Maintaining a Positive Relationship with Your Clients as a Voice Actor – Hannah Trusty
As a voice actor, the key to long-term success isn’t just about talent—it’s also about building and maintaining positive, professional relationships with your clients. Whether you’re working in the studio, getting remote direction in your home studio, or just recording solo, fostering good relationships will keep you top-of-mind for repeat business and referrals. Here are some essential tips to help you maintain a strong rapport with your clients and ensure they feel valued throughout the entire process.
1. Professionalism in the Studio
Whether you’re recording from your home studio or at a client’s location, professionalism is crucial. Arriving on time, being prepared, and having a positive attitude will always leave a great impression. Just because we don’t work a normal 9-to-5, doesn’t mean office etiquette doesn’t apply! Make sure to:
- Be punctual: Time is valuable, and showing up late or being unprepared sends the message that you don’t value the client’s time. I find it’s best practice to arrive 15 minutes early – even if it’s to a Zoom room! Spend the time preparing for your performance, calming your nerves, and checking that your system setup is ready to record. And on that note…
- Do a soundcheck before you meet with the client. Sometimes, your studio setup is perfectly fine when you record solo, but suddenly has an issue when recording on a live-directed call. Test out SourceConnect, Zoom, ipDTL, or whatever you’re using to meet with the client well in advance! Don’t wait for the day-of for problems to arise.
- Maintain communication during sessions: When you’re recording, it’s important to have open communication with the client or director. Ask questions if you’re unsure about direction, tone, or pace. Don’t be afraid to suggest something if you feel it could add value to the project. Being communicative and attentive in the studio creates a stress-free, collaborative environment that clients appreciate.
- Be adaptable to direction: Clients often hire voice actors because they have a specific vision for their project. When you’re working in a live session, be willing to adjust your performance based on their feedback. If a client asks you to change the tone or pace, do so without hesitation and keep the energy upbeat.
2. Professionalism in Email and Written Communication
Email is often the primary way voice actors communicate with clients. Writing clear, concise, and professional emails is essential for keeping the relationship positive. Here are some tips:
- Be prompt in your responses: Clients appreciate when you reply quickly. If you can’t give a detailed response right away, at least acknowledge receipt of their message and let them know when you’ll get back to them.
- Keep your tone professional yet friendly: Whether you’re negotiating rates, discussing project details, or providing updates, your tone should always be courteous and professional. Use proper grammar and avoid using all caps or excessive exclamation points, as this can come off as amateur or aggressive.
- Follow up respectfully: If you haven’t heard back after sending an email, it’s okay to send a polite follow-up message. A simple, “I just wanted to check in to see if there’s anything else you need from me,” can remind your client of the project’s status without seeming pushy.
3. Connect on Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for building connections, and voice actors can use it to strengthen relationships with clients. Here’s how:
- Follow and engage: Follow your clients on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. Don’t just lurk—engage with their posts when appropriate. A simple like or comment on their work shows you’re paying attention and appreciate their efforts.
- Share relevant content: Occasionally, share posts that might be relevant to your client’s work or industry. If you come across a cool article, a podcast, or a piece of content that could interest them, feel free to share it. Your content being in line with the client’s interests reinforces the idea that you are the best person for the job – and it’ll help you stay on their radar.
- Avoid over-posting about yourself: While it’s important to promote your own work, balance self-promotion with engaging with others’ content. No one wants to feel like they’re just being marketed to. Keep your social media presence genuine and supportive of the broader community.
- Show support for your client’s Wins: Even when you’re not involved in every aspect of a client’s work, showing genuine support for their success can go a long way in building trust and goodwill. When your clients experience wins—whether it’s landing a big contract, releasing a new product, or gaining a major accolade—reach out to congratulate them.
4. Be Consistent and Reliable
Lastly, consistency and reliability are two of the most important traits to cultivate in your relationships with clients. Ensure that you’re consistently delivering quality work, meeting deadlines, and providing the level of service they expect.
In the world of voice acting, relationships are the foundation of success. By maintaining professionalism, being supportive, and engaging with clients both inside and outside the studio, you’ll build lasting partnerships that extend beyond a single project. Being genuine, reliable, and a pleasure to work with will keep clients coming back and, just as importantly, recommending you to others in the industry.
P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry, sign up here!
