VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison

I'd like to think I'm not alone, but I suppose I could be.

That awful moment when your stomach drops through the floor upon realization that in the email or website contact form you've just sent to a prospect you've addressed them by a name other than their own.

In this case, it was a contact form. I'd read about the person on the site's bio page and left the page open. I then opened the site's contact form in a second browser window and, before I could begin laying down my spiel, my phone rang and I spent several minutes chatting. Returning the form, I faux-confidently addressed Larry, said whatever else I said, looked it all over for mistakes, and then clicked Submit.

Upon closing that window, the sites' bio page was staring me in the face, and then the horror struck: his name is not Larry, it's Jeffrey.

I quickly filled out another form, apologizing profusely and explaining what had happened, all the while knowing my explanation was no excuse and that he didn't owe me anything. I sent it anyway.

His reply just came in, and it was a very gracious "No worries! Thanks for your contact information. I'll be in touch."

Despite my dopey clumsiness, it sure is nice to know there are still some folks who aren't bothered by things like this.

Lesson learned: always check the details, especially after your train of thought is interrupted.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

ballenberg · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:18 am Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about it, Fred.

Smile

Ed Fisher · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:10 am Post subject:

Nothing to worry about. (although I do ...all the time)

I once addressed a long time and WELL PAYING client by "Tony" instead of "Tim." (he corrected me)

It's a little embarrassing...but it happens.

I have several clients that I send "reminder" emails to on a monthly basis.

It is the same wording...except for who I am addressing...so I am constantly double and TRIPLE checking myself.

I know at least once....I came dangerously close to sending a longtime client ...someone ease's files.

In any case. Trying to juggle with one hand... and not to drop a single ball...is a constant battle.
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"I reserve the right to be completely wrong."

ballenberg · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:41 am Post subject:

Yeah, well...since nobody else is gonna say it, I will.

Now, a disclaimer...this was a long, long, long time ago. My single days. Ancient history.

But let me just say, there's a far, far worse time to get someone's name wrong. Uh-huh. Yes, I did.

Wish there'd been this available: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zoe-Hello-My-Name-Is-Novelty-Bedding-Pillowcase-Pillow-Case-/330862850053

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Ballenberg for the win. cool

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Don't sweat it Mike.

I have boilerplate e-mails that I send to clients and prospects, but I address each one individually, so it doesn't look like spam.

I just copy and paste the body of the e-mail, type in the correct name to go with the e-mail address and hit send.

Occasionally when I go the next e-mail address I will forget to change the name in the salutation. It happens.

Mike Harrison · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:01 am Post subject:

Thanks, Elwood. Yes, I do exactly the same thing... for email, and I came close a couple of times that way. But this instance was a website contact form where I had to limit the amount of text, so it was "freshly baked."

I should know better not to let a phone call bring everything to a standstill. A ringing phone does not have a constitutional right to be answered... at least, immediately.

Bill: A very elongated George Takei "Ohhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyyyyyyy."
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 11:27 am Post subject:

Could be worse. It could happen in real life. You know how there are people who may have entered your consciousness at around the same time, many years ago, and in roughly the same context? For example, two different VO clients you used to work with in studio back in the 80s or 90s, perhaps introduced to you by the same person.

That's what happened to me. This summer I ran into a guy at a golf tournament. He said, "You don't remember my name, do you?"
"Sure, I do. You're Cliff." It was Dan. Embarrassed

_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

Mike Harrison · Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 2:05 pm Post subject:

Egad! I have difficulty in social situations as it is (especially crowded ones), and having that happen would be reason for me to shrink away and leave.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858

I haven't had to use it (yet), but GMail has an "undo send" function that you can turn on and set for up to 30 seconds. Good for those "oh, CRAP" moments, when you hit Send and immediately notice a mistake.

Of course, it's not REALLY "un-sending" your email -- it's just NOT sending it for 30 seconds. But it's a nice little safety net for just such an occasion as the OP. Smile

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Always look on the bright side of life.

Dee doo. Dee doot doot doo dee doo.

my website

Foog · Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject:

gmail's undo function is my best friend. I've used it three times this month alone!
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Andrew Fogarasi

Lizden · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 7:22 am Post subject:

Been there, done that.
It happens to all of us!

Ummm...Ballenberg...Ha!!!! That's funny!
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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