VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

TLynch · Joined: 16 Jun 2012 Posts: 11 Location: DMV (DC, VA, MD)

Hello all,

My name is Travis Lynch. I've been apart of the community for awhile, but this is my first time posting, as I've been able to find answers from previous discussions via the search function. I'm relatively new to VO, but have been auditioning and working on a more consistent basis here recently. I've definitely learned a lot from simply reading the posts here. Aside from my long intro, here is my question.

It seems that amount of auditions I receive slow down during the summer period. Is this a slower season for ad copy and auditions coming out? What have your experiences been regarding this? Also, would anybody know the tendency of when auditions generally slow down?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

v/r,
Travis

Scott Lyle · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 9:10 am Post subject:

Greetings and salutations Travis Lynch from the Old North State (you know, the one with the crazy General Assembly)!

I'm sorry that I can't answer your question as I've yet to experience what you're describing, but there are plenty of knowledgeable folks here that can help you.

So, welcome aboard, um, the board. Yeah, that's it!
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 10:14 am Post subject:

Hi, Travis.

In a word (for me, at least): Yes.

Summers have always been my slowest season. I tend to see business really pick up from about September or October up to around Christmas. Then REALLY kick in again right after the first of the year. Interestingly, June was a banner month for me this year, but it slowed down quite a bit in July.

I think it may simply be due to people going on vacation more than anything else, but who knows?
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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

jsgilbert · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 11:19 am Post subject:

It has a lot to do with the type of voice over business you have, but in general the answer would be that there is an overall slowdown in Summer months.

I have several union national spots running and units (measurements of how often the ads are running) are about 50% in July vs. October.

Other factors such as schools being out of session and the masters of the C-suites, along with ad execs taking vacations all tend to lead to the slowdown.

In the beginning of August you tend to see things like castings for back-to-school and Halloween. September we see castings for Thanksgiving - Christmas, plus September and October are huge months for conventions, training programs, etc.

When I was producing dialog for video games, I always tried to get the clients to have me do production in the Summer, because talent were usually available at pretty decent discounts.

I may average about 80 auditions per week via all the various casting places/ agents I work with. Last week, I had about 20 auditions.

Hope that helps, at least from my perspective.
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Frank F · Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 12:16 pm Post subject:

Welcome aboard! Bring chocolate.

To answer your question, in a nutshell: Yes!

Summer is the time to create your marketing plan and implement it. Time to reach out and touch those clients who do not know you - yet. Time to determine your place in the market for the upcoming year. And, after you have done those - play; if you have time.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 1:32 am Post subject:

There are 12 slow months in the VO business, no real reason for any of them but plenty of excuses.

All of us are too small, in business terms, to be subject to the vagaries of "seasonal trends" and we should be trading globally to ensure that we are not forced to take a day off just because it's Christmas or Wednesday as they will call it in Beijing.

Auditions for anything are THEIR radar image, what will ensure your business continuity is YOUR radar image.

DougVox · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 7:45 am Post subject:

Bruce · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:50 am Post subject:

I don't really see month to month differences. I've been crazy busy in Summer months and slow some winter months. Where I always see a slowdown is around 3 and 4 day holiday weekends. During this last 4th of July (Thursday) week, Wednesday was slow and Friday dead.

I could almost take every Friday off, certainly Friday afternoons. "Fresh" work almost never comes my way then.

B
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jsgilbert · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:32 am Post subject:

The thread asks about a slowdown in auditions during Summer months. And specifically asks if "Is this a slower season for ad copy and auditions coming out?"

It doesn't mean that one can't be working feverishly during the Summer, but only asks about a specific aspect of voice over.

It happens to be summer in the United States right now, and I can't think of any exceptions to answering this question with an emphatic "yes".

If I misinterpreted the question, my apologies.
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j.s. gilbert

js@jsgilbert.com
www.jsgilbert.com

"today is the first day of the rest of the week"

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:59 am Post subject:

You're right this thread should've been locked after Scott replied and he should've been cautioned by the Moderators to edit his post to the answer "Yes".

I, myself, personally was wittering in a pointless fashion, apologies.

Sunday breakfast VOICE2010

J.S uttered one word.

Waiter "Wad kin I ket chew pour braked fasts sore?"

J.S (pointing at menu) "THAT!"

After that ..We got nuthun!

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:26 pm Post subject:

Mike Harrison · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:04 pm Post subject:

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:26 am Post subject:

They give you until Monday morning? I've been contacted on a Friday and asked if I can get them their stuff by Saturday. (Whenever possible, my answer is, yes.)
Hell, I've been contacted on a Friday and asked if I can have it done on Friday (and they don't mean the following Friday).
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heyguido · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:27 am Post subject:

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 5:39 am Post subject:

Oh, you guys get the whole weekend??? Wink

My surprise Saturday morning was a rather lengthy script from one of my regulars in Russia who asked if I was working that day and could turn it around immediately.

I did. And was glad to do it.

(BTW, they also happen to be my best payers; paying IMMEDIATELY via PayPal, with no need for me to even render an invoice!)
_________________
Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com