Staying Motivated in a Competitive Industry
Voiceover isn’t easy. Rejection is part of the job—you face it almost daily. In fact, for many voice actors, booking 1 out of 100 auditions is considered normal. That’s a lot of “no’s” before you finally get a “yes.”
I remember when I first started out, I was so excited every time I sent in an audition, only to feel crushed when I got the dreaded response: “We’ve selected someone else for the role.” At first, it stung. But over time, I realized that if I wanted to survive in this industry, I had to develop some serious mental fortitude.
A big mindset shift that helped me? “Send and forget.” Once I submit an audition, I move on. No overthinking. No waiting anxiously for an email. (Okay, I might still think about those super awesome auditions I was really excited about, but for the most part, I let them go.) These days, I audition so much that when I actually do get booked, half the time I don’t even remember what the project was—LOL.
A common saying in the industry is:
👉 Auditioning is the job. Booking is the bonus.
That’s why persistence is everything. Even when things feel slow, even when the rejection emails pile up, you have to keep going. Because you never know what’s around the corner.
Early in my VO journey, I had an in-person audition. I was nervous but excited. Unfortunately, nerves got the best of me, and I knew I didn’t perform my best. Afterward, the person running the session flat-out told me: “It’s obvious you’re not an actor.”
Ouch.
That comment stuck with me—not because I let it break me, but because it fueled me. I used it as motivation to practice, to improve, to prove to myself that I was capable. Fast forward months later—I auditioned for the same person again, but this time from my home studio. This time, I felt confident. I gave it my all. And when I finished, the director was impressed and excited to add me to their roster.
Another time, I applied to an agency I really wanted to be represented by… and got rejected. Instead of just moving on, I asked for feedback. I took their advice, worked on improving, and months later—out of nowhere—I got a call from that same agent asking if I was still interested in joining their roster. Of course, I said yes! And now, I love being part of that team.
Experiences like these remind me why persistence is key. A “no” today doesn’t mean a “no” forever. That great audition you sent? Maybe they loved it, but you just weren’t the right fit for that project. But what if they remember you for something else?
Voiceover isn’t a game of rejection—it’s a game of selection.
So the next time you get a “no,” don’t let it discourage you. Keep pushing. Keep improving. Because sometimes, that “no” is just leading you to a bigger and better “yes.”