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dmgood
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 Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:00 am Post subject: Voice123 for Dummies |
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...it's the title of a new book I'm working on. (Just kidding.)
I'm curious, from persons who have actually booked work through the service...
Er, uh, has anybody booked work through the service?
Did you use the comments section as a selling tool?
Did you set your rate based on and within the suggested budget in the post?
Did you find that you can only win a job if you get it in early? (i.e., don't bother if the number of auditions submitted is over 100)
Did you watermark your audition?
Anything else that you thought might have made a difference?
Bruce and others: any comments from the buying side?
Thanks for any info. |
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Rognog
Flight Attendant
Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 807
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:36 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | I'm curious, from persons who have actually booked work through the service... |
I joined in April and I have booked enough times to make the fee back and then some.
| Quote: | | Did you use the comments section as a selling tool? |
I have a stock "Thanks for your time and I hope to hear from you soon!" line I throw in there and I add pertinent info if I think it will help. For example, I have alot of educational recording experience so when I submit for an appropriate gig I mention my ten years of experience with Educational Testing Service.
| Quote: | | Did you set your rate based on and within the suggested budget in the post? |
I negotiate rates on a case-by-case basis and I have a minimum fee (of course I don't tell them what that is!).
| Quote: | | Did you find that you can only win a job if you get it in early? (i.e., don't bother if the number of auditions submitted is over 100) |
The majority of my Voice123 work comes from Private Leads but I assume the early bird gets the worm. If you can be among the first 20 responses my guess is that increases your chances of booking.
| Quote: | | Did you watermark your audition? |
Most of the auditions are excerpts of the actual copy so it isn't an issue. When it is the full copy I usually add or delete a word here & there or time-wise make it impossible to use.
| Quote: | | Anything else that you thought might have made a difference? |
Updating your profile frequently tends to help.
BTW for every person that notes a positive experience there will be just as many that has subscribed for years and gotten nothing. Luck of the draw, I guess. You have to decide for yourself whether it's worth the $195. It was for me, but that's just me...
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Tom Dheere - The "H" is Silent, but I'm Not!
www.tomdheere.com |
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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: Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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Dave... are you registered with V123? I can't find you on there. You could also search the archives for Voice 123 or V123. The Voice 123 discussion has really been around the block quite a few times.
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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 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." |
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dmgood
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| Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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I know V123 has been discussed ad nauseum.
Rather than a discussion of the virtues and weaknesses of V123 as a service/casting tool/marketing vehicle, I was intending the thread to be on the topic of small things that made the difference that got the job through their service.
I was a premium member for a year, did not renew, have been idle for a year.
I had one private lead that fell through.
I answered numerous public leads but nothing came of them.
I used a generic "Thanks for listening" comment and wondered how others were using the comments section to sell themselves.
I pitched within the listed budgets and wondered how setting rates higher or lower than the suggested budget impacted getting the job.
I always seemed to be answering when there were over 100 already submitted. I can't imagine anyone searching for talent listening to more than 30 auditions before saying "enough already". I was curious to hear whether people had instances where 100+ auditions were already submitted and they still got the job.
I considered watermarking auditions and wondered if it would have an adverse effect.
They are offering a free month for a reciprocal link.
I'm considering taking the free month but wanted to make the most of it. |
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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: Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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| dmgood wrote: |
I had one private lead that fell through.
I answered numerous public leads but nothing came of them. |
Welcome to the club. I've been there a year... with 3 months to go. The score... no runs... no hits... no errors. Outside sources have been better.
From a few others I have talked to, there are 3 things of great importance.
Price... make it affordable... but keep your pride.
Timing... submit asap... like before there are 30 or 40 submissions.
Voice & Equipment... you need both. The quality will either be there or not.
_________________
"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 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." |
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bobsouer
Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006
Posts: 9883
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:15 am Post subject: Re: Voice123 for Dummies |
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| dmgood wrote: | I'm curious, from persons who have actually booked work through the service...
Er, uh, has anybody booked work through the service? |
Yes. I have many times. There and at Voices.com as well.
| dmgood wrote: | Did you use the comments section as a selling tool?
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Yes. I always thank the potential client for the opportunity to audition. I provide relevant information, if and when it makes sense. I normally provide additional details about what services are included with my bid (free delivery, for example) and I always include my phone number and email address to make it as easy as possible for the client to get in touch with me.
| dmgood wrote: | | Did you set your rate based on and within the suggested budget in the post? |
Yes. I normally quote at or near the top of the budget range. And I almost never respond to budgets of less than $500.00. (I have actually booked one job where I quoted above the budget.)
| dmgood wrote: | | Did you find that you can only win a job if you get it in early? (i.e., don't bother if the number of auditions submitted is over 100) |
If I am interested in the job and believe I'm right for the job, I never pay attention to how many people have auditioned before me. I've been booked at least twice when I didn't submit my audition until after 200 other entries. Both paid over $500.00. (One client told me on the phone that they listened to 500 hundred auditions before they settled on my voice.)
| dmgood wrote: | | Did you watermark your audition? |
No.
| dmgood wrote: | | Anything else that you thought might have made a difference? |
Audition for the things that meet your budget standards and that interest you. Ignore the rest. Update your profile when you have something interesting to add. Look at the $195.00 as advertising money (that's what it is) and forget about whether you've made your money back. Concentrate on identifying the potential clients that make the most sense for you, your experience and your talents. Audition for them.
_________________
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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Bruce
Boardmeister
Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7978
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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Boy, here's a topic that's been beaten to death. Do a little searching using this site's search tool. Try "V123" as well as "Voice123", oh and maybe "the site that shall not be named".
