A Couple of My Secrets

September Day Leach · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1526

Hi guys!

I'm really glad I finally ventured out onto the boards here Smile

I was wondering, do any of you frequent sites like RadioDaddy and VoiceDaddy? It's mostly a volunteer voice work place but there is paid work posted from time to time, nothing as pricey as V123, but a lot of program directors drive by and check out submissions. I've gotten quite a few paying gigs from giving away a few liners here and there. I even got a job with the Alabana Department of Homeland Security for a few PSA's. I also found it to be a great way to work on my imaging. There are quite a few production gods over there who will produce your dry voice and you can then use it to pump up your reel. A lot of podcasts heard on iTunes come by and it's a great way to get your voice out there and build the resume. Not to mention you can get some warm fuzzies by helping out Girl Scout Troops, cancer foundations, and I even did a spot for a nun who does a little broadcast in the local hospital for the pediatric patients. Think of the karma!!

Using CraigsList.com is also a favorite of mine. They list by city but since we can deliver via e-mail, ftp, ISDN, etc. you can apply for any voice over job (as long as they aren't sticklers for about you coming to their studio).

Just a couple of things I'm tossing out there in the name of friendship! Enjoy!

-September

Allen Brown · Posted: Tue May 29, 2007, 17:56 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi September -

I love your enthusiasm and your eagerness to share (and your work!) But, I'm wondering why someone with your obvious talent would cheapen it by giving it away?

I'm all for doing the pro-bono work for the good causes - but giving work away is a no-no in my book. Maybe the old used car line applies here "I want to give them away but my wife won't let me!"

Or, maybe I just don't get it. There are so many new business models out there that I'll admit I don't understand. But I must say, this one is a head-scratcher for me.

There's a site with folks willing to do what we do for nothing? And that is a good thing for us how? S'plain it to me, I'd like to understand. My feeling is that this type of site can't be good for those of us fighting to be paid fair rates for our services.

September Day Leach · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1526

Ah, and with that post, Allen, you wander into the most hotly debated subject on VoiceDaddy and RadioDaddy.

The rule I go by on these sites is very simple: If they're making money, I should be too. However, just voicing a short liner for a hobby podcaster for fun because I liked the script, or if I see something that requires an accent that I can practice and get feedback on, or if I can voice something and have it produced for my demo for free, well those are good things. I don't do pro-bono tv or radio commercials for licensed broadcast stations because they should have budgets, but for internet hobbyists, it's a nice gesture. I usually get a link/banner on their website and often get a :30 spot every few hours in their rotation to advertise my business. One of the biggest no-nos on both sites is that no one is allowed to contact voice talent for private free recordings. If they hear someone they like, they MUST offer some compensation if they ask for a specific talent. In that respect, both sites have worked exceptionally well for me. The seasoned talents, known on the sites as VoicePro's, almost summarily refuse to voice anything broadcast on TV or radio without getting paid. Very few exceptions and almost all are charity based. I agree that giving it away to companies who can afford to pay is very bad. I'm sure heavy low-balling goes on here and TOS as well. But, they will get what they pay for. You have to pony up the dough for good talent.

So, when I voice anything on those sites, I do it for karma but I also take into account what benefits I will get out of it. There's a good bit of talent exchange. I'm not great at production, so I can go to those sites, voice a little something for a production guy and he in return will produce a future spot for me. This allows me to offer production to my clients without them having to search for someone else to do it and might make me more appealing. There are also graphic designers who will help with logos, web guys who will help you update you site. It a good resource for things other than money, even though like I posted eariler, I've gotten quite a few paying jobs through them as well. Smile

Maggie's Voice · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 588

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

I'm with Allen and Maggie on this one, Therese.
While I do pro bono voicing for such charitable organizations as Radio Lollipop and audio books for the blind, it's another matter to give away commercial snippets in the name of karma or practice, or even barter.

It's part of the devaluation of our craft that too many voicers are participating in.

If we tap dance for peanuts, nobody will throw us truffles.
Be part of the Just Say No crowd.

InVoice On!

Jim Feldman · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 77

i do the free stuff sometimes on both, because i also need extra voices for the radio station i work for, and i can't hire anybody to do the VOs.

the thing with corporate radio is: it's all about the bottom line now. i have had my production department budget slashed pretty much all the way. i'm lucky i can get labels for CDs. heck i couldn't even convince them to cut a $35 check for an awards competition!

we only have a few voices on staff to voice spots, and a lot of local spots that need to be voiced. so you will hear many breaks with spots that are voiced by the same person. it doesn't make the spots stand out from the rest of the pack. so without a budget to pay freelance VO talent, I have to rely on a service like radio daddy or voice daddy to help me have a pool of talent. granted i use it sparingly because, as a VO talent myself, i don't want to feel taken advantage of, but it's nice to know if i need an out of market voice, i can usually get a good read from someone.

and if that means i have to voice a few things for free to balance it out - for karma's sake - then i don't think it's so bad.

but again... i do it sparingly. plus if i do voice something, and someone uses it and sends me a mix as a thanks and it sounds good, well that's another for the reel.

for me, it's like the take a penny/leave a penny tray.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007, 18:22 (GMT) Post subject:

September Day Leach · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1526

yes, I do free reading for the Georgia Blind Association as well.

And, again, along with the free karma on the other sites, don't forget I mentioned that you can exchanges services as well. Production, graphic design, website design. Some services that might cost more than what we charge our clients. I agree you can't go giving away a ton of free stuff for no reason. Who wants to buy the cow when they get the milk for free?

Courtney Lyons · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 11

I signed up at radiodaddy and voicedaddy a few weeks ago too, and do some free stuff mainly so I can get more experience, not so much the karma. However yesterday I saw the same ad posted on v123 as was posted on radiodaddy. Same script word for word, but the one on radiodaddy didn't involve pay. I'm sure this isn't always the case but it seems like some of the companies getting free voice overs at radiodaddy would go to v123 and tos if they could find it for free. Anyone know of anywhere else I can gain experience?

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu May 31, 2007, 13:03 (GMT) Post subject:

robert and others know my position on lowballing (i'm against it) however i do, on occasion, some charity freebies ... PBS pledge drives & promos and the like - and i even traded out my services to my vet to cover the bill when my poor Cocoa got rocky mountain spotted fever. it's s judgment call. everybody has to make their own.

threadjack

hi september - nice to see you here!

end threadjack