Diminishing revenue from voice123

Clinton Nobles · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 197

Greg -- thank you for your reply. I do agree with you on the local theaters. Sadly my two jobs that I am working now, do not permit me the flexibility of that type of venue. However, the online stuff you mentioned surely does. I am excited about this. lol I am listening to the indana jones one now (Good lord I am an Indy fan lol)

I will be joining and auditioning lol.

Thanks again.

PS: I think I have found a place to contact for acting lessons, but still don't know about the money it will cost.

Peter Ganim · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 115

I've been wondering...

Mr. Pollak - how is it that you determined you were - "one of the more successful talents on the site." - ??

Is there an available statistic through V123?

If not - how would one be able to determine success ratio vis-a-vis the other 2000 - 4000 talent that have been members of the site through the last 3-4 years..?

I can certainly understand your being able to determine that you were among the more successful of the 30 - 40 individuals who post fairly regularly here at Savvy...whether through "Leads and Reads"...or through "Who Got the Gig" - there has been an available barometer of success, (albeit a limited and narrowly-defined one).

Who knows how many gigs are being booked by folks who never post here?
( I know many pros who simply don't have the time to post very frequently)-

I suppose one could always calculate a "booking - to - lead" ratio...but, ever since Smartcast - how does any of us know what percentage of the leads we're seeing?

I heartily congratulate you on having booked your "DOZENS" of gigs during your time as a member of V123...however, I don't understand how you determined your standing as "...more successful..." than anyone else.

I'm just confused...how in the world do you substantiate such a statement?

Is there something I'm missing?

PG

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

You know, Peter, I've been asking 123 to make that stat available to us, but it would be pretty hard to determine since it would have to be done by survey of members. They did send out a satisfaction survey recently that asked, "How many gigs booked here in the past 6 months?" But I'm not sure everyone got it. And if they did they they'd have to answer it.

But it's not a stat that 123 or any site would want known, I wouldn't think. Just from anecdeotal evidence I can gather it's not a huge percentage. And then there's the follow up question about how highly the gig paid. Again, I'd wager an even smaller percentage get those.

Here are some stats they could put out. How many leads total, categorized by gender/age, rate, how many were invited, and who first, then -- how many of those were opened. Then we can try and estimate what percentage of people here might have gotten it. Proprietary, they'd say. Complicated, I'd say. Not going to happen.

It would make sense to keep a vocal minority happy, however, since they would need those testimonials to advertise the site (all PTP sites, not just 123.)

A person can judge one's own success with a site from their audition to booking ratio. Surely when you audition 500 times in 6 months you increase your odds of getting a gig.

Best to all, whatever path you choose,

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008, 13:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Peter,

I can easily sense I'm being 'called down' by you and I don't dispute your tone or skepticism.

You're right. I don't know for sure. I base my feelings on posting here solely and as you said, (in essence), there may be hundreds, if not thousands, of people on V123 who never, ever post here who are raking in TONS more jobs than me.

So I will modify my statement to say that of those who regularly post here I have the impression my success has been better than average.

That's not tooting my own horn, it's probably just due to dumb luck because that percentage has fallen noticeably lately.

So, Peter, I stand down in the face of your direct and quite blunt question.

Peter Ganim · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 115

Well...I suppose my query was direct-
But, I do appreciate the clarification-

Within the parameters you've now suggested, Scott - (among those who post on this board )- there is no doubt that you have enjoyed a top-tier success rate

AND-

It's evident that your success is due to more than just "dumb luck" - but rather due to diligence, perseverance, consistency and talent.

As much as I abhor hyperbole...there's no glory in overarching humility either.

Balance and fair context are key.

Thanks, again, for the clarification-

Best-
PG

Clinton Nobles · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 197

Peter -- Whats up dude? A bit harsh. If you aren't trying to come a crossed as bitter about your own career or egotistical to the point of no one else can be better than me you are doing a horrible job of it.

From what I have seen of Scott he is a very successful VA and up to now -- and will continue to -- I have always assumed that he was in the top of talents on the board.

I haven't actually seen your name bantered about the forums lately and to be honest, I haven't see you much in the L&R or Who Got the Gigs. I understand that there may be people who don't post, but obviously you aren't one of them because you posted here.

