VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rick Riley

Someone quite prominent in the industry, who is also a friend, said she thought my website was creepy. It wasn't demonic or anything even close to that. In fact, I thought it was homey and comfortable, but nevertheless, she thought it was creepy.

So I've been working on a website, that I hope, has eliminated any traces of creepiness. Realizing that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, with all humility I ask you to take a visit. And if you don't like it, I'll be devastated... I mean, I will take the constructive criticism to heart and do my best to employ your thoughtful suggestions.

www.rickrileyvoice.com

Thanks,
Rick

ricevoice · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:31 pm Post subject:

I really dig it, personally, but I'm guessing I'm not the target demo...

The dark gray motif with the B&W pic and the dripping-paint-on-wood font on the name-plate does have a little bit of a B-horror-movie/haunted-house vibe to it, so I can see where your friend is coming from.

Note: I'm neither an agent nor a big-time producer, so take the validity of my 2 cents with a grain of salt.

(btw, I prefer demos be available on the home page... less hoops for would-be buyers to jump through. And if I had pipes like yours I'd definitely showcase them on the front page!)
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject:

I'm a bit baffled by your desire to be associated with horses' asses.
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whalewtchr · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:02 pm Post subject:

Db Cooper is the expert around these parts on website design. I could offer an opinion but that would only add to the horses asses you already have going on. Fewer clicks the better.
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jonahcummings

Rick Riley · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:24 pm Post subject:

I must say that I didn't get past the picture on first glance.

I agree with folks here that you should have some playable demos on your front page.

I find your "bio" disturbing and distasteful. If I were casting I wouldn't only not go to your secondary pages to listen, but I would tell others to steer clear.

You might want to reconsider your "humor".
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Bish · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:34 pm Post subject:

I don't get the "creepy" thing... it has a flavour/personality of it's own. Sort of a nice down-home thing that invokes a feeling of... whatever the antithesis of slick is Smile

Horses' rumps have been mentioned, but personally, I like things that don't take themselves too seriously.

The question is... how many prospective clients will use your web-site design as a reason to reject you... how many will swing your way because of it? I think the answer to both questions is... none. There are obvious baseline standards*, but I think it's the voice that gets the jobs, not the web design (so get the demos on the front page). Though I do tend to agree that the text could be off-putting for many.

Cheers
peter

* Obvious 1980's "I've just taught myself HTML" styles - Explosions in font factories - Nasty over-use of Flash - Autostart audio - Kittens
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:22 pm Post subject:

First let me say I listened to your demos and think you sound great! Great voice and great delivery...I'm envious Smile

For the web page I hate to say it, but I have to agree with Deebs. Before listening to your demos first thing I saw and thought was horses asses. Then I read the bio and you were talking about puke. I did go listen, but I was tempted to just click away. I understand you want the homey feel, but I don't think the horses asses are the way to go. I do understand the humor in your bio, but I'm not sure your business home page and personal bio is the way to express that particular humor. From a competitor standpoint...keep it bro. lol from a prospective customer viewpoint...I'd revamp it. But ultimately your voice product is wonderful. My 2 cents
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TG2

"Communication without intelligence is noise; Intelligence without communication is irrelevant."

Gen. Alfred. M. Gray, USMC
Former Commandant of the Marine Corps

Rick Riley · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:25 pm Post subject:

Your two cents and the others are highly valued. Personally, I like the horses because I'm unconventional. I'm a rebel at heart. While you always see horses from the front, the picture caught my eye as being unique. I certainly never thought it was offensive and it kind of kept my brand. For some reason my voice gives people that 'Western' feel.

But my main concern, 'the bio', has been answered in a very few comments. I ran the bio by a few people before I used it and they said it made them laugh. But after 30 years of writing comedy, I know that while one person laughs another may cringe. If one person cringes while trying to get their business, then I have defeated the purpose. And to have evoked such an adamant response from D.B. Cooper, pretty much seals the deal. 'Not what I want'.

While I hate to be benign, often that's the best approach and a straight forward bio will be in order. However, I'm still up in the air about the horses. I've never looked at them as 'horses asses', I've looked at them as vehicles that were parked and I took advantage of their advertising space.

The demos will find their way towards the front as well. Back to the drawing board...

PS: Thanks for the compliments on the VO's. At least it's not a total loss

Deirdre · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 10:42 pm Post subject:

You know, a bio is nearly always unnecessary. Bring your demos to the front and let them speak for you. Let them shout your pedigree.

Sorry to be so stiff at first, Mate. The prose on the site really kinda knocked me for a loop.
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todd ellis · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 5:15 am Post subject:

i don't mind the "ass" issue - to each his own - i DO agree with demos on page 1 and the lack of need for a bio at all. i also think the player you have chosen, while cool looking, doesn't really match the theme of your site. other than that - gray is my favorite color.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:38 am Post subject:

Bio for work purposes should be qualified by answering the question "So what?"

Should you have the desire to exercise your sense of humour, your creative copywriting skills or your love of fun photos then do it on a personal web site not on your "I'm looking for a VO work site".

People do like to get a sense of who you are but only a sense not a punch in the face.

The 10 second site works like this -

1- Potential client goes to your site.
2- His voice, yes of no?
3- Calls you on the phone to book you.

He's busy, don't waste his time. Help him make a decision (at least in principal) in 10 seconds.

DougVox · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:23 am Post subject:

Hey Rick,

Having heard you and Suds on the air for so long here in Miami, I totally got/expected/understood your bio.
And while I wasn't at all offended (that's pretty hard to do anyway), I can see how it might be off-putting to some.

But of course, most of the people who visit your site aren't familiar with you yet, so you have to think of things
from their view. And while I agree that it's best to minimize any chance that they're going to be offended, I
strongly disagree that "benign" is your best alternative.

Since your voice and your brand already (and very effectively) evoke a Western feel, why not do the same
with your writing? Even if it's not a true "bio," a couple of paragraphs that cleverly describe your work (your
'pioneering spirit'), your (down-home, front porch) sound and your (ol' reliable) professionalism will give
people a chance to get to know you, while at the same time, reinforcing your strong brand and your professionalism.
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Bruce · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:30 am Post subject:

And just to put it another way, your site's number one goal is to give producers/buyers/agents a quick impression of what you sound like and what you can do for them. It's not there to make you happy or impress friends and family. Now there's nothing wrong, in fact everything right, with an appealing look to make visiting satisfying to the eye, and additional material down below or linked to elsewhere for those few who care (family most likely). Just don't waste a "busy" buyer's time in finding what they need.

I don't mind the horses' butts so much. However, I'd certainly look at making each butt a clickable button that plays those demos.

Your work is great. Just make it the focus.
----

Oh, and from my experience, "fetus" is not always the best word to fling around in jest. This'll date me, but I used to play the Osmonds' hits on the radio, then Donny Osmond singles, and then his little brother Jimmy came out with a song...from which I back announced, "and next week we'll be playing that new hit from the newest member of the family, Little Fetus Osmond!" Yeah, I heard about that, from all kinds of people.

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

Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 8:48 am Post subject: