Would you answer a private lead like this?

Maxine Dunn

Hi friends,

Not a drastically urgent question of course but I'm just curious if anyone assesses a lead's viability by the way the voice-seeker’s request is written? (For example, taking into account the spelling, delivery, professional communication, etc.)

Here's an example of a private lead I received today. For one, check out the spelling alone. Wow! (See below.)

Does anyone else have a knee-jerk reaction to this type of letter?

Just wondering how you guys would respond to this particular example of client interest.

Thanks for your opinions,

Maxine
www.maxinedunn.com

"hey im looking for a 60 sec voice over, not edited, just the voice, need it to sound real strong, with the brittish accent. i want it to sound like radio image, for a lounge comertial in houston.

how much would you charge me...

thanks."

Lance Blair · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 00:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Two words: Dee Leat.

John Bigl · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 01:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Dee Leat ??? isn't that a rap "singer" ???

yes, tho i mostly look past spelling and grammar errors (since mine isnt that goodest sometimes) that one is a bit much, Maxine ...

Be Well

Doug Parks · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 01:27 (GMT) Post subject:

Yeah, I would wait for a slightly better comertial.

Welcome back Maxine.

John Weeks · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 01:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Culd be jest a case of knot nowing the langwedge. For uh sixtee, eyed charge sevin hundread!

Simon Hill · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 11:30 (GMT) Post subject:

I was in a comertial once, I think that's how Don Lafontaine got his big break!

...Sounds super shady, test it out with big numbers! If they say it's too much, you tell them you thought spelling mistakes were okay!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 12:29 (GMT) Post subject:

I'd venture to guess if you quote for the job, you'll never hear from them again.

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008, 18:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes....I figured it was a bit on the shady side. I didn't send a quote but said if I could see a copy of the finished script and if they could tell me the usage, etc., I could supply a quote. I also said that my policy is to receive payment in advance, via Paypal only, for all voice-over work.....

Haven't heard anything... (Surprise, surprise!)

.

J.S. Gilbert

Sorry Max, my spell checker doesn't seem to be wurking. Also it seems that a few lines were left owt, including the one were I asked how much extru wud it cost for a few minutes of recoirdings of heavy breathing and sighing.

I'm still waiting for yur qwote.

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008, 01:38 (GMT) Post subject:

J.S. you crack me up! I'll work up a quote just for you...

Max

.

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008, 08:21 (GMT) Post subject:

uh, Red Flag for sure! Shocked

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008, 09:29 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi all,

....just to clarify....

Yes, I know clearly that this was a lead that had red flags all over it and should, for the most part, probably not be acknowledged and I have methods in place for dealing with, (or not dealing with), leads of this sort.

I wasn't so much looking for advice as to HOW to deal with this particular lead....as I was just being curious how my fellow voice-over artists deal with this type of lead. Or how you assess leads based upon the verbiage provided. (So although I appreciate your abbreviated feedback, I wasn’t necessarily looking for advice, per-say, in the form of “Max, just DELETE!” if you see what I mean….)

I work regularly doing voice-overs for private leads from Voice123 so I’m accustomed to many different types of approaches from clients and although I tend to prefer professionally worded requests, I try to keep a somewhat open mind when evaluating each one that comes to me.

Even though I raised a proverbial eyebrow at the spelling and delivery, I also like to take into account that perhaps English may be this person’s second language, or that they are making every effort to start in a business without the necessary language and business skills, so try to cut people a bit of slack. Also, I’ve discovered that requesting payment in advance is a highly effective way to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I was mainly just wondering what your decision process is, to either give a voice-seeker the benefit of the doubt, or not.

Thank you all for your input!

Maxine

.

Bob Bair · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008, 14:39 (GMT) Post subject:

For me I first consider where it's coming from. If the voice seeker isn't native to an English country, I would give them some slack. Now if they don't reveal that information, it makes that a bit tougher.

Some are meant for the "wall of shame".

Great to see you here Maxine, btw.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008, 15:38 (GMT) Post subject: voice talent Invitation

Great speaking talking people who I am humbling in the bathtub of. I ask for the question that you have answering to and wonder if you can be making voicey for project special in corn dog.

If so I can pay many many more than not have yesterday becuase of recent change to elevator.

Thank You.

Jason LeBlanc · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008, 18:46 (GMT) Post subject: Private Leads

Maxine, although i have no real opinion on the private u got he seems 2 b using the short cut language that is commonly used in imming ppl. other than commercial (and he kud have dun that intentionally but i doubt it ) i saw it as someone who doesnt understand that in bizness u should try to act like ur in bizness not chatting with ur friends on line. im nor sure if hes just too young or just so used to typing like that he think every1 knows the language. im not sure ignoring a lead on that alone is a good reason to not forage for work however. either way, you dont talk like that in a buziness setting... ttyl... jason