Things are never predictable in Voiceover World, but we can usually say that August and January tend to be a bit quieter than other months. Does this mean we can sit on our laurels and enjoy some downtime and some R&R? Yes it does. But it also means we have time to take care of some housekeeping jobs that we may not have time to do during our busy times.
These may not be glamorous tasks, but future-you will thank you when you avoid system meltdowns or restore a job you thought you’d lost from a backup (in reality if your system doesn’t melt down you won’t give it a second thought, but I like to over-egg the pudding).
So here is a list of some of the jobs you might like to do – or maybe you won’t like to do them, but you should do them anyway (a bit like cleaning the oven).
1. Backing up your system
As hinted at above, backups are really important! They should be something that you do as routine, but if you don’t, then here’s your chance. And if you already have a backup regime in place you can check all your backups are up to date, intact and easily accessed. I think we’ve all felt the frustration of discovering a piece of work has vanished from our system, or watched in horror as our computer crashes and we lose the last few hours work (CMD/CRTL-S ALL THE TIME PEOPLE!).
I shouldn’t need to explicate the importance of backing up your computer, but the numbers of people who don’t backup is scary!
2. Update your software
Similar to backing up your system, this is a computer maintenance job that needs doing at regular intervals. The best advice is that you shouldn’t embark on this if you’re in the middle of a big project. And that means that when it’s quiet is the perfect time!
Apple and Microsoft regularly issue updates to their operating systems, and other software vendors also update their products offering patches to bugs, improvements to security as well as offering new features. Somewhere in your software (it varies between platforms and vendors) there will be a button to check for updates.
Give it a press and see what happens!
3. Give your equipment a once-over
(Ooo-err missus).
There have been times when I’ve been called out for a studio tickle and been faced with 20 years of dust on top of everything. I’m not calling that out as such because Helen will tell you how untidy my studio is, but maintaining your studio equipment will lengthen its lifespan and keep it sounding sweet.
There isn’t a lot of actual maintenance you can do yourself these days, but you can clean your mic capsule and pop screen and make sure any pots aren’t crackling. Maybe consider a gentle hoovering of your acoustic tiles and gently clearing the vents on your computer to clear any dust to help it keep a good airflow and prevent it running hot (no-one wants fan noise on their recordings!). If you have a higher quality mic you could consider sending it off for a service. Also check the condition of your cables and any other peripherals you have and generally make sure everything is in tip top condition.
As we’re not lugging our kit around on the road and throwing it into the back of trucks all the time we should have a really long shelf life for our studio equipment, but a bit of extra TLC doesn’t hurt. Mics and cables should last you a lifetime if they’re looked after (I still have working guitar leads that are probably almost 40 years old). But that may involve a little maintenance from time to time.
4. File management
This could easily fit into backing up your system, but I think it warrants its own section. If your hard drive is getting full your computer will run slower and be more prone to crashes. I’ll say that again – If your hard drive is getting full your computer will run slower and be more prone to crashes.
In the olden days a VO would have had a paper stack of old scripts no longer needed that would have needed to be cleared to make way for new ones. There is a digital equivalent and it’s just as important to clear them out of the way. You may not want to permanently get rid of them, but you can – as you did with paper – file them away so they’re not in the way. Stick them on an external drive, or in the cloud.
Keep your computer tidy! This is your opportunity to get all those photos off your work machine and back them up somewhere else! Who needs thousands of photos of their kids anyway??!
Also remember to regularly empty your bin and your downloads folder. Or at least file their contents somewhere more suitable.
5. Upskill yourself
You are running a business. This takes any number of different activities and skills as well as the voicing bit. There’s always a new thing or two to learn, and here is your opportunity. Not only can you indulge yourself with a bit of coaching to get better at the voicing bit, but you could learn some new production techniques, explore a new CRM system, trial a new accounts package, take a marketing course or any number of other business related activities which can make your business run more efficiently.
Computer tech and the legal system are constantly changing and as business people we need to be on top of both things in order to make our businesses operate as efficiently as possible. Here’s your chance to ensure you’re up to date, Grandad/Grandma.
6. Go through your client list
There are many reasons you might want to do this. You might want to drop them a line and keep that relationship alive (surreptitiously reminding them that you’d like some work!), you may need to update your contact details if there are new staff/contact points/email addresses, you may just want a nostalgia trip about the jobs you’ve done in the past. All good reasons! In August/December your clients may be on holiday. But if you know they are you can still make a note to contact them in September/January.
How we can help you
There are quite a few things on this list that B Double E can help you with. Don’t be shy of getting in touch if you need some help. Especially during the quiet months.