A couple of weeks ago, I detailed why I set out to chat with 60 voice actors in 60 days. I'm at about 80% of my goal so far.

I haven’t analyzed, or even really peeked at the data, yet, so what I’m about to tell you is subjective and anecdotal based solely on my impressions.

So far, here’s some of what I’m learning:

1. Voice actors are among the most generous and willingly, courageously vulnerable people you will ever meet. So many people have been so generous with their time and insights. Much of what we discuss is potentially uncomfortable (we talk a lot about what’s not working, what people are frustrated by and fearful of) and out of 40-some-odd folks I’ve talked to so far, only 1 person declined to answer 1 question.

2. Voice actors are frustrated with time management. So many folks I’ve talked to are struggling to manage and scale their time. Many don’t know how to structure their day or prioritize their to-dos.

3. Our industry is really great at throwing information at people, but not so good at showing them how to use the information. We’re long on “facts” and short on process. Lots of tactics, but little strategy.

4. There are so many sources of information - good, bad, and in-between - on technique (voice acting itself), tech and gear, and the business side of the industry, that many feel overwhelmed trying to sort through it all.

5. Despite the level of generosity within the community, many voice actors I talked to are yearning for more/better mentoring. Many feel siloed and alone in their journey. Several I talked to didn’t even really know how to go about building relationships with their fellow voice actors.

6. By far, at least in my impression thus far – again without having analyzed the data, the biggest frustration among the voice actors I’ve talked to revolves around marketing. People feel stuck, unsure, apprehensive, sometimes even afraid. Many voiced a frustration around not knowing how to approach potential clients without sounding arrogant, chest-thumping, “salesy,” or pushy.

7. Several are apprehensive about using social media for their business. Many I talked to don’t care to.

8. There’s frustration around what I call “screaming into the abyss.” We do dozens, hundreds, thousands of auditions, and the only time you really hear any feedback is when you book the gig. Many voice actors hold an emotional attachment to certain auditions and are disappointed or hurt when either they don’t hear back at all or don’t book the gig.

9. Many unrepresented talent see agency representation as THE key to the next level.

10. And finally, again with no formal data analysis, the biggest fear among the voice actors I had conversations with is that all the time, money, training, and effort they’ve invested into their careers may one day go to waste and their dream of being successful voice actor will die. The sad part is, I know this is happening every day. Just this morning, I saw it happen on Twitter. (If you read this post, please don’t judge this person. None of us ever wants to go through this.)

I may have more to share as I finish my chats and analyze the data. For now, I’m just so grateful that complete strangers have been so honest and forthcoming about their fears and frustrations. I’ve learned a lot and picked up a ton of new friends along the way.

My goal is to see if we identify and can address some of the issues in our business so that we don’t lose good, talented people. So that they don’t have to give up out of frustration.

So that they don’t have to one day post, “It’s over.”

I’d love to hear your thoughts below.