Think Thanks

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

While it indicates the high level of my lifelessness, I do admit that I've probably read about 89% of the some 4000 posts at this forum.
(I avoid the Geek Place because, a) my eyes cross and my forehead meets the carpet when I try to understand it, and b) well, you admit to being a Geek by being seen there.)
Since I am a fast reader, though, the whole compulsion hasn't really cut much into my attempt to get through my latest read (Waxwings; Johnathan Raban - super!), but it does leave me with a pretty good feel for where we're at.
That's all a long-winded preface to my observation that I felt sooo good this afternoon when a client actually took the time to message me that they had "received my submittal" from hours before, and thanked me "for taking the time to respond. We are receiving information and will get back to you." I may not get the job, but a potential client TALKED to me!
Now, Mike Kuhlman has often raised the sad matter of lack of client feedback, and there's really no good way to goose the posters into some sort of response.
But I felt so recognized - almost empowered - by that trifling little comeback I received that I'd be quite willing to let Voice123 post a little discount icon beside my name: if a client responds in some way to the previous auditions; says even "thanks but no thanks" to the Top Twenty contenders, they get a 10% discount from me on their next job.
I know it's maudlin.
And I've never clamoured for obligatory client disclosure.
But it may be a way for those clients willing to save a few dollars and give us slogging voicers an occasional WAYTOGO!
Anybody else willing to give up 10% for a touch of class...a pinch of human civility?
Or have we any other ideas for recognizing those rare posters who possess the above qualities?
Just a thought.
Voice On!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007, 02:56 (GMT) Post subject:

Robert, my dear and intuitively delightful pontificating pal...

I understand the emotion behind your scribe, but I innately feel offering a discount merely for a client responding is, um, a bit ... odd? I dunno, but maybe we just need to get over worrying about our feelings and go on about this as a business. Once we land a client and woo them, then our feathers typically get fluffed. On the piece I posted on the Demo of the Day where I did the Morrison Homes, the client is beside themselves with glee and sent me an e-mail today saying "You are THE voice of Morrison Homes!!". That's better than cajoling or bribing with a discount to encourage someone to send a nice thank you note IMHO.

I will say this.... when I am actively marketing myself to new prospective clients; say radio stations or production companies, I tell them the first one is free. That way they have nothing to lose. If they don't like it, it's cost them nothing.

But let's remember we're professionals in this business, or we should be, and I think worrying about whether a client responds to our audition or not should be the least of our concerns. In the 'entertainment business' which is what we really are in, you gotta have a tough hide or you won't make it.

You old softie!

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

Scott:
We go back a long, long way, you and I...some fifty shared posts and private messages and e-mails. You remain - glowingly - at Number 21 on my List of Heroes; with a bullet.
But while I might have waxed poetic, I was not yielding on my firm belief that clients owe us nothing...it is a business. They seek. We audition.
All move on.
I was only trying to explore a way by which the howling, snapping hordes might be thrown a bone from time to time. It is nice.
We who sit comfortably ensconced with our repeat clientel and our huge Norwegian niche may forget that to those who go six and seven months between responses, a "Nice try. You were real close" is a soothing balm.
You - who were front and centre to start a Care package for a hurting voicer a month ago - should be among the first ones willing to forego a (symbolic) percentage for those that follow in your voicetracks.
I am only seeking suggestions for recognizing those clients who take the time to step outside the cold and normal channels.
Of course it's odd. But isn't it odd when a poster takes time to thank all who auditioned?
No big. Just a rumination.
Emote On!

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

#1: It's not just teh interwebs. VO's just don't hear back. It's just the way it is.

#2: That having been said, Robert-- Thank you for your post. I'm receiving information and will get back to you.

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

I wish I knew how to extract quotes from other posts and reapply them here....Amy, I have elsewhere noted my hundreds of movie auditions, my dozens of theatre auditions, my 1300 Voice123 auditions, and never expecting an answer. or complaining.
So please don't misunderstand.
I am NOT keening for some sort of huge change in the way of the entertainment world.
I am only seeking input. I am only asking other talents if an avenue may be explored whereby those few, those special, those kind clients who DO take time to respond civilly could be recognized.
That's all.
If there is no such route; so be it.
But would it hurt to look again at the map?

