If I sat here and told you that starting in voice over was easy, you’d know that I’m lying through my vocal chords. I’ve read about new talent auditioning over 300 times before their first job. I believe them. It’s tough. It might be less about the grind than about putting yourself out there and getting rejected. I’d almost say, getting flat out rejected might be a little easier than not hearing anything back. That is the business. So, to get your first opportunity after all of the hard work, you feel validated. This is the breakthrough. I’m not just wasting my time and energy on a pipe dream. This is going to be the start of something big. Here is the story of my first paid job me getting scammed.
FULL DISCLOSURE…I didn’t suffer any identity theft or financial losses. Only a little embarrassment and a shot to the pride.
I had been doing auditions for a solid month, submitting about 5-10 a day. Each one a little bit better than the last. I was learning more about my setup. I was learning more about my editing tools. I was learning how to become faster and more efficient. I even re-recorded some earlier self demos to place on the paid site I use. I was in the zone. Despite not getting a paid gig, the number of listens and favorites were increasing in my statistics. I wasn’t discouraged, in fact, I felt my confidence growing and that I was getting closer. Then it happened. I got a response in my inbox.
At first, I thought it was a joke. Like anything in life, if you get rejected enough, when it finally happens, it seems to good to be true. I really should have saw the writing on the wall but my ambition really wanted it to happen.
Red Flag #1: The Client Wanted Me to Contact Them Offsite via Personal Email
I should have deleted the message and went about my business, especially since the client deleted the job from the site right afterwards. But I’ve heard in some instances where sites are used to get talent and then book them offsite through personal email. Though that might make sense, why would someone trust me with zero bookings myself? Once again, I wanted it soooo bad. I took the bait and contacted the client.
Red Flag #2: The Client’s Information is Out Dated or Doesn’t Check Out
Sometimes you have to dig deep, especially when dealing with complicated matters. If I had redirected them back to the paid platform for service, this attempt would have been snuffed out before it got further. I did my research and found it was pretty strange that a client wanting an online ad mentions a website whose domain is currently available for purchase in the script. I wanted it so bad that I assumed that it could have been a whole rebrand, fresh start type deal.
Red Flag #3: The Client Wanted Me to Pay the Production Team.
I’m so glad that someone was looking out for me because the last Red Flag was big enough to be flown over a car dealership in China. After taking the time to record, edit, and submit the job to the client with an invoice, I received an interesting response. The Client sent a check that was worth more that the amount agreed upon via email with instructions to deposit and respond with confirmation from my bank. Afterwards, I was to pay the production team with the remaining funds. At that point, I felt like such a mark. That was the moment I knew, as bad as I wanted my first paid, this wasn’t it. No one will ever pay you more that an agreed upon amount in the contract/invoice. Furthermore, no one will ask you to pay someone else. That is their job.
I was so disappointed in myself. I had second thoughts about how serious am I going to take this. But I guess, that is the gambit of feelings one goes through when they care. You put effort into something, someone shows appreciation, it feels right. The message for anyone reading is that this is a business. You have to remain discipline. Stay smart. It is ok to be skeptical. If you are on a paid site, use the platform to protect yourself. If you decide to go offsite, cover all of your basis and judge to the highest level of scrutiny while still being professional. Cut your losses if you feel like the relationship between yourself and the client is going in the wrong direction. I promise you if you keep at it, it will all work out, THE RIGHT WAY.
