jewel cases vs paper sleeves

[Colin Campbell]

Like it or not... we are in an instant Internet society. Both CD's and DVD's face certain demize and very soon.

Internet presence... .mp3's... the way to go.

With so many portable devices out there getting email, you have a good chance at a listen versus a CD that requires more "work" to listen to.

[Mike Sommer]

There will always be a mechanical way for digital or analog information to be stored and distributed. It was only a few years ago that the only means to distribute demos was on reel tape and then cassette. Don't under estimate the tactile experience of being able to hand someone your demo, or of them able to have something physical to look at and handle while listening to it.

The formats will change, it's just being ready for it. The disc format will be around in one format or another.

I predict the the next format -for the sake of ease of distribution- will be USB Flash drives. Embossed with logo and contact info, this will be a quick and easy way transfer information. Though it holds little in the way for imaging and branding, its only benefit is ease and convince.

[Jon Morss]

I think the more logical step would be personal audio players like Julie uses with her "How to Make Money in VO" course.
Saturday Giveaway : Julie Williams' How To Make Money in Voice-Overs Digital Player | Vox Daily

This can have your personal brand on it and there is no need to transfer the file to another system to hear it. Just hand to someone the player and they can walkaway listening to your demos. However, I think with the internet capability of most cell phones nowadays, it might be easier just to point someone to a web site and access the mp3 online via their phone as Greg mentioned. Maybe even transfer the file from cell to cell via Bluetooth. There will certainly be some die hard folks that just can't get away from CDs, but I don't even use the CD player in my car anymore. It's much easier to load up the old iPod and plug it in to the audio in my car and run that way. No need to haul all of the those archaic silver platters any more or risk damaging them. Plus, there is always the risk that the CD will not play in the other persons CD player. MP3 files on the other hand are fairly universial and can be played on a wide variety of players.

[Mike Sommer]

That's a nice idea to have a personal audio player for someone to listen to your demo, but I'm not one for sticking someone's else's earwax covered pods in my ear. And most people generally have places to go and things to do, and strapping them down to listen to my demo -while I wait- is a bit inconsiderate. When I can say, here is my demo, please listen to it at your connivance -thank you- and be on your way.

As for being old school, that's the wrong way to look at it. Handing someone something to keep is and exchange, a gift if you will. And who doesn't like gifts, no mater how self promoting it is. You've made human contact. That's what promotion and communication is; making contact at an emotional and human level.

It's all about layers: business cards, Bio cards, thank you cards, holiday cards, CD's, Flash drives, MP3, website, face book, email, cellphone, fax. You have yo be able to meet people at all levels.

Going cheap in the promo sales will get you nothing.

[Jon Morss]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

That's a nice idea to have a personal audio player for someone to listen to your demo, but I'm not one for sticking someone's else's earwax covered pods in my ear. And most people generally have places to go and things to do, and strapping them down to listen to my demo -while I wait- is a bit inconsiderate. When I can say, here is my demo, please listen to it at your connivance -thank you- and be on your way.

Uh, you miss the point. The idea is that this is a brand new never before used freshly wrapper Media Player that you give to the the client for their very own and that they can listen to at their convince and not have to track down a CD player or a means to transfer a flash drive data to some other sort of player. You could event mail this out to folks as well. Sounds simple to me.

The rest of what you said is basically a no brainier.

[Mike Sommer]

Well, mp3 players would not be something I would hand out like candy. Promo players cost about $30 each, do the math.

With everyone trying to go cheap in the promo department here, this math is not an effective means of self promotion.

Though our our ideas are not that far away with mine; being USB flash drives. I can get a 100 USB flash drives for about $500 and can be updated with the latest commercial or 1000 CD's for $600.

And knowing that some of those ear pods sound like crap, I would rather have my demo heard in the best possible light, on someone's audio system.

Point is, for promotion you only get about a 10% response from physical promotions. So since it's all the same demo whether it's on CD, USB flash, or a mp3 player, I'll go with the cost-effective CD an jewel case with full color branding image, bio, track list, and a nice thank you note.

[BobbyH]

Originally Posted by FLZapped

Common sense tells me that if I am personally handing someone a CD, a paper sleeve is fine; but if mailing, a jewel case offers needed protection.

-Bruce

Have to disagree and I will point out Netflix as evidence of not needing a jewel case. The reason for a jewel case is shelf space to advertise your name. A sleeve would slide in between all the others and disappear.

The article opens with the necessity and mass acceptance of mp3 demos, BUT, just in case someone asks for one; here's how to do it. Like I mentioned, I have had only one request for a CD in five years. For me, to properly put together a CD package would take a couple weeks and cost about $700 (guesstimate.) Then I would have 99 extra copies lying around collecting dust only to be tossed because my demos are updated yearly. The question to ask is whether or not it would be worth your time and money to create the CD? There are too many businesses to garner work from who do not require such an effort. As for agencies, I have four including NY and LA, all of which I signed with using mp3s, links to current work and the hand off a business card. But, that was my path and my decision not to create new CDs. I guess it worked out for me.

Keep it simple for you and your clients.

BTW, LOVE the idea of a Bluetooth transfer. I loaded my demos on to my phone...just in case.

[The Voice Chap]

I was in a class with a top San Francisco agent last week and he asked students to send in demos rather than email mp3 files or links. And I know it's that way for 3 of San Francisco's big 4 VO agents. This agent said he wouldn't even listen to a demo inside a paper jacket. A jewel case with artwork shows that the actor is a professional. Now, San Francisco isn't on the bleeding edge, but we're on the cutting edge for sure. An agent wants something professional but a potential client may prefer an mp3 or even just a link.

We need to have a proper jewel case and Julie's mp3 giveaway. Business cards are also important - again, they show we are professional and invest in our careers. Now, if you're a lousy actor, all the business cards, demos, CD cases, resumes, and nicknacks won't make you a professional. But if you do have acting chops, all those things make you more professional.

[jwkuether]

I'm a newbie, and I'm sorry if this isn't the best place to post this, but I'm stymied for a lousy reason. i've got what I believe is a good, well-produced commercial demo, and I've had artwork designed for the jewel case, but now I don't know the best way to have copies done. At Kinkos I had the insert printed on card stock and cut out the pieces on a paper cutter, and they said they could only print the cd label out the same way. Do people use Avery products to print at home? Can I have a commercial printer use Avery products? My local Kinkos wasn't very helpful.

[Mike Sommer]

There are companies that do the whole production, here is one:
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