‘I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed’… 🤦♂️
Remember hearing that from someone important in your life?
How much did that suck?
None of us like to let people down.
It’s one of the reasons why Accountability groups have been so helpful for me- especially as a solopreneur.
I’m in 3. One weekly, one fortnightly and one monthly.
All of them have different personalities, different professions, but we’re all looking to build our small businesses and discuss the best ways to do that.
We share our short and longer-term goals and, most importantly, what we’re going to do to achieve them.
Nobody wants to be the person who comes in and says ‘well, er, nope, didn’t do that…sorry’
Because they must then put on the hat of shame and be chanted at! 🎩
Ok, that bit might be made up...
But what’s the point of making a commitment you don’t keep?
And making that commitment publicly is a powerful motivator to make sure you really do what you say you’re going to do.
Voiceover is, by its nature, a pretty solitary gig- so it’s an important time for me to socialise with like-minded people.
And it’s great to know that even though you may be a one man band – you don’t have to do everything alone 😊
Any of you guys in accountability groups? How have they helped you with your business?
#digitalmarketing #videoproduction #solopreneur
School holidays- The ultimate solopreneur challenge! 🧒
Can’t abandon business- can’t abandon child to parenting by Playstation (bad for them apparently) 💻
Road trip it is then!
I’ve taken in York, Stratford, Birmingham, Sheffield and Weston Super Mare over the past week.
Spent plenty of time with the family and put voiceover firmly on the back foot
But with a little bit of extra planning and some great portable equipment, I’ve managed to:
✅ Book new business via Linked-in (even with reduced time on the platform)
✅ Record several pieces for existing clients
✅ Make some great connections for potential audio-guide work
✅ Do 5 Crossfit sessions in 5 different gyms = 5 guilt free cakes :) Maybe 6…
And now that I’m back, it drums it home that despite all the challenges and adversity you face working for yourself...
I have freedom.
I can adapt my business to my life rather than trying to shoehorn my life into the business
And that really is amazing 😊
How are my fellow parents navigating the tricky school hols?
#videoproduction #solopreneurs #parenting
Ah, it’s almost the weekend – time to relax, right guys? 🥂 💤
I used to be bloody brilliant at relaxing.
I could have relaxed for England, world class talent.
But now I run my own business…
And now relaxing makes me feel guilty
There’s always that nagging doubt in the back of my mind.
Should I send that follow up email? 😐
Have I connected with enough people today? 😶
Did the last take of that advert REALLY get the message across perfectly? 🤔
I mean, I’m all in on this and if I’m lucky, I’m still going to be doing it in 10 or 20 years time
So I’m happy to put in the reps that mean my clients reap the benefits
But if any of my fellow solopreneurs have mastered the balance between building your business and embracing real life- Please tell me your secrets!
I’d really like to relax like it’s 1999 again😊
#digitalmarketing #entrepreneurship #videoproduction
Did you send off a Matilda or a Mary Poppins today?
Or perhaps a BFG or a Willy Wonka?
Back at my place, my lad flipped his Gryffindor scarf around his neck and went off to cast a spell or two at school. 🧝♀️
When I was his age books were real escape for me, so its wonderful to see him enjoying #worldbookday 📔
Of course the adult world is a sombre and serious place,
Unless you’re a voice actor…
Then I think it helps if you don’t grow up.
At least completely 😊
So in honour of world book day here’s a part from a rather popular series
Where young Harry finds out he’s actually far more than he imagined
And because we all need someone to tell us we’re magic from time to time… 🧙♂️
#worldbookday #audiobooks #videoproduction
'Oh for god's sake, what's the worst that can happen?'
Was what I finally said to myself before sticking my first video up on socials.
I'd avoided it for ages.
They won't be pretty enough, interesting enough, I thought, so I'd put up the odd photo or story and left it at that.
Then I realised that was utterly ridiculous.
I'm a voiceover, I literally speak for a living.
Before that I was a broadcast journalist and doucumentary maker where I....spoke for a living.
And many, many brands want the person representing them to sound like a real human being, without embellishment (sorry AI).
They want a conversational delivery because it's natural, normal and people warm to it.
Just like they do when chatting with their mates.
And I don't know about you, but I prefer to do business with people I like.
So enough of the analysis paralysis and let's crack on with the conversations.
What's been stopping you from filming yourself on social media?
#digitalmarketing #socialvideo #videoproduction
How important is it that we love what we do?
It seems like such a simple thing- that our job, where we spend so much time, should make us happy.
But it’s not that simple, is it?
I dreaded going into the office at a previous job for years. And I imagine I’m not alone there?
A while back my fantastic voice over coach Tanya Rich told me:
‘Voice over is your happy place’
And I’ve been realising what a HUGE difference that makes-
✅ I can use my acting skills to create a characters and even build worlds
✅ I can use almost two decades of journalism experience to tell the story of a brand or business the way it deserves
✅ I can use the communication skills I honed making documentaries to meet and learn from talented creatives and driven entrepreneurs on platforms like this 😊
I have more energy.
I’m more productive.
I’m more creative.
My mental health and quality of life are better.
Meaning every client I work gets the very best version of me, and that makes them happy too!
Have you found your work 'happy place' yet?
#digitalmarketing #storytelling #videoproduction
Why showing up is key.
It’s bloody hard to show up…
Not be amazing every time, not set records. But just, consistently, get up and show up for that that task, that bit of content, that workout you promised yourself you’d actually do this time.
But that’s the only way I’ve found that, eventually, and with many a duvet pulled back over my head, showing up becomes a habit.
Like LinkedIn. I've been worried about what to post, should I write or use video? Will anyone be interested?
Honestly I still don’t know, but if I don’t show up, practice, get things wrong and learn from those mistakes I never will. and watching the output of people like Andy Greenhouse is a real inspiration.
In the end creating good habits, and sticking to them, has made an enormous impact on my business,
So, it’s time for another one and to start showing up with my own content here too.
Anyone else mastered ‘showing up’ consistently, and how did you make the habit?
#digitalmarketing #videoproduction #businessdevelopment
