VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Lori Berman

Hi all,
I know there have been many posts on the merit(s) of each so I'm not necessarily asking which is better or worse, as I've sort of figured that out on my own. Just wondering how many professional, working v/o folks are actually subscribed with BOTH services, or if you pretty much stick with just one that you think works for you.
I have gotten work from both in the last year, but much more from v123. I think that's just 'cause the audition process isn't as much of a cattle call, so I simply have a better chance, statistics-wise, of being chosen. I was debating whether or not I'd renew with voices, when I received an email telling me they've "auto-renewed" me for next year. Slightly annoying but certainly something I'm pretty sure I could get out of if I wanted. Just wondering if I should, or if it's worth it to suck up the $200 on the chance I'll be found just by my demo or get some occasional work here and there. I do believeI made back my membership cost last yr, but not by all that much. And I'm not so interested in endlessly auditioning for $100-250 spots along with 100+ other folks.

I know there are lots of other ways to market yourself, and I'm working on that this year. Just curious what percentage of you guys subscribe to both, or one, or none....

thanks!
_________________
-Lori
www.loribermanvoice.com

Chuck Davis · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:32 am Post subject:

Just V123. I typically book several times a month there. The goal is to convert those first time buyers into regular customers.

I've tried Voices. I booked, but not enough to continue. VOPlanet worked for me years ago, lately their quality of auditions seems to be going downhill.
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bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:54 am Post subject:

Lori,

I'm only subscribed to Voice123.com.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:08 am Post subject:

Neither.

scottnilsen · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:50 am Post subject:

Neither anymore, but still have profiles up.
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DougVox · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:54 am Post subject:

Neither also.
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Rognog · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:59 am Post subject:

V123 only, and I book pretty regularly there.
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Donna · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:49 am Post subject:

V123, but I am wasting my money since the last time I actually visited the site was to turn off email notifications.
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:29 am Post subject:

Started out YEARS ago on voices.com, voplanet, vodirectory and V123. Gradually dropped out of all except V123 due to lack of R.O.I.

V123 works for me, but not for everyone. I've gotten some amazing work out of there, and since I've been a premium subscriber there for about 8 years now, most of my day-to-day work is repeat biz from clients first landed there.

BTW, I know for a fact that they are revamping SmartCast to NOT penalize those of us who are successful full-timers for 'over auditioning' so hopefully that will continue to improve.
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Scott R. Pollak
Clients include Pandora, NPR Atlanta, Wells Fargo, Cisco, Humana, Publix, UPS, AT&T, HP, Xerox and more.

www.voicebyscott.com

Lee Gordon · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

I subscribe to both, and a third: Bodalgo. I hadn't done much with the latter for most of the year and was thinking about dropping it but landed a pretty cool job in November and I think I have another pretty lucrative project lined up but it's still at the first-contact stage so I'm waiting to see if this guy is for real or all talk and no trousers.

Up until last year, Voice123 gave me my best results, and I still do OK with it, but because I'm at my desk for much of the day, I'm able to jump in relatively early on quite a few Voices.com posts and it has taken over the top spot for me.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

Bailey · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:40 pm Post subject:

I subscribe to none. Years ago I was with V123, but was experiencing anxiety attacks and heart palpitations with every submission. Much like the feelings I had as a kid when I accompanied my grandmother to the local bingo hall. My anticipation of actually winning a game was always shattered by hearing some one else shout out "bingo". Then I banned myself from bingo halls for life.

On the other hand, after visiting several of my old submissions (locked safely away in a hidden folder), I have determined that one reason my successes were nil, was that I was putting my own expectations before my lesser qualifications.
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ConnieTerwilliger · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:27 pm Post subject:

Just V123. Was on Voices for a few years, but dropped that last year and haven't missed it at all.

And I go look at possible projects when I have a chunk of time to do auditions. Sometimes a week will pass without even looking.

And I am very picky about what I audition for.
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ricevoice · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject:

I use both Voices and V123. Both of them work for me to varying degrees, and it seems kinda randomly cyclical... I'll do better with V123 for a while then the tide shifts the other way. In 2010 V123 was better for me, in 2011 it was Voices, and so far in 2012 V123 leads 1-0. Smile

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Chris Rice - Noisemaker
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:39 am Post subject:

Althought tongue in cheek I mentioned on another VO site to someone who unhappy with the P2P sites that in 2011 I made around $30,000 from currency errors, in other words by mistake. My question to readers was did anyone make a similar amount in 2011 from the P2Ps. Needless to say no one dignified my impertinent question with a response, as is right and proper.

My number 1 business related New Year resolution ...to make more mistakes.

Should you wish to SPEET EEN MOY FIZE .... Get in line! Laugh

Bish · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:10 am Post subject:

I tried V123 and had some small success ... but not enough to make me want to put up with the time-consuming overhead that is its rating & feedback system (I know, I could have just ignored the bs, but...). No current paid subscription. I tried Voices with more success. I was vacillating about re-upping when I got a phone call from a contact made via a previous Voices gig ... the quick job covered the Voices fees, so I took it as a sign.

I dislike the way that Voices are now taking on some of the V123 bs. Thumbs up/down from job poster etc. I'm so over looking for validation from possible clients - give me the work or don't - "no gig, but I gave you a thumbs-up icon" does nothing but waste my time. I know I can do my job - I don't need a conciliatory pat on the head. On the other hand, if I get a private message from a client that says, "not this time, but I like you for something else that's coming up" - that's great. I always reply, thanking them for taking the time and trouble - and remind them of my direct email address. This has also lead to repeat clients.

I am rapidly coming around to Philip's way of thinking ... but every time I do, I think of the clients I would not have if I didn't play the P2P game at some level.

It's a bear pit. When it comes to P2P, everyone's experiences are different.
Cheers
Peter
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
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