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Deirdre
Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
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Location: Camp Cooper
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 Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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People who really want pros are going to pay for pros.
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Mike
Nasty Brit
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 476
Location: Tomorrowland
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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| davediamondprovo wrote: |
In my business model clients post their copy, choose a couple distinguishing attributes about it like (car ad, medical ad, radio, television etc.), enter their budget limit and they instantly see how many talents are available to choose from based on the aforementioned criteria. And, since talents can't see other talents pricing guides, there's no bidding war. The client chooses the talent they want available to them OR broaden their attributes and open up their budget further to see more available talents. Make sense? I can't believe I just spilled that here. |
Didn't I read somewhere that the new version on Voice123 will be arranged in a similar fashion, with talents setting their own price ranges and only seeing leads that fall within that range?
If the world were truly "You get what you pay for" then I can see this system working. However, there are good sounding VOs who are willing to work the low rates. Clients would likely fish this low cost VO pond first and so I wonder if this system would actually encourage the low rates we've been seeing.
I would like to see a system where lead doesn't get posted anywhere unless a minimum (respectable) rate has been met and where the VOs are vetted and auditioned before being able to join. By auditioned I mean they have to go through a simulated job offer where they have to supply finished audio from their own studio within a limited time frame. And that audio has to meet the minimun standards of the service.
Rather than go head to head with these other services, why not carve out a niche by offering a high end service with a limited number of high quality voices - but at a price. Why be Wal-Mart when you can be Harrods.
Just some off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts.
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"If grass could run, cows would look like tigers."
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| JeffreyKafer wrote: | | davediamondprovo wrote: | | Let the talent decide what they charge based on any number of criteria they choose to specify in their pricing profile, I say. |
This sounds like a great plan. I'm all for it. There are soem things you'll need to consider if you haven't already:
1) What's to stop me from posting an absurdly low range so that I come up for every job?
2) how are YOU going to get paid? A percentage from the talent? The client pays to list?
3) Are you going to screen talent so you have a modicum of quality on the site? i.e. lose the bottom-feeders while still allowing for lesser-priced up and comers?
4) how will you compete for those other sites that do allow bidding? in theory, they are getting the best talent for the lowest price. In theory. Since there's no room for bargaining, how will you sell this business model to clients?
Sounds great, sir. I can't wait to see what comes of it. |
More items in my business plan:
1. Great question with an equally great answer. Price is only a single deciding factor if you are displayed in search results. All criteria you fill out in your talent profile is a given a percentage. The more info you fill out, the higher your percentage and the more likely you will be displayed in search results. If your price range is higher than a posted budget, the client is made aware of this and they are able to audition your samples and decide if they want to raise their budget to match your requirements. In other words if you are accepted into the fold but are lazy and fill in next to nothing in your profile, we should the system display your profile for clients?
2. I'm not prepared to release this info at this time. :)
3. All talents must audition to be included in the system. This means only those who have a world class sound will be included in the stable of world class talent.
4. My research has confirmed that clients want to get their monies worth. This is no different than deciding you'll pay $99 for a Sirius Satellite receiver that will receive ALL Sirius channels not just sports channels for $49. While it may seem to a client that posting a job to a database of talent and getting it filled by the lowest bidder is an economically sound decision, sometimes that decision is the wrong one after they weigh the quality of the finished piece against its worth (what they paid for the job). Clients who know what to expect to pay for the world's best talent will feel more in control than leaving their projects fate at the mercy of some pricing auction. Does that answer your question Jeff?
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David |
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Mike
Nasty Brit
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 476
Location: Tomorrowland
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| davediamondprovo wrote: |
This business model can't miss. I can't believe more people haven't replied to this thread. |
There is no such thing as a business model that can't miss. When I hear someone say that I am immediately suspicious. Anybody who goes into business what that level of confidence has already taken their eye of the ball and is likely to be left sitting in the smoking rubble of their rock solid business asking "why?"
