April 12, 2025
April 2025,Voiceover Business
When a client does not know what they want
By Aisha Manrique – Voiceover Artist, Caribbean Thought Leader, Public Speaking & Vocal Empowerment Coach
May I be real with you?
There are days in this voiceover journey when everything flows. The brief is clear, the client knows exactly what they want, and you’re in the zone. Boom! Magic! Money made!
Then there are those other days.
The ones where the script changes ten times.
The tone they asked for yesterday is now “too emotional.”
The client “likes it but…” and we all know what comes after that but.
My goodness! You sit there in your home studio, headphones on, mic hot, staring at the wall like, “Lord, give me strength…” So what do you do when you’re working with a client who keeps shifting direction? Especially
when you really value this client and you want to maintain a great working relationship?
Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Pause Before You React
It’s tempting to get frustrated (and understandably so). But before you respond on that call or send that email with the passive-aggressive undertone (you know the one), take a breath. Collect yourself. This is a human on the other side of this job who might just be overwhelmed, unclear, or under pressure themselves.
2. Ask the Right Questions
Sometimes a client doesn’t know what they want because they’ve never been asked the right questions. You ever thought about that? This is where you get the opportunity to showcase your experience, professionalism and creative mind. You can ask things like:
- “Can you describe what success looks like for this project?”
- “What emotion do you want the audience to feel when they hear this?”
- “Is there a reference or brand voice you love that we can model?”
Lead with curiosity, not frustration.
3. Set Boundaries Without Being Rigid
Now let’s face it, you’re running an actual business, not a charity. Make room for revisions yes, but within reason. If the back-and-forth is becoming a pattern, don’t be afraid to gently reference the scope of the project, or offer to hop on a quick call to realign. I promise you, that’s allowed.
4. Don’t Let It Shake Your Confidence
When the direction keeps changing, it’s easy to start second-guessing your instincts. Don’t let it. You’re a professional. You’ve been hired because you bring value. Just because the client is unclear doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Don’t let the brain start playing tricks on you.
5. Know When to Walk Away
Let’s be honest: sometimes a client just isn’t a good fit. If the energy consistently feels off, the expectations are unreasonable, and it’s taking a toll on your mental health—it might be time to gracefully bow out, because all money isn’t….(you finish the rest).
In the end…
Here’s the thing, the voiceover world (and the creative world in general) is full of moving pieces. The key is to move with integrity, grace, and clarity—even when the brief isn’t. Don’t let the moving pieces suck the joy out of the craft.
To every fellow voice talent, creator, and freelancer navigating these waters—keep showing up as your full self. Your voice matters, and so does your peace.
I’m Aisha Manrique, Caribbean Voiceover Artist, public speaking and vocal empowerment coach, thought leader, and believer in the magic of sound. Whether I’m in my home studio or on a stage, I’m here to speak truth, bring life to words, and remind creatives that boundaries and brilliance can coexist. I’ll connect with you in our next blog!
Helping you craft confident communication, one word at a time because your voice can change your life!
Aisha Manrique
Aisha Manrique Media / Voicey Versa Productions Ltd.
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April 2025,Voiceover Business
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