Marketing idea for my Savvy friends

Mike Cannon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 90

I sat up in bed the other night with what I thought was a pretty good idea and it turned out to be so, so I share.

I have a client who is an on-hold comapany. I am his male voice and producer. He also pays me commissions/lead fees for anyone I come across who needs on-hold services. We have the kind of relationship we'd all like to have with all of our clients.

Anyway, about once a quarter he sends out "is it time to update your on-hold message?" faxes and emails to his clients...so I asked him if he would send out one of those entitled "did you know that your on-hold voice is available for more than just your on-hold messages?" "If you need a professional voice for your website, podcast, sales/marketing video...why not use the voice that is already associated with you business, your on-hold voice!"

He started sending them out on Wednesday and I booked a $1500 narration yesterday and just got a lead from him for an IVR prompts gig.

He just calls me with the contact info and I take it from there and pay him a lead fee/commission on everything I book.

If you work with an on-hold company call them!!! You are already their client's established voice. Cool

I wish I could make $1500 by sitting up in bed everynight! Or laying down for that matter!

We're so often told to think "outside" the box...I wonder if sometimes we miss thinking "inside" the box that we are already in. GOOD LUCK!

Kathleen Keesling · **Voice Talent** Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 746

Wow....that's a great idea.

Even nicer, is that you were unselfish enough to share the secrets to your success.

Thanks so much! Very Happy

Debbie Deutsch · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Posts: 1338

Good Thinking Mike, even it if was the middle of the night!
Thanks Exclamation

Anthony Williams · **Voice Talent** Joined: 24 Oct 2006 Posts: 663

Mike,

Congrats!!

Like Kathleen says, thanks for sharing! Very Happy

WE EXIST TEMPORARILY THROUGH WHAT WE TAKE
BUT WE LIVE FOREVER THROUGH WHAT WE GIVE

Thanks Mike Cool

Todd Ellis · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007, 20:20 (GMT) Post subject:

mike - that's great! cross promotion is HUGE in any business. long ago one of my MOH customers contracted with another guy for VO for an instructional video because he "didn't know you did that sort of thing." that was the LAST time one of my established clients didn't know the width & breadth of my product offering. as you know, it is 100% easier to get work from an existing client that to go fishing for a new one. this is a reminder to myself and to everyone else out there to cross promote and brand ourselves as the resident expert in what we do.

Philip Banks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 404

First class idea. Many thanks for taking the time and trouble to share it.

I wish you continued success.

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

Cira Larkin - Studio 53 · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 497

Mike,

That is a fantastic idea, and so generous to share it with the rest of us. When this good deed is paid back to you in seven-fold, I want to hear all about it!

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

We don't hear from you often enough, Mike.
But you're to be congratulated for both a good idea and a brilliant share.

I've only been in about two dozen professions in my ambling life. I've never experienced one so giving and unselfish.

(And to make your fortune, you should really try sleeping more often....)

Thanks On!

Dale Toews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

Excellent idea! I'm putting a proposal together right now for the company I do work for.

Mike Cannon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 90

Cira Larkin - Studio 53 · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 497

Mike---I am beyond thrilled! Wow, that didn't take long, did it? Laughing

And, yet I'm not one bit surprised. Works for me. Works for everyone. I am SO happy for you!! (pm to follow...)

Erik Sheppard · **Voice Talent** Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1317

That is just incredible Mike. You deserve it for being nice enough to share your great idea. Congrats.

So, I guess you are going to need someone to do voice overs for your new company? Let me tell you about mysel.....whoops, never mind. Force of habit.

Mike Cannon · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 90

It has been a busy month, but everything is in place for the huge corporate takeover set for Wednesday Laughing

The Buy/Sell agreement has been signed, the new website and printing is done, a sales rep has been hired, and a marketing plan is in place.

Tomorrow we transfer the DBA and I open the bank account. The phone number accounts are transferred and begin forwarding to me on Wednesday and I have two sales appointments set for Wednesday already.

You would think that taking over an existing business would be easier than starting a new one, but I'm not sure.

This will be a fun and hopefully profitable venture that I am looking forward to. Wish me luck!

Amy Snively · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 1028

Good luck, and much success, Mike!