VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Donna]

Might want to think about the age of the person you want to contact, because apparently the phone call is dead:

http://techcrunch.com/2010/11/13/alexia-phone-home/
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Dangerous.

Donna Postel
donnapostel.com
donna@donnapostel.com

[todd ellis]

maybe ... but i still think in OUR business nothing beats a phone call. we're selling our voice - i am a SOLID believer in picking up the phone.

also - we get dozens (hundreds???) of email & texts a day ... how many hand written letters do we get? seems to me like a nice note would stand out in the crowd.

if i REALLY want to get someone's attention i'll send a letter UPS 2nd day. if nothing else that envelope ALWAYS gets opened.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

[Nikki]

In our daily/personal interactions? I'd agree. We're calling less, texting and emailing more. Or posting our 'status' for replies on a million different social networking sites.

But for business to business transactions? The phone call is alive and well. I don't know that it will ever go away. I mean, people still go door to door and that should have been 'out' a long time ago. But as long as it works? Someone will keep doing it.

Nikki

[Zak Miller]

Yes, I still cold call. Emails can be deleted, or in a junk folder.

There is an old rule of thumb for sales people. It takes 7 times to make a point of contact. If they do not pick up, or return your call after the 7th time.... start over with #1 and go through it again!

The no thank you s are tough, but if you combine the no's with all of the auditions that you send in and don't land the gig, then it gets a bit easier on the ego.

[Lee Gordon]

Just to inject another point of view into the discussion, I am listed on the Do Not Call Registry. The reason is quite simple. I don't want people calling me to try to sell me stuff. I can't be the only one who feels this way; otherwise there wouldn't be a national Do Not Call Registry.

So, while I have no doubt that some sales consultant devised that malarkey about trying seven times and then starting over, I have a different suggestion. Give up. If they didn't respond the first seven times, trying again may mean you're persistent, but it may also just signify that you're a pain in the ass. And who want's to deal with a pain in the ass? Stop wasting your time and move on.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[anthonyVO]

No. In the past year, I've developed several relationships that started on twitter and then carried over to the real world. None, of which involved a phone call. Those that still believe in cold calls, still love vinyl records. Nothing wrong with that, it's just that I focus most of my attention on connecting with people that listen to mp3's.

Also, I prefer text, email, dm's, and a tweet over a phone call any day. Call me new-fashioned, but that's just me.

-Anthony

[Mike Harrison]

I'm still undecided on cold calls, but apart from the original analog recording (tape), there is no recorded sound more true to the ear than that which comes from vinyl.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[mcm]

I hate making AND getting calls from people I don't know.

I sometimes make a call to find out if a company keeps a talent roster and to ask to whom I can send a demo, and then follow that up with email. Most of my contacts start with email or Twitter.

But it is clearly personal preference. Some people swear by the telephone, I swear at it.

[anthonyVO]

[Donna]

I think the whole point of the original article is that it is wise to consider the recipient's age demographic before deciding whether to pick up the phone or send a tweet/text/email. Much as I prefer to deny it, I am not getting any younger, but the producers are, and there is I believe a definite preference in that demo for text-based communication.
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Dangerous.

Donna Postel
donnapostel.com
donna@donnapostel.com

[Zak Miller]

Lee, I think it depends on whom you are calling. Agencies, yes you would be seen as a pain in the ass. Large corps, not really a pain to them. It took me 12 calls to get the marketing director for a huge NASCAR team to pick up the phone. Now, with all that 'pain in the ass' calling if one were to work for the team they would hear my voice talking about the season for not one, but 4 of the race teams. (Not braggin, just sayin)

Donna, I think it is all in how you want to run your business. What work do you want to do that your agents are not sending? If you have a passion for something, and feel there is a need for your voice with companies that deal in that passion, then cold calling is a great way to get your foot in the door.

Say what you will about it being out dated, or useless. Speaking to someone is a great way to start a relationship, and to be remembered. Social Networking , e mail, and texting do have their place, but that place is mostly with new money. Old money and old school have made my life in the booth much easier, and a bit more profitable.

[Pam]

Absolutely believe in cold calling. It's frustrating, tough, hard to psyche yourself up for but in the end is completely necessary. It's not the only way but it is an additional way to make a business connection. And it's free. Great ROI when it turns out!
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Pam Tierney
www.pamtierneyvo.com
imdb profile http://imdb.com/name/nm1941932/

Now what did I come in here for?

[KarenL]

New clients this year came from:
25% Website hits
35% contacts through repeat clients - some referrals, some by recording in or to studios other than my own with people I hadn't met before (engineers & ad agency folks)
40% through cold calling - I begin with a call, send an email, and, believe it or not, I send an actual CD demo. Even if they use it as a coaster, it puts my name in front of them. I'm always working at finding ways to stay in contact that might keep me 'top of mind' when an appropriate project comes along. It sometimes takes a while before that project comes along, but I've had very good results this year.
As Pam said, it can be frustrating, tough, hard to psyche yourself up for - and I'll add "ego-bruising at times", but I find it rather exhilarating when I make a good call and/or have a call I've made pay off!


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Happy to be here.
www.KarenLehman.com

[Bruce]

"Hello, Acme Advertising? Yes, I'm a voiceoverist and I wanted to get in touch with your creative director about offering my voice over services. Is he or she an old dude? If so could you put me through to their extension?

"Oh, she's like 30. Then could I get her Twitter name or e-mail? I promise not to spam or uber-tweet." Thank you.



B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

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

[Mike Harrison]

This is quite the excellent thread. Lots of great input, valid points, pro and con.

The age demographic consideration that Donna mentioned is key; it's always great to approach someone on their level. Although, without making a phone call (and hoping it's answered by a kindly human), many times it's very difficult to know the name of the target person, let alone their age.

For the most part, email works for me, but sometimes a call will also prove successful in at least making contact. But, like almost anything else, it's a matter of preference. Not just our own, but we can only guess at what a prospect's preference might be. If we try to reach a prospect by phone, for example, and are initially unsuccessful, we try again later. But it can be like playing 'Guess What Number I'm Thinking Of.' Trying to determine at which point the prospect says to himself "OK, he's left me 12 voice mails. He's now officially a pest" is practically impossible. We dare not cross a fine, gray line that can easily be moved without our ever knowing. And, of course, the same is true of all methods of contact. It's hit or miss... no?
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.