Spark

Keeping the magic alive in your career

In the voiceover world, there will inevitably be seasons of crickets—auditions piling up without a callback in sight, emails left unread, and the feeling of opportunities passing you by. These moments of lull can start to feel personal, leading you to question your talent, your choices, and even the career itself. But here’s the thing: every actor, from voiceover to on-camera, goes through these quiet periods. Often! The key to keeping yourself from spiraling out is learning how to keep that spark alive when the bookings aren’t rolling in.

You know what I’m talking about. The spark. The raison d'être you started this whole career in the first place.

Let’s talk about how to keep your momentum going, even when it feels like the world has hit pause on your career.

1. Remember why you’re doing this

It’s easy to get lost in the frustration of missed opportunities, but take a moment to remember why you got into voiceover in the first place. Was it the love of storytelling? The joy of breathing life into characters? The feeling of nailing that perfect take? Taking creative control of your life? Reconnecting with the passion that ignited your journey can help you keep going when external validation isn’t there.

Pro Tip: Keep a list of your favorite jobs—whether they’re big or small. Whenever doubt creeps in, remind yourself of the work you’ve already done and the fun you’ve had along the way.

You created that vision board, remember? Look at that! That should remind you how much this all means to you.

2. Stay creative, even if it’s not for work

When the voiceover gigs are slow, it can be tempting to step back and wait for the next opportunity. Instead, lean into your creativity. Record your own scripts, create new content/material, or collaborate on passion projects with other creatives. Staying active in your craft keeps your skills sharp and reminds you of your own value.

In my lulls, I also put focus in my other creative endeavors. Writing, crafting, creating content, etc. You can still scratch that creative itch even if it’s not with VO.

3. Develop your non-voiceover skills

Voiceover work is only one part of running a successful business. Use your downtime to improve other areas of your professional life. Update your website, revamp your LinkedIn profile, or brush up on editing and marketing skills. Observe the things that have not served you over the last year. Develop a NEW WAY of moving forward. Staying productive outside of the booth ensures that you’re ready for the next wave of opportunities when they come.

Pro Tip: Take a class or attend a workshop/webinar. Check out my Video Library or take one of my Experience Challenges! The more you learn, the more value you bring to the table as an all-around creative professional.

4. Network, even when you don’t have work

It’s easy to network when you’ve just landed a big gig. But networking during quieter times can be just as effective, if not more so. It keeps you coming off as authentic and genuine, which is incredibly important. Stay in touch with your contacts, send holiday greetings, or drop a friendly message to remind them you’re available. You never know when a quick check-in could lead to an opportunity.

Example: I once sent a casual “happy holidays” email to a producer I worked with years ago, and three weeks later, they contacted me about a new project. It pays to stay on people’s radar—even in a small, non-intrusive way.

5. Embrace the lulls as a chance to recharge

Periods of inactivity can feel like failure, but sometimes, they’re a necessary part of the creative process. Use this time to rest, recharge, and refocus. Voiceover work requires high levels of energy and creativity, so think of these slower periods as a way to rebuild your reserves for when the next wave hits. Your best performances will come when you’re well-rested and mentally refreshed.

Challenge: The “keep the spark alive” creative sprint

Commit to spending 20 minutes a day working on a personal voiceover project for a week. Whether it’s creating new sample material, practicing character voices, or writing your own scripts, the goal is to keep your creative momentum going. At the end of the week, reflect on what you’ve created and how it’s impacted your motivation. Ask yourself how it felt to create a new daily routine for the week, what you learned, which thing challenged you the most, and what you’ll continue to do moving forward.