Re-invite reminders

Michael J. Schoen · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008, 14:04 (GMT) Post subject: Re-invite reminders

Twice this morning (sat) I received aq message urging me to audition for leads that were going begging...

"So far this project has only received 38% of all the auditions or proposals that the voice seeker expected to receive thanks to SmartCast invitations. This may be a good opportunity for you!"

Both of the leads were sufficiently screwy to explain why they weren't getting much action.
Is this something new?

Diane Havens · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008, 14:06 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey, Michael --
See this thread:
http://voiceoversavvy.com/ftopic5812.html

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008, 16:23 (GMT) Post subject:

I've asked this question before but I think it bears repeating. In light of the "THIS IS UNPROFESSIONAL" warnings that Voice123 occasionally sends to us voice talents, do they also ever "tell it like it is" to the voice seekers? In other words, when a seeker posts a lead offering to pay $50 for a TV commercial (and specifies talents with 3 years VO experience) and gets only a fraction of the number demos requested -- and crappy ones, at that -- does Voice123 ever send them a message explaining why their response is as disappointing as it is? Maybe suggest they up the budget to attract replies from more "seasoned" VO artists?

I get the feeling from reading the specs on these low-ball jobs that some of the seekers are simply not aware of the realities involved. I believe some people honestly figure that the job should take only five minutes and so $25 is a fair price. And in their frame of reference, $300 an hour is huge. As professionals, we know it doesn't work that way. The clients are paying for our skill and its results, not for the time and effort we have to put in (or don't have to).

Of course, some voice seekers are just cheapskates. But for all of those who are simply unaware of the real economics of this business, I hope Voice123 has a way to diplomatically educate them and encourage them to either lower their expectations or raise their budgets.

Greg Houser · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 02:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Lee, I've asked this question in the past, and the answer is no, they do not.

Lance Blair · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 05:16 (GMT) Post subject:

^ Looks like time for the ORLY owl to make a cameo, just when I was possibly reconsidering renewing my subscription.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 06:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Today I actually replied to a Reminder. It was for a business that claimed to sell a high-end product to a well-to-do clientelle, and it was offering an embarrasingly low fee. So I sent a demo and a price quote several times higher than their figure.

I have also gotten a number of re-reminders. I'm not sure what makes anyone think if I passed on a lead initially and then also passed on the reminder that I would then respond to a second reminder. I sent the following message to Voice123:

I'm confused by the mixed message of "Reminders." Voice123 is continually telling voice talents to be selective, and I agree with that. If a job doesn't match up with my qualifications (i.e. George Bush impersonation), or criteria (budget too low), or even if there's something in the way the seeker expresses himself, I tend to exercise my selectivity and decline to submit a demo.
Lately, I have received numerous "Reminders" containing the phrase "may be a good opportunity for you." In most cases, these have been low-budget jobs that I decided were not good opportunities.
Nevertheless, I don't mind getting a reminder about a lead I may have overlooked. In fact, I have responded to two of them. However, I've gotten multiple reminders, sometimes in the same day. I believe one reminder is enough.
And I hope you "educate" the seekers as to why their responses are down.

Diane Havens · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 10:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Here is where they do not understand an actor. They want people to opt out of getting those leads in the first place. I know why one would rather not opt out of ANY thing (you know, like see it first, then make your own decision -- and try to get higher with a boffo audition.)

But V123 thought they had solved that problem of having us see all the low budget leads, allowing us to opt out of receiving them, hence, what we don't see won't offfend us.

Their focus hitherto has been to change our behaviors rather than the seekers'.

Greg Houser · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 12:57 (GMT) Post subject:

Diane, that's an interesting perspective.

Here's mine... I have opted out of receiving those leads.

They still send them to me. Opted out again... still coming.

During the time periods where they honor my opting out I've gotten the V123 e-mails encouraging me to toss my hat into the ring.

*shrugs*

Diane Havens · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 12:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Oops, Greg. Hmmm....Sounds like a glitch! Wink

Greg Houser · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008, 16:51 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, much like the one that deleted my account when I was critical of the lack of vetting for seekers.

or a major security vulnerability with the site.

or acknowledged that I'd been contacted by seekers for private leads despite not being a paying member.

seems we have a lot of glitches around here Wink

EDIT: this must be another glitch in the system, since it's not comparable to a lot of VO in the industry for non-union (and definitely not for union). http://voice123.com/doc/prices.html

I'll give credit to them for putting up some pricing to go by (and yes, the seekers are ignoring it an low-balling), but it's still a bit low for any metropolitan area.

Still... a tip of the hat is deserved for going in the right direction.