VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

BruceG · Last edited by BruceG on Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:33 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi all,

I just joined this forum today and am looking forward to being a part of the community! I was hoping to get feedback on an IVR-Phone Systems demo.

IVR-Phone Systems Demo

I am looking for brutally honest & candid feedback in these areas:

1. The reads themselves (I'm focusing more on a warm, friendly, soothing sound).
2. Production quality.
3. Any other issues that may jump out.

Thank you in advance for any and all critiques that are given! Laugh

Bish · Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Bruce... welcome aboard. I'll make the leap of faith and guess that's your name as... well, that's you Soundcloud account Smile

I'll give the standard advice and say you should browse the archives here... they are a wealth of information. I'm always doing searches here before going off to the wild'n'woolly internets!

Your IVR demo (to my ears) is technically fine. The music is down in the mix and the voice clear. Anyone who wants to use your voice is not going to be put off by any lack of production quality. As far as the delivery goes, you hit the warm and friendly OK, but to my ears it was a tad slow in places (especially the opening piece). I'd just pick up the pace a hair to be a little more natural... and be careful with over-enunciation, which sometimes goes hand-in-hand with a slower pace. I tend to over-enunciate and sound a little didactic, but I'm a Brit, and that's what they pay for Smile

If I'd got through to you on a call, I might be tapping my foot and muttering "c'mon, c'mon, c'mon... " OK, I'm exaggerating, but I'm sure you know what I mean... keep your target listener in mind.

Cheers
Peter
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:08 am Post subject:

I agree with Peter. Too slow, especially the first piece, and you over enunciate to the point of almost sounding like a computer generated voice.

A trick to our business is to sound like you believe it, whether you believe it or not, "We really are glad to talk to you. We really do have the best real estate listings in town", but still maintain a business-like demeanor.

I'd keep listening to other Phone On Hold demos and see if you can pick up some tips.

You could listen to this one too: http://soundcloud.com/bruce-miles/brucemiles-funnyvoicemail but then totally forget what you heard. It is not a real world example.

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. .

BruceG · Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 7:47 am Post subject:

Peter and Bruce,

Thank you guys very much for this feedback - well put and well appreciated! I'll tweak and make adjustments accordingly.

Bruce - that IVR clip was great...it put a smile on my face!
_________________
"What was that? An exhibition? We need emotional content." - Bruce Lee, Enter The Dragon

Randye Kaye · Joined: 06 Jul 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Trumbull, CT 06611

Hey Bruce - my 2 cents too - I agree with Bruce and Peter - you have a friendly voice for sure - but at the VERY least I would get rid of that first cut and/or redo it. Waaaaaay too slow, and not believable.
There are many degrees of "natural" - and some clients prefer formality and really crisp articulation (Peter knows...) while others prefer "guy next door" - and all sorts of needs in-between. The company image/brand can be a guide to that.

the tone of "Thanks for calling........" can be completely different depending on the company name filling the blank!
also - your "a" sound , like on the word "And", in quite flat and may not qualify for the "neutral non-accented American English" people often ask for.
As Bruce said, keep listening to other Good Phone demos -

I liked your last cut best - but also would work on getting more variety in here - within your own colors, of course.

Keep at it!
Nice sound
Randye
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BruceG · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 10:36 am Post subject:

Hi Randye,

Thank you also for the feedback! You, Peter and Bruce have all have been great to give me some things to focus on and use to step up my game. I appreciate that very much, especially being brand-new to the forum.

I'm looking forward to putting these ideas to sound! Smile

_________________
"What was that? An exhibition? We need emotional content." - Bruce Lee, Enter The Dragon