Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in media but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Diana Birdsall, Founder of Diana Birdsall LLC, located in McKinney, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Me: I whisper sweet nothings in your ear. You: You pay for me to do so. Ok, Haha. I'm a Voice Actor and a Voice Over Coach. I prompt your phone any way you want (well, almost :), I teach orthopedic surgery, and I sell you fancy cars. That's what I do! New scripts are in front of me every day, ranging from Live Events, Meditation Apps, and B2B videos to TV & Radio Commercials, eLearning, and a crowd favorite...Video Games! My clients are small businesses, Ad Agencies, and corporations to global businesses like Amazon. Everyone needs a voice to represent their business, and I'm always excited to be that Voice.

Tell us about yourself

My first passion for Television was being a Creative Director for Time Warner, where I produced a Real Estate show and a zillion TV commercials. Because I went to Emerson College in Boston, I did a lot of on-camera and radio performances. So why not do a voice-over for many, and I mean a lot of the ads I was producing? When I left the Directing/Producing side of the business, a friend of mine encouraged me to get into Voice Over, and the light bulb popped on. It had never occurred to me that I could be my own business. I only wish I had come to that realization much sooner! It is incredibly hard work finding new work every single day. Much harder than people stepping into the arena think, but after 5 years of auditioning my face off, I had a roster of clients that gave me recurring work, and I continue to cultivate relationships and audition (Yup, I deal with a crazy amount of rejection every day) to grow my client base. What motivates me is that my work is new minute to minute; it's exciting; I learn new things from my eLearning work, I play new characters, and I motivate people with meditation apps. Being creative keeps me on my toes. Coaching new people coming into Voice Over is a total gas! Helping people open up, find their voices and figure out how to support themselves through performance and business in the world of VO?... Priceless!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Being self-employed for 12 years and going strong all by myself in a padded room! The pride that comes along with just doing your thing and running a business completely solo is a huge accomplishment. One I never thought I could do, but here I am! I'm really incredulous that it happened, but I believed I could do it and made it happen. I now speak on VO Conference Panels about navigating Social Media, Marketing, eLearning, Building Accountability Groups, and more. I've earned nominations at the OneVoice Awards, and I've voiced projects for a bevy of Fortune 500 companies as well as the smallest of mom and pops as I said, it's new every single day!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

As a Solopreneur, I do 100% of everything. I'm not just doing the fun performing part; I do the editing, invoicing, direct marketing, social media, website, networking, keeping my equipment in good working order, and self-direction. EVERYTHING.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  • First, get some business training with someone familiar with your genre.
  • Second, know your budget for everything you'll need and stick to it.
  • Third, for goodness sake, believe in yourself and do not get sucked in by self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Performers are particularly prone to Imposter Syndrome. Shake it off and make it work.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dianabirdsall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diana.p.birdsall/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianabirdsallvo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianaBirdsallVO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianabirdsallvo/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.