VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

[Deirdre]

I have kept my phone number off my website because I don't want any creeps contacting me.
I do not have an agent to whom I might refer people.
Who here has a phone number on his/her website and do you get cranks?
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DBCooperVO.com

[Philip Banks]

I do have phone numbers on my website and can honestly say I have never had a crank call.

Forgive me if this sounds sexist but were I a female voice artist I would proceed with caution. My published phone number is a dedicated business line with an answerphone so I can always vet incoming calls and I am the only person who answers or returns call to the business line.

Should I be getting crank calls from women? Why do you think I put my photo on my site? It discourages so many. Being ugly really does have its plus points.

STOP PRESS-----------------------

Business tip of the day.

Never tell someone from Lucas Arts that you've never seen a Star Wars film unless there is a paramedic standing by with oxygen.

[Deirdre]

I appreciate "caution", Banksey. It's my modus operandi in this biz where contact info is concerned. The only person to complain about the lack of a phone number on my website hired me anyway.
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DBCooperVO.com

[Bailey]

It would seem to me that there is no reason to put a phone number on a website... unless you're selling retail merchandise. If a client finds you on the web, they can contact you via email. I would try to avoid putting my home email address on the site, and substitute a Yahoo address. Phone numbers on business cards... a definite yes. (How else is Appleby's going to let me know if I've won a free lunch?)
_________________
"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."

[SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer]

I actually got a call from someone last week who complained I was the only vo artist he found with a phone number listed on my website. It is a dedicated business line - actually a cell phone. I have had the number up on my site for two years and have not received any crank calls. Oh dear, should I be insulted?
_________________
Elaine
The Youthful Mature Voice (Emeritus)
Senectitude is not for the faint of heart.

[scooter2]

I have my 800 number on my web site..have had since it's inception. Does it pay? I think so. Do I get crank calls? No! But I sure do get my fair share of wrong numbers.

[chezdan]

Since I opened a domain name and posted a website - I am starting to see a freakishly huge increase in the amount of spam that I am getting.

I am getting a little nervous because I'm getting a lot of emails like this: "Thank you for joining '(name of business)' website. We look forward to your membership." These range anywhere from Monster.com, Crest Whitening Toothpaste Contest, Surveys.com, and some travel website. All have "memberships" in my name and with my email address. However, the user name for all of these is the same - Tequila. All of the emails begin, "Greetings, Tequila!" I'm getting a bit freaked out and worried about identity theft and so on...

Fortunately, none of them have been porno sites and I haven't seen any unusual bank drafts - should I be worried?

[anthonyVO]

i have a toll-free number that screens calls for me on my website - i can log in and see who's called and who's hung-up before reaching me. but still not crank calls

oh, and Daniel, I wouldn't worry about it - identity theft takes alot more than just a name and an email address.

-Anthony

[Charlie Channel]

My numbers are on my website: biz+fax, cell and ISDN. I've had no problems or incidents.

Now, mortgage, vinyl siding and vacation package hawkers ... and automated dialer/solicitations by VO talent ... that I have a problem with. But, they don't get the numbers from the Web.

CC

[Charlie Channel]

[Philip Banks]

I'm not sure if this is just a British thing but there is a Fax n dial mentality amongst local radio commercial producers.

If a voice is on ISDN it works like this.

1000am Think of the voice type for the commercial
1001am Find voice and telephone to see if the person is available
1005am Fax the script
1010am Connect to V/O by ISDN
1015am All done!

A voice over in the UK market with an easy to find phone number and ISDN could cover the monthly mortgage payment with a sprinkling of "are you free for a quick session" phone calls.

[audio'connell]

The challenge for women is much different than men on the topic of phone #'s.

I use my cell as my prime business number and I post it front and center. I don't know if this might be an opportunity for you to consider rather than a number in your home.
_________________
- Peter
audioconnell Voice Over Talent
Your friendly, neighborhood voice over talent

[kgenus]

This is a joke, right? Can you afford "not" to have your contact information available? Can you afford to "think" email is satisfactory? Your website is your business card, at least mine is... all my contact information is present - Name, Address, Phone Numbers (studio, fax, mobile, isdn) and Email.

I don't do business with companies or individuals who do not disclose some type of contact information that can be traced by a lawyer or credit bureau, this means a phone number and address are basic requirements. I'll get to the "I'm slowly moving to the all scripts must be faxed" mentality later.

So, how many ways can you say, "Guerrilla Marketing"

Kevin
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Genus

[kgenus]

[audio'connell]