VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Lizden · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject:

For my Caregivers website I have an opt-in box for an occasional newsletter/tips that I send out, that is run through Aweber, similar to Constant Contact. (see is here: http://www.caregiverscommunity.com)

If you use a service like that, what will happen is that yes, you can manually add them to your list, but then the service will sent them a confirmation email asking them if they DO actually want to be added to your list, and if they don't want to be added there will be an unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email.

So bottom line: On your own you can "get-away" with it, but once you go with a service they are bound by Anti-Spam laws that requre Opt-in.

Does that help?

Liz
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

Liz is correctomundo - I moved about 150 names over to the emailing system on Go Daddy and the intial highly generic and rather boringly forgettable "do you really want to be on this list" message went out and only about 10 people have replied. A couple emails bounced - which cleans the list, but of the 34 or so that were "opened" only those few "opted in" and the rest have never been "opened." (Hmmm sounds familiar - in this case, they probably never received the generic note.)

Those people can never be sent to again unless I delete them all and re-import the list. They do have a new feature that allows you to send an actual newsletter to the group the first time - but I'm not sure if it will let people OptOut instead of OptIn.

They really need to figure something out for this kind of home grown mailing list. We hand pick our leads - we don't want to send things to people who don't use (or could potentially use) our services.

The majority of my list remains in about a dozen different distribution lists in Outlook. And if the lead isn't a hot lead, they may not actually be in my Contacts list, just a name and an email address in the distribution list, so finding them again when an email bounces, or on that rare occasion when someone asks to be removed, is difficult.

I guess I could spend some time and convert each of those into an actual "contact" - but I was so hoping this email service would solve the problem.
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:09 am Post subject:

To further answer the original question, in my opinion if someone puts their email on a company website or a listing of ad agencies they are inviting people to write to them. Now, if you troll something like the VO-BB for mass mailing that's not quite so kosher, but people seem to do it.

B
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Lizden · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:12 am Post subject:

I only sent you ONE email Bruce!!!!! Rolls Eyes

Liz
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English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:36 am Post subject:

CarynClark · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:50 am Post subject:

Connie, do you know the name of that service via Go Daddy?
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject:

If you've got an agent that's willing to let you do so, most have a rather valuable "red book" (I forgot the actual name, but my agent in Philly calls it that) which lists a lot of the information you're looking for.

I'd look at that as well (there is a copy in every SAG/AFTRA HQ if I recalll).

//Deebs... please validate/correct last statement, as I'm going on comments from others and poor recollection) Smile

That said, not everyone will let you look at their's since you could cut them out of the picture by cold-calling their clientele'. The one that let's me use his has more than a bit of trust in me that I'll do the right thing in that regard.

//DISCLAIMER: originator of this post is stupid... but honest.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject:

The bulk emailing thing on Go Daddy is called Express Email Marketing.

And my agent in San Diego used to have a Go See list she gave to us - encouraging us to get to know the producers. But that was when we were going to studios. I don't know why she stopped circulating that list, but perhaps with the ability to work without going to a studio, some of her clients did do an end around.
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Yoda117 · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

I sent a demo to the head of programmes at a TV station. Followed up with phone calls to his PA "Starving voice over requires work". After about a year I got the call which led to 7 years on and off freelance and contract work.

While at one of the studios owned by this company I did a prodcucer a favour. In return .................

http://www.ukgameshows.com/page/index.php/Under_Offer

Hart · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:40 pm Post subject:

It's funny how all that works. My most lucrative work to date has come from people a former boss introduces me too. He still does it in fact, he just got me an audition for a few national radio shows that would be huge... and he's not even involved in it. Just told the people he knows that I'm the best voice guy he knows. Man I love him. That reminds me, I should probably send him another bottle of wine or something.
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BenWils · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject:

Can you email me his name and number, Hart? Not to mention, can you send me your entire contact list. It doesn't even have to be alphabetized.....I'm easy. Wink

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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

bobsouer · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject: