Should IVR and Telephone Messaging Voice Seekers Be Separate

Bettye Zoller

Some posts on this forum have made this suggestion that I believe is right on target...I've thought this myself for some time now...voice seekers wanting telephone messaging services or IVR voice services should be SEPARATE and should get ONLY generic demos. I, for one, have a business specializing in phone messaging and if someone wants my services for that type of vo, I would be much better served by letting them hear some of my phone voiceover jobs for "REAL" clients. When I read a dry short script such as "We're sorry we're not in the office..." blah blah...usually a horrible script ( they need scripting too but don't KNOW IT!) it just sounds mediocre while if I submitted my demo of some phone work, it would show the client my capabilities! Hey, everybody...join in here with this discussion if you feel same as me and let's convince 123 to make IVR and phone messaging voice seekers accept our generic demos or, at least, phone stuff we've already done and save our valuable time for other job inquiries!

Diane Havens · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007, 12:50 (GMT) Post subject:

I agree with you, Bettye, but don't hold out too much hope for that change.

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007, 14:57 (GMT) Post subject:

I stopped looking at those leads a long time ago. No. That's not it. I never see those leads. Smile

Am I wrong in assuming the vast majority want that "light, tight, and bright" approach and then offer innocuous and vacuous copy for the audition...?

Crystina Wyler · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007, 10:30 (GMT) Post subject:

I totally agree with you Bettye! It would certainly speed up the audition process!
V123 is pretty good about 'listening' to our input...hopefully they'll consider your great suggestion!

Bob Bair · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007, 18:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Bettye,

I agree 100%. I'm not so sure we can convince them to force the "generic audition" part though.

Remember they stated how all jobs at $100.00 or less they weren't going to require a custom demo? That got nixed because they felt it was the "talent's choice to do or not do the demo".
So that's a case where they reversed their own criteria away from generic demos only.

I will put in the suggestion anyhow. I love a fight!

Crystina Wyler · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007, 18:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Since Bob brought up the "$100 or less" jobs....I've had a thought for a while, please let me know what you think.
What if when we (the talent) is filling out the specs there was a question that could set 'our minimums' what the lowest amount is we would accept on jobs. This way, those of us who are not really interested in let's say anything under $150.00 would then not have to be considered for auditions that offer anything under $150.00. Like when we receive the $100, $75 or $50 offers.
I think it would save a lot of time all around. Us having to keep deleting and V123 sending requests that would not be considered.
Let me know your thoughts and I'll gladly present it to V123.
Maybe this has already been talked about and I haven't seen it. Smile

Thanks in advance for your input.