Greetings! Dumb newbie here!

Lisa Zachary-Kent · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007, 23:35 (GMT) Post subject: Greetings! Dumb newbie here!

I can't tell you how glad I am to have found the forums here. I've only been a member of V123 for a few weeks now, and my head is just SPINNING with questions and concerns. Furthermore, I'm brand new to the freelance voice over business. My home studio isn't even completely set up yet.

I've worked in local small market radio since 1988, and have been told so many times I should pursue national voice over work. "Ohhhh Lisa, you're voice is so SMOOTH and POLISHED! You should be in bigger markets!" Surprised

So....here I go...registering on V123...feeling so confident, and ready for the offers to just come POURING in! Then I sit back and take some time to peruse the other female voice talents, and my confidence was squashed like a bug! Shocked

Ladies....may I just say, you are AMAZING!! And I'm quite intimidated by your talent!

I hope to make friends with some of you out here...those of you veterans of the biz, who can possibly help steer me through these shark infested waters, and aid me in getting A CLUE as to what I've jumped into here. Laughing

John Bigl · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007, 23:46 (GMT) Post subject: welcome

Welcome Lisa ...

it would be helpful to spend some time reading as much of The Forum posts as you can... the guidance, opinons, cold hard facts etc etc you'll find will be invaluable.. they're a huge benefit ...

Welcome, hope to see more from you...

Be Well

Robert Jadah · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007, 02:46 (GMT) Post subject: Welcome Lisa

Lisa:
Welcome. It's a fun place.
Couple of things you have to correct in that posting, though.
First of all, you're obviously not dumb. You've taken time to peruse the boards and sop up some info, and you're jumping in with both ears and eyes wide open.
And that ain't dumb. Neither is your web site page, though I might take out some of the qualifying words like "some characterization" and "a bit of" whatever. Just sounds too tentative.
The other adjustment is - as I'm sure you're seen by now - the money never comes pouring in.
Very occasionally, it trickles in.
But - like with drag cars - the ride is still fun.
Voice On!

Scott Pollak · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007, 03:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Lisa,

First of all; welcome! Nice to have another person here who obviously has some talent and experience. I listened to a couple of your demos and am looking forward to hearing some full-blown demos from you showing up here down the road.

One suggestion: Go back and totally rebuild your "experience" paragraph on your page. Short and sweet and to the point. Imagine this: I'm a client looking for a great voice for my spot and I come to this site. Am I more interested in learning about the fact that you were OUT of this business for years building a trucking company and that you only did a few voices here and there on the side? Or would I be more inclined to hire the female voice whose resume says: (taken from an actual online resume here):
===============================================
Professional, full-time female voice talent with home studio. This is all I do! It's my mission to make your message sound great! Fast turn-around. Big city sound at small-town rates.

Whether I'm doing a commercial, radio imaging, a video game, narration, training audio, or an on-hold message, I'm a female voice talent with a knack for that natural sound that cuts through and really reaches your listener. I can be your best friend, your wacky neighbor, the one who knows the answers, and the one who makes you laugh!

Need your message to really come alive? Request a no-obligation, custom voiceover audition today.

Young, friendly, fresh, casual, contemporary. Comedy a specialty--great comic timing. Twenties to middle age. solid acting, improv, voice over, and public speaking experience, you can feel confident that you'll get more than your voice over money's worth.

Experience

TELEVISION COMMERCIALS (Partial list)
OrthoClear invisible braces (Multiple markets)
Greatloan.net
Hotelplanner.com
Contours Express (regional)
Manhattan Lending (NY, NJ)
Que Bueno Mexican Grill (CO)
The Diennet Institute Weight Loss (Southern CA)
West L.A. Medical and Skincare (Southern CA)
Jonathan Frankel Cosmetic Dentistry (OH)
Schumacher Diamond Cutter (Bismark, ND)
The Moving Men
Right at Home Senior Care
Home Instead Senior Care
L’Interieur Interior Design (RI)
Tenggen Dental (CA)
Body Technics Laser Institute (NY, NJ)
Karen Taylor Hypnotherapy (Northern CA)
Hale Qamar LASIK Center (Phoenix, AZ)
Folsom Fine Jewelry (CA)
and more…

RADIO COMMERCIALS
Aer Lingus New York Vacation Sweepstakes
Camelback Toyota (multiple), Phoenix
Cooper’s Trucks and Accessories, OH
Creech Chevrolet Buick Pontiac, KY
Howell's Nursery and Landscape, MS

RADIO IMAGING
Pirate Radio AM 846
KYYS 99.7 Kansas City
WDMF 106.9 Hitz FM, Terra Haute IN
WZZZ 107.5 The Breeze, Portsmouth OH
WNXT ESPN Sports Radio AM 1260, OH
WNXT-FM Mix 99.3, Portsmouth OH
WFSR 970 AM, Harlan KY

................................................................................. and so on.

So you get my drift. Realize that voice seekers are:
1) Probably never going to read our bios anyway. They're only going to post a job and let us all run to the audition like cattle. And if they DO go to read our bios
2) They'll give us maybe 30 seconds at most to make a damn good impression.

So it sounds like you're a great lady with a terrific husband and a big heart, but you really need to professionalize your webpage here.

Anyway, as people here will tell you, I will pontificate and sometimes (often) cut right to the core and tell you what I think, but it's all offered with a constructive heart.

WELCOME!!!!

Lisa Zachary-Kent · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007, 04:25 (GMT) Post subject:

John....these forums have been a GODSEND for me! I've learned A LOT just the short time I've been browsing them. I wish I had discovered them sooner. And thank you for the warm welcome. Very Happy

Robert.....SHHHHHH!! I can't have people thinking I'm NOT dumb! I'll never be able to talk my way out of speeding ticket again! Yes...this IS a fun place. And free membership giveaways??? You can't beat THAT!

Scott...Hello! Yes...you know, before you even made that post, I was looking at all the info on my profile, and thought....GOOD LORD, I'm long winded!!! And I checked out the profiles of a few others and knew right away an overhaul was definitely in order. I will work on that tomorrow.

I'll definitely apply the advice you guys have given. And know it is VERY appreciated!

Freddie Molina · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007, 15:08 (GMT) Post subject:

Welcome Lisa,

This sponsored site by Voice123 was conceived with the idea of having a place in which to communicate in a more active way, where you can participate in open discussions, submit your inquiries, ask technical questions, suggest new ideas, get critique and feedback on your profile and demos, look for help and help others, find new information related to the industry or just share your mind.

We really want voice over Savvy Forum to be a gathering tool for the voice over community and a great resource for you.
We are hoping to see you around.

TJ Maxwell · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007, 16:52 (GMT) Post subject:

Welcome Lisa.

I hope it all works out for you.

TJ

Bob Jalving · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007, 13:58 (GMT) Post subject:

Welcome Lisa. Very nice Demo's! Smile

Paul Sleboda · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007, 16:41 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Lisa Z,
I know exactly how you feel. I did the voice training thing and spent money on microphones, equipment and even built a sound proof cave in the basement. I thought "Hollywood" would be calling any minute, hour, day, week, month .......... I think you get the picture. After joining V123, I soon reralized that AC/DC was right when they sang "It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll".

Good Luck
Paul

Deby Cedars · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007, 20:27 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm not even a paying member yet so your way ahead of me.