VC Radio
Voice Coaches Radio #677 – Mentors Are the Way To Go
Voice coaches radio, everything voiceover As we are getting started here for a brand new episode of Voice Coaches Radio. I, I hope this week hasn't found you feeling like a fool. That is not me trying to steal Mr. T's tagline from back in the eighties or whenever that show was. This is me just simply reminding you that we are now officially into April and, uh.
I don't know who played the first April Fools prank back in, if Wikipedia is right, the 13 hundreds. I don't know what caused it. I don't know what started it all. I don't know why we thought we should keep this going. I'm not a huge fan of it, but, uh, you know, everybody, everybody's different. Uh, I will say this, like these days, everybody's a little.
I mean, I don't wanna say sensitive. I think that we try to be more sensitive around certain topics, knowing that everybody's going through something. Uh, when it comes to pranks 2008, uh, my best friend knew she didn't have to worry, uh, about playing this joke on me. Uh, but I got a text message message and, and it was a picture text and it was a pregnancy test, and it showed positive.
And I, I just sent her a text back and I was like, did. Did you forget who I am? Did you forget that? I know exactly what today is. Like I'm not falling for that. Are you nuts? And, uh, she was so mad at me that day for not falling for it, and not even playing along a little bit. And, and then a couple days later, literally two days later, I get a similar text message and I, I just, I replied, I'm like, if I didn't fall for it the other day, I'm not gonna fall for it two days later.
Come on, stop it. Well, it's important to know that that kid can drive now that, yeah, like the first time that she did it on April Fool's Day, she. She literally was trying to prank me. And then two days later, you know, jokes on her. Uh, he, he was a little bit of an, oops, he, he's been a pleasant child ever since.
And, uh, yeah, now he can contrive. So there's that. Uh, so, you know, be careful what you put out in the universe. 'cause the universe, the universe is listening always. You know, I, I remember saying like, man, I wish I could be home, you know, and happy at home by the time I'm 40 and I, I am home and I'm happy and.
Well, yeah, we don't need to talk about my age. Uh, but, you know, working from home, I threw that out there. Boom. I work from home. You know, it's like you throw it out there. Some, some things that are meant for you will stick and that's just how it goes. Uh, so, you know, maybe this is what you're hoping to be next.
Voiceover, not, not the, the joke come true. Um, you know, and if that's the case. Go ahead, throw it out into the universe, throw it on the wall like pasta and see if it sticks. Uh, this is just so very important, you know, because I think when we say what we want, it's us being honest with ourselves as to, to what we truly do, desire, um, you know what I mean?
And sometimes we're not honest with ourselves until it gets to a certain point and, you know, I just don't want you to wait too long. So a voiceover is the thing. Let it be the thing. And you know, one of the most important things that I think that anybody in this industry can do for themselves is, is have some, some common people who they can bounce off of and learn from.
And, you know, even if it's just to like, Hey, I did this, can you listen to it and gimme some feedback? Like, I like to look at it. As, as mentorship in, in so many ways. But here's the thing. You might be one to be like, who should I ask? Like, where should I go? How do I find a mentor? And it might be a little bit of a search at first because I mean, you might be a little uncomfortable just trying to find somebody in the first place.
You, you might be not a thousand percent sure of. Who the right person is to reach out to. And like you might be just thinking kinda like, well, why would anybody wanna help me? And, uh, you know, this, this industry, it's so big, it's so small at the same time, like. There's plenty of work to go around, but it's, it's a community of folks that like you should wanna be able to help elevate each other.
Like, I mean, that's just in life in general, you know, but especially in something like this, it's such a creative platform. There's so many ways to go about doing things that I just feel like we should be constantly trying to bounce off of each other and, uh, you know, kind of, you know, put some heads together and, and make some great magic kind of happen.
So maybe the first place you go is like a Facebook group. You know, find some people with some common interests and, and see where it leads you. Maybe, maybe it's a matter of starting with a, a like-minded group to lead you to connecting with one person that that could potentially be your mentor. Now, something that's very important, I think, when trying to find that.
