VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Christian M · Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Posts: 10 Location: New York

I just got done paying for my first demo so I don't have the funds just yet to have a logo and website built. But for now, I'm looking to name brand my voice over business. I've gotten some ideas from all of your websites.

I wanted to go with my "name + voices" but my last name is long, isn't easy to remember, spell, or pronounce. I was thinking first name,middle name, and voices sounded more pleasant. "Christian Denis Voices"

Any suggestions?

heyguido · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 8:43 am Post subject:

Only if you actually have "voices" in plural.

I wouldn't worry so much about the "branding". Your voice is your brand, as is your work. Branding is so much more than a slogan or a tagline. Concentrate on the work, and the brand image will follow naturally in time.

There's only one Bruce, one Bob Bergen, one Kafer..... and one YOU.
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Monk · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 9:43 am Post subject:

and there's only two Schane-Lydon's in the ENTIRE WORLD!

Me and me wife.... Smile

Go ahead.. google it.... do it. Smile

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melissa eX · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 10:50 am Post subject:

Try Exelberth, Monk. Not many there either - though technically, if not officially, more than two.

Go with your real name. It took me decades to learn that. Mine doesn't appear to be easy to spell - and some would say pronounce, though once you've heard it once it's easy - but having an unusual name actually works in your favor. People remember you BECAUSE it's unusual. And then they remember you again. I think Liz DeNaNaNa would also agree.

Fran McClellan · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 11:00 am Post subject:

"Liz DeNaNaNa" - that just made me snort laugh Laugh

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melissa eX · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 11:12 am Post subject:

Actually snort in Bruce Jacobson's direction. That's his name for Liz. I just borrowed it

Christian M · Joined: 30 Dec 2011 Posts: 10 Location: New York

Thanks for the advice, all.

Yeah, I think I'll just go with my name. It won't be easy but it'll stand out. And at the end of the day, it's "me" who is building relationship with clients, so why not be personal?

EDIT: And with that said, I guess I'll change my username on the forums. Or get a new one.

Deirdre · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 11:59 am Post subject:

Just let me know when you want to roll out your real name and we'll make it happen.

I am in full agreement about letting your name do the talking.
The "brand" will evolve.
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swduncan · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 1:32 pm Post subject:

I have no VO marketing insight to bring, but I would suggest that before naming ANYTHING that will depend on web marketing, do a google search of the proposed name to see what comes up, as well as the domain name. A unique name will make it much easier to track mentions on the web.

The name and domain also don't need to be highly related to the nature of the business either. Common advice might be to put 'voice' in the domain, but the advantage to SEO is small relative to the power of content and good links.

I had a great domain name for a site that was totally unique and was a dream to track via search, but it took at least three very clear pronunciations to get anyone to spell it correctly which made it a train wreck to tell people about it in person. Having a name that is spelled phonetically is really convenient.
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Deirdre · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 1:43 pm Post subject:

I'm a great fan of [YOURNAME]VO.com for a domain name.
You're more likely to get it as compared with finding [YOUR REAL NAME].com.
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Frank F · Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 2:07 pm Post subject:

Answer these questions:

What do people call you?
Since you have little track record in VO, no one knows who you are and what you do; therefore how will you introduce yourself to others?
Are you able to live your "brand" 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
What happens if you fail to live up to your brand's tag line?

Now you have a beginning, heed these thoughts:
A brand takes time to develop.
Your clients and customers will determine your brand, not you.
Focus on developing your skill and professionalism in the beginning. This will be the basis for your future nickname or brand tag.
YOU are your brand. Own it, Live it, Love it - don't change it unless you have to due to a change in careers or other major life altering occurrences.

Frank F
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Bish · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 7:23 am Post subject:

Names are difficult. We are all our own worst critics and can totally lose any objectivity when it comes to our own name (sort of a name dysmorphia). I dislike mine, but have always been told that it's a strong, solid, easy name. Despite that, most Americans hear it as "Peter Fisher", and now that it's been hi-jacked by a popular TV character it's pretty much useless as a unique search term. So much for all the good a straightforward phonetic name is meant to do you, eh? Smile

A lot of people in the VO world have a history with radio where names are whatever the station needed and there was an expectation that your working name was quite often not your real one... so there are a bunch of VOs with established "professional" names. It always struck me as a little schizophrenic, but I get it... also there is a need (requirement) for unique names within the "entertainment" profession where your name is your mark.

So I guess it boils down to whether you are going to lose work because you have a "difficult" name... or are you going to be memorable because of it? Personally, I don't think it makes any difference... they're buying your voice, not your name... and maintaining a professional alias can be hard work.

Cheers
Peter (no... it's Bishop... not Fisher!)
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imaginator · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 7:29 am Post subject:

...i wound up using a made-up word as a blanket identity years ago.

not an ideal situation, and i never really intended to keep "imaginator" more than a few years after the "arnold" movies came out...just couldn't think of anything better, and "imagineer" was already taken by disney.

while people tend to remember my name once they get it, using it is a pain because the first name can be screwed up so many ways...and even my bank can't seem to get the correct spelling of my last name. fortunately, they let the checks cash either way.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 7:50 am Post subject:

I once scrolled down an email sent to me from a producer at CNN and saw the content of an email sent to her from her boss, not A BOSS but THE BOSS - She who has better things to do than faff about writing to promo producers.

"Have you gotten Philip yet?"

That was the entire content.

That thar is branding.

Lapianoman · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 8:39 am Post subject:

I've had many people through the years butcher my name, yet I imagine if Don LaFontaine could rise from recording engineer to VO legend, I might not be doomed with a name like John LaPiana.

Actually, they're not too far off. "Don" and "John" rhyme, both have the "La"... If they can't have a fountain, would they settle for a piano? Sarcastic

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