So Close I Could Taste the Tagline! - How I Bounced Back After Almost Landing the Big One

There I was. Down to the final two. Not final four, not final ten. Just two of us left in the running for a career-changing voiceover gig.

The brand was huge. The opportunity was massive. I'm talking pay off my daughter's student loan debt and still have enough for 2 JMC Euro Retreats! I was already imagining what snack I’d be holding while watching the spot air during prime time. Spoiler alert: it would have been something expensive and definitely covered in truffle salt.

But in the end, I didn’t book it. And wow, that hurt a little more than accidentally deleting a perfectly edited audition file.

First Comes Grief, Then Comes Gratitude

I’ll be honest. For about 24 hours, I was in full dramatic soap opera mode. I might have even stared longingly out a window while holding a coffee I wasn’t drinking. It’s okay to feel bummed. You wanted it. You earned your way into the top tier. And then… poof. It goes to the other person. Who’s probably lovely. And talented. And clearly not me.

But here’s where the plot twist comes in — even though I didn’t land the job, I still walked away with a lot.

You Were Noticed by People Who Matter

Getting into the final two means the creative leads at a major company know your voice. They know your name. You’re on their radar now. They may even remember how well you took direction during callbacks or how you didn’t panic when the mic cut out for a second.

And here’s the best part. Those callbacks? Paid.

Yes, you read that right. I got paid to almost book a job. Twice.

Paid Callbacks Are Basically the Universe Saying “You’re Close”

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the beauty of the paid callback. Not only did it help fund my next mic obsession, but it was a clear sign that I was being taken seriously. This wasn’t a “maybe someday” situation. This was a “we’re this close to hiring you” kind of moment.

Getting paid for callbacks isn’t just good for the wallet. It’s good for the soul. It says you’re playing at a high level. It says your voice was in the running for something major. And it means that next time, you might just be the one on the booking sheet.

Be Gracious and Stay in the Game

After the final no came in, I made sure to send a thank-you message to the team. Not a passive-aggressive one. Not a “you’ll regret this” one. A real, sincere thank-you. Because I truly appreciated the experience.

That sort of kindness goes a long way. People remember how you act when things don’t go your way. That’s how you stay in the game. You keep the door open. You stay on the radar. And maybe next time, when the right project comes along, they’ll remember the guy who crushed two callbacks and still had the good sense to say thank you.

What Now?

Now I keep going. The next audition is already waiting. And that “almost” job? It did its job. It gave me momentum. It proved I can run with the big dogs. I didn’t book it this time, but that door didn’t close — it just stayed slightly ajar with a little “see you soon” sticky note on it.

So if you’re ever one of two left standing, and it doesn’t go your way, remember this:

You were right there. You were in the final frame. That’s not failure. That’s the sound of progress knocking. And I’m already answering.

Need a voice that brings the goods, even when the gig doesn’t land? Let’s chat. My mic is on and I am ready.🎧 Hear for yourself: www.jimfronk.com

#VoiceOverJourney #AlmostBookedIt #StillWinning #FronkSpeaks #StayInTheGame