VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:33 am Post subject:

Heh.
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audio'connell · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:05 am Post subject:

Well um, gee....I've had a really good 2006 so far.

(knock Banks' head...er, I mean wood Wink

)

Its all about two words for me anyway, persistent marketing.

Stick with it if you love it...one less VO outta the million or so that seem to be out there won't make the pool any less cramped.
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mcm · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:16 am Post subject:

David,

Don't listen to Philip Curmudgeon Banks, since his post was intended only for those who want to give up, which you clearly don't.

Sources say that January-March are the slowest months of the year in VO, with January being the slowest (in some regions, summer is slow).

Having said that, it never hurts to re-evaluate your strategy on a regular basis - are the demos as good as they can be (this is a generic question), is your marketing plan a good one, are you allocating your energies effectively. The one thing you mentioned that I would question is the amount of time you're devoting to auditioning for low-paying gigs on V123 and IV. How many of your current clients have come from that source? Sure it's a way to keep your voice in shape, but is it the best way, considering that you aren't getting any feedback most of the time except a resounding silence? Wouldn't it be better to be working with a producer/director who can say, "let's try it this way"? So, how do you get there? Go to the source and focus your energies there would be one way, and/or try to get an agent. What other ways to get to these people are there? What other networking possibilities do you have? Maybe a college alumni network? Perhaps you could tap into former classmates' networks?

While looking always for new contacts, also don't neglect the old. Sometimes it takes quite a while. I got a new client this weekend - someone I had contacted in January 2005. It took 3 follow-up emails at one-month intervals before I got any response at all, and then it was, "we'll keep you in mind". I kept them updated on my VO shenanigans on a quarterly basis, the most recent update being about 2 weeks ago. Finally, they had something for me. It's possible that the reason for this is that in my last update I pointed them to my new demos - I did not have a narration demo until last month, only a commercial demo, and 60% of my VO gigs have been commercials, compared with the overall VO market which I've heard is 10% commercial and 90% narration. Or, it just could be that the time of my last update happened to coincide with a need for a voice like mine.

Persistence is obviously key, as you already know; when I'm feeling particularly discouraged I try to remember that it takes 3-5 years to get a business up and running well. But always, if things don't seem to be working the way you want them to, think about what you might be able to change.

Deirdre · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:22 am Post subject:

brianforrester · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:13 am Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:27 am Post subject:

Amen!! Preach it Brother, preach it!

January - Post Christmas so bound to be quiet
February - Too close to Easter so may as well wait
March - The Easter break is upon us so do it after the holiday.
April - End of the financial year for a lot of people, no money about.
May - Post year end we need ot wait until the budgets are set for the year ahead.
June - June? June!!! No one does any business in June DUH!
July - Kids holidays, the sun is out so people would rather not think about work.
August - Ooooooo Autumn(Fall) is nearly with us time to plan for a big finish so the last 3 month are going to be good.
September - Kids back to school and then it's back into the swing of things
October - Let's wait so we can give the Christmas project the time and money it deserves.
November - Bit early to start pushing Christmas stuff just yet.
December - Well if people haven't done it by now they never will. Still, think positive...January will be with us..New year, new start!

brianforrester · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:31 am Post subject:

The pulpit is now free Phil. The soap box has been vacated... feel free to hop up any time!
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Charlie Channel · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:38 am Post subject: Re: what do you do???

Jeff McNeal · Guest

audiogenic · Guest

When you spend an industry average of 90% of your time looking for work versus actually working, sure takes it's toll at times.

mcm · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:08 pm Post subject:

Seems like a lot has changed here in the year since this thread started. Back then, the tone was pretty supportive. Today, yow, don't forget to duck. Is it just Grumpy Monday?

kitstern · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:13 pm Post subject:

Amen.

And Phillip.........Harrumph back atcha.
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Hart · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject:

hmm. I've been quite busy today and missed most of this as it was happening. It's been quite... insightful ... I suppose is the word, but I don't think in the way that most of you intended. There definitely is a sense of bitterness in this thread.

Now, I have to go back to working on an audition . Wish me luck.

.... or don't.
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Deirdre · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't call it "bitterness" per se, but I certainly detect an overload of smart-assitude.

Just relax everyone.
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