Beyond the Mic: Why Client Credit is Essential (And When Clients Get It Right!)
- Tom Dheere
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
In the world of voice acting, we spend a lot of time honing our craft, perfecting our home studios, and auditioning in the hopes of landing that next gig. It's a journey filled with creative highs and the satisfaction of bringing words to life. But sometimes, amidst the scripts and sound waves, a client interaction stands out – one that reminds you of the value of true professional collaboration and recognition.
After over 30 years in this industry, I've had my share of experiences. While getting paid is, of course, crucial, there are moments that highlight a "gold standard" of client partnership, especially when it comes to acknowledging the hard work of everyone involved. I recently had one such experience I wanted to share, particularly for my fellow voice actors, new and seasoned.
The Golden Moment: A Client Who Gets Voice Actors
Getting cast for a project is always exciting. Recently, I was hired to voice some commercials for a company called Postscript.io. The project itself was fun, but what happened after the audio was delivered and the spots were produced truly impressed me.
A huge thank you is due to one member of the production team, @cinemadness, who posted the final spots on social media. But here's where they went above and beyond: they took the time and effort to credit the entire cast and crew in their post!
Why Client Credit is VO Gold
This might seem like a simple gesture, but for us voice actors, where our work is often integral but often uncredited in the final public-facing content, it means a tremendous amount. Recognition isn't just about ego; it's about professional validation and building your career.
Professional Validation & Respect
Being credited is a clear signal that the client and production team value your specific contribution. It acknowledges that the voice performance wasn't just a commodity, but a skilled craft that was essential to the final product's success. This shows a deep respect for the art of voice acting.
Portfolio Building & Social Proof
For voice actors at any stage, showcasing your work is vital. Clients credited posts make it infinitely easier to:
Share the work: You can confidently share the client's post on your own social media, linking directly to the final product.
Update your portfolio/demo reels: Having a public credit attached to a finished piece provides concrete proof of your involvement and the context of your performance.
Demonstrate credibility: Potential future clients seeing your name associated with professional projects builds trust and showcases your experience.
Networking & Industry Visibility
When production teams and clients credit performers, it increases visibility not just for the project, but for you. Other creatives, casting directors, or potential clients who see the post might discover your work through that credit. It helps foster a more connected and collaborative industry.
Seeing the Shout-Out in Action
Curious to see an example of this gold-standard practice? You can check out @cinemadness's Instagram profile. I had the fantastic opportunity to voice "Bub," the friendly little AI floating character in the Postscript.io commercials. You can find the four videos I worked on located just below their Doordash spots and a bit farther down the feed near the "Be Not Afraid" video. It's great to see the final product and the credits attached!
FYI if you don't have an Instagram account, here are a few of the spots that were posted on YouTube. You can see my character "Bub" at the end of each video!
Beyond the Mic: The Impact of Recognition
Bringing characters like Bub to life is always rewarding, but experiencing a client and production team go the extra mile to ensure every contributor receives credit? That's truly the stuff that makes you appreciate the gig, the collaboration, and this industry even more.
Kudos to clients and production partners like Postscript.io and @cinemadness who understand the value of giving proper props and celebrating the entire creative team, including the voice actors who bring their scripts to life. It really makes a difference – not just emotionally, but professionally.
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Through VO Strategist, Tom's provided voiceover business & marketing coaching since 2011. He's also a voice actor with over 25 years of experience who has narrated just about every type of voice over you can think of. When not voicing or talking about voicing, Tom produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.
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