Mistakes Happen — Even to the Pros
Look, we’ve all been there — salaried or freelance. Sometimes, inadvertently, we screw up.
Back in my IT days, I managed to shut down an entire inbound call centre… twice. Once by rebooting the wrong server. Another time by accidentally leaning on the main power switch in the server room. Beeooooooo. Silence.
Fast-forward to my voice over career. One day, I recorded way more of a client’s e-learning script than I was supposed to. The script had colour-coded lines for multiple voice actors. My lines were in dark grey, and unassigned lines were in black. I should have double-checked. I didn’t. And I ended up recording four times as much narration as required.
The result? My audio files were unusable. The client was on a tight deadline. I’d dropped the ball.
This Could Happen to Any Freelancer….and It’s Not the End
When we’re on a creative freelance contract — whether it’s a commercial voice over, audiobook narration, explainer video, or video game — the stakes feel higher. There’s no boss protecting your job. You might think, “One mistake and they’ll replace me.”
But here’s the truth:
- Clients are under pressure too. They care about their deliverables, deadlines, and their own stakeholders.
- Replacing you mid-project isn’t easy for them — it’s more trouble than it’s worth if you can fix the problem.
What they need most in that moment is reassurance and solutions — not excuses.
In my e-learning script mishap, I didn’t blame the text colours. I didn’t ramble. I simply told the client:
“I’m re-recording the correct version right now and will send you the updated file shortly.”
And then I did it. Fast. Professionally. No drama.
The client thanked me. We moved on. And here’s the important part: we’ve worked together since.
The Three Keys to Bouncing Back
The difference between a one-time mistake and a reputation-killer isn’t the mistake itself — it’s how you handle it.
1️⃣ Own It
Acknowledge the problem. Keep it short and professional:
“Hi [Client], I’ve realized I made an error on the project. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I’m already working on a fix and will update you shortly.”
2️⃣ Fix It Fast
If you can, deliver the correction immediately. If not, come prepared with options:
- A revised timeline
- A small discount if appropriate
- Alternative solutions that still meet their needs
3️⃣ Focus on Their Needs, Not Your Feelings
Skip the lengthy explanations. Avoid defensive language. Show that your priority is their project’s success, not saving face.
The Long Game
Handled well, a small failure can actually strengthen a client relationship. Why?
Because people remember how you show up under pressure. They remember you didn’t disappear. They remember you kept your focus on them.
And if you step in to fix a problem — even one you didn’t cause — you become their go-to problem solver. That’s how long-term loyalty is built in the voice over industry, and in any creative freelance field.
Mistakes happen. Professionalism is what makes clients stay.
Reach out to talk about your next project, to chat about voiceover or fitness, or Follow me for more tips.
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Link to podcast: Ep 15: Failure doesn’t have to be the end of your client relationship
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