That person that that fits. 'cause I mean, not anybody can just work with anybody. Like that's, that's just not how it's gonna be. I mean, this is kind of in so many ways, like trying to find a doctor, trying to find a therapist, trying to, I don't know, meet your new best friend. Like, you know, you just, you gotta have the right fit or it's not gonna connect and it's not gonna work.
So. Like, what, what kind of qualities are you looking for for the right fit? You know, when I, when I look at somebody that's gonna be educating me in the right ways, you know, it, it's, I mean, there's a lot of things that are important. You know, the ability to listen, to, listen to what I'm saying, to listen to what I need, to listen to what I'm doing so you can, you know, help, help me, you know, kind of progress from there.
Um. It's like, can you, can you take what I've been saying and doing and all that and help provide some wisdom, some advice to, to help educate me? You know, maybe there's things that I'm doing that I'm just flat out doing wrong. I. And there's really no way else for me to know than for somebody to point it out, you know, and like get me, get me heading in the right direction.
So it's like being able to listen, being able to advise, being able to educate, being able to guide me in the right ways, in the right direction. You know, maybe, maybe I'm looking. For work in the wrong area. Maybe I think my strong suit is in X, Y, and Z, but it's actually in A, B, C, you know, and maybe I need that outside ear to, to really understand, you know, what I, I need to do and where I should be focusing and guide me in that direction so I can understand, uh, you know, just what my, my strong qualities are.
But. They, they need to be that person again. It's to listen, to advise, to guide, to educate, um, you know, and it is again to then allow you to be able to understand what you're doing, how this works, anything that maybe you weren't quite sure of initially, that will then allow you to grow. Growing is key. The last thing you want is to be with somebody that isn't a good fit.
And it kind of feels like you have been stuck in the same place and you're not, you're not growing at all. Like you, you want to be taking those steps forward. And you know, this relationship should really allow you to be doing that. You wanna be able to learn from this person, you wanna be able to be inspired by this person, like knowing their story, where they've come from, you know, what they've done to get to where they are now.
What steps they're currently taking to continue that success and so on and so forth. You want to have that inspiration to, to kind of motivate you and, uh, allow you to kind of reach for those same things. And, you know, the biggest, most important thing that I think can also be thrown into this mix. It's simply understanding that just because somebody is good at what they do, just because they've been doing it for a long time, and just because they're successful and continue to excel, does not mean that they are a good educator.
It does not mean they are meant to be a teacher or a guide. Some people, like even if they mean the best and they think that they can do it, it's it, you know, again, it's like. It's not, it's just not a good fit in, in all these ways. You know, like, um, sometimes people think that they're educating, but they're only giving you a piece to the puzzle because they don't look at the big picture and realize what it was like when they were starting, you know?
And everything's so back of their hand now. They don't think of the little things in between and they, they like skip a whole bunch of steps and it's like, well wait a minute. How did you get there? How did you learn to, what did you do to do that? You know, and it's like, well, you know, now you gotta go back and you know, it, it can get really confusing.
Uh, so the last thing you want is to, to be, you know, with somebody that even if their intentions are in the right place, it's just kind of getting you in, in your own head, in your own way, uh, a bit, you know? Uh, that mentor that you have, it should feel good. It should feel right. Um, it, it should feel great.
Anytime that you're getting ready to have a conversation with that person, you know, it, it, again, it needs to be something that's gonna be inspiring and, uh, adding to your growth. And it, the truth is like passion grows passion. So when somebody's really, you know, into what. You are into all of a sudden it's like you, you're kind of like vibing with each other that you're able to, you know, again, it's putting two heads, you know, into this situation and, and allowing so much creativity to flow.
And, uh, and it just, it, it ends up being this beautiful cycle and circle of, of, um, just all of the things, all these qualities that we've been talking about this whole time. You know, and God, it is such a, a really cool thing when, when I look back at where I started and, you know, it did, it started with me taking this step of, of, of something that I always wanted to do, but was too scared to do.
