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kitstern

I've heard a lot of discussion pro and con about Voice 123, but not much about Interactive Voices. What's the scoop, do you like IV better than V123? What are the leads like? Are there as many bottom feeders?

I like their Website!
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 1:09 am Post subject:

I'm told that it started well but soon declined. As with Voice123 the problem is a quality control issue both in terms of voices and clients.

Drew · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:42 am Post subject:

Just not a lot of leads come through there. Yet, like V123 it's a packed house of talent scrambling for most jobs that pay less than $200. I've gotten work. But not much. And the better jobs were from my listing...not the leads. Take yesterday for example---just one lead.

I don't plan to renew. Not enough traffic. It seems the administrators are too busy producing tired podcasts and creating message boards.
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anthonyVO · 14th Avenue Joined: 09 Aug 2005 Posts: 1470 Location: NYC

it's just another listing... nothing more, nothing less.
It's good for newbies for one year for the purpose of practice, and possibly (i used that word loosely) getting work.

The work I've gotten because of it, has been just like Drew - from my listing and direct contact, but not from a lead. Not to mention, that one of those direct contacts, burned me, but that's the chance you take sometimes when handling your own business and dealing with online leads.

I find podcasts in general rather useless so I don't know why they're putting so much energy into it.

-Anthony

brianforrester · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:43 am Post subject:

My opinion at this point on the many online databases is this... flood them with your information and demos for as long as the ability to do so is FREE! The more places you can post your information the better, I like to refer to it as one method for growing my personal form of "brand recognition"!

I have not paid the fee to IV, but have received some contacts in the same manner as Anthony and Drew.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:52 am Post subject:

Out of interest, there are 2295 voices listed on voice123. I did a talent search. I searched for "Philip Banks". 20 matches including 6 females, I wasn't one of them. Interactive voices was even less helpful and it looks as if my UK based voice over colleagues are voting with their feet as a search for British English resulted in two names of people I know or know of.

Simon Fellows · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:51 pm Post subject:

I have to echo everyone here. I think it's a case of diminishing return with these sites and when you're 1 of 2-3000 then what are your chances? A year ago it was around 1200 for both IV and V123, I believe. I am currently listed with IV on the $99 option, I have only added one client to my list in the past 11 months from them (admittedly an ongoing one who also pays well), and the only direct contacts I have had have been people looking for me to provide reads for free. There also appear to be an alarming number of leads from Born Again Christian organisations. Voting with your feet (and your wallet) seems to me to be the the best option.
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kitstern · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:37 am Post subject: Interactive Voices

I thank all of you for your input. My feelings about these services are mixed, although I've made my fee back many times over on V123. I think they have value as a way to get your name out there, as well as an unlimited source of free practice scipts (as Kevin pointed out). We're always marketing........right? The question is where to get the best bang for the buck.

On another note, it is such a beautiful day here in Oregon. The rains haven't started yet, so it's crisp & cool and the trees still have leaves. The black walnut tree outside my office window is pelting the house with nuts so it's a bit dicey to go out in the yard, but other than that it's a great day to be alive.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:45 am Post subject:

Lovely here Portgordon too.

On the subject of the 2 web sites it's always nice to see the positives but you are not paying for practise scripts, name awareness or profile, you are paying to be on a site that will get you work, moreover, work worth having.

dhouston67 · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 9:50 pm Post subject:

Was about to post a new thread, when I decided to go searching past ones.

I recently re-upped with I.V. at the $99 option, against my better judgement; I've garnered precious little work from them over the past year.

A stroll through their most recent blog entry turned up this little gem:

brianforrester · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 10:13 pm Post subject:

dhouston67 · Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2006 11:21 pm Post subject:

None taken, Brian. The fee permits greater availability in search results, as well as enough space for five demos as opposed to one or two... and I'd like to stand out among the numerous pages of folks with little or no information. (Still, as Banksey pointed out, that's a bit steep merely for web presence and practice scripts.)

What I'd like to see IV do is offer custom demos only to clients in a higher budget range; tell the $100 folks that they're free to listen to and contact any talent they wish, but don't go expecting free reads at those rates. Sadly, that toothpaste probably can't be put back in the tube.
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kitstern · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 3:30 pm Post subject:

Just about every high level job that comes through my agent requires a custom audition. I agree that it's a bit much that IV and V123 expect a custom script for a $50 job, so I don't do them!

BTW, from what I hear no one takes demos as a real demonstration of what you can do anymore because they're so produced. There's no indication of how well you can take direction, how versatile you can be, etc. That's why so many custom auditions.
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SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:46 pm Post subject:

The problem with custom auditions, especially from these job boards like V123 and IV, is that often you get very little direction. I don't mind going to a studio and doing a custom audition for a director or producer because at least I then get some idea of what they are looking for.
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Bailey · Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 6:19 pm Post subject:

I eased into V123 in January. Paid my dues, and am now hoping that I'll break even... someday. I feel like "Joe Duck", sitting in a pond, with about 900 other ducks. And we're all watching this toddler... walking along the shore... getting ready to throw his cookie into the water.
(quack)
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