If indeed you do not post in the other threads I can only assume that you save up your post to make sure the message of "someone isn't as good as they think" gets out.

Sad waste of posting power, my friend. You should use such abilities for good and not the dark side of the Forum. A wise man once said: "With Great power comes great responsibility." A true lesson to us all.

Very Happy

Have a great day lol

Claire Dodin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 400

Peter,
to be fair, if you look at the number of v123 members and the number of decent leads per month, anyone who books dozens of jobs with decent budgets is doing much better that the average.
So Scott, you are among the ones who are doing very well, and I have no doubt that your gorgeous voice is somewhat partly responsible (and not just luck).
Very Happy

David Oxford · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 505

As usual, Scott handled it with total class, the way he always does.

David

Peter Ganim · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 115

Well...for what it's worth:

In my above posts , the only point of contention centered upon one issue - that of context.

I go on in my second post to acknowledge Scott's talent and endurance...and I will be happy to add that in the plurality of instances that I have witnessed on these boards, he is a generous professional and an enthusiastic member of this community.

This community, however, as hearty as it may be, as beneficial as the camaraderie may be, as illuminating as much of the content may be, this community remains one corner of the entire V123 world, which, in itself, is a small corner of another corner within a very large and exploding industry...

Within that frame of reference may be discerned my circuitously blunt itch...the one that I chose to scratch in my initial post. Is it quibbling and rather ornery of me? Perhaps.
Is it any less accurate for that?
Not at all.

Just trying to air out a room that can get stuffy if the windows stay shut too long...

As for the state of my own VO career -
If I were to trumpet my own recent accomplishments...well, we'd get stuffy all over again, so -suffice it to say that I'm doing better than ever and have no cause at all to be bitter.

I'm just a rigorous fan of accuracy - plain and simple.

Scott - to you in particular:

No matter the current state of V123 - I sincerely hope you book dozens more...

I remain, as cantankerous as I have ever been, no matter my youthful mien-

PG

Paul Seed · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 5

Hi all,

I think this topic has lost it's direction just a tad, but thanks for your comments about Voice123. It's good to know how other people feel about the site.

My premium membership runs out at the end of July... I'm not sure whether to continue. Maybe the £150 would be better spent elsewhere... see what happens over the next few weeks.

Cheers

Paul

P.S. My studio's near to Heathrow Airport... I make a mean tea (and coffee) if you're passing through.

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Yes, Paul -- threads around here tend to meander just a tad. It's the improv in all of us, I guess. Thanks for initiating it.

Your studio is near Heathrow? Wow. It must have excellent soundproofing.

Thank you for the invite to tea! Perhaps on my next trip to London, I might just stop by.

Best of success to you, from a lady who is spending her $300 elsewhere,

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008, 13:06 (GMT) Post subject:

To EVERYONE:

Peter was accurate in his questioning of my comment. And he's right in that this little forum only represents a tiny amount of what may or may not be going on in the v/o world in general and V123 talents in particular. He may have been a bit direct in questioning my comments about my 'success' (or perceived success) here, but I think he was justified in calling me out on it.

I happen to have looked at Peter's page and folks, let me tell you, the guy is a pro and he is GOOD. So while I appreciate the comments that everyone threw back out in my 'defense' as it were, let's move on shall we?

I personally have taken from this little bump in the savvy road that we all probably aren't doing as well as we should be and certainly the tiny nibbles that fall our way from this site (and others) are really only a miniscule portion of the v/o world that we need to be feeding off of.

So thanks to Peter for nudging me and for the kind words he later extended. Thanks to you guys for being so uplifting. But let's get back to discussing our business and MAKING more business for ourselves, eh?

Smile

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Challenging each other is absolutely healthy, I agree, Scott.

Certainly no shortage of classy, talented gentlemen on this board -- another reason I kinda like it here.

Paul Seed · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 5

Hi Diane,

It can be a little noisy in the garden depending on which runway is in use... attached mp3 reveals all.

Thankfully the whole house including booth are well insulated... attached relaxing front room ambience.

Crikey I ramble!!

Paul

David Oxford · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 505