Voice 123 The inevitable choice

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to share an email from Voice123. I informed them of a client that has pretty much screwed me out of $125 and here is their response. Excuse any grammar problems in my writing, when I am emotional I tend to just type and not really check the wording.

"I am sorry that you are having a difficult time getting paid for your work. We make every effort to screen the people/companies that post projects on the website, but this isn't always the easiest thing to do and, as our Terms of Service state, it is up to both parties (voice seekers and talents) to decide if they want to work with one another. I am a talent myself, so I can understand your frustration in this matter.

We have been advised by our legal team that Voice123 refrain from acting as a "collection agency" for talents because we are really a DIY ("Do It Yourself") website and, therefore, the responsibility falls upon the talents themselves. That being said, if there is a non-payment matter that comes to our attention, we will be happy to provide you with any and all contact information that we have available so that you can pursue the issue in whatever means you see fit. Please forward the original project number/ID (LTK...) to us so that we can get this information to you and flag the voice seeker's account which will prevent them from posting further projects on the site.

Lastly, if you think it is worth it, you may want to seek the help from a 3rd party collection agency to help you settle your dispute. One thing to keep in mind is that until you are actually paid for your work, the voice seeker is in violation of U.S. Copyright Law if he/she uses the audio in any way (hint, hint!)."

I bolded the interesting spots. I'll have you notice that as much as this v123 employee wants to sound like they are doing something, they really aren't. You get screwed, you're fault. Notice how they literally aren't going to do ANYTHING! I would hope at least an email from them to the client or at least a guarantee that the client won't be screwing anyone else over but NOPE nothing.

In conclusion, V123 is a thorn in my side, if there was just ONE more company that gave equivalent voiceover jobs and did a similiar system to voices where they just take the money, take their cut and then guarantee payment, then I would join them and  easily pay the $300 a year.  Make it and I will pay it happily.

Until then I'm stuck with them. I can only say the same thing that I've said over and over. Voices is THE best. If you feel you are good enough to make that extra 300 a year and can take the hit and ONLY if you are willing to all the auditions then sign up for both. Though, I must say if you can make it in Voices you can make it in V123, and it doesn't work the other way around. Voices requires speed and more competition. Voice123 has less competition and they kind of screw over people for auditioning PLUS this little debacle.

Anywho, I can't definitely say to hell with V123 because I get jobs from them but they only have this because there is only two games in town.

First Job From My Website!!!

It's been awhile since my last post, but to be honest, I've been the most productive I've ever been. It's been the combination of a few different things.

1) Speedy Voices.com auditioning (getting first ten-20 is a shoe in if you're competetive)

2) Voicebunny dings (voicebunny dings when a job or audition is available, it may be cheaper but  you actually get paid for auditioning so if you hear the ding, JUMP ON IT)

3) Getting on Voicejockeys. I've gotten a few key jobs from Voicejockeys, admittedly they were all going to my junk mail. But, the lovely lady at voicejockey actually calls you an hour before the job is due to remind you. (shouldn't have to do that that) Just make sure it goes to your inbox. (not like me) Also, you just get JOBS, not auditions. It's really based on your demo itself.

4) Voice123: As long as you don't waste time with auditions you have no business doing, and just manage what you're good at, you should be able to pull here.

5) Repeat Business: I have a few key clients that just constantly come back over and over. I have a client that acts as a middle man for me and just sends me auditions for jobs and I get about 75% of them. It's amazing!

6) Now RECENTLY, my WEBSITE!!! Now, I don't know where or how he found me but I gotta figure out how to get MORE people to find me. One job with the rates I put up is great.


THINKS THAT STUNK AND I WONT DO AGAIN
1) ELance, Guru.com, Backpage, Craigslist. (PIEHOLE (we'll see), Freelancers. All jobs there are pretty much useless or just junk. It's more for people who want to do ENTIRE projects and you're up against people who work REALLY DIRT cheap.


Honestly, the last time I did a blogger post, I had a goal in mind to get a specific amount of dough to get me back to NYC and back into the improv scene.  As of now? I'm well on my way, with no signs of stopping.


Get out there peeps.