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Ask: 'I'm A Voice Actor - But Why?'
Understand That To Grow Your Career
November 10, 2017

By Andres Berrio
Voice Actor

Its easy enough to understand the concept of how "Standing Out" can help us improve our business, but the real question here is "Why?"

Answering the question of "Why" will help us learn how to distinguish ourselves from everyone else. And it can lead to knowing what we can specifically do to achieve this vague notion of individualism.

Let me start by sharing something interesting.

BIOLOGICAL ROAD MAP

I recently heard a presentation from the well known Simon Sinek regarding the human body. As it turns out, the human body has a biological road map of how it manages and addresses physical conditions, and this simple road map is executed in the same way every time.

For example, when you're feeling hungry:
  • Your brain first addresses the "Why?" and determines that your stomach is empty and perhaps you haven't eaten in 10 hours.
  • Next, your brain determines the "How?" and decides that you need to eat something in order to address the issue of hunger.
  • Finally, the technical part of your brain takes on the "What?" and comes up with the specific game plan of making a ham and cheese sandwich and a glass of lemonade to consume, and thus meeting the need of your original condition.
Regardless of the situation, our body always addresses the "Why, How, and What" of a given situation - and it is ALWAYS in that specific order.

You see, the part of the brain that deals with emotions also manages decisions, which is entirely different from the part of the brain that manages vocabulary!

This is the reason why we have sayings like, "I'm not going to buy this product because it doesn't FEEL right."

What it boils down to is: we need to first understand the "Why" before we make a decision about any given situation.

SO, WHY VOICE OVER?

So, how does this translate to your business?

If you want to really connect with your client base, you need to first understand "Why" you are selling your product or service. What is your motivation for getting up in the morning and going to work?

I am a voice actor, and I can sit here and tell you how great my voice sounds and how the quality of the audio I submit is soooo professional and unmatched. I can even rant on about how fast I deliver my jobs and how I communicate frequently with my customers.

BUT this is only "What" I do. Although all of these things are important in their own right, they are not at the core of "Why" I do it or "Why" a customer will decide to hire me over another voice actor.

HERE'S MY 'WHY'

The truth is, my business as a voice actor boils down to "Connecting and Engaging."

I am passionate about connecting people together and engaging in the human experience.

This is my "Why" - and it just so happens that "How" I do it is by expressing my personal convictions through a script written by my client and intended to be heard by their customers.

My goal is to engage and invoke an emotional response when my client's customers hear my voice during a commercial or presentation.

And finally, the mechanism - or "What" - of this is a quality voice over, and great customer service.

I AM NOT A PRODUCT

This is the reason my business vision starts off with "Why" I'm a voice actor and not the specifics of my products and services!

I encourage you to take the time to understand and articulate "Why" you do what you do,   and take your business to the next level.

Your clients will appreciate your ability to connect with them on an emotional level, and your products and services will take on a whole new meaning as you discover a far greater sense of fulfillment in your business.

And it won't hurt that your sales will go up, too!
------------------------
ABOUT ANDRES
Andres Berrio is passionate about voice acting and parenthood. With his beginnings in music and theater, there's always drama and excitement with his four little boys running around at home. Andres has been voice acting now for three years, and like so many other voice actors, fighting the good fight from his home studio.

Email: andres@voiceofandresberrio.com
Web: www.voiceofandresberrio.com

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Comments (2)
Ana Clements
11/10/2017 at 7:39 AM
I love this article, Andres, thank you for reminding me to stop once in a while and check in with myself, remembering my initial optimism and determination; my why.
Kenny Dunkwu
11/10/2017 at 6:10 AM
Andres's article on the specifics of understanding why he is a voice artist, is a poignant reminder of why I came into the industry.
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