Voice actors are uniquely susceptible to imposter syndrome. The struggle is real. But for every talented, inwardly tormented actor who fights to rise above chronic self-doubt, there are at least a dozen hustlers who embrace being outright frauds.

If you suspect this applies to you, just follow these simple guidelines:

Don’t pad your resume. Don’t throw your weight around. Don’t buy followers on social media or pander to toxic fandoms. Don’t make every human encounter transactional. Don’t value self promotion over self improvement.

Don’t gaslight colleagues for the edge you think it gives you in “the market.” Don’t take classes just to name-drop the instructor or outshine beginners. Don’t whine about not being treated with the same “respect” as someone who’s been in the game twenty years longer.

(Conversely, don’t treat newcomers like they don’t have every right to their shot.)

Don’t act like a role entitles you to being treated like the character. Don’t act like being good at something means you deserve to be worshipped.

Don’t EVER let yourself believe, even for a moment, that you’re what made a role special or memorable. It’s the other way around. The role makes the actor.

And lastly, don’t strive to become a better actor just to get out of having to be a better person. That’s not how this works.

And if you think this is about you, don’t take it personally. Odds are, it’s not.

Love the craft. Follow the process. Trust your colleagues. Honor the audience. TELL. THE. STORY.

Everything else is bullshit you’ll kick yourself for having chased.