I believe V123 is somewhat akin to a religion. If you believe in it and apply yourself to it, there's a fair chance good things will come to you. If you do it half-heartedly or not at all, there's good chance you'll get bupkis.
As noted above, at minimum it is a tax deductible advertising expense.
B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005
I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. . |
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TheVoiceOfBob
14th Avenue
Joined: 05 Oct 2006
Posts: 1411
Location: Pittsburgher in the Carolinas
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| Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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For those that are trying to get in as early as possible, I personally am using an application called "Right Web Monitor". This way I have just that one application that monitors any or all web sites that have job postings. Whenever a change is made on that site, I get a notification. You can change the time to how often it checks the site so you have a better chance of getting in early. I found it to be better than having to monitor emails. You can adjust what it looks for and so forth on the page, so I configure it to look on the job listing page for changes.
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Try to imagine a world where there is no such thing as hypothetical situations.
The Voice of Bob |
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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: Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| TheVoiceOfBob wrote: | | For those that are trying to get in as early as possible, I personally am using an application called "Right Web Monitor". This way I have just that one application that monitors any or all web sites that have job postings. Whenever a change is made on that site, I get a notification. You can change the time to how often it checks the site so you have a better chance of getting in early. I found it to be better than having to monitor emails. You can adjust what it looks for and so forth on the page, so I configure it to look on the job listing page for changes. |
I found the site... checked it out. Looks interesting at $39.95. How long is the "trial" use good for?
_________________
"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 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." |
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Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Voice123 for Dummies |
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| Quote: | | has anybody booked work through the service |
Yes, I've booked through Voice123 and Voices.com. Enough to make back my membership fees and then some.
| Quote: | | Did you use the comments section as a selling tool? |
I use it as selling tool in the sense that I give the prospect information about my quote, my experience/turnaround time, etc. I created several .WORD .doc templates and use them for the leads that I get through V123. Voices.com started a new option where you can create template right on their site. Either way, having certain "stock" sentences already set-up avoids having to re-invent the wheel with every demo sent.
| Quote: | | Did you set your rate based on and within the suggested budget in the post? |
Yes. I usually set my quote in the upper end of the quote range. That said, I have a minimum that I won't go under.
| Quote: | | Did you find that you can only win a job if you get it in early? (i.e., don't bother if the number of auditions submitted is over 100) |
I don't really worry about that. If it's a job I think I can do, I audition as soon as I can.
| Quote: | | Did you watermark your audition? |
I generally Change a few words and if there is a phone number I'll change that as well on the custom demo. I do tell the client that I have altered the copy slightly, so they don't think I can't read their copy correctly! 
| Quote: | | Anything else that you thought might have made a difference? |
It may take a few hundred demos before you get a gig...or maybe not! but you have to be in it to win it! So it really is up to you whether you want to put the time in or not. People are not going to go through the service an listen to each demo from the home page. They'll send out a job & see who responds. It's an easier way for them to see who is interested.
Good Luck!
Liz
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
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TheVoiceOfBob
14th Avenue
Joined: 05 Oct 2006
Posts: 1411
Location: Pittsburgher in the Carolinas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Bailey wrote: | | TheVoiceOfBob wrote: | | For those that are trying to get in as early as possible, I personally am using an application called "Right Web Monitor". This way I have just that one application that monitors any or all web sites that have job postings. Whenever a change is made on that site, I get a notification. You can change the time to how often it checks the site so you have a better chance of getting in early. I found it to be better than having to monitor emails. You can adjust what it looks for and so forth on the page, so I configure it to look on the job listing page for changes. |
I found the site... checked it out. Looks interesting at $39.95. How long is the "trial" use good for? |
I believe the trial was good for 30 days. Plenty of time for me to figure out how to set it up how I wanted to and give it a good run.
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Try to imagine a world where there is no such thing as hypothetical situations.
The Voice of Bob |
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TC
Club 300
Joined: 21 May 2006
Posts: 397
Location: Iowa City
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Voice123 for Dummies |
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| Lizden wrote: | | People are not going to go through the service an listen to each demo from the home page. They'll send out a job & see who responds. It's an easier way for them to see who is interested. |
Just to add confusion to the topic: The only jobs I've gotten through Voices.com have come from people who sought me out after listening to my demo. I've never gotten work there by responding to a job posting. This includes my highest paying job to date from any source, and a job that has turned into ongoing work.
So take everything everyone tells you with a grain of salt, and as gospel. And work your butt off.
If nothing else, you'll have a smaller butt. |
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Lizden
A Zillion
Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:25 pm Post subject: Re: Voice123 for Dummies |
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| Quote: | So take everything everyone tells you with a grain of salt, and as gospel. And work your butt off.
If nothing else, you'll have a smaller butt. |
True, True!
Good for you TC!
And we ALL want smaller butts!
L.
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com |
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Hasser
Contributore Level V
Joined: 16 Dec 2005
Posts: 182
Location: Kelowna, BC Canada
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Voice123 for Dummies |
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[quote="TC So take everything everyone tells you with a grain of salt, and as gospel. And work your butt off.
If nothing else, you'll have a smaller butt.[/quote]
Brent Butt is very talented. Visit: http://www.cornergas.com/whoswho/?bio=0
Sincerely,
Ralph Hass (sometimes a pain in the butt)
www.HasTheVoice.com
--TV imaging voice for the NHL's Buffalo Sabres -- |
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Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11076
Location: Portgordon, Scotland
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| Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:29 am Post subject: |
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| A producer this morning mentioned the site you're discussing. He described the quality of voices and demo's as often (unintentionally) very funny to sometimes heartbreaking. |
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