And then finally was just like, come on Marissa, just do it. You know? And, and I went to this school and, and then I relied on the couple teachers that I had, but as quickly as I was moving, like I, I had them. I had my fellow students who were also in that educating process, but then I had the people that I began to work with too, like actually out in the field and, and it was so important to me to get their feedback and, and to just understand.
Like they've been doing it, you know, so it's like you, you, you guys know. And, and it was so cool to be able to like, hear their point of view and what they thought that was good of what I was doing, what they thought I should change. And you know, sometimes it was, Hey, you sound so tired. I'm like, yeah, it was three 30 in the morning.
Um, you know, I was, I was doing the live overnight, like, gimme a break. There wasn't enough Red Bull. In, in the building at that point to, to keep me going. But you know, it, sometimes you just need to have, like some of those moments come out too, get a little frustrated with yourself, uh, because you know you can do better, but sometimes things are holding you back.
Uh, but having those people, that's, I mean, truly that is what has gotten me to, to where I am today. Um. That becomes your network, right? And then the network is so important, uh, on top of all of it because that's like word of mouth getting you potential opportunity down the line as well. It's a great community.
And you know what it, it starts with just like one person. So I, if, if you're doing anything this coming weekend that involves voiceover and you taking some good steps forward, like, and you don't have a mentor right now, like go ahead, contact some people. Send an email or two, shoot out over a text message to somebody.
Join a Facebook group. Don't be scared. Uh, you know, it's that one step in the right direction that gets you to where you want to go. Sometimes, sometimes that step is a little scary. Um, so don't, don't talk yourself out of it. But it is a great thing to have somebody that is right there that you can be bouncing off of.
And, um, you know, sometimes, like I said, it takes a second to get the right fit. So I challenge you, get yourself that mentor, that good person that, uh, can keep you growing and, uh, motivated and inspired. And we are gonna get to a brand new episode of Voice Coaches Radio coming up next week.
[email protected]. If you've got anything that you want me to tackle here on the pod, I will gladly and um, yeah, I hope that you enjoy your weekend. Stay safe, everybody.
Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.
I don't know who played the first April Fools prank back in, if Wikipedia is right, the 13 hundreds. I don't know what caused it. I don't know what started it all. I don't know why we thought we should keep this going. I'm not a huge fan of it, but, uh, you know, everybody, everybody's different. Uh, I will say this, like these days, everybody's a little.
I mean, I don't wanna say sensitive. I think that we try to be more sensitive around certain topics, knowing that everybody's going through something. Uh, when it comes to pranks 2008, uh, my best friend knew she didn't have to worry, uh, about playing this joke on me. Uh, but I got a text message message and, and it was a picture text and it was a pregnancy test, and it showed positive.
And I, I just sent her a text back and I was like, did. Did you forget who I am? Did you forget that? I know exactly what today is. Like I'm not falling for that. Are you nuts? And, uh, she was so mad at me that day for not falling for it, and not even playing along a little bit. And, and then a couple days later, literally two days later, I get a similar text message and I, I just, I replied, I'm like, if I didn't fall for it the other day, I'm not gonna fall for it two days later.
Come on, stop it. Well, it's important to know that that kid can drive now that, yeah, like the first time that she did it on April Fool's Day, she. She literally was trying to prank me. And then two days later, you know, jokes on her. Uh, he, he was a little bit of an, oops, he, he's been a pleasant child ever since.
And, uh, yeah, now he can contrive. So there's that. Uh, so, you know, be careful what you put out in the universe. 'cause the universe, the universe is listening always. You know, I, I remember saying like, man, I wish I could be home, you know, and happy at home by the time I'm 40 and I, I am home and I'm happy and.
Well, yeah, we don't need to talk about my age. Uh, but, you know, working from home, I threw that out there. Boom. I work from home. You know, it's like you throw it out there. Some, some things that are meant for you will stick and that's just how it goes. Uh, so, you know, maybe this is what you're hoping to be next.
