When Life Hands You Lemons: Gratitude is the Name of the Game

  “Barb went above and beyond for our project, and remained extremely professional throughout the whole process. We really appreciated her patience and ability to adjust to our client’s specific needs, as well as always being open in her communication and feedback.”

  Now, doesn’t that just make your day? I’ll be honest, hearing that was like being showered with rainbows! It was a real affirmation of the professionalism and care I bring to every voice over session. Especially because they'd never worked with a voice artist before, directly, and were worried about coaching. Should they really speak to me like I was just, well, anybody? I put their minds at ease and we had a great session. But, as it often goes in the creative world, the story didn’t end there.

  About a day later, I heard from the client that they’d had a change of heart. Despite my warm delivery and professionalism, they ultimately decided to go with a Canadian talent. My Wisconsin heritage nearly got me there, but the project called for something even more specific: a voice that truly resonated with Canadians, speaking to Canadians, about services for Canadians.

The Lemon: When Things Don’t Go Exactly as Planned

  For those of us in the creative and production world, this kind of pivot is not unusual. You pour your heart into a project, you adapt on the fly, you show up with your best, and sometimes the final decision takes a different turn. It can be disappointing—trust me, I get it.

  But here’s where the classic “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade” spirit really shines. Instead of dwelling on the setback, I choose to focus on the positive. The experience was enriching, the team was delightful to work with, and the session itself was full of fun and collaboration. I'm grateful I had the experience.

  For Creative Directors and Executive Producers managing voiceover talent, this situation is a perfect reminder that not every choice is about the voiceover artist’s skill or dedication. Sometimes it’s about cultural nuance, target audience preferences, or project-specific branding. Understanding these subtleties is crucial when directing voice talent and managing expectations and I'm sure Andy at the production agency wishes the client had been a bit more clear from the get-do.

Making Lemonade: Turning Challenges into Collaborative Wins

  In my work with Instructional Designers, Creative Directors and Executive Producers, I often see how a voiceover session can make or break listener engagement. The right voice brings content to life, builds trust, and fosters connection. But the “right voice” isn’t just about delivery. It’s also about authenticity and relevance, and in this case, culture.

  When you’re coaching talent, whether you’re a seasoned Creative Director or new to directing voice actors, it’s important to embrace the idea that feedback and adjustments are part of the process. And sometimes, it’s less about the voice and more about the audience’s unique needs.

  In this case, while I didn’t become the final voice for this project, I helped the team discover what was missing. That’s a win in itself.

Professionalism and Patience: The Pillars of Voice Over Success

  Holding my head high after this experience comes from the knowledge that I showed up fully prepared, stayed patient, and communicated openly. These qualities are essential in any voiceover collaboration, especially for those of you managing complex corporate narrations or instructional content.

  For Creative Directors, Executive Producers, and eLearning Project Managers juggling multiple priorities, having a reliable, professional voice talent who can adapt and communicate clearly is a game changer. It saves time, reduces frustration, and ultimately results in a stronger final product. Sometimes, that means finding a voice that speaks their language, not just literally, but culturally and contextually.

The Takeaway: Always Look for the Silver Lining

 In voice over, you’re bound to encounter moments that don’t go exactly as planned. But each experience offers insight, connection, and growth. Truly something to be grateful for. The next time you face a change of direction or an unexpected curveball in your voiceover projects, remember that with patience and professionalism, you can still turn the situation into a win.

 Maybe, just maybe, I’ll hear from this client again when their needs shift. Until then, I’m proud of the professionalism I brought and the opportunity to help a team navigate the nuances of voice talent coaching. I bet when they coached the talent they ended up going with their newfound confidence was infectious, and the end product super successful. Today, fewer Canadians are smoking and that’s a good thing!