VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

JimmSinger · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject: CD demos

Do many of you promote / market with actual CD demos?

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

I send out CDs, but I've had very little work as a result of them. Your mileage may vary,
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mcm · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

People do still ask for them so I always have to have some on hand. But I think I've only gotten one gig from somebody who asked for a CD.

scottnilsen · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject:

I do send them out, but find that the majority would rather have them emailed to them as .mp3s. I like that better myself, as it's much much more cost effective!
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

In my experience, I have found that it is bad form to send unsolicited MP3s.

When prospecting, it is best to include a link to your demo online.
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JimmSinger · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

Yeah I've found it's way more cost effective to send an mp3 or link to my site....

just grappling with the cost and hassle of udating the insert tray label but I guess I should have some handy read to go anyway.
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

Can you print them yourself?
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Tim McLaughlin · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject:

I did a test in May 2007 and sent out 50 CDs, primarily to people here in Colorado. I had never worked for any of them.

I got one audition in August that I knew came from those CDs. Didn't get the job from that audition, but that same client just came back to me earlier this month with another project and was happy with the finished product, saying he'd be in touch with more in the future.

So I got a positive return on the investment (cost of CDs, padded envelopes, postage, time), but I'm still not convinced that I'll be sending out a whole lot of CDs.
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Edo · Guest

I've had various experiences with cd's in the past and in the recent past... I've never been convinced this is the way to go, and after I sent a batch of maybe 100 cd's out to ad agencies. 30 to local radiostations and 70 to various ad agencies. Not a single reaction for two months. It annoyed me, so one afternoon when I felt it was time for some attitude... I picked up the phone. I got some voicejobs from the local stations by the way. But none of the big agencies everbothered to even consider me.

I called 10 ad agencies and production companies I NEVER sent my demo to, saying I was asked to call back... but "the poor sound quality of the voices on my voice mail prevented me from clearly understanding the caller's name". I also mentioned the fact I was the voice of "The Bauers", a 25 episode reality soap type of show about a famous Dutch singer (Frans Bauer) that had gotten millions of viewers attention a while back in Holland. Not a single person I spoke to didn't know THAT particular show (admitted... it helped me quite a bit) but... If you haven't guessed it yet... No one from any of the ad agencies had actually called ME in the first place... on average I spent some 5 to 10 minutes 'helping' the person on the other end finding the name of the guy/gal in charge that "supposedly had called me"... merely my way of gettin' through to the decision makers at the AV producer's desk... I succeeded 8 times! I reminded them of that "need sunglasses fluorescent CD they must have listened to" hence their effort to supposedly have me call back.

Every single person I spoke to (lied and) admitted he/she had seen the cd (which I never sent in the first place!) and asked me if I could do an audition or a custom demo. It landed me 4 jobs... three month's worth of income! I felt like a regular con artist that day. I cried all the way to the bank, so to speak. But... the cd's didn't have ANYTHING to do with my successful round of telemarketing that day. I'm not sending cd's anymore unless they specifically ask me to. Even then I don't really feel like it. I'll always offer to do a custom demo... works for me.

TC · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

A few months ago I made calls to about 60 studios and production houses to introduce myself and offer them my demo. I gave them the option of CD or MP3, and more than half asked for a CD. I was a little surprised by that, but I was glad I had the CDs on hand to send.

bobsouer · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

I've sent 2 CDs out in the last 5 years. One of those resulting in representation with a talent agency; which has in turn led to 2 paying gigs in the last month. The other resulted in a multi-thousand dollar audiobook job. Each CD was requested by the person to whom I sent it before I mailed it off. All other marketing contacts have been via web links or requests for MP3 files to be emailed.
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

JimmSinger · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:28 am Post subject:

I've had pretty much the same outcome as most of you all with promoting with CD's....kinda sucks but thanks for confirming that I'm not alone.

I agree that the bottom line is to give the perspective client what they want. Looks like I'll be printing up a few tray cards.
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tackerman · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 1:41 am Post subject:

I've had more success emailing links to my demos than I've ever had mailing CDs.

Chrissy · Guest

I've gotten two jobs from mailing CD's. The second job is an ongoing Web project which records a new epsiode about every two months. I recently sent E-mails to 50 Production companies in the Boston area. I offered to send either a CD or MP3. Two responded wanting MP3's and both said they liked my sound and would make my files available to clients.

I always carry a couple of CD's with me to jobs and auditions. Never know who will be there.

Chrissy