Something odd/interesting at Voice123

[RonaldTRobinson]

And that, James, is the nature of web-based V/O casting. The V-123 SmartCast was an attempt to rectify the abundance of auditions flowing to each lead - which it did. But, the number of leads to each member dwindled.

The correction for that is in attracting massive numbers of Seekers and their projects.

Meanwhile, it is still true that around 75%-80% of auditions will not be heard.... for any number of reasons.

[videochas]

My biggest problem with V123 was the clunkiness of the software. VO.com runs like a fine watch, so obviously there is no need for the impenetrable ponderousness of the V123 experience. Plus, the staff were dolts. If you told them about a problem, they spent a lot of effort trying to explain to you why there really wasn't a problem, rather than fixing it. I always got the impression that I was using a service in the old Soviet Union.

[JoeActor]

Originally Posted by videochas

I always got the impression that I was using a service in the old Soviet Union.

Hee hee! Funny, and sadly accurate. I've had many a chat with V123 support with the bulk of the conversation geared toward telling me why I didn't know what I wanted... or was talking about... or why I was wrong.

When the time comes for renewal, the decision may be tough. If I'm still making money, is it worth all the hassle of dealing with the software and staff? Of course, if I'm not making money, it's an easy choice.

It's tragic that a company with a nice, simple idea and responsive customer service has managed to end up this way... just a long series of bad choices.

Meh. But, what do I know,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

[Colin Campbell]

I'm pretty sure that Alexis is correct that non-premium members are non-searchable. I think the 3800 number she quotes are the paying memebers. The free account is just a shingle hoping for a Google hit.

[Julie Williams]

James,

Yes there are a lot of people on voice123...and you may find yourself auditioning against 100 others. But I've cast from there before, and I can tell you that when you want the right voice, you will listen to all the auditions. Voice123, in fact, enables you to go back and hear that it was listened to. (or deleted)

There IS a lot of competition--EVERYWHERE. That's the nature of the business. 100 others on voice123...100 others on voices.com...100 others from other agencies besides the one you're represented by...

but voice123 (despite all the SmartCast headaches) does deliver the leads. And lately, their leads have been much better than before. Several have been over $1000 in the past month. Whereas before...most of what I saw on their site was bottom feeder stuff.

[JoeActor]

Originally Posted by Julie Williams

And lately, their leads have been much better than before. Several have been over $1000 in the past month. Whereas before...most of what I saw on their site was bottom feeder stuff.

Hey Julie,

Gotta disagree with you on that one. Although I still get leads, I can't say the quality has improved. Every week I delete a number of $50-$100 leads, not to mention the freebies and "To Be Determined" ones. I still find Voices.com to be a better value even though there are less leads. The ease of use alone is worth the investment.

If SmartCast was out of the picture, my Voice123 renewal would be a no-brainer. As it stands now, the Voice123 service is the no-brainer instead, and my money is better spent elsewhere... (IMHO)

Lowball Leads + SmartCast Frustration (not equal to) $295,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

[Scoot]

Originally Posted by videochas

My biggest problem with V123 was the clunkiness of the software. VO.com runs like a fine watch, so obviously there is no need for the impenetrable ponderousness of the V123 experience. Plus, the staff were dolts. If you told them about a problem, they spent a lot of effort trying to explain to you why there really wasn't a problem, rather than fixing it. I always got the impression that I was using a service in the old Soviet Union.

I dropped my membership three months ago, demanded to get, and was told I'd receive the pro-rated refund. Still no refund. I've written, but they've refused to respond.

They're not worth the headache...

[Melanie]

Okay, so the audition invites arrive in my inbox, I immediately click on them, and out of 50 sought auditions, they've already received 42! Then I look and see that the audition was launched 8 hours ago. Does anyone know why I'm receiving it hours after it was launched? Am I a SmartCast low priority person because I'm new? My other emails don't arrive 8 hours late ... so would love any insight from those of you with more Voice123 experience ... Right now, when these auditions arrive, there's almost no way I have a chance to get in there. I've noticed that a lot of times you have to be within the first 10-12 respondents -- when I'm later in the line-up than that, my auditions don't even get opened because they've chosen the voice closer to the top and don't even bother going on down to listen to the others.

Thanks for thoughts/insights ...

[JoeActor]

Hi Melanie,

You are essentially correct. SmartCast chose one or more groups of people before you ever got the audition notice. It chooses based on a number of over-complicated and proprietary factors that change on a constant basis... Sure, it's just that simple!

If it helps to know, you're far from alone. There are many of us in the same boat. I often get audition notices while I'm asleep and they are completely filled by 6am.

Please post an introduction on the Welcome area if you have a chance and let us know a bit about your background and goals.

Nice to meet you,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

Originally Posted by Melanie

Okay, so the audition invites arrive in my inbox, I immediately click on them, and out of 50 sought auditions, they've already received 42! Then I look and see that the audition was launched 8 hours ago. Does anyone know why I'm receiving it hours after it was launched? Am I a SmartCast low priority person because I'm new? My other emails don't arrive 8 hours late ... so would love any insight from those of you with more Voice123 experience ... Right now, when these auditions arrive, there's almost no way I have a chance to get in there. I've noticed that a lot of times you have to be within the first 10-12 respondents -- when I'm later in the line-up than that, my auditions don't even get opened because they've chosen the voice closer to the top and don't even bother going on down to listen to the others.

Thanks for thoughts/insights ...

[Melanie]

Thanks Joe! That makes me feel ... not alone! I'll post something in the newbie section ...