VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[RussRenshaw]

HI Everyone,

So, I've spent the last couple of days retooling my site, and I think I've got it too a place where I like it.

http://russrenshaw.com/

I was hoping everyone could check it out and tell me what they think? Am I forgetting anything that should be added? Should I take anything out? Does it render funky in anyone's browsers? (I used a lot of coding "shortcuts" and only tested it on Mac Firefox 3 and Safari)

Also, the branding image was chosen because I can't be seen with out wearing a pair of cargo shorts. Even in these cold New Hampshire winters.

Thanks!

[Kasbah]

Hey Russ...I by no means am an expert, but the only thing that stood out was the fact you're wearing shorts in your pic. Not sure if that might be taken as too laid back. IMHO
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Kasbah
http://kasbahradio.blogspot.com/
http://afnbroadcaster.blogspot.com/
http://youdothis.blogspot.com/
http://itastethis.blogspot.com/

[RussRenshaw]

Hey Kasbah,

Over the years I've kinda settled on a look of cargo shorts and hooded sweatshirts. So, that image kind of stuck when I was thinking about branding.

But, I hope shorts aren't too laid back...
Does anyone else think so? Because that could be an easy change to the site.

[bobsouer]

Russ,

I think the image fits the sound of your voice perfectly. I wouldn't change a thing. Nice site.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[richvoice]

Russ,

1. Your "F.A.Q." and "Contact" links point to the same place.
2. At the bottom, the text "HOME/Blog/Contact/F.A.Q." displays, but the words aren't links. Typically, footers that look like that are links.
3. The "Member of" stuff at the bottom-left starts inside of the shadowed box in the main area. That might be the way you planned it, but it looks like a mistake to my eye because the shadowed box with your demo link looks like it is the same distance from the bottom of the main shadowed box as it is from the right-hand edge. In other words, the placement looks fairly precise, so something else that isn't precise looks incorrect.
4. I don't see the value of including the "member of" stuff. If they've found your website, why bother pointing them to Voices or Voice123?
5. The shorts don't bother me.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers,
Rich

[paddyo]

I normally don't critique but I don't think you really need to put v123 and voices on your site. Just my 2 cents.


Paddyo
www.thepatrickoconnor.com
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Proud member of F.U.F.F.

[RussRenshaw]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

I've already gone through and made some changes, specifically removing the redundancies. I agree, they weren't needed and only added visual design weight.

Rich - I checked the footer and they are links. I styled it so they are bold and change to the blue when moused-over and not to have an underline.

Now the left-hand side seems to be not weighted enough compared to the weight and colors on the right-hand side. I guess I need to figure out some text to put in there. Hmmm....

Thanks again.

[brianforrester]

Hey Russ,

Overall I really like the look and feel that you've achieved, however I had two thoughts in very quick successions when I first looked at your site;

1. He'd better sound young and cool (the picture screams young and cool)
2. Why the heck would a producer care if he's a member of Voice123 and Voices.com, they've already found his website... in fact that seems kinda odd (I swear, those exact words came into my mind ) If it said that you were a member of mensa, now maybe that would be impressive, but anybody with some spare change can be members of those sites (including me, I might add)

I then listened to your demo and had another thought... He sounds kinda young and cool. Answer to question number 1 above.

Here are a few more thoughts...

I don't think that picture lends itself to saying, "I also do serious corporate narration". For me that would be a huge concern, cause I make most of my $ in the narration world. That's something that you may or may not want to consider. The picture can both positively and negatively affect how visitors interpret the product that you offer; way before they actually listen to your demos.

Specifically about your blog... Please don't take this the wrong way... it's very obvious that you're a very proud uncle, it's also quite obvious that you went to the NY Comicon and that you were recently married (a big congratulations by the way)... what's not so obvious is what the heck your blog has to do with your business as Pro V/O! I'm a bit anal retentive when it comes to stuff like this, so please put that filter on... Clients don't care what you ate for breakfast yesterday, they don't care that you like shreddies over cheerios and they certainly don't care how many frequent flyer miles you have. What they do care about is whether or not you can get THEIR job done! Oh, and by the way, they want to be heading down the path to figuring that out really, really, really quickly!

