Moving to a new location can be both exciting and stressful, especially when you are relocating for a career-related opportunity. Preparing for a move requires attention to detail and careful planning to ensure everything is in order. From Johnny George Communications, Inc., here are some key things to consider when creating a pre-move checklist.

Seeking Input from Your Network

Before making a decision on where to move, seek input from your network to gain insights on the cost of living, community type, and available services. Reach out to family and friends via social media or email, and ask for suggestions on movers and advice on the best neighborhoods or schools. Use this information to create a shortlist of options based on their recommendations.

Calculate Your Relocation Budget

One of the crucial aspects of moving is setting a budget. To do this, list down all the expenses you’ll encounter, from moving costs to utility deposits. Use an online calculator to estimate the total moving expenses, including the size of your home, the distance of the move, and how much packing you’re willing to do. Keeping track of your expenses will help you avoid overspending and wasting money.

Choosing Housing Options

Finding your new home has never been easier with the numerous online listing websites for apartments. Create search alerts and consider your lifestyle and needs when selecting housing options. Schedule virtual or in-person tours and read reviews or get references from residents living in the area to get a good idea about the environment you’ll be in.

Contact Moving Experts

When planning your move, it’s crucial to research different moving companies to ensure they provide reliable service. Read online reviews to gauge their reputation and get quotes from multiple movers to compare prices and services. To simplify the process, consider hiring full-service movers who will manage everything from packing to unpacking.

Make a Packing Schedule

One common mistake people make when moving is waiting until the last minute to start packing. With a packing timeline, you can avoid procrastination and ensure a smooth move. Start by gathering packing materials such as boxes, tape, and packing paper. Create a list of things that need extra care and need to be packed individually such as delicate items, odd-shaped objects, and valuable items. Allocate sufficient time for packing everything, ensuring you have enough boxes and space for all your items.

Talk to Your Employer

If you are relocating for work, it’s important to communicate your move with your employer early on. Determine what support your employer will provide you with, if any, and be clear and transparent about your moving schedule. You may need to negotiate relocation assistance to cover costs such as moving supplies, any real estate agent fees, or temporary housing.

Connect with Residents

Establishing connections within the community is crucial when relocating to a new area. Participating in local events, joining community groups and associations, and attending meetups are great ways to meet new people and learn more about your new surroundings. Joining local social media groups is another way to connect with others and get recommendations for services and businesses.

LLC Registering with the State

If you’re relocating your LLC business, it’s important to register it with the state using a formation service. This will ensure that your business is compliant with all local regulations and able to operate smoothly in your new location. Don’t risk any legal issues or hiccups by neglecting to properly register your business.

Relocating to a new place can be a daunting task, but with proper preparation, you can make it a smooth transition. Creating this pre-move checklist can help you manage the moving process efficiently and save you from unwanted stress, expenses, and time constraints. Researching the new location, communicating with friends and family, and establishing connections in the new community can go a long way to making your relocation a successful one.

_{** This addition to my Blog was written by Cody McBride. He can be reached here: cmcbride@techdeck.info}

Deciding to leave your job to start a business is a big decision. You want to make sure you do it right so you can maintain your professional reputation and relationships because you never know who your boss is connected to. Here are some tips from voice actor and producer Johnny George on how to quit your job gracefully so that your departure ends on good terms.

Your Boss Should Know First

You should always tell your boss before you tell anyone else at the company. This shows that you respect them and the company enough to give them a heads-up before making any formal announcements. As soon as you have a departure date in mind, schedule a meeting with your boss and explain your decision face-to-face. This is an opportunity to give them notice and discuss any loose ends that need to be tied up before you go.

Your Resignation Letter

After you’ve had that conversation with your boss, the next step is drafting a letter of resignation. Apollo Technical explains that this formal document should state your last day of work and include a short, polite explanation of why you are leaving. It’s best to hand-deliver this letter so there is no confusion about when you will be leaving the company.

Two Weeks’ Notice Is the Right Thing to Do

The standard amount of notice for quitting a job is two weeks. This gives your employer enough time to find a replacement and train them for the role. In some cases, four weeks’ notice may be appropriate if you have special knowledge or skills that will be difficult to replace. If possible, offer to help with the transition by training your replacement or writing up documentation of your duties and responsibilities.

Professionalism Always Wins

It’s important to maintain professionalism during your final weeks at the company. You don’t want to burn any bridges because you never know when you might need those connections in the future. Stay focused on your work and avoid getting involved in office politics. Be available to answer questions from co-workers and trainees, but don’t overwhelm people with information overload.  And finally, resist the urge to badmouth your boss or the company—this will only make you look unprofessional.          

Say Goodbye on Good Terms

Once you’ve put in your two weeks’ notice, there’s only one thing left to do: finish out strong! Stay focused and productive during your final days at the job. Give 110% until the very end. Showing this level of commitment will leave a positive impression on your boss and co-workers, which could come in handy down the road.        

Leaving to Start Your Own Business        

There are many reasons why people choose to leave their jobs and start their own businesses: flexibility, freedom, and autonomy are just a few of the perks. And if you’re planning on starting an LLC (Limited Liability Company), there are even more benefits: LLCs provide personal asset protection, flexible taxation options, and can be owned by multiple people—to name just a few. So if you’re considering starting your own business, an LLC might be the perfect structure for you. As you research everything for your business plan, having an idea about your business structure will be a big part of your launch.     

