In the past few years, a select group of voice talent have approached us with the questions…
- “Can I pay more to see all the auditions I will match to, before anyone else?”
- “Do I really need SmartCast? I know what I am doing.”
These same voice talent have outsmarted SmartCast! How?
- They created two or more Premium Subscription accounts
- They bounced back and forth between emails depending on which account was slower to receive invites
Now, Voice123 is going to offer a Premium Platinum subscription to Voice123. Why?
- In 2008, 2009, & 2012, we tried testing a version of Voice123 that included “matching” ONLY.
- We did this after finding out that certain voice talent, who were doing amazing on Voice123, told us why they need two or more accounts.
- They did not like jumping from email to email.
What will Premium Platinum Membership offer?
- You match a job exactly…you get invited first
- No rankings, no stats, no SmartCast (You will still see this info, but it wont apply)
- Free one-on-one webinar to help you make the best use of your account.
How does this type of thing work?
- Simply put, the boxes you check off in Voice Details and My Demos match you to jobs posted.
- If the boxes you check off match the job posting exactly, you get invited first.
- You would basically avoid the math behind SmartCast.
- You save headaches of using several accounts across multiple emails and platforms.
- You no longer have to concern yourself with SmartCast. You match…you get invited.
Why now and how much?
- We found this to be an effective way for talent to have 1 account, and 1 email.
- $1500 USD, but you can prorate this amount ($1200 USD), if you are currently a paying Premium Subscriber
- Affiliates to Voice123 will receive 10% commission on such subscriptions.
The ideal person for such an offer…
- Finds a $1500 tax write-off attractive
- Uses Voice123 mainly as a career, or close to it
- Books more than 5 jobs a month
- Admittedly…never wanted SmartCast to begin with
Does this mean “All the work will go to certain people”?
- No. Not everyone is right for every job.
- We always encourage people to be selective, no matter what.
- Voice seekers enjoy being able to hire more than one person from Voice123. It is why they have their own accounts with saved voice talent.
Some balanced Pros & Cons testimonials from voice talent, who tested this in July 2012:
- Pro – ” I believe it would be worth it because you truly have more exclusive access to jobs that you have a higher chance of booking.”
- Con – “I enjoyed the concierge feel at first, but realized after auditioning that much, my ROI was less than when I was selective.”
- Pro – “I made over $8000 in the 3-week test period, but noticed I began auditioning for people again I normally wouldn’t.”
- Con – “I noticed I am not that good in such casting environments where I can submit for everything. SmartCast helps manage my choices. I am fine with it.”
Interested or have questions? Please email me at steven@voice123.com.
Not interested? That is great, too. We found while doing these tests that professional voice talent feel Voice123 still offers the best casting technology available, yet we understand some would like to try an alternative.
Thanks!
About the author
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Steven is the Community Manager of Voice123 |
César Parra
August 9, 2012
It woud be great being able to auditioning again for jobs that before