Setting Boundaries in Your Voiceover Business

Nancy Cartwright (yes, Bart Simpson herself) gave me some great advice in 2006 that I am sharing here. Hopefully, these thoughts will help other voice talent and audiobook narrators who are barraged with questions from newcomers and wonder how to set boundaries about unpaid consultations.

Nancy was writing a column at the time and solicited questions in a survey. She included some of my comments in her survey results article (the answer to question 4 on this page) but also generously took the time to reply to me personally.

When I responded to her survey, I asked her: "How much help should I give away for free?"

She said her web site has a FAQ page, which allows her to continue to be productive and not answer questions.

She said I would know when the time is right to start charging for info. She advised that I could set up a program as a Consultant and charge a proper fee for it.

As a result of her email, I made some decisions about how I run my business:

• I use my blog as an FAQ.

• On my web site Contact Me page, I refer people newcomers to a particular post that outlines a plan for getting started in voiceover. This comment is listed BEFORE my contact info and has reduced the number of calls and emails that I receive. My blog also has a quick link to that article.

• I don't answer the phone from unknown numbers. (I don't even like to talk on the phone except with family or very close friends.)

• I am planning to hire an assistant at some point. That person will return phone calls from wannabes. Currently, I call them back (not necessarily on the same day) and refer them to my blog. I don't let them "pick my brain" or ask any other questions "while they have me on the phone". I always am happy if I get their voice mail. :)

• I don't do critiques.

• I delete emailed MP3s without listening to them. I link to my blog post about email etiquette in my response.

I may never declare or market myself as a consultant, teacher, or coach. I don't want to feel responsible for anything to do with other people's career choices or have a time commitment to do something for somebody else.

Any advice or mentoring I choose to offer an individual or forum is done out of love and in my timeframe.