VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Philip Banks]

If one is able to thrive on competing with others then the mindset of "look over your shoulder is fine", For those who missed the point of my earlier posting, if all you are able to do is worry, sneer and back bite then there needs to be a change (a) in the market or (b) in the mindset.

The key to success for most VO-BBers is a healthy dose of self belief. Not to be confused with arrogance.

[marko]

Some good points here. I guess my take is, if this guy wasn't talented-which he isn't that bad-I wouldn't feel a bit 'slighted'? This cat obviously knows better and if he chooses to slit his own throat, there's nothing any of us can do about it.

Like many of us, I've turned in to a bit of a grizzled, jaded person whenever the "dollar for a holler" trolls rear their ugly heads. I actually had a bad experience with a client from voice123 (imagine that!). The client actually said, "Mark, I really like your voice but I have another guy who's voice isn't nearly as nice as yours but is willing to work for 4 hours a week for $100, and I simply CANNOT pass that up!"

The original quote I gave him for this weekly gig was many times over that, and I went on to tactfully explain the old adage of "you get what you pay for" really holds true with voice talent. I don't blame the client at all, but I'd love to hear how things are going with his Big Lots voice talent.

[Charlie Channel]

[anthonyVO]

[Doc]

Hmmm... I have a thought on this...

Did you stop to think that maybe, just maybe, this guy has an ulterior motive? Ya know - the ol' bait & switch.

It's like, $20 a holler - that's right, $20 a holler". Then, you submit your script for custom demo, he returns the custom demo with other terms, which may include such things as, the $20 fee will be honored, but to take advantage of this offer, you must agree to a minimum of 4 more V.O.'s at $200.

Hmmm.... just a thought.

[Bailey]

Anthony... Thanks for sharing that article about your experience with eBay.

I have noticed the word "marketing" showing up throughout these forums. I guess that marketing is something that most of us feel is governed by a distinct set of rules. It appears that we may be wrong. There are marketing techniques that are permanently etched in concrete, and then there are others that are possible jumping off points... like eBay. It is a fact that all VO artists are not on equal ground.

Factors like equipment, contacts, time in the biz, and knowledge of the biz are a few of the things that separate me and Joe Cipriano and Philip Banks. I don't think that Joe or Phil would even feel a ripple in their income if I were to parade downtown San Diego, wearing a billboard, selling "voice overs" for $20 a pop. I get exposure... I make a few contacts... I make a few bucks... and I may just get a few clients who are amused enough to do repeat business. Am I going to do that every weekend... heck no! It would just be a "pet rock" type of thing to do. Just a marketing stunt.

I think there is plenty of VO work out there. I also feel that what each person expects to get out of it, monetarily, varies. Some guys (or gals) may feel that they only want work "low key" and try for about $500 to $1000 per month. Others will live and breath VO from head to toe, and will set no limits.

I think that covers whatever I had in my head about the subject. I'm sure other opinions will vary... and that's a good thing. Time to "run the gauntlet".

(Don't steal my billboard idea!)
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
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AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[Philip Banks]

Engineer - Mmmmmmm I hear some whining in the studio monitors

Client - Oh great that must mean the voice artist has arrived.

[Drew]

10:45 PM Last night my Phone rings.

"Hello?"
"Drew, this is Sham from ****I need your help!"
"Wassup?"
"Just learned my voice for a job just bailed out. Can you take over the job?"
"Sure. Just email me the script, I'll get to it first thing in the morning"
"Eh, the client (A blue chip company btw) is angry. Won't accept any delays. Wants the project first thing in the morning."
"Eh, um...."
"I'm really in a bind!!!!"
"How long? Finished narration that is..."
"One and a half hours."
"Shit."
"I know, I know..."
"Okay let me brew a pot of coffee and fire up the studio. This'll be a real slop edit job...you prepared to edit what I don't? "
"Yeah...absolutely"

2:10 AM I upload the file and go to bed.

5:15 AM Phone rings.
"Wah? Hello?"
"Drew! Thirteen of the 100 files are corrupted."
"Shit!"

Two more hours dealing with firewalls, zip files...wav files...MP3s....

7:30 AM The thirteen files upload.

10:00 AM. Email arrives. "Drew client very happy. More work to come!"

Providing quality serice when others won't gets you more work. But I hope not tonight.

Clients talk to other clients. Make sure they speak well of ya.
_________________
www.voiceoverdrew.com
Skype: andrew.hadwal1
Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.

[kgenus]

All of you .... go practice.
_________________
Genus

[Philip Banks]

Anyone else want to walk the elitist walk? I don't go for walks in and around Portgordon any more for fear of being run over by a speedboat.

[Bruce]

I'm not sure if this is a great comparison, but I'm wondering if our seeing this person offering their services for 20 bucks a pop is something like the thoughts of a high class call girl who sees a street walker on the corner. "How dare they take business away from me and so cheaply?!"

Well, they offer the same service, but with dramatically different training, style and quality. Many people will always do business with the lower priced purveyor, but the best clients, the ones who know what quality service can bring them, will always pay for the best.

Of course the quandry is for those purveyors who wonder where in the spectrum of low to high quality (and price) are they? With some training in quality service, attractive packaging, and targeted marketing, any of us can be at the top of our trade. Think it, train for it, act it, and you'll be it.

Bruce

[Frank F]

[Jeff McNeal]

[marko]

[Drew]

Well, I'm glad I'm not that guy who's been taking the grilling here. Me thinks if he were to venture into our club, he probably wouldn't care to join.

Just an observation.
_________________
www.voiceoverdrew.com
Skype: andrew.hadwal1
Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.