In the fast-paced world of media production, we’ve all been there:
A client reaches out, the project sounds exciting, the deadline’s tight (naturally)… and then poof. They vanish.
As freelance voice artists, we’re no stranger to this disappearing act. It’s frustrating, but sadly, it’s become almost expected.
However, I firmly believe that ghosting should never happen. Not even once.
Just last week, a line producer contacted me about a project. Urgent deadline, test reads, Zoom calls, the whole nine yards. And then… radio silence.
It doesn’t just happen to voice artists
It baffles me that anyone in our industry, especially those in production, would make such a short-sighted mistake. Ghosting isn’t just unprofessional; it’s a business blunder and it clearly doesn’t just happen to voiceover professionals. Here’s why:
1. It’s simply disrespectful.
Whether you’re dealing with a fellow voice artist, an editor, or a sound engineer, turning your back on someone you’ve engaged with is just plain rude.
2. Your reputation is on the line.
The media world is smaller than you think. Today’s “ghostee” could be tomorrow’s client or collaborator. People remember those who treat them with respect, and they certainly remember those who don’t.
3. It’s incredibly easy to avoid.
A quick email saying, “Thanks for your time, but we’ve decided to go in a different direction,” takes seconds. It’s a small gesture that goes a long way in maintaining professional relationships. As voice artists, we don’t want flowers but we do want respect.
Anyone who ghosts me or another of the many hundreds of voice artists I work with, automatically goes on the naughty-list. They have lost the privilege of working with me.
In the end, a little communication can save you from a lot of headaches down the road. So let’s all commit to ditching the ghosting and treating each other with the respect we all deserve.