Take advantage of software and platforms that are suited to your new endeavor. All startups need accounting software, and most can benefit from CRM and marketing software. If you are starting up an e-commerce business, you should invest in an e-commerce platform that makes creating customized buyer experiences easy. Options for commerce can include a variety of features, including B2B and B2C services, data tracking, and more!

Timing is everything

I left radio after almost 40+ years in the Production Room. So I had a great learning foundation and a strategic launch to go out on my own as a voice actor when the time was right. The best way to go solo is to be sure you’re stable in your current job and performing as a voice talent on the side part-time. Developing a client foundation that will support you once you go out on your own. When your clients understand you now are able to focus full-time on their projects, you should be able to bring in new work with them and a new batch of potential clients due to your devoted time developing your new marketing.

Leave with a Graceful Bow

If you’re thinking about quitting your job to start a business, there are some things you need to do first, like telling your boss, writing a letter of resignation, giving two weeks’ notice, maintaining professionalism, and leaving on good terms. When you use the above tips, you’ll be in a position to quit your job gracefully and set yourself up for success in running your own business. I mentor several voice talents and they stay in touch with their progress. If you decide to strike out on your own, stay in touch with us so we can celebrate your victories with you.

_{Photo Credit: George Milton via Pexels}

Maybe you’ve always been curious about voice acting, but you simply had no idea how to break into this industry. If you’re an aspiring voice actor, there are plenty of paths you can take. By reading blogs by voice actors like Johnny George, you can learn more about what it takes to succeed in this niche. Furthermore, here are some projects that need voice actors, as well as tips for starting your own business as a voice actor.

1. Start Your Own Business

As a voice actor, you have several options for your career: you could work for a single company, contract with several agencies, or run your own business. Once you’ve gotten some experience under your belt and formed a solid network of industry connections, establishing your own business is a smart choice. You’ll have more control over your schedule, which projects you take on, and your finances. To launch your own company, you’ll need to create a business plan and choose a structure. For guidance, you can reference the ZenBusiness guide on how to start a company.

2. Commercials

When you think of voice acting, your mind might turn to animated films first. However, there’s ample voice acting work in commercials! Lots of commercials need voiceover tracks. Day Translations states that if you’re interested in doing voiceover work for commercials, you’ll need to master different forms of delivery for a “hard sell” and a “soft sell.” Make sure to include examples of both in your demo reel.

3. Films and Animated Movies

Naturally, many new voice actors want to eventually work on animated films or provide voiceover narration for live-action films. Of course, these roles will inevitably be more competitive – but it’s always worth auditioning just to see what happens! 

Try looking for short film projects in your area that need voice actors. This can be an easier way to get your foot in the door. If you anticipate working on any projects remotely, make sure to outfit a home studio with all of the equipment you’ll need. Backstage recommends investing in a microphone, a pop filter, headphones, an audio interface, and voice recording and editing software.

4. Audiobooks

Today, lots of people enjoy listening to audiobooks. While authors sometimes read their own audiobooks, they often hire voice actors for these projects instead! Personally, I have no interest, due to the tremendous amount of time needed to record, edit, proof, etc. This is only my opinion, while others find becoming an audiobook narrator as an exciting choice for many voice actors who want to go beyond working in film and commercials. Voquent states that if you want to narrate audiobooks, you’ll need to develop a wide range of accurate impressions and versatile tones to convey the emotions of different characters. It’s a good idea to practice these often – you may even want to work with a voice coach!

5. E-Learning and Training

Professional development programs that include videos almost always need voice actors to provide narration. This is an often-overlooked option for voice actors, but with new online training and certification videos being launched each day across every industry, you’ll find that there is a huge amount of work available in this niche. 

If you want to provide narration for e-learning programs and online training videos, how can you find projects? Look up companies that offer online education or professional certification programs and check their current job openings. You will also want to check out freelance job platforms, as this is where companies will advertise projects when they need contractors rather than new full-time employees.

Voice acting can seem like a mysterious industry. But truthfully, there is plenty of work out there for voice actors – you just need to know where to look! With these tips, you’ll be ready to explore different avenues for voice acting, including starting your own business.

Are you interested in pursuing a voice acting career? Get the advice you need from Johnny George. Browse the blog today for expert tips for breaking into voice acting.

The “pandemic” is basically over. (until we hear otherwise) We’re now entering Summer. And out here in Arizona, that has a whole different meaning. Are you getting as many voice requests, auditions, etc?

Our industry is going through phases, just like any other corner of the business world. I’ve had several days of absolutely no work or auditions. But I’m not freaking out. That doesn’t mean no one want’s my voice. Doesn’t mean I’ve fallen off all Talent Rosters. Just be aware, my voice services are just not exactly what someone needs specifically right now.

I like to take advantage of these days and utilize these slower days to work on all those studio needs I never seem to find time to do.

• Practice scripts,
• Clean up studio
• Organize all those studio cables & stuff on the floor
• Have you sent out Thank You cards for your latest projects?
• Do you Cold Call? If so, try about 5 each day.
• Since everyone else is emailing, texting, etc. make a personal phone call to your clients to keep in touch.
• Are you keeping up with your Blog? (Like this one)
• Do you have time & money for Coaching? Now’s a good time.
• Do you have a Mobile setup? If not, organize a solution and test it so you’re ready.
• Take a vacation!
• Spend more time with family.

Everyone will have different reasons for downtime. But these slow days create opportunities for you that you didn’t realize you had. Take advantage of this time.

By the way…if you are slow, just put out a notice that you are going to be “out of the studio” for a vacation and all of a sudden, work starts flowing in. Must be a trigger to clients, eh?