly holiday conundrum: should I send clients, agents, and casting directors gifts? If so, how much is too much? How much is too little? What about just sending a card? What happens if I don’t send anything?
To send a gift or not is more complicated than it seems, but let me assure you that no matter what choice you make, it does not mean the end of your career!
Sending a client – or potential client – an expensive bottle of wine will not make them hire you in the future. But the right gift, given at the right time and in the right way, can brighten existing relationships, and may keep you top of mind when a script comes in that fits you.
The idea is to give a gift to show appreciation, not to coerce. So ask yourself: who in your VO life deserves an authentic thank you?
If you have an agent, and they work hard on your behalf, and have helped you land some nice-paying jobs, it’s very appropriate to give a token of your appreciation. In some cases, there can be a deep friendship with your agent that goes beyond business. In this case, go with your gut as to what you want to invest in as a gift.
The same goes for casting directors or producers. While it’s good practice to send a quick thank you note after an audition, it can also be a positive thing to send a holiday token of appreciation, if they call you a few times a year or more.
In most cases, something light and personal for agents and casting directors that you work regularly with is best. Do they love a specific brand of coffee? Perhaps that’s a great gift. Or, are they crazy about their dog who loves to play fetch? In that case, a unique dog toy may be a delightful surprise. If these folks have assistants that you interact with regularly, it might be good to spread some cheer with a card or cookies.
Fun is the name of the game! People tend to become uncomfortable when receiving gifts that are too expensive. It can give them the sense that there is an expectation or strings attached. Avoid inappropriate gifts, like jewelry, clothing – or pets!
One time, in my naivety, I gave my Program Director at a radio station a fish tank, with guppies! She was overwhelmed, and when the tank malfunctioned and the fish died, she never forgave me.
To complicate things further, beware of giving gifts that are too impersonal. I don’t know about you, but receiving a Starbucks gift card, while helpful for the wallet, lacks a personal touch, and appears to say that the gift-giver didn’t give much thought to the process.
Perhaps you’re the type who doesn’t believe in giving a gift to your agent, because they already make ten percent off of your bookings. That’s ok. A card is perfectly fine.
One idea I really love is to give something to the folks that work so hard behind the scenes, yet rarely get recognized. A big tray of bagels and cream cheese goes a long way in the studio. Then there are the janitors, who rarely get a hello, much less a gift. Even a small gesture like a gift card or note in these cases can make a huge impact.
The holidays are hectic enough without thinking about gifts in your professional life, so I hope this article takes some of that stress away.
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