voiceover

Authenticity – Be Yourself. Everyone Else is Already Taken.

June 4, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Authenticity.

That word has been so overused, what does it even mean anymore? Specifically in how it relates to your public-facing self and how you promote your freelance business?

As freelancers, we are told to show our “authentic” selves on social media in order to stand out from the crowd, from the competition, from the AI clones who stand in the shadows ready to replace us.

But, we are also supposed to be “professional”.

So don’t:
Overshare
Be TOO vulnerable

Or be boring, because who’s going to hire a creative freelancer who isn’t entertaining and engaging at every moment?

Oh yeah, also don’t burn out from trying to do all of the above at the same time.

As a voiceover talent, my clients often ask for an “authentic” read. They will describe what they are looking for in the brief as sounding grounded, human, relatable, and imperfect. But I know that you can’t perform “authentic”.

You can only BE yourself.

So, to sound relatable, grounded, human and “authentic”.

I have to relate to, be grounded in, and see myself in the product or service I’m talking about.

I think this also works for how we present ourselves professionally online and in social media as creative freelancers. Relate to what you are saying, be grounded in your truth, accept that we, like everyone else, is imperfectly human.

Oh, and boundaries are healthy!

In this week’s Freelance Fitness episode, I explore what authenticity means to me, while I coach you through a can-do-this-anywhere cardio workout.

Fun video of me authentically demonstrating the exercises in a cramped space.

Let’s squeeze a workout in and find the authentic balance together.

Work hard. Rest well.

Imposter Syndrome

May 28, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

I don’t know about you, but I struggled with impostor syndrome for years.

It took me ages before I would tell people I was a voice over artist when people asked me what I did.

Or get business cards. Or hand them out after I got them, and instead, hide them in a secret inner pocket of my purse next to my lack of self-worth.

But you know what? I am a voice over artist. And my clients are happy to work with me, and it’s how I earn a living. So I should be proud of my career and be at ease talking about myself.

But instead I would change the topic. Or if I mentioned my career, it was always by diminishing myself in some way. Like saying that it was part-time or a side-hustle even when I was full-time. I didn’t feel like I deserved to claim that. No matter how many hours I put in. It was like, if someone else didn’t give me that title, then it couldn’t be true.

I didn’t feel like I belonged in the same room as “those people”.

You know, those people with salaries, and regular paycheques, benefits, PTO, and shiny business cards given to them by HR and not self-designed and printed up at Staples like mine. But, that’s easier said than done, right?

So why don’t we use some hip and spine mobility exercises to help us get more comfortable in our bodies and be more at ease stretching out into the freelance space we have every right to claim.

This week in Freelance Fitness we explore lower back and hip mobility to some great jazz music, while I talk myself out of hiding behind potted plants at networking events. If you also struggle with imposter syndrome, maybe you should check it out!

Work hard, and rest well.

Freelance voiceover artist – You don’t know what you don’t know

May 19, 2025 by AlisonP Leave a Comment

Are you a freelance creative person? Have you ever questioned your decision to having chosen a freelance creative profession, rather than a nice cushy desk job?

You are not alone. Not if we’re hanging out together, you’re not.

When you are a solopreneur, there are a lot of hats to wear, a lot of balls to keep in the air, and a lot of bucks stopping here, right at your desk. There’s a lot of pressure to perform, and to grow, but also to have all the answers. Or look like you have all the answers.

I don’t have all the answers. Not even for my own business as a freelance voiceover artist. Actually, it seems that just about every week, I keep uncovering new questions.

It can get overwhelming, and I struggle to stay focused on my business plan, and marketing, and recording jobs, and auditioning, and, and, and…

Sound familiar?

If it is, then it’s vitally important to find balance and take a breather so we don’t burn ourselves out. Push away from the desk and laptop, get some circulation back in our limbs, shake out the stress, and re-centre. Our most important asset is ourselves, and we need to take care of it.

In addition to being a freelance voiceover artist and a former fitness instructor, I am also a podcast host. And I’d like to invite you to spend 10- 15 minutes a week with me doing something good for ourselves, so we can be more present for our business. My weekly podcast Freelance Fitness is a snackable brain and body break aimed at freelance creatives who could use a little movement and little community, because you know, we’ve all been there!

You can find the link to my podcast here.

For the inaugural episode, I will guide you through a short run while I tell you how I stumbled into a freelance voiceover career (please don’t stumble while running). We’ll also listen to some great music while we move.

A link to post-workout stretching suggestions is here.

I hope you enjoy, and I’m always interested to know what you’re thinking, so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Work hard, freelance friends. Work hard, but rest well.

ALISON PENTECOST

voiceover