VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:36 am Post subject: Bouncing baby business cards

After pondering the kind advice I received in my "cold call" thread, I stormed my brain and spent some time working out a preliminary business card design, which you'll find below. The photo is one that I took of myself a year ago, and for some reason it jumped to mind as a springboard for the design.

While the web link will only take you down a 404 path right now, I plan to spend some time this weekend throwing together a quick page that echoes the card design. Not sure when I'll have demos to post, but I want to at least get something up there for the few folks who get the card.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:53 am Post subject:

I like it. Cute without being Cutesy.
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MuseVox · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:37 am Post subject:

<<<nodding>>>

I like it!

One thing that has been recommended to me is one phone number as the contact number. Only if there is a direct line to the studio should that even be given. ISDN numbers would not be considered contact, see what I mean?

Did you not say that you voiced something last year? How about putting the full read on your site, at least?

Makes me want to get my brows waxed -no offense, I'm a chick.

Again, I like it!

~Sarah
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Sapientia Sapor Boni… ‘it is wisdom to savor what is good’

louzucaro · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:56 am Post subject:

Card's nice, but are you gonna have a standalone website to send people to? I know your vodatabase.com site isn't finished yet, but I'm wondering if sending people to a portal is the best idea. Maybe you should market the two things separately?
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Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

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

Bruce · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:04 am Post subject:

Well, your card certainly says something! And being unique is important.

If this is truly a business card I'd consider dropping the home address, unless you're planning on inviting the masses to your pad. I'd also drop the H in front of your home number, just to give the illusion you have your own business site. And where do you want people to call you 9-5 M-F? Your home number or your cell? Maybe the cell should be your only number until you get a business number?

B
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I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:28 am Post subject:

Thank you all! Smile

Sarah: Interesting thought about the phone number. I do have home recording gear, but not a dedicated home studio space with its own phone line, and it's very possible that some projects might have to be recorded in our audio suites at work. With that in mind, I'm leaning toward the cell number as the lone number to include on the card. Thoughts?

The piece from last year was a TV spot for a Nintendo Wii game, in which I did all the character voices (for the spot, not the game). I've got a QuickTime video of the spot, and could easily include it on the page. Thanks for the tip!
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Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:36 am Post subject:

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

Text has been slimmed and selectively colored. I've also come up with a new domain name that's growing on me: earcandyvoiceovers.com

_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

CarynClark · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:05 am Post subject:

I like it Justin. Good thought about the home addy... no need for it.

I will add to the comment about ISDN numbers... I DO put them on my business card. That way, there's no need for me to have to say "with ISDN Studio" or anything like that. They know I have one b/c the numbers are on there. And, when people need my spids they have 'em. Or I have 'em... b/c I can never remember 'em.
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Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

JBarrett · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 9:48 am Post subject:

Does my use of the "ear candy" concept have to be 100% exclusive to me if I want to use it as a branding element, specifically when considering earcandyvoiceovers.com as my domain? The reason I ask is because I found a couple other voice artists who already use it:

http://www.best-voice-actress.com/voice.html
(the graphic just below the top of the page, and some text in the yellow box just below it)

http://www.heatherwaltersvoice.com/
(tag at the bottom of the page)

Neither one uses the idea as a major design theme, though, which is exactly what I plan to do. In that case, I kinda think it's okay to go with it.

Thoughts?
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

todd ellis · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:09 am Post subject:

1. like version 2
2. ear candy isn't & doesn't have to be exclusive
3. earcandyvoiceovers.com is long ... earcandyvo.com is currently available
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JBarrett · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:16 am Post subject:

Heh...you know, earcandyvo.com was my first thought. I should learn to pay more attention to those...
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Frank F · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

You might have a slight problem with identification as there is a company called Ear Candy Productions in Arizona.

I did some work for a recording studio called Ear Candy Post last year in California. Earcandy.org is taken as is earcandyaudioproductions.com

Making a name exclusive to you as a VO might conflict with the other companies. I would make sure you have the opportunity to trademark it by checking with www.uspto.gov

The idea is sound, implementation may be a best however.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

JBarrett · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:59 am Post subject:

Okay, so I just responded to a private message that is making me totally rethink the "ear candy" idea. Not because of conflicts, though. If you're game, read on for a slightly edited version of my reply...

In short, I believe I was putting the branding cart before the horse. The first thing that came to mind wasn't the slogan, it was the photo. One of the biggest issues I have at this point is that for *all* of the projects that I've worked on so far, I've been doing character voices. Not a single one has had me doing anything anywhere close to my natural voice, and that's exactly why my mind went to that photo of me with the candy. Silly voices, silly picture. From there, I think "ear candy" was the first phrase that came to mind when thinking of that photo, and that's where I got the order wrong. I need to find my brand, then work on creating/locating design elements that support it.

With that in mind, I'd still like to emphasize that playful side in my branding, as I feel that it's an important part of who I am, and some of that may come through in my more natural reads. Not sure if that means I can keep the photo and just change the "ear candy" phrase, or if I should find some other visual element to convey that playfulness.

So I'm going back to square one, and I'm fine with that.
_________________
Justin S. Barrett
http://www.justinsbarrett.com/

Bailey · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

Justin... my 2¢ worth.

To me, the business card says ear candy, but the eyes say eye candy.
You have the words… voice artist... ear candy... voiceovers, but the graphics... wide open eyes, doesn’t seem to tie in with the words. Do you think the addition of a headset being worn, in the photo of you, would be an asset... or overkill? Just a thought.
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