Voiceover, not, not the, the joke come true. Um, you know, and if that's the case. Go ahead, throw it out into the universe, throw it on the wall like pasta and see if it sticks. Uh, this is just so very important, you know, because I think when we say what we want, it's us being honest with ourselves as to, to what we truly do, desire, um, you know what I mean?
And sometimes we're not honest with ourselves until it gets to a certain point and, you know, I just don't want you to wait too long. So a voiceover is the thing. Let it be the thing. And you know, one of the most important things that I think that anybody in this industry can do for themselves is, is have some, some common people who they can bounce off of and learn from.
And, you know, even if it's just to like, Hey, I did this, can you listen to it and gimme some feedback? Like, I like to look at it. As, as mentorship in, in so many ways. But here's the thing. You might be one to be like, who should I ask? Like, where should I go? How do I find a mentor? And it might be a little bit of a search at first because I mean, you might be a little uncomfortable just trying to find somebody in the first place.
You, you might be not a thousand percent sure of. Who the right person is to reach out to. And like you might be just thinking kinda like, well, why would anybody wanna help me? And, uh, you know, this, this industry, it's so big, it's so small at the same time, like. There's plenty of work to go around, but it's, it's a community of folks that like you should wanna be able to help elevate each other.
Like, I mean, that's just in life in general, you know, but especially in something like this, it's such a creative platform. There's so many ways to go about doing things that I just feel like we should be constantly trying to bounce off of each other and, uh, you know, kind of, you know, put some heads together and, and make some great magic kind of happen.
So maybe the first place you go is like a Facebook group. You know, find some people with some common interests and, and see where it leads you. Maybe, maybe it's a matter of starting with a, a like-minded group to lead you to connecting with one person that that could potentially be your mentor. Now, something that's very important, I think, when trying to find that.
That person that that fits. 'cause I mean, not anybody can just work with anybody. Like that's, that's just not how it's gonna be. I mean, this is kind of in so many ways, like trying to find a doctor, trying to find a therapist, trying to, I don't know, meet your new best friend. Like, you know, you just, you gotta have the right fit or it's not gonna connect and it's not gonna work.
So. Like, what, what kind of qualities are you looking for for the right fit? You know, when I, when I look at somebody that's gonna be educating me in the right ways, you know, it, it's, I mean, there's a lot of things that are important. You know, the ability to listen, to, listen to what I'm saying, to listen to what I need, to listen to what I'm doing so you can, you know, help, help me, you know, kind of progress from there.
Um. It's like, can you, can you take what I've been saying and doing and all that and help provide some wisdom, some advice to, to help educate me? You know, maybe there's things that I'm doing that I'm just flat out doing wrong. I. And there's really no way else for me to know than for somebody to point it out, you know, and like get me, get me heading in the right direction.
So it's like being able to listen, being able to advise, being able to educate, being able to guide me in the right ways, in the right direction. You know, maybe, maybe I'm looking. For work in the wrong area. Maybe I think my strong suit is in X, Y, and Z, but it's actually in A, B, C, you know, and maybe I need that outside ear to, to really understand, you know, what I, I need to do and where I should be focusing and guide me in that direction so I can understand, uh, you know, just what my, my strong qualities are.
But. They, they need to be that person again. It's to listen, to advise, to guide, to educate, um, you know, and it is again to then allow you to be able to understand what you're doing, how this works, anything that maybe you weren't quite sure of initially, that will then allow you to grow. Growing is key. The last thing you want is to be with somebody that isn't a good fit.
And it kind of feels like you have been stuck in the same place and you're not, you're not growing at all. Like you, you want to be taking those steps forward. And you know, this relationship should really allow you to be doing that. You wanna be able to learn from this person, you wanna be able to be inspired by this person, like knowing their story, where they've come from, you know, what they've done to get to where they are now.
What steps they're currently taking to continue that success and so on and so forth. You want to have that inspiration to, to kind of motivate you and, uh, allow you to kind of reach for those same things. And, you know, the biggest, most important thing that I think can also be thrown into this mix. It's simply understanding that just because somebody is good at what they do, just because they've been doing it for a long time, and just because they're successful and continue to excel, does not mean that they are a good educator.
