I am guilty of flaming.
Last week, a civil conversation was taking place in a social media group about a very important subject. The subject doesn't matter, but it's one I feel strongly about. I didn't care for the position an expert on the subject was taking, so I came up with what I thought was a clever way to zing them. This is a person whom I already had an issue with regarding another subject.
I totally derailed the conversation. Even worse, I opened the door to a troll. I got called out for it and rightfully so. I apologized in the social media group and privately to the person in question but the damage was done.
I thought I was defending someone's honor (who wasn't even part of the conversation) and putting someone else in their place (whom I don't even know) but I didn't have all of the facts. Even if I had the facts, the fact that I flamed someone was completely out of line.
It was mean when I always strive to be kind. It was thoughtless when I always strive to be thoughtful. It was ego-driven when I always strive to be humble.
I talk regularly to my students about how to comport yourself on social media so I should know better but I did it anyway.
I feel terrible about flaming someone and I will never do it again.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Emotions can run high on social media but flaming is unacceptable.
Never be part of the problem, always be part of the solution.
To avoid flaming and improve both your behavior & your mental well-being:
Think before you post! Use the old, "What would my grandmother think if she read this?" exercise.
Take regular breaks from social media. These sites are designed to mess with you psychologically and keep you scrolling & buying. I think that contributed to my shabby behavior. I'm on it all day, every day as both a voice actor, coach, and human so I vowed to stay off all social media last weekend. It's the first time I've done that in years and you know what? It felt pretty good. Once I got past the FOMO, of course. :)
Even better; go for a hike, read a book, listen to music, spend quality time with a fellow in human in person, do anything but constantly scroll scroll scroll & get sucked in by mean memes, political rants, and endless banality. You will be better for it!
NEWS AND NOTES
Wednesday, June 23rd @8PM ET: the VO How-To Webinar "Online Casting Sites". In this 90-minute webinar, we will explore the world of online voiceover casting sites, the “Pay-to-Play” business model, and how to use Online Casting Sites effectively. This webinar will be recorded so if you can't make it you will get the video. Sign up here!
Saturday, July 10th @5PM ET: the Voice Actors Studio presents "Analyze your Business and Marketing Strategies". In this 2-hour webinar, we will talk about how to objectively examine your voiceover business so you can figure what's working and what isn't. Sign up here!
Wednesday, July 14th @12PM ET: the VoiceOver Network Interview "Tom Dheere Explains Explainers". More info to come...!
Thursday, July 15th @8PM ET: the Edge Studio Business and Money 201 webinar, "Rates, Billing, and Negotiating". In this 60-minute webinar, we will discuss how to build a Rate Sheet, invoice clients, and get the rates your deserve. Sign up here!
Thursday, July 22nd @8PM ET: the Edge Studio Marketing 201 webinar, "4 Words that Kill your Marketing". In this 60-minute webinar, we will discuss how to think like an effective voiceover marketer and avoid self-destructive marketing strategies. Sign up here!
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Onion Rings Day and World Giraffe Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
