The Monster is Morphing...

Peter Ganim · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 12:26 (GMT) Post subject: The Monster is Morphing...

Alright -
So, now that we have adjusted to the aberration and onslaught of "Re-Invitations"...this morning I awake to find multiple "Reminders" in my inbox-
That such-and-such a "lead" has received only "14%" or "43%" of the auditions initially requested and Hey! - this could be an opportunity for me!

Now, I'm wondering-

Is this a newer feature of SmartCast that they have thought to generate?
Is this a feature that has always been in place...but, due to the drop in subscriptions and the rampant discontent has simply never been kicked into action before now?

There is, most likely, no satisfying answer, not on our end anyhow.

I can't decide if this is a worthwhile new feature, a continued annoyance of repeat email, a desperate cry for attention...or all three-

I, too, am up for renewal in two weeks...and am torn.
I have always made my investment back...but, more often through direct leads...less so through the SmartCast gauntlet...and there is such gross dissatisfaction on so many fronts...

More than that - I sense a widespread disappointment - many of us really enjoyed the old service...before it morphed into the bottom-feeding, ravenously commercial, orange WARNING, free-market monster that it is so very proud to be -

I've got two weeks to decide...

More later-
PG

Diane Havens · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 12:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, Peter. My renewal is up in a few as well. I am having that same commitment problem. I have much nostalgia for the old days when I garnered gigs every few weeks here, most small, but one repeat client I still enjoy. The past year has been horrendous. I believe I mentioned that once or twice in other threads -- or implied it.

For me personally, and the niche that I seem both more suited for and enjoy much more -- there are just not enough leads here for me to make it worth my while. Even though I made a profit here this year, more than doubling my investment, the negatives continue to mount, not the least of which is the constant and consistent ego battering and insulting treatment by more and more seekers here --and even the management, for all their lovely words. They will not be sorry to see us leave -- more than enough will take our places.

I have a feeling there is definitely a very small percentage of talent that gets regular work here -- and that is truly wonderful for them. God speed. Many, many others -- thousands around the world -- most probably will never get even one gig here. And so they come and go, or keep buying that lottery ticket.

I am not angry. I object in principle to many of the philosophies espoused in this business model, however. I am leaning toward nonrenewal at this point. I have more rewarding avenues to stroll, and neighborhoods where I feel more welcome -- that value my talent, and my time. As Ben Franklin said, and he said a lot of things (LOVE him!): " Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of."
So I will build my castles elsewhere.

That's the kind of real estate in which I want to invest, and in which to spend my valuable time.

Scott Paxton · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 13:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Diane and Peter,

Like other talents I know, I have an audio file that plays only when emails from work related sites arrive. I didn't mind getting the original leads from V123. I could look and decide if Iwanted to go forward or hit the delete button. But now I get re-invites and today reminders. I already have looked at these leads and in the case of reinvitations, already deleted them.

What ever happened to the saying "If it's not broken, don't fix it"?

Thanks,

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 14:03 (GMT) Post subject:

I know. A bunch of leads that I've already deleted -- mostly due to budget -- are not "a great opportunity". I swear, these v123 folks act like we're all a bunch of stray dogs scrabbling for scraps. This morning's deluge of reminders included a lead that paid nada for a commercial for web hosting services that charged $200 set up -- clearly not a nonprofit! I was told it would be great for my resume. Eeeedeeeeots.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 16:12 (GMT) Post subject:

This rebranding of "Re-Invitations" to "Reminders" has me a bit concerned. In the past, when questioned, the folks in charge of Voice123 have always cited laws governing "restraint of trade" as their rationale for not putting restrictions on low-ball or freebie jobs. But the wording about "this could be a great opportunity" leads me to believe that they are not merely protecting themselves from lawsuits or prosecution but are actively encouraging bottom-feeders, as well as pandering to newbies and wannabes.

I am resisting the urge to be insulted by the language they have used in the latest incarnation of the SmartCast Re-Invitation because I assume I have partly brought it upon my self by allowing Voice123 to send me any and all leads, just so I can have a look at everything that's available and can weed out the duds on my own. Maybe it's time to modify my profile to have them stop sending me the low budget leads altogether.

Dave Scott · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 16:35 (GMT) Post subject: Reminders

I too was annoyed with the re-invites and then the reminders. I talked with customer service and there's an easy fix: Turn them off.
Sign in - click on "More Tools" (top right on menu bar) then go to Opt In/Out and un-check email notifications of re-invitations. That stops the reminders too.

Greg Houser · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 16:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Matt Cowlrick · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 23:56 (GMT) Post subject: Re: Reminders

Maxine Dunn · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008, 23:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi everyone,

Not sure if anyone’s interested in my “strategy” to avoid the onslaught of emails from Voice123 lately, (the reminders, etc.), but I thought I’d share it as I’ve found it creates great calm and peace for me.

Some time ago, I decided to have all my emails from Voice123 automatically routed to a folder on my email program. They never even appear in my inbox.

Then, a couple of times a day, when it’s convenient for me, I check the Voice123 folder to see if there are any new private leads.

If there is a pant-load of public leads and “re-invites,” or “reminders,” I just delete them all in one fell-swoop. No stress. No great thought process or angst. Just clear them out like weeding my garden. It’s the private leads I’m interested in. Clients that have taken the time to find me, (I’m all about the Law Of Attraction and the Universe helping me here….), not dozens of clients that are asking for 100 auditions and the like. (100 auditions? Who could possibly need 100 auditions for anything?)

So I control when and where I view my Voice123 leads and it’s much more peaceful now, than when I was having them all, (all zillion of them), delivered right to my inbox.

I’m not saying that I haven’t landed some nice bookings from public leads here and there. They can produce viable and wonderful gigs. I’m suggesting that you find a way to not have 50 new emails in your inbox in one day….that could wig out even the calmest and most professional of us!

I agree with everyone that the glitches and obscene amounts of re-invites, etc., are out of control at the moment, but try the custom filter feature on your email program and just FEEL your blood pressure go down! bussi

Xoxo
Max

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Allison Scussel · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008, 05:01 (GMT) Post subject:

That's very helpful advice Max. For the ppl who are voicing their opinion, a majority of their leads lately are nothing but re-invites. Out of 20 new posts in my email, 15 are re-invites. Many of them have already been deleted because they don't fit work I'm qualified to do.

The problem comes from within the system. If I receive 20 leads, 15 are re-invites, I'm really only receiving 5 new leads, but smartcast doesn't see it that way. That's why many of us subscribers are unhappy. We're being penalized for work we're not auditioning for.

Brad Venable · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008, 14:46 (GMT) Post subject:

I've taken the Max approach to my e-mail. I have a filter to a dedicated V123 folder, although since letting my subscription expire, all I get is those "this is what you *could* be auditioning for if you were a subscriber" e-mails.

I feel like it's the carrot and the stick all over again. While I'm not subscribing I get the carrot, when I'm subscribing, I get the stick.