I’ve been pretty vocal on social media about so-called “coaches” in this business who purport that Fiverr, Upwork, Craigslist (for chrissakes), and the like are the key to a career as a professional voice actor.

Let me be crystal clear: they are not. In fact, Fiverr especially can damage your career and reputation if you ever plan to go pro.

Of course, I take a lot of grief from the Fiverr crowd, which is fine.

This may surprise you: I’m not anti-Fiverr or opposed to Upwork, Craigslist, or even the pay-to-plays. If you’re a hobbyist, an amateur, if you’re just having fun and have no desire to go pro or be taken seriously in voice-over then Fiverr, Upwork and Craigslist are a perfect way to have some fun and make a few bucks while you do it.

If you’re new to professional voice-over, have your initial training and pro demos, and in your first 6 months or a year, the pay-to-plays can be a great way to get a high volume of auditions to really hone your audition process and begin to understand which genres and roles you enjoy and get booked in. They can also be discouraging if you let them. Know why you’re there.

My problem is not with these sites. My problem is with the scarcity mindset and the “coaches” who teach it. The scarcity mindset has no place in professional voice-over (or in any professional endeavor). It fuels the erosion of rates and is damaging to the industry.

A scarcity mindset says…

“You have to cut-rate to win work.”

“New voice-actors have to charge less.”

“Work is scarce and hard to find.”

“Why you should charge $5 for a voice-over.”

“I have to take anything I can get.”

“This business is oversaturated and so competitive.”

“Someone else’s win is my loss.”

These are straight-up lies. Whether some snake-oil salesman is telling you this crap or whether you’re telling yourself, these are lies. They’re irresponsible, they’re dangerous, and they’re potentially damaging to your career.

As I’ve said before, you don’t have to charge less because you’re new. You have to charge less when you’re untrained and can’t compete. There’s an obvious solution to that: reputable training.

Fortunately, the scarcity mindset has a nemesis: the abundance mindset.

An abundance mindset says…

“I’m a trained professional and I charge professional rates.”

“There’s more voice-over work now than ever in the history of our planet.”

“I provide a valuable service that solves a real problem and I get paid appropriately.”

“I walk away from lowball rates that don’t value my worth.”

“I don’t have competition. I have friends and colleagues.”

“I celebrate their wins. When one of us wins, we all do.”

An abundance mindset is grounded in these facts.

My friend and colleague, Amy Stafford, posted a fantastic example of the abundance mindset recently:

“Holy bananas, you guys. I just booked my highest paying gig to date, and I have to tell you why.

This was a client I did an ad for last year. New campaign, they reached out to me again and asked for a quote. I channeled Josh Alexander and confidently laid out the GVAA rates for ALL of the separate usage they wanted for ALL of the spots. I always think of this as a starting place, and then expect them to ask for a “bundle” discount.

They didn’t.

In the end, I’m getting more than I asked for, with [the] option to renew next year for (rate plus 10%).

So, a friendly reminder to QUOTE YOUR WORTH today! There ARE fair voice buyers out there who value you! Go get ‘em, team! I believe in you!!! *steps off soapbox*😘”

When you quote from a place of abundance, you attract abundance. When you quote from a place of scarcity, you attract scarcity.

Amy stayed grounded in her worth. She understands and defends her value as a professional service provider. Amy was her own best agent and booked a 5-figure gig without representation in this case because of it.

Furthermore, she shared her proof with her colleagues and friends. The abundance mindset works in the real world. Sadly, the scarcity mindset also works equally in the opposite direction.

You get to choose. You get to stand up for yourself. You get to plant your feet in the ground, look the world straight in the eye, and say with unshakable conviction, “I’m worth it.”

If only you will.

You have a voice in your career. Use it.