Software Development (Let's start a VO site!)

Grant Holmes · 08-20-2007, 08:52 AM

So let's just start a voice-over site. GREAT idea, eh?

FWIW, I operate a software development company (www.iChannelDirect.com is the software) called DigiWonder. We're developing software that allows you to send electronic information (text, documents like SOUND FILES, PDF's, DOC's, etc. to someone else in a totally secure environment, verifies each delivery and certifies that the file was received.

We have been in development for approximately 2 years. If I count time that I've invested operating the company, managing the development, etc., AND add in initial investment capital by friends & family, we've toasted somewhere around $300,000. Yup. 300 Large. 300 Grand.

We're currently entering another funding round to support our large-scale beta testing. We estimate this to burn another $75-100K. THEN we hope to raise the money to get us to market.

I'm not sure I've done everything perfectly and I could argue I haven't, but you the best you can with what you have. We've added features that not everyone that alpha tested wanted. They asked for features that we didn't think of. And so on.

My point? Software development is NOT cheap. Some have suggested that I should've hired a team of Eastern European programmers and I could've spent the money more wisely AND been further along. Maybe. But my programmer sat right beside me the whole way through and we have what we have and were able to speak the same language with very few issues.

"JUST" starting another VO site really isn't that tough. Even a simple site where people could "JUST" post demos would take time and money. THEN the natives would want more features... "Why can't I change the order of my demo's???" "How come there's a limit to the number of demos I can upload??"

Maybe the group here (now numbering around 250) would gladly be patient and "accept(support)" a bare-bones site. But the next 250 would rightfully ask for more and so on.

Just thoughts to consider.

Jon Robbins · 08-20-2007, 11:09 AM

Great post Grant...slippery slope this VO business. Software Development? Wow you have to have skin of asbestos for that one. Good Luck my friend!

Grant Holmes · 08-20-2007, 11:48 AM

Yeah, sometimes I think I shouldn't be allowed to have this much fun... :mrgreen:

08-20-2007, 08:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Grant Holmes User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 57	Software Development (Let's start a VO site!) So let's just start a voice-over site. GREAT idea, eh? FWIW, I operate a software development company (www.iChannelDirect.com is the software) called DigiWonder. We're developing software that allows you to send electronic information (text, documents like SOUND FILES, PDF's, DOC's, etc. to someone else in a totally secure environment, verifies each delivery and certifies that the file was received. We have been in development for approximately 2 years. If I count time that I've invested operating the company, managing the development, etc., AND add in initial investment capital by friends & family, we've toasted somewhere around $300,000. Yup. 300 Large. 300 Grand. We're currently entering another funding round to support our large-scale beta testing. We estimate this to burn another $75-100K. THEN we hope to raise the money to get us to market. I'm not sure I've done everything perfectly and I could argue I haven't, but you the best you can with what you have. We've added features that not everyone that alpha tested wanted. They asked for features that we didn't think of. And so on. My point? Software development is NOT cheap. Some have suggested that I should've hired a team of Eastern European programmers and I could've spent the money more wisely AND been further along. Maybe. But my programmer sat right beside me the whole way through and we have what we have and were able to speak the same language with very few issues. "JUST" starting another VO site really isn't that tough. Even a simple site where people could "JUST" post demos would take time and money. THEN the natives would want more features... "Why can't I change the order of my demo's???" "How come there's a limit to the number of demos I can upload??" Maybe the group here (now numbering around 250) would gladly be patient and "accept(support)" a bare-bones site. But the next 250 would rightfully ask for more and so on. Just thoughts to consider. __________________ Grant Holmes, Voice over talent, vocalist, actor and web spokesperson. characters, accents and more all at: http://www.GrantHolmes.com Last edited by Grant Holmes; 08-27-2007 at 09:30 AM.

08-20-2007, 11:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jon Robbins Right Side of the Grass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 75	Great post Grant...slippery slope this VO business. Software Development? Wow you have to have skin of asbestos for that one. Good Luck my friend! __________________ Jon Robbins- Acting With Voices “Once you've gotten the job, there's nothing to it. If you're an actor, you're an actor. Doing it is not the hard part. The hard part is getting to do it.” -Morgan Freeman

08-20-2007, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Grant Holmes User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 57	Yeah, sometimes I think I shouldn't be allowed to have this much fun... :mrgreen: __________________ Grant Holmes, Voice over talent, vocalist, actor and web spokesperson. characters, accents and more all at: http://www.GrantHolmes.com

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