The fact that you haven't had the replies you expected might well be an indication that things may not be as perfect as you thought.
Once you post the details you should then get some good feedback that will help you shape this idea for the real world.
I hope I don't come across as being too negative. That's not my intention.
Here's a big line of happiness to lighten things up.
  
edit
You posted some extra info while I was writing this! Some good points in there. Especially the audition to join part. I watch with interest.
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www.michaelrhys.com
"If grass could run, cows would look like tigers."
Murray Wiggle
Last edited by Mike on Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:23 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| bobsouer wrote: | Dave,
I, for one, am very interested to see what you've come up with. Thanks for putting so much time and energy into this idea. May it succeed beyond your wildest dreams. |
Thanks Bob, I will advise how it's coming along.
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David |
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike wrote: |
Rather than go head to head with these other services, why not carve out a niche by offering a high end service with a limited number of high quality voices - but at a price. Why be Wal-Mart when you can be Harrods.
Just some off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts. |
That's precisely what I'm doing, Mike. Cool huh?
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David |
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Mike
Nasty Brit
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 476
Location: Tomorrowland
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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| davediamondprovo wrote: |
That's precisely what I'm doing, Mike. Cool huh? |
It's certainly getting more interesting.
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"If grass could run, cows would look like tigers."
Murray Wiggle |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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| davediamondprovo wrote: | | 4. My research has confirmed that clients want to get their monies worth. This is no different than deciding you'll pay $99 for a Sirius Satellite receiver that will receive ALL Sirius channels not just sports channels for $49. While it may seem to a client that posting a job to a database of talent and getting it filled by the lowest bidder is an economically sound decision, sometimes that decision is the wrong one after they weigh the quality of the finished piece against its worth (what they paid for the job). Clients who know what to expect to pay for the world's best talent will feel more in control than leaving their projects fate at the mercy of some pricing auction. |
Dave,
If I may illustrate your point, from my experience:
This same thing has happened 3 times in the last 6 months:
I've been informed by someone for whom I've auditioned through either Voice123.com or Voices.com that I'm one of their finalists. But, in each of these three cases eventually I get an email saying they've decided to go with someone else. As I always do in situations like this, I reply with a thank you note for the consideration my audition had received and mention that I'd be happy to work with them on future projects.
Some days or weeks later, I receive a call or email asking if I'm still interested in the job, because the guy they went with isn't working out as they hoped. (My bids are rarely if ever the lowest a client receives.)
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express |
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike wrote: | | davediamondprovo wrote: |
This business model can't miss. I can't believe more people haven't replied to this thread. |
There is no such thing as a business model that can't miss. When I hear someone say that I am immediately suspicious. Anybody who goes into business what that level of confidence has already taken their eye of the ball and is likely to be left sitting in the smoking rubble of their rock solid business asking "why?" |
Thanks Mike, you must be a motivational speaker too.
| Mike wrote: |
The fact that you haven't had the replies you expected might well be an indication that things may not be as perfect as you thought.
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Perfect? Never said that. I was just surprised after so many views that many hadn't given some feedback. I'll let you know how things pan out though. Thanks for your concern.
| Mike wrote: |
Once you post the details you should then get some good feedback that will help you shape this idea for the real world.
I hope I don't come across as being too negative. That's not my intention.
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The survey I'm about to complete for posting will help shape things a bit better, yes. Negative, you? Nooo.
| Mike wrote: |
Here's a big line of happiness to lighten things up.
:-D :-P :-D :-P :-D :-P :-D :-P 8-) :-D :-P :-D :-P :-D :-P
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Thanks!
| Mike wrote: |
edit
You posted some extra info while I was writing this! Some good points in there. Especially the audition to join part. I watch with interest. |
Thanks again, here's a coupon for a 2nd, 3rd and 4th audition to join my futile voiceover and production talent showcase project. Muhu hahahahaha LOL
+-------------------------------+
| Good for 3 additional
| auditions to join
| the community
+-------------------------------+
Good luck.
