VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[VOICEINDALLAS]

I've done a search here for voice 123.com and found much said about them. I also found an entire topic "voice 123 LOL of the day" and yes, they are funny. I also came across an unrelated topic that somewhat bashed the site.

On the other hand, the Google search directed me to apparently reliable and unbiased raving reviews.

What say you or this community about the site? Do any of you use their free or Premium $199 service? Any experience with them or their clients seeking VO is greatly appreciated.

[Frank F]

Hi Dallas!

You will find pro's and con's for Voice123 here and everywhere on the internet.

The benefits of Voice123 and many "marketplace" sites is the exposure to voice talent buyers. What you do with this exposure is up to you. How the voiceover marketplace sites benefit you is based upon how you market the previously mentioned exposure.

Your personal brand is a commodity which sets you apart from other voiceover artists. Each time your brand image is placed in the Top Of Mind position of a "buyer"; you gain leverage. Leverage is accomplished by marketing your brand. The aforementioned web sites are a tool to help your brand become a sought after commodity. (And, the cycle continues...)

If I understand your topic post correctly you are trying to determine whether or not these marketplace sites will benefit you directly. The answer is: Yes. And, No. If the benefits you are searching for is money... then, maybe.

Your benefits will be derived from your ability to have your brand in front of potential buyers, large or small. The experience you gain from "marketplace sites" is worth more than gold. However, the experience will not pay your bills.

To join one of these sites or not is a choice only you are going to be able to make. No other person can make the decision for you.

Toodles

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

[VOICEINDALLAS]

[Deirdre]

Randy,

I recommend that you plow through the archives a bit more.
We have had many fruitful discussions about this subject.

I also highly recommend that you read this post:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3158
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[VOICEINDALLAS]

[marko]

Dallas,

Frank speaketh the truth-it's a decision that you're going to have to make on your own. However, I can offer my experiences with V123 if it will help you decide in any way. I've been a member for about 3 and a half years now. I recently let my membership lapse and here's why. In the early days, the jobs seemed to have a higher budget on average. Now, the average V123 job has a ridiculously low budget. Most of the time, insultingly low. Also, it seems to me-and this is only my opinion-that V123 has gone in the direction of being heavily client biased and will usually forgo the talent on many fronts. Budget, of course, is the numero uno issue. Do you/we have the option to turn any gig down? Of course. Should V123 have certain standards in place to discourage and/or eliminate the el cheapo gigs that turn up? I think so. Secondly, if you're not physically attached to your computer 24/7, chances are you are going to audition in vain and lose out on a lot of gigs. What I mean by this is, if you aren't among the top 20-30 reponders, I doubt you are going to land that particular gig unless it's a specific character they're looking for or some other special circumstance. Granted, some clients do listen to all 1,785 auditions but I can tell you from experience that those clients are the exception and not the rule. Lastly, it bothers me that V123 doesn't relenquish the client's name anymore (sometimes for good reason). I know that some people don't feel this way but this is how I feel about it.

A case can be made that V123 does keep your auditioning skills sharp and you may be one of the fortunate few that are at your computer when that email pops up alerting you to an audition and it's off to the races.

I have recouped my investment several times over each year that I've been a member. I've made some lasting contacts that I still work for on a semi-regular basis. Having said that, I've been receiving the audition emails and watching the client's budget 'offerings' diminish considerably over the past 6 months or so and it's very discouraging.

You're probably still confused as to what you should do but I hope you've gained some insight as to how the V123 machine operates. Good luck to you!

[Deirdre]

You can look at your "investment" as part of your advertising expense.
The pay-to-play sites engage in what I call "collectived marketing".

They do the prospecting on your behalf.
It's not always in your best interest, but it IS on your behalf.

There are some occasional seriously sweet gigs to be found, but you have to be both quick and excellent.

You need to decide where your advertising dollars are spent, as my colleagues have said.
That's the best way to look at it.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[billelder]

I always go back to thinking that if these sites are such a good idea, we would have done something like that at VO-BB by now. Think of the collective work we've done together for different projects. I've been involved in the Darfur and Freedom Radio ones. I'm sure there are more.

I also think that potential clients visit here and listen to demos. We're not unlike V123 in that we have a variety of styles, aptitudes and price ranges. You can click on Memberlist and see every member here and their web sites.

I guess the difference is there's no public place for someone to put up a voiceover request for demos. Would a client pay money for access to a roster of this caliber of talent? I have to think that if it was a workable idea that Deirdre would have put it in place by now. Plus, this forum has always been about support. You are unique and giving people. I would bet that some have gotten jobs from this board because (IMHO) a group of honest, giving and fun professionals is always more attractive than a cattle call.
(Then again, I rarely know what I'm talking about)

[Rognog]

Voice123 has been berry, berry good to me. I made back my fee within three weeks and gained some great long-term clients.

On the other hand, there are many VO folk here who are far more experienced & talented than I who have not gotten as much as one private lead from Voice123. Frankly, I can't explain it.

If you want to invest in your marketing/networking, have a online reference point for other potential clients, and keep your auditioning skills sharp, write off the fee and go for it. I'm happy to pan for gold, others aren't.

It's up to you...
_________________
Tom Dheere - The "H" is Silent, but I'm Not!
www.tomdheere.com

[todd ellis]

queen bee said:

[VOICEINDALLAS]

Thank you all, thus far, for such insightful comments regarding this and other "pay to play" sites. I initially figured that it would ultimately have to be my decision and mine alone. Figuring such sites would be of no service to one willing to pay but unable to deliver a valuable commodity.

One of the responses here was some extraordinary talent has had a tougher time landing the right gigs. I can believe this, as it's probably those better talents that won't settle for the ridiculously low budget offers. I think, whoever they may be, they insist on being paid what they are worth.

As in other "entertainment" or similar industries, you always have both the amateur and pros that'll always take, regardless of talent level, the lowest bid.

Some of the budgets I've seen at voice123 can be substantial or at least reasonable. As mentioned in other posts, some are just an insult both in request, script size, and compensation. Got to love the guy who wants his 50-page e-book read by a VO expert and willing to offer up to $200. What!? Such a request is unreasonable and unfortunate but someone will take him up on it!

I certainly appreciate the intelligent and unbiased answers thus far. I understand and appreciate, more than ever, how the commodity is used, how one handles the bargaining table, timing, and long-term relations are important and necessary ingredients in landing that gig.

[marko]

Here's a gem that came across this morning. I love when they say "national" and follow it with the slave labor rate AND specific direction.

National radio spot. Looking to pay $150. Read should last 10 seconds. We are looking for concern for the issue and enthusiasm for the solution.

[Drew]

Yeah. That was a gem. I was so "concerned" I hit delete.
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Skype: andrew.hadwal1
Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.

[Barry]

Somedays I get insulted at what the Client is expecting (and paying). Then I remember that I have seen people turn those little dirt clods of a lead into a full blown new account that ends up paying quite nicely and reptitively. So with a lead starting out so poorly at a cursory review, and ending up so nicely, would Voice 123 get such fantastic reviews? Voice 123 is simply presenting an offer, and believe me I have had MANY debates out loud when I am the only one in the room, and my conclusion is don't shoot the messsenger. There's no perfect service (or people). How difficult would it be if there was no web?

Barry Trussell

[VOICEINDALLAS]