While Blogs can be a very power marketing vehicle, if not used correctly, they can also very quickly become completely irrelevant as a marketing tool and can actually do your business harm.

The summary of thoughts are this... The site is clean, simple and to the point. I like it's look and feel. It is really close to giving a producer exactly what they want and need and nothing more, but also offers a couple of confusing aspects.

With a couple of very simple content changes, I think you've got yourself a big winner!

But hey, what do I know! My opinions and mood change hourly, depending on the time of day and when I was last told I'll never make it as a v/o

Cheers,
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Brian Forrester Voice Overs
www.brianforrester.com
brian@brianforrester.com
778.668.5715

[bobsouer]

Russ,

Following up on what Brian has just provided you, I was (honest) surprised when I clicked your blog link. I figured it was going to take me to your VoiceOverture.net site. Were it me, I'd spin off your personal blog from your business site and make the blog link to the business related stuff you're all ready posting and writing about.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Jeffrey Kafer]

I like it very much. Slick and clean.

Here's a thought. You want to emphasize the shorts? Make them a different silhouette color so they stand out. May look stupid, but it's an idea to try.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[richvoice]

Hmm, not sure what was going on earlier then. I moused over the bottom links and didn't get a hand-cursor, the text didn't change color, nothing. Now they work. Oh well, non-problem solved.

As far as weighting goes, you might try reducing the width of the main shadow box to the width of the text with your name, then centering the blue image in the remaining space on the right.

Getting rid of the image is also an option. Images of yourself are a controversial topic in the VO world, as you probably know. I decided that having a headshot on an interior page of my website was a compromise that worked for me; then again, my website is horribly plain vanilla, and will hopefully get re-done by the end of the year, so I'll have to revisit the image issue.

And I didn't mention it earlier, but now that Brian has I'll add my two cents on the blog: it's very "busy," and doesn't seem to have much to do with your VO business. When it comes to business websites, I like to take Tom Hagen's advice to Santino Corleone: "It's business, Sonny, it's not personal."

Cheers,
Rich

[RussRenshaw]

Bob,

I don't know why I didn't even think of that!
It's one of those things that just makes sense when some one says it but I just didn't put it together in my head. Haha.

Changing the Blog link to that I think would be a major improvement.

Thanks!

[bobsouer]

Russ,

You're welcome. This, it would seem, is one of the real benefits of putting these things up for discussion here. No telling what someone will see that we can't.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Kasbah]

Let the record show...I like laid back! I like the site. I love the colors. Just wasn't sure if laid back is what you were going for.
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Kasbah
http://kasbahradio.blogspot.com/
http://afnbroadcaster.blogspot.com/
http://youdothis.blogspot.com/
http://itastethis.blogspot.com/

[Frank F]

Quick thoughts on your site: I do not mind the silhouette with shorts... interesting focus - although to corporate folks this might be a turn-off - it may send a message which was unintended.

Colors - I am not a real big fan of BLACK backgrounds.

I agree with others, removing the links to other sites which although they may contain your VO prowess may lead to your clients exploring other VO artists skills as well is not a good concept. You want action from your site, not to lead potential clients to other talent.

Something to consider: change the text: "To download an MP3 of the Full Demo" to To download an MP3 of the Full Demo, right-click on the title above, then select 'Save As'. Add the comma, the period at the end of the sentence, and delete the word "just"

Layout: Clean and simple, I like it.

Comment: You come to voiceover from radio?

Consider shortening your demo to one minute (or thereabout) and add another genre version or two, i.e.: narration, characters, IVR, etc. These will help you market your potential much more effectively. I am not critiquing the demo here, just the length of the demo.

I know I am a stickler about certain things, however, the only way to contact you is by your website. Consider placing a telephone number where you can be reached or or at least consider an answering service for your business calls and place the number on your site; and a simple link to your private website email address.

Finally: The look and concept are right on target. Some minor tweaks in giving your clients and potential clients a reason to connect with you will help send your message home.

Well done,

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