I need the real lowdown on internet VO biz...anyone?

Heather Ruby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 188

I'm a former DJ/TV Radio News person now voice talent working mostly 800# interactive stuff in my hometown, and am signed up at the 'other' voice website's premium deal, not at V123, but I appreciate your input so I wanted to ask this from an internet newbie:

As someone who gets alot of work in my town (and do national on-hold lines for some pretty good clients) I haven't gotten 1 response to the many email auditions I've sent out on the 'other' voice site. I have to say: even with my beaten down ego, I'm a bit surprised i haven't even made my $99 fee back yet, and its been 3 months!

SO what is up? Is it impossible to get heard on these huge talent voice sites? Do I need a better demo? (probably..working on more niche stuff, not such a commercially-sounding one you can listen to below) Do I need my own stand-alone website, (not just one on the site that never gets viewed)?

I'm not looking for the big cahuna. I'd just like a piece of the ON-hold phone VO market, or something documentary sounding that I do best.
How am I going about it wrongly?

Ok. Thanks for letting me vent.
Smile

Heather

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006, 04:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Heather, I'm a 31 year veteran of radio who just went into my own voicework about 4 years ago and only signed up here on v123 earlier this year. Having also been an on-camera talent formerly with several large Atlanta agencies, I see how these voice sites are no different than auditioning for an on-camera spot for a commercial thru a talent agency. Probably 50% of it is totally out of your control in that you simply may not have the voice that the client has already imagined in his head, no matter how good you are. Part of it is just the luck of the draw, and part of it is that you're competing with several HUNDRED other talented people for ONE lousy job. I've been lucky in that I've gotten a couple of jobs here and made my money back, but I'd say that for every 100 leads I answer, I'm lucky to have ONE pan out. But once you can make a lead work, it can lead to repeat business. My best business comes from a small handful of regular clients who send me a couple of spots to voice every week and I'm just trying to continue to build up those regulars via relentless auditions thru this site. I haven't listened to your demo yet, but I'm betting you're probably very talented based on your background. Just keep plugging away tirelessly and at some point you'll hit some bullseyes. But the quitters here don't get the work.

Connie Terwilliger · **Voice Talent** Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 409

The demo you posted sounds very local. And there is a distinct "DJ" sound. The pacing is the same. The distance from the mic is the same. You are not talking to someone (one person), you are projecting to several people - over there somewhere.

The little dramatic "sting" between spots is interesting, though not necessary if there is the right amount of variety in your demo.

The widget spot is so obviously faked that it just stands out as ... well "fake."

You demo needs to sound "real" and much more than local, in order to compete. To address you desire - find some documentary copy that is really interesting and allows you to show a more dramatic, real, sound.

Regards,
Connie Terwilliger

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006, 01:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Heather - If you're going for the MOH/IVR niche build your demo reflecting that type of work. I have found a little corner of the VO world where I do well - MOH/IVR. It's not History Channel Narration or Emmy-worthy work - but I get a *@$#-load of it and it keeps me from working in radio again. It seems to me there is a need in this area for female voices. Also - don't get discouraged - there is plenty of work out there. You don't have to audition for EVERYTHING. Just audition for the jobs you think you're suited for and of course, WANT to do.

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

Heather:
Go to IMDB and see that I've been on-camera, off-camera, voice-over, tag-lines etc for years, and still needed five months to get my first V123 gig. It's a different world: non-union customers trolling for good, inexpensive work. There are no middlemen serving their own interests; no agents, audition houses, casting directors or the like.
It's dog eat dog, pal.
I follow it all closely (what with all the free time between paying gigs), and hear an amazing array of talent. It's almost as if MGM decided to ditch the star system and audition everyone in the free world for the next Spiderman movie.
Even Toby'd have a hard time holding on to his job.
Off the top, your odds of getting a V123 job are about 1 in fifty. At best, you'll land 7 engagements a year. Even if they're the well-paying ones, it won't keep the wolf from the door. it will, however, pay your Premium membership and keep you in touch with the craft you love.
And, as others have mentioned, maybe lead to lucrative repeat business.
Don't expect riches. Don't give up.
Robert Jadah

les leland · **Voice Talent** Joined: 14 May 2006 Posts: 1

I just read Heather's piece and all I can say is hang in there girl! So far, I have received two nibbles and then a big fat ZERO from both clients...but plenty of excuses. As a pro with plently of broadcast miles under my belt, the best advice I can give is just keep at it. At least you have some 800 voice over work to keep things going. Your audition sounds great. Laughing

Heather Ruby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 188

Thanks, everyone, for the lay of the land.

Appreciate the demo feedback, Connie. I think the demo sucks too. I just needed to get something on tape, but now obviously, need to niche and get rid of the choke and puke sound a bit.

Will work on my demo b4 joining V123 and not give up.
Thanks again, guys.

Heather

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

Heather, your reply to Connie was hysterical. Her comments were good, weren't they? She's got a good ear.

I too struggled with joining V123 and the "other" service. I got way better vibes from V123, my first paying job within 2 weeks of becoming a paid member (9/5/06) and really 9 more jobs since then. I've definitely made back the subscription fee. Like you, I'm not looking to sell soap. I'm a humble person with modest needs and am happy to direct people to press 3 for Spanish. Definitely hang in there. I think probably Todd is right - there's plenty of work out there. And broadband has opened up a whole new market with podcasts and web presentations. The future looks good, and sounds even better.