VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

justindtorres · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 14 Location: NYC

I was thinking about the costs of CD creation for demos, getting a print company to do them, make the graphic insert and placing it on a CD and I was curious if it might be cheaper and maybe cooler to just send a personalized small flash drive with your demo and a personalized logo on it. It'd be less weight for mailing and should the agent or company decide to use it, it'll always have your name on it. Also there may be some people using netbooks or ipads which don't have cd capability.

Any thoughts or ideas?
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Lizden · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject:

Not sure about the flash drives...I think it was discussed a while ago...can't remember (it's late here Wink

)
BUT
I really wouldn't waste any large amount of funds on CDs...not many people are even accepting them anymore.
Not to say that NO one is...some still are...but they are fewer & farer between.

A website with demos & download links is much more useful.

But that's just my $0.02.
YMMV
(Your mileage may vary)
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justindtorres · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 14 Location: NYC

Thanks so much, Liz. I was dreading that kind of investment. I really appreciate them 2 cents.
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Jen Gosnell · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:49 pm Post subject:

I do remember discussion around here of folks using flash drives as swag at trade shows or as special promotional items. I have to agree with Liz - the website with demos is key. Specifically, a simple and to the point site that puts your demo work front and center, accessible right from the landing page with no multi-clicks needed to get there.

You want to showcase the demos - everything else is a step farther along in the food chain (e.g. if they want to contact you or learn more about you or your work history). Not that those things should be hard to find. But a link to your site with your prominently-available demos is going to be the easiest thing to share widely with folks who may be interested, and presuming the site works well, the easiest way for them to hear you. Which hopefully leads to them hiring you now or in the future. Smile

Jen
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:33 am Post subject:

Web site is the key but you must spend as much time, energy and MONEY on the website as you would on about 1,000 demos. It is a different way of marketing not a cheap option.

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:46 am Post subject:

yeah - CDs are pretty much outmoded (although not ALL the way). website fersher ... BUT if you're doing a trade show where you're handing out crap to the masses branded flash drives are a great choice if you've got the cash to spare. i recommend alibaba.com if you choose to go that way.
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:48 am Post subject:

Oh yeah...what Philip said! Laugh

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Bish · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:36 am Post subject:

I was listening to one of Erik Sheppard's calls the other day, and he clearly said that if an agent wants a CD, then you won't get a look-in if you do anything other than that. They may be outmoded, but when looking at agents, you must follow their submission guidelines exactly to get any chance of being heard. I think one of the theories is that... if the talent can't follow my directions, why should I trust him when I send him out on a session? I'll be glad when CDs go the way of the 8-track... but I don't think we're there yet.

Websites, flashdrives, CDs... all have their place, and for the most part, do not exclude each other.

Cheers
Peter
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:53 am Post subject:

Peter, you are SO right!
Following direction is key.
I know that there are 2 places that I want to submit to that request a CD.
Fine, I can burn those.
But I think that having 500 CDs...or even 100 created, would be a waste. Laugh

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DougVox · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 8:21 am Post subject:

Liz's YMMV reminder is right. As is Peter's suggestion that one market method doesn't exclude another.

I've been sending CDs (by the hundreds) practically since they were invented, and I haven't stopped yet.

And I'm not in the habit of spending market money that doesn't have a great ROI.

You just have to figure out what's right for you and for the people you're trying to reach.
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 8:26 am Post subject:

See?
& Doug is BIG on ROI (as his success proves)

So...Justin...what have you learned today?

Figure out what works for you:
CDs
Flash drives
web site
Cold calls (or not Ninja

)
& run with it!

We all have methods that work for us, and others that don't.
It's all about figuring out what suits you best.

....but making $$$$$$$$$ in VO is easy....right? Ninja

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justindtorres · Joined: 25 Aug 2011 Posts: 14 Location: NYC

Wow, thank you all so much. This is a lot to think about, I'm making an excel sheet of all non-union agents and I'll have to take a specific number of contacts who are requesting CDs Only and and see if the initial mail out warrants it.

Thanks again. And, like Liz said, I shall just FIGURE OUT WHAT works for me!
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Website: http://www.everythingvoiceover.com
http://www.justindtorres.com

Podcast: https://soundcloud.com/user-880581076

Blog: http://justindtorres.blogspot.com/

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/everythingvoiceover

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:34 am Post subject:

personally i refuse to send ANY demo unless it's 1/4" tape on a 5" reel at 15ips. i invested a LOT in ampex 406 and i'm gonna use it till its GONE!

maybe that's why i never get the good auditions?
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:54 am Post subject:

Shhhh, don't give ALL your secrets away, Todd! Ninja

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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
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DougVox · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:33 am Post subject:

Sure hope you're sending those Heads Out, Todd!

Sarcastic

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