It does not mean they are meant to be a teacher or a guide. Some people, like even if they mean the best and they think that they can do it, it's it, you know, again, it's like. It's not, it's just not a good fit in, in all these ways. You know, like, um, sometimes people think that they're educating, but they're only giving you a piece to the puzzle because they don't look at the big picture and realize what it was like when they were starting, you know?
And everything's so back of their hand now. They don't think of the little things in between and they, they like skip a whole bunch of steps and it's like, well wait a minute. How did you get there? How did you learn to, what did you do to do that? You know, and it's like, well, you know, now you gotta go back and you know, it, it can get really confusing.
Uh, so the last thing you want is to, to be, you know, with somebody that even if their intentions are in the right place, it's just kind of getting you in, in your own head, in your own way, uh, a bit, you know? Uh, that mentor that you have, it should feel good. It should feel right. Um, it, it should feel great.
Anytime that you're getting ready to have a conversation with that person, you know, it, it, again, it needs to be something that's gonna be inspiring and, uh, adding to your growth. And it, the truth is like passion grows passion. So when somebody's really, you know, into what. You are into all of a sudden it's like you, you're kind of like vibing with each other that you're able to, you know, again, it's putting two heads, you know, into this situation and, and allowing so much creativity to flow.
And, uh, and it just, it, it ends up being this beautiful cycle and circle of, of, um, just all of the things, all these qualities that we've been talking about this whole time. You know, and God, it is such a, a really cool thing when, when I look back at where I started and, you know, it did, it started with me taking this step of, of, of something that I always wanted to do, but was too scared to do.
And then finally was just like, come on Marissa, just do it. You know? And, and I went to this school and, and then I relied on the couple teachers that I had, but as quickly as I was moving, like I, I had them. I had my fellow students who were also in that educating process, but then I had the people that I began to work with too, like actually out in the field and, and it was so important to me to get their feedback and, and to just understand.
Like they've been doing it, you know, so it's like you, you, you guys know. And, and it was so cool to be able to like, hear their point of view and what they thought that was good of what I was doing, what they thought I should change. And you know, sometimes it was, Hey, you sound so tired. I'm like, yeah, it was three 30 in the morning.
Um, you know, I was, I was doing the live overnight, like, gimme a break. There wasn't enough Red Bull. In, in the building at that point to, to keep me going. But you know, it, sometimes you just need to have, like some of those moments come out too, get a little frustrated with yourself, uh, because you know you can do better, but sometimes things are holding you back.
Uh, but having those people, that's, I mean, truly that is what has gotten me to, to where I am today. Um. That becomes your network, right? And then the network is so important, uh, on top of all of it because that's like word of mouth getting you potential opportunity down the line as well. It's a great community.
And you know what it, it starts with just like one person. So I, if, if you're doing anything this coming weekend that involves voiceover and you taking some good steps forward, like, and you don't have a mentor right now, like go ahead, contact some people. Send an email or two, shoot out over a text message to somebody.
Join a Facebook group. Don't be scared. Uh, you know, it's that one step in the right direction that gets you to where you want to go. Sometimes, sometimes that step is a little scary. Um, so don't, don't talk yourself out of it. But it is a great thing to have somebody that is right there that you can be bouncing off of.
And, um, you know, sometimes, like I said, it takes a second to get the right fit. So I challenge you, get yourself that mentor, that good person that, uh, can keep you growing and, uh, motivated and inspired. And we are gonna get to a brand new episode of Voice Coaches Radio coming up next week.
[email protected]. If you've got anything that you want me to tackle here on the pod, I will gladly and um, yeah, I hope that you enjoy your weekend. Stay safe, everybody.
Visit voice coaches.com for more voiceover news and information.
This week on Voice Coaches Radio, Marissa discusses the importance of a mentor. But it isn’t as simple as finding someone that’s been in the business for a bit…you’re going to want someone that is a fit for *you.*
