VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

JD Robertson · Guest

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the board and wanted to say Hello Laugh

My main goal for this year is to start marketing myself and I have been wondering about something and have not had any luck in the archives...

Does anyone market CD's anymore? I have gotten different information depending on who I ask. Some people have said that they will ONLY accept cds and will not accept any emails and others have said the exact opposite.

I am so confused and it's keeping me from doing anything...

Jennifer

bobsouer · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:57 pm Post subject:

Jennifer,

Welcome to the VO-BB. I've mailed a total of 3 CDs in the last 5 years, so I wouldn't be a good resource for your main question; but did want to offer you my greetings. You'll find a ton of gold buried in the archives here, including some discussions about sending out CDs.
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The second nicest guy in voiceover.
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Deirdre · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject:

Ideally, you'll ask the person you want to send your demo to.

Call the production company/ad agency/what-have-you and ask to speak to the person who receives this kind of stuff and then ask what they'd like, CD or MP3 or a link to an MP3 online.

Then you get to call a week later and ask that person if they received it.
Not if they listened, just if they received it.

This is a nifty way to "audition" twice for someone who is doing the hiring.
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TC · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject:

I may have posted this somewhere else on the VO-BB recently, but I can't remember.

Last fall, I called about 60 studios and production houses around Chicago to offer them my demo. I asked each of them whether they preferred that I send a CD or e-mail them an MP3. A little more than half asked for a CD. I was surprised by that, but I was glad I had the CDs to send.

And coincidentally, one of the places that asked for a CD called me today to ask about my availability for a session this week.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 12:03 am Post subject:

I offer both depending on what they want, but seem to get more work from MP3s.
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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

Hi Jen!

Well, about 8 years ago I stopped sending out CDs. I use to send out 5-10,000 submissions a year. My dining room table resembled a factory assembly line of demos, envelopes, and postcards. I spent a fortune in mailings. And they paid off! I always got oodles of work!

But this sort of marketing, at least in LA, has stopped. My agent doesn't even want CDs. Most marketing is being done electronically. I do recommend you have a stack of CDs just in case. But you are better off with a good website, postcards advertising current work, as well as a link to your site, etc.

I don't pooh-pooh CD submissions. But I think in this day and age, when VO has become so uber competitive and vast, you need to be more strategic with your marketing.

todd ellis · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 6:20 am Post subject:

like DB says ... ASK! i always try to make my first contact a phone call. (being in the hinterlands it's nearly impossible to visit) our voices are our business ... i say TALK to people ... then follow up in appropriate manner ... CD, mp3, bug-off ...
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JD Robertson · Guest

Thank You!!!

This has been very helpful!

louzucaro · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

Holy cow, I cannot believe I didn't see you post this!

Folks, Jennifer is a friend of mine, a great gal, and a really talented V.O.

So nice to see you here!

Smile

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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

JD Robertson · Guest

Thanks Lou!! You're sweet! Wink

Yoda117 · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Out in Philly, it seems to be about half-and-half. About half of the folks want an mp3, half want a CD, some want both (don't get me started on that... not difficult to rip it off a CD if you like what you hear).
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Edo · Guest

I think I may have sent about 25 cd's in my whole life... but by request only. It is not very common in Holland to send cd's, they always ask me for mp3's.

Jennifer, welcome to the party!

Rognog · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Jennifer! Welcome aboard.

I used to send out dozens of CD's every month. I also had the time to sit home all day and make cold-calls while I did the restaurant thing at night. Nowadays I'm fortunate enough to not have that kind of time anymore.

When you cold-call, try to have the name of the right person on-hand. It can get very frustrating dealing with a receptionist who has no idea what a voiceover is, much less what department to connect you to.

It's important to get yourself out there and put your demo on their desk or, more likely these days, your MP3 on their hard rive.

Break a leg!

Tom
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