Join me in some ideas to improved the system.

Sal Monistere

To all: Here's a copy of a letter I sent in to V123 the other day. Any thoughts?

Gentlemen

I just completed your survey and wanted to elaborate. I see a couple of problems with this service. Please read all the way through, because I DO have at least one suggestion to offer as a solution.

First, I consider myself a professional, yet I haven't been called for a job since I joined. I’m guessing that I’ve submitted to at least 200 or more. Knowing that the leads are delivered to the client in the order in which they are submitted, I'm frustrated to find that 75 or 100 (or more) people have submitted by the time I open my lead box... and I sit at my computer all day, checking Voice123 every 15 minutes or so. I can't imagine a client listening to hundreds of auditions... I believe they listen to the first dozen or so, lose their ambition, and make a decision.

Regarding custom demos: the time involved in doing the demo and submitting it usually means 10, 20, 50, or even more submissions are pouring in, while I’m in the process of cutting the demo. (I might add that I work pretty fast.)

Next, it seems that the majority of leads are now asking for custom demos… and they’re sending complete 20-minute scripts in some cases. They’re seeking (and getting) hundreds of free custom auditions for meager budgets. I also believe that there are talents within the system who are ‘just getting started’ and will audition for anything, regardless of the circumstances, and frankly, as a professional, I don’t believe VOICE 123 should be a place to ‘learn’ this craft.

Moreover, many of the client submissions obviously come from unskilled writers & ‘producers’ who are doing their first job. As an example, “I’m looking for a James Earl Jones voice, and my budget is $100”. Or “I want to hear a voice just like Wolf Blitzer as the announcer, and the other character is that one on Wee Boo-Abby, the Japanese animated cartoon – budget $75 for both.”

Here’s a suggestion: I believe that Voice 123 should send the leads out to much smaller groups, rotating them in a fair manner. Send to all the last names starting with “A thru C” and go thru the alphabet – that’s just an example, any fair method of rotation will do. Next, eliminate the custom demos on ‘the first round’. Client still gets plenty to choose from, maybe 25 or 50 instead of 300-500. Then he calls the talent he thinks he might like to hire for a custom read, watermarks allowed. I would prefer to get fewer leads in this manner, and know that my chances of being heard are better. Seeing hundreds of leads coming into my “In Box” is impressive, but useless up to this point.

I don’t anticipate Voice 123 revamping the entire system based on my suggestion… but I believe you’ll find that many other talents agree. And there may be some better suggestions. I’m sure you’ve seen some of them. Why not take some of this decision making to a forum and allow the talents to vote on the best submitted ideas… we, after all, are the ones paying to keep the service up and running.

Respectfully submitted,
Sal Monistere
Sal@SalsPlaceTx.com

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 05:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Sal, first of all, I completely expect you to receive a reply on this thread very soon from Freddie Molina (God bless his little microphone-shaped head!) saying what good ideas these are and many are going to be addressed with the NEW Voice123/smartcast system.

................................. whenever that comes out....................................

Next, I think you have a ton of valid concerns and some excellent suggestions. There's hardly a professional talent on this site who doesn't share all of these concerns and have been voicing them ever since this forum opened for business.

I like the idea of submitting the lead to a much smaller pool of talents, and Freddie keeps talking about how Smartcast

.............................. whenever it comes out...........................................

... will address that. I like the idea of winnowing down the number of custom demos that have to be submitted the first go-round. VERY good idea. As far as those ridiculous listings for a James Earl Jones AND anime' character voice for $75, I deep six 'em. There will be 234 starving and unprofessional 'talent's responding and the client will get what he pays for.

But overall, very, VERY good comments, concerns and suggestions. I can't wait to see all of these issues addressed.

Probably when Smartcast comes out.

.................................. whenever that is..........................................
Exclamation

Amy Snively · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 07:53 (GMT) Post subject:

I think custom demos for call-backs only would be a very good idea!!!

Freddie Molina · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 13:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Freddie Molina · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 13:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Hello Sal,

Let me try commenting on all your concerns.

George Karnes · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:00 (GMT) Post subject:

I have mentioned on some other threads that i look forward to seeing how the new smartcast will work.

I see some definite validity in being able to set as a talent, budgets that you will work for.

One thing that does disturb me regarding your post Sal is the notion that new talents shouldn't be able to "learn this craft".

It is a natural human reaction to try and "protect" what you have. But it is also certain that you can't do it with out changing.

Ispent my career in IT and have had to re-invent myself and my company many times over to stay successful.

I highly Recommend a book called "Who moved my cheese". You should read it.

Just my Newbie two cents worth.

Victor Harris · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:06 (GMT) Post subject:

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Although I like some of the ideas, my hackles rose over the "smaller pool based on random selection"... I'd like to see all of the leads I'm qualified for, then choose.

I think the key is "qualified for" - based on abilities, or selection criteria that we as VA's choose (ie, minimum price points, type of work, etc).

...and I wouldn't mind seeing a restriction on Custom Demos - Who needs a custom IVR demo anyway???

(steps off soap box),
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

George Karnes · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:22 (GMT) Post subject:

The custom demos are a problem.

One way to cut down on them for V123 to charge a fee for a custom demo.

There would be less leads, but I am convinced that 99% that won't pay $50 to get 200 custom demo leads will never be doing the project anyway.

Freddie Molina · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:28 (GMT) Post subject:

Unfortunately custom demos are a must. In some cases like IVRs it is understandable, but please keep in mind that clients like this feature and the more clients we attract, the more leads there will be.

Amy Snively · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:30 (GMT) Post subject:

But what if the initial submission was a standard demo and the client can select which people he or she would like to hear custom demos from?

George Karnes · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:32 (GMT) Post subject:

Yea but freddie,
A lot of these custom demos are for speculative pieces that the speculator is going to try and sell to a customer somewhere.

You guys should charge a fee when they want that.

Make the fee refundable upon completion of the project. Then when I spend an hour doing a custom demo I know it is for something that will probably happen.

Heck give them the option of paying $50 for custom demos. Then flag it for us. we will know the ones who have skin in the game and the players. Then we can decide whether to take the time to answer.

Right now I bet that 25 or 30% of the custom leads never get done.

Freddie Molina · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:35 (GMT) Post subject:

This is what I personally recommend. The new V2.0 will have more options for the clients and the talents, one of the is that the leads you´ll receive will be more specific for you and you won´t be competing with as many talents, making the process more streamlined and easier.

There won´t be as many custom demos to record and you´ll be able to have an unlimited amount of demos uploaded on to the site, meaning that the audition process will be simplified.

Please be patient, we are very close to the V2.0 release and we´ll be sending information your way soon.

Freddie Molina · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007, 17:38 (GMT) Post subject:

Vanessa Hart · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007, 04:48 (GMT) Post subject:

The thought of a software program deciding what leads I see is not something I am comfortable with. The great thing here is that I can submit myself for something that I know I can do that maybe my agents are not submitting me for. Other than that - yes, it's just gotten to be nuts - $35, $50 for commercials - the note that is usually attached stating that we don't have to reply - well, it just seems that the $$ filter is set too low - those kind of numbers shouldn't be posted at all. Looking forward to the new version of voice123 and hope it will address these issues. Best - Vanessa Hart