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David |
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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| bobsouer wrote: | | davediamondprovo wrote: | | 4. My research has confirmed that clients want to get their monies worth. This is no different than deciding you'll pay $99 for a Sirius Satellite receiver that will receive ALL Sirius channels not just sports channels for $49. While it may seem to a client that posting a job to a database of talent and getting it filled by the lowest bidder is an economically sound decision, sometimes that decision is the wrong one after they weigh the quality of the finished piece against its worth (what they paid for the job). Clients who know what to expect to pay for the world's best talent will feel more in control than leaving their projects fate at the mercy of some pricing auction. |
Dave,
If I may illustrate your point, from my experience:
This same thing has happened 3 times in the last 6 months:
I've been informed by someone for whom I've auditioned through either Voice123.com or Voices.com that I'm one of their finalists. But, in each of these three cases eventually I get an email saying they've decided to go with someone else. As I always do in situations like this, I reply with a thank you note for the consideration my audition had received and mention that I'd be happy to work with them on future projects.
Some days or weeks later, I receive a call or email asking if I'm still interested in the job, because the guy they went with isn't working out as they hoped. (My bids are rarely if ever the lowest a client receives.) |
Bob,
Thanks for posting this. It does in fact demonstrate exactly what I'm saying.
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David |
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Bailey
4 Large
Joined: 04 Jun 2005
Posts: 4336
Location: Lake San Marcos... north of Connie, northwest of the Best.
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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Sure are plenty of words to digest on this thread!
If the talent pays nothing... and the client pays everything... who is the agent of the website?
Does the client know that a percentage of the amount he is willing to pay will go toward the agent... or would there be a flat fee to advertise the job?
Would there be a time limit for membership?... 1 month... 6 months... 1 year... during that time, if a talent never gets chosen, are they dropped from the membership?... therefor, increasing the percentage rate of members who are considered maketable.
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"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044  .gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
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Jeffrey Kafer
Assistant Zookeeper
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4931
Location: Location, Location!
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Bailey wrote: | Sure are plenty of words to digest on this thread!
If the talent pays nothing... and the client pays everything... who is the agent of the website?
Does the client know that a percentage of the amount he is willing to pay will go toward the agent... or would there be a flat fee to advertise the job?
Would there be a time limit for membership?... 1 month... 6 months... 1 year... during that time, if a talent never gets chosen, are they dropped from the membership?... therefor, increasing the percentage rate of members who are considered maketable. |
Bailey,
The website acts as the agent and distributes payments.
Your next question about how the business will profit is a closed subject at this time. All will be revealed soon.
You must be looking over my shoulder. LOL Yes just as an agency, if a talent does not book a job in a pre determined amount of time, they are dropped. Having not invested any money to join, they loose nothing except exposure. Talents must audition again before rejoining the world class database.
Did I answer most of your questions?
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David |
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davediamondprovo
Contributor IV
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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| JeffreyKafer wrote: | | Not that I think I have a snowball's chance in hell, when can we audition? :) |
Development on the site's framework is nearing completion. I hope to have beta tests begin in late April.
None of this development has any bearing on the business model as it just concerns the inner workings and project work flow from login to registration to function and logout.
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David |
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Jeffrey Kafer
Assistant Zookeeper
Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 4931
Location: Location, Location!
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| davediamondprovo wrote: | | JeffreyKafer wrote: | Not that I think I have a snowball's chance in hell, when can we audition?  |
Development on the site's framework is nearing completion. I hope to have beta tests begin in late April.
None of this development has any bearing on the business model as it just concerns the inner workings and project work flow from login to registration to function and logout. |
I'm sure you'll get volunteers from here, but let me know when you begin beta testing. I test software for a living, so I'm happy to run it through the ringer.
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com |
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