VO Weekly Workflow – Tracking Numbers… Does It Matter?

During the first couple of years of voiceover, I wrote down each and every submitted audition into a ledger. I don’t recall precisely why I started that habit, perhaps it was from some voice actor interview that seemed to make sense. When starting out, I certainly didn’t have much actual data and wasn’t sure if there was a viable ratio of “auditioned” to “booked” I should be aiming for.

The result – which should have been expected – was that my list tracked a lot of what could be called “failures.” Like every voice actor I have ever met, there were more auditions than bookings. There also didn’t seem to be much of a coherent pattern in the data. There would be hot months and clusters of bookings, as well as stretches with no positive results. None of those results correlated to time of the year, changes in equipment, phases of the moon, or whether I wore my lucky t-shirt. What did happen over the years was a steady increase in clients. Some jobs I handled well. Others were more of a learning experience. Certain clients returned, asking to work with me again. Others had heard recommendations and reached out. Many were glad to hear from me when I reached out to them. The momentum built over time, as most things do.

What didn’t seem to move the needle was focusing on projects that didn’t click. It wasn’t that I couldn’t learn from those. As I mentioned last week, closing the loop by regularly reviewing auditions remains a part of my process. But I try to stop short of diving deeply into all the things I might have done “wrong.”

I still track everything I book and include any audition which gets me in the “selects” group – whether a thumbs up, 2nd round auditions request, or a check available/on hold status. Focusing on those auditions helps to refine those things I might be doing that resonate with clients. Working from those positive points seems a lot more beneficial.

Was it that I felt those takes took more risks? Or did they feel more grounded, like I didn’t do anything and simply trusted my own voice and perspective. Those can be good reminders to trust our instincts.

There’s also a lot to be said for simply continuing to show up. When production is on the line, everyone is notoriously risk-averse. It may take more than one time for a producer to hear your brilliant audition before they decide to take a risk on bringing you in for a project. That’s just human nature. It’s always easier for someone to go with the person they used last time. It takes a lot of force to offset that inertia. Even if a commercial opportunity states they are looking for a new approach, that “new approach” is always viewed in comparison to “what worked last time”.

Continuing to show up with enthusiasm pays long term benefits. Finding that spark of inspiration remains the challenge in our work. One of the reasons I focus on efficiency in the studio is not in service of simply doing more things faster. While that can be a secondary benefit, the main purpose is to create enough space to dig a little deeper and make stronger choices. That’s often what makes the difference.

Posted 3/31/26

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