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

Well maybe Robert will get his way and get some consistant warm fuzzies and Scott will get his way and we will remain in a quasi adversarial relationship with gig posters.

I think a big part of V123 2.0 is feedback based rating system. For it to work, we will need to see what the feedback is so we can adjust accordingly.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007, 23:54 (GMT) Post subject:

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

Scott-
Hey, if I was over the line with those to remarks, I didn't mean to be. I don't want you to EVER stop giving your unvarnished opinion, especially to me. You always mention how much you like me...(I notice sometimes you leave that out when critiquing others Wink

) and I feel that you really mean it.

When I say curmudgeonly and adversarial, I meant them in a good way (it seems weird to me too as I read that sentence). Anyway, I think you are right on in how things are in business. We don't get constant pats on the back and atta boys everyday. We are expected to perform and if we manage to lap the field that might get us an atta boy. If we mess up, we can often mess our boss up. We can be as much of a liability as an asset to them. It lends itself to an adversarial relationship but it really works in business and is a good thing. Same goes for our court system.

I haven't really ever had a "boss", but I have had clients I worked for so often and so long they were like bosses. The one I respected the most and more importantly learned the most from was a curmudgeon to the core. He was tough as heck, but fair, like you Scott. But, if you did manage to lap the field he really delivered on the atta boy.

Anyway, long winded way to say I see both of those things in you and really mean it as a good thing. You said in one of your posts you thought I was like a brother-in-law or friend. I see you the same way. Sorry if I became too familiar to quickly because of that.

BTW, My wife does tell me every morning "Honey! I was just thinking about how blessed I am to be married to the most wonderful husband in the world!!"

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007, 02:56 (GMT) Post subject:

LOL.... No, George, you didn't get too familiar too quickly! God bless yer pointed little head! I was simply afraid I was coming across as the grumpy old fart my two teenaged kids seem to want to believe I am.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments here. THAT kind of 'atta boy' - from someone who has gotten to know me just a tad via this strange world of blogging - means way more to me than some unknown, unseen possible client.

And you and Joe must have the same wife I do! Laughing

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

Yep. And it sounds like you're both married to me...

George Karnes · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 905

Hey Scott-
I am really glad to see your post. Keep hammering me OK?

Ohh and I will pass along Mark Twain's advice on teen agers.

"When children turn 13 put them in a barrel and feed them through the bung hole. When they turn 16 plug up the bung hole."

I promise if you do that, you will seal your reputation with them as being grumpy.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007, 19:54 (GMT) Post subject:

It would seem to me that V123 could institute a system to indicate how many times a demo was listened to, like they do with the posts on here. And of course a feedback system would be great where they score you on a 1-10 scale or something. I however don't want to see feedback comments since I got one once on "that other site" when they had the feature that made no sense and when read by potential clients sounded derogatory and this comment was from someone who didn't even hire me. Wow. It said "not even in the ballpark." I needed that blemish on my profile like a hole in the head. Fortunately they killed the comment feature and just now have a ranking system.

Sarah Wilson · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 Nov 2003 Posts: 7

...I feel that we deserve client contact information. BONIFIDE contact information.

This is a business of networking...creating relationships...in the case of v123, most VOs pay for the opportunity to audition. But for that you either get the job, or you don't. Rarely anything tangible inbetween.

When my talent agency emails me a copy of a script for an audition, at least 80% of the time the advertising agency's contact info is there as well. I can then market myself to that ad agency, so even if that particular audition didn't land me the job, I know that my marketing efforts are getting to them and subsequent work is in the realm of possibility. Of course, what happens after a postcard or whatnot reaches them is out of my hands, but with v123, most of the time you do not get a website, email address, number or anything.

That disregard for the accountability on the part of the client is disconcerting.

When auditioning through a talent agency, I know only if I GET the job...and then I GIVE the agency the commission. Here, you GIVE your money to audition, and RARELY GET contact info with which to follow up.

Something to ponder...what say you?

~Sarah

Todd Ellis · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007, 22:31 (GMT) Post subject:

Sarah wrote: