I don't know what to say. PLEASE HELP

Joe Lopez

I am somewhat new to the world of voice-overs and I’m looking to get my web site out to some of the producers I have worked with and auditioned for in the past. Only thing is that I have not had much contact with any of the after the job and or addition. I know it was a bad move on my part not to remember any names or the jobs I did with them, but at the time I was just happy to get some work and was not looking to make it a career. What I did do was keep e-mail addresses. I was hoping some of you can help me out on how to reintroduce myself to some of the people I have worked with without insulting them. cause I don't remember them or the job I did with them.

SIGNED
How do I say this

Robert Jadah · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007, 22:17 (GMT) Post subject:

OK, Joe..I'll play nice, since I can well identify with your obvious organizational ditziness.

YOU MUST NOT send them a "Hi, remember me," e-mail.
In fact, you really shouldn't be e-staling them at all.

But you might - MIGHT - get away with a polite and very brief e-mail saying you've enjoyed working with them in the past and thought they might be interested in listening to your latest demo (attached).

Then attach one, of course.

Venture On!

Anthony Williams · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007, 22:46 (GMT) Post subject: yes

Robert ,

I echo your wisdom!! Cool

Victor Harris · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007, 23:01 (GMT) Post subject:

Let this be a lesson to all. You have to use the "KISS" method. Noooo, I don't mean KEEP-IT-SIMPLE-STUPID...I mean you have to KISS their ass!!!!!!!! That is how this business is. You have to keep in contact with everyone you work with. Thats how you turn clients into repeat customers. Wink

Amy Snively · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007, 23:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Do not, do NOT send a demo as an attachment unless you have expressly been told that it is ok to do so. Better to send a link to your demo that they can click and play at will.

All you need is someone to be picking up their email on their laptop on some shoddy, slow hotel internet connection, and have them curse you up and down the street as your 2MG unsolicited demo costs them precious time and money as they wait for it to come down the pike before they can read the rest of their messages.

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007, 23:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Good caveat Amy.

I can't stand getting huge unsolicited e-mails.

The last thing you want is to get on their bad side before they even hear you...

Joe

Robert Jadah · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 00:15 (GMT) Post subject:

I stand corrected.
Amy and Joe are absolutely right. In trying to tiptoe through your little mess here, I did lose sight of the fact that production people and agents ABHOR unsolicited e-mail, especially to their non-production addresses.

Go with Amy's link idea.

Bad AdVice Off!

Keith D. Milby · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 01:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, if you don't have one already, you should have some sort of Rolodex, be it a Day Planner, index cards, some other filing system, hey even a computer application, that you can use to keep all contact information along with vital statistics, such as first contact, birthdays, phone numbers email address. You should keep up with jobs done and amounts charged.

This would be a good start. The more information the better.

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

DO NOT SEND THE DEMO as an EMAIL ATTACHMENT! I'm sooo with Amy on this! I don't think it was your original plan to do so--you said you just wanted to send them to your website. That's fine. It'll be great promotion!

As long as it's a clean, simple website where they can very easily find your demos and your contact information. like this gal: http://www.jennifercudahy.com
( also on http://jennifercudahy.voice123.com )

It's not a problem that you don't remember the job or audition or the client. You want to keep the note short and sweet anyway. I'd write a email something like:

Dear Jane Producer:

I've enjoyed working with you in the past as a voiceover artist, and look forward to working with you again.

You can hear my latest demos here:
http://joetalentvo.com

Best,
Joe Talent

Amy Snively · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 04:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Good advice, Maya!

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 14:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Send them all a nice package in the mail. include a safari hat, machete, compass and your CD demo. add a nice note that reads: "dear dumba$$, did you lose my demo!!! maybe this stuff will help you find it! chop - chop, time is money." otherwise, do like amy & maya said.

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 14:54 (GMT) Post subject:

Send them a Buick. Tell them the instructions to finding the keys are somewhere inside the audio of your demo-package.

The safari-hat might also be a good touch.

I'd like to get one of those.

Bob Bergen

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 15:17 (GMT) Post subject:

joe - we had the post card / e-post card discussion recently on another forum (not that that means anything - it's just been on my mind recently). i've been doing this for years - it works great for both follow-up and TOMA. Honda doesn't run one flight of spots and figure "ok - we're done! everybody knows about us now." neither should we.

1. market
2. market
3. market
4. record
5. repeat

Adam James · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007, 17:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Great advice there Bob. It is very true that you need a 'business head' to get anywhere in this industry. It is the same for freelance radio presenters too.

I especially like the way you spelt campaign like 'champagne'. You are just living the high life aren't you!

Adam Smile