VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Matto

So fresh that it's not even on display to the general internets yet! However, I wanted to show it to you folks, to see if you have any feedback.

The new site, Downunder Voiceovers, is currently living in the back pages but will launch into cyberspace very soon.

Here is the link http://mattcowlrick.com/downunder/

The awesomeness of the website is all thanks to the unreal Corey Snow and the branding and logo design is the work of Jennie Dixon from 504 Design Studios http://www.504designstudio.com/

Please let me know if anything breaks...

Cheers!
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www.mattcowlrick.com

cyclometh · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:27 pm Post subject:

Very kind of you to say, Matt! Smile

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Corey "Vox Man" Snow
http://voxman.net

Karen Souer · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 2:57 pm Post subject:

Matt I like it, very shiny, and easy to navigate and read. (Which is my personal pet peeve with folks' sites.) And Corey is awesome, he did my site also! Smile

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Any project, any size, I can help.
karensouer.com
voiceoverassistant.com/blog/

DougVox · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:19 pm Post subject:

Love it, Matt! I wouldn't change a thing! ; ) The writing is fabulous.

And Corey, really, REALLY nice WP site, man!

You guys (Jennie, too) do great work!
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
UNnouncer.com

Lizden · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:47 pm Post subject:

OK...If DOUG doesn't want to change anything, who am I to judge! Wink

Seriously...really great!
Totally YOU!

"I bring this experience with me every time I hop in front of a microphone."

I see what you did there! Wink

May it bring you sacks o' cash Kiss

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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:00 pm Post subject:

I love it. And I'm a former web-designer who is pretty darned critical of most site designs. I like everything about it. Even the pics. If I had a young studly mug like yours, mine would be on my site, too. Not everyone should have their pic out there, but I can't help but think yours can only make people MORE anxious to hire you. (I especially like the goofy-faced one; shows you have a good sense of humor).

Kudos to you and Corey on this.
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Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:07 pm Post subject:

You guys are too nice.

You know I love you, Matt, so I'll give it you straight: Too much wordy wordness.

I also don't like having to click to hear your demos. Yes, I KNOW your commercial demo is up there in the corner, but it gets drowned out by all the text. Can't you move all that to the About section or an FAQ and feature what's important on the front: Demos? previous clients? testimonials?
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Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Matto · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:36 pm Post subject:

Thank you everyone.

Karen: Corey's got mad skills, that's for sure! I'm so glad you got him to design your website.

Doug & Liz: What can I say…I'm so savvy that I predicted everything Doug would suggest to improve the website WITHOUT EVEN EMAILING HIM*

Scott: Ahhh shucks thanks very much! I know you're an experienced and tough marker on the websites (which is a good thing) so that means a lot. It's amazing what a pro photographer and photoshop will do…I used to look like this:

Jeff: Love is all around, baby! I totally hear what you're saying and we'll have a play around with the order of the pages to see how it looks. Let me explain though: It was important to me that I 'spoke' a little more to my visitors to this site, as my current webpage is pretty sparse and empty. It's all just demos, short bio, contact.

The reason I think that text works on the front page is because it expresses why an Aussie voice can be suitable for a North American company. Otherwise, it just looks like a regular website for an Australian voiceover talent.

Originally I had the text far too blabby, so I worked really hard to cut it down. I reckon that if someone gets bored reading all that stuff on the landing page, that they can easily jump to what's important - demos and contact info.

*Ok, so maybe one email or ten
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www.mattcowlrick.com

Matto · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:38 am Post subject:

P.S. I can't go without acknowledging the work of VO-BB master craftsman Bruce Miles, who put together the commercial demo you hear on the site. Thanks again, Bruce!
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www.mattcowlrick.com

Jen Gosnell · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 1:40 am Post subject:

Matt! Awesome. Laugh

I am totally loving the logo/branding and the whole look of the site. Am sympathetic to Kafer's comments about demos front and center - but I do get your point about differentiating yourself and I have to say, I think the way you've done it is effective. I am in agreement with your comments that it presents a much better sense of YOU to your potential audience than your current site does. Nice demos, too!

Of course I am not a buyer Wink

but I am pretty picky and I think you done good. Bravo, mate!
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jen@jengosnell.com
https://www.jengosnell.com
Skype: jen.gosnell
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Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:44 am Post subject:

Really nice Matt! Nice simple design and just enough content. Strong visual brand. Everything works. Awesome work by all involved!
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Bruce · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:14 am Post subject:

I must admit, it is a very attractive site, but I'm in line with Jeffrey's thinking. In this day of 90 m.p.h. producers who just want to hear you first and then if they like what they hear will spend time to learn about you, it doesn't pay to frustrate them. Also, because most people work their way down the left side of a web page first I, like some others might, missed seeing your front page demo in the upper right corner until a closer examination.

A couple of suggestions to consider that won't change your design much: The critical point of your marketing appears to be you're an Australian voice available during North American business hours. I'd come up with a short snappy slogan that says that and put it at the top of your copy block or close to your logo. Your point will be made in two seconds, not 20 seconds. Then I would put that "Hear Matt Now" commercial demo at the top of your copy block so they don't miss it and a link button under that that takes them to "more demos!". Then follow with all that lovely copy.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think a lot of us design sites that will appeal to our families and our egos more than jaded audio producers, but it's those jaded producers who make those snap decisions and hire us. There's no reason a site can't appeal to all three. I'd just put the buyers first in design planning.

And thanks for the thanks!

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. .

DougVox · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:37 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 8:33 am Post subject:

DougVox · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 11:06 am Post subject:

Sorry, Bruce, no mis-reading intended...I guess I just took the comment to its illogical conclusion.

And yes, I know that you never said that all of our sites should be similar or boring, and I could have expressed myself better.

(Not a bad day, per se, just a busy one.) Embarrassed

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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
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