VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks

1 – Confuse popularity with effective marketing.
2 – Work for nothing just for experience or credits.
3 – Over coaching leads to under performance.
4 – Let your ego choose your jobs.
5 – Put your art ahead of your business.
6 – Forecast earnings based on high volume – low fees.
7 – Over estimate your ability.
8 – Give bad payers multiple chances to “make it up to you”
9 – Only take the advice you like.
10 – Make wildly exaggerated claims on you web site.

Mike Harrison · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:46 am Post subject:

Philip's list is very accurate. I believe I know personally or know of people who are - sadly - guilty of one or more of these bad decisions.

Maybe semiannual reality checks are in order.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

bobsouer · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:47 am Post subject:

11. Miss deadlines or show up late for sessions.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

todd ellis · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 5:48 am Post subject:

12. over promise & under deliver
_________________
"i know philip banks": todd ellis
who's/on/1st?

asnively · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 6:05 am Post subject:

13. Criticize the copy in 'the room.'
_________________
the Amy Snively family of brands for all your branded thing needs.
Amy Snively
Faff Camp
FaffCon
TalkerTees

SilverSurfer3001 · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 6:09 am Post subject:

14. Spend working hours perusing social media, when you should be out beating bushes and making actual contact with face to face conversations with people who have money.

with that... see you this evening!

Go get'em gang!
_________________
Jody Silvers
VOSilvers.com

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Great stuff, Phillip!

I'll add:
15. Thinking that YOU are the target audience.
16. Sitting back waiting for the phone to ring rather than doing any marketing.
17. Taking rejection personally.
18. Spending as little money as possible on your demo, marketing, studio gear.
19. Spending as much money as possible on your demo, marketing and gear - and thinking that will work magic for you.
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

voicy1stef · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:40 am Post subject:

20. Spending precious time bending over backwards/jumping through hoops to impress low-paying, over demanding prospective clients in an attempt to convince them to award you, their low-paying, dead-end VO gig. -- In short, not aiming high enough!
_________________
Intuit and do it!

British-American voice artist based in England for the past umpteen years. I say, has it really been that long!

http://www.stefsvoice4u.co.uk
Podcast: Positive Affirmations and Audio Stories, on iTunes, Spotify etc.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:04 am Post subject:

I like that #9. I think I'll go with it.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:28 am Post subject:

Ha ...I see what you did there Lee.

Great gentle reminders Mr. Banks.

I'm always amazed and intrigued by the people who don't understand that this is a business.
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~

asnively · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:54 am Post subject:

Lee wins!
_________________
the Amy Snively family of brands for all your branded thing needs.
Amy Snively
Faff Camp
FaffCon
TalkerTees

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:05 am Post subject:

21. opting for the 3-martini lunch

Laugh

_________________
sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

Bailey · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:20 am Post subject:

22 - Underestimating your ability.
_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 W00T

.gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo." Ninja

Zak Miller · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:22 am Post subject:

"8 – Give bad payers multiple chances to “make it up to you”

A client who is also a freelance video editor gave me this gem.

After the initial 'what would you charge for this' conversation and you tell them what your rate it is usually followed by 'oh man, can you cut me a break on this one, and I will get you that rate on the next gig?'

Your reply should be...
How bout you get me my rate on this one and I will cut you a break on the next one.

I tried it and it worked! Haven't had the next one yet, but I was stoked that I didn't have to take the cut to land the gig.

Moe Egan · Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:29 am Post subject:

Very nice Zak!
_________________
Moe Egan
i want to be the voice in your head.
~~~~~