VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Harrison]

A little apprehension set in when a voicemail message asked whether I would be interested in setting up the studio of another, local male VO person. Of course, I'm pleased that this person found me and, under most circumstances, I would be happy to help. However...

1. Although it's quite obvious that this person doesn't have the length of experience or the interpretive and delivery skills that I do, he theoretically is a competitor. But what gave me cause for greater concern is...

2. He promotes himself as a provider of cut-rate, low-ball, bargain-basement, or cheap (whatever you wanna call it) voice-over services. A regional supermarket chain in this area has been for decades using the slogan "Why Pay More," and that's exactly what this guy asks of his potential clients.

My opinion is that those who offer their services at rates considerably lower than the majority are doing harm to their industry; no matter what industry it happens to be. Of course, they're also doing harm to - disrespecting - themselves, easily selling out for a quick buck when they may well be worth more. As for the voice-over industry, it's already saturated - thanks to the demo-package-pushing Pied Pipers - with too many who have been led to believe (or told outright) that voice-over is nothing more than talking one's way to a six-figure income.

I've pretty much decided not to help this guy potentially take business away from me. But while one voice in my head says not to be rude by not at least returning his call, another voice is saying this guy needs to know why I don't want to help him; specifically, his being a low-baller. A VO HO.

Thoughts?
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[flaspots]

This happens with me for both audio and computer work.

I thank the person for contacting me, and apologize for having a really busy schedule, trying to salvage what dollars I can with the lousy economy and all, and I work a 14-hour day - and simply don't have the time to take to accommodate. (Of course, this is easy to say because it's completely true.)

I'll point them to some websites, or maybe a local actors/v-o club or such, and offer they look or call there for suggestions.

[Philip Banks]

He won't take work away from you, that work you do not want and it was never going to be yours in the first place. Help him and bill him for your time. The fee will be your minimum hourly VO rate less a 20% discount.

Whenever asked to do anything I am always delighted to help but for the things I don't want to do I always manage to be the enthusiastic dissuader!

[Darren Altman]

DO help him!

Set him up with a nice studio and give him an old mic that cuts in and out. Compression units that have a nasty phasing effect and sound proofing that leaves a lovely echo in his room. Lend him an old office chair that sqeaks and when he pops our to make you a coffee, loosten a floorboard or two so it creeks when anything heavier than a feather touches it.

...then smile: "no problem, it's a pleasure!"
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[Philip Banks]

If Colin the Karma Monkey comes looking for you ...I know nothing!

As for you ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Bd66JBHt0

[Bruce]

Your only real competitors are the people who sound and read very much like you do, and who have the same agents or audition for the same P2P jobs. Everyone else is quite different in sound and ability and so they're not quite the competitor you think they may be. I happily produce voice demos for people who don't sound like me, at what I consider a bargain rate, because they won't compete with me and I feel good because I help them enjoy their dreams or goals. And since almost no one sounds like me I haven't had to turn down anyone for that reason. Out of the 5,000(?) people in our line of work, how many are truly your competitors? And since there are at least 5,000 places to get work in the global media, how much could he actually take away from you? It's a lovely business that we can all enjoy together in peace and harmony.


Now, if you don't want to help someone who you think is a vile, bottom feeding maggot out to ruin the very financial structure of our business, absolutely, tell him to go to frikkin' hell.

Yours in sweetness and light,

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Dan-O]

You could also take this opportunity to spend some time with him and enlighten him on how to value his work appropriately. In other words, be a mentor.

[asnively]

"I'm glad to hear you'd like to make some improvements to your studio. This is going to be great for you! Now you'll be able to increase your rates to market levels so that you can enjoy a better standard of living, and stop actively reducing the perceived value of VO services in general (which impacts the rest of us)!

"No? Really? Oh. Then I hope you understand, I can't aid and abet your shenanigans."
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[CurtZHP]

I'm with Philip on this one. Don't lose any sleep about losing work to this guy. If anything, you'll end up with more work when his pissed-off clientele discovers that they get what they pay for.

As for helping him get set up, I see two options:

1. You tell him you're just too busy and can't spare an adequate amount of time. He'll either find someone else, or he'll actually learn how to operate his own gear. (I regard "operating" to include more than just turning it on and fiddling with the knobs.)

2. You help him, and for the rest of eternity (or until he loses interest, whichever comes first) you'll be on the phone with him at least once a week explaining for the umpteenth time what the ratio control on the compressor does. And God help you if anything in his room stops working!

[Dustin Parkhurst]

I agree with Philip.

Besides, if you're afraid of competition... you're in the wrong business!

[Bill Campbell]

a provider of cut-rate, low-ball, bargain-basement, or cheap

This is the SOUTHWEST AIRLINES business plan. The only profitable U.S. airline. WAL-MART too. It's called the free enterprise system.
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www.asapaudio.com

[Mike Harrison]

Once again the strength of this forum shines. I am enlightened... and grateful.

Thanks to everyone - particularly Philip (with additional thanks for adjusting my Karma), Bruce (for spelling things out perfectly), and Amy (for the best way to respond to this request).

You folks rock.
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Lance Blair]

If he was based in Philly or NY, I'd say help him out. If he's right where you are in Ocean County, I'd ignore him without reservation and not waste a nanosecond to reflect upon it. You're much more vulnerable to VO HOs in your area.
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and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[Bruce]

[todd ellis]

i've helped a couple of people set up studios locally. like bruce - and probably a lot of us - i do <5% by volume and <1% by income of my work locally. i live in a place that you can't get to from there. even in pre-internet days i was shipping reels & cassettes all over the midwest. local competition doesn't bother me any more than international competition. i'm gonna get the jobs i'm gonna get. that said - my local competition IS my international competition. just like mike's jamoke or the guy running his laptop out of the back of the semi-chem in buckie.
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"i know philip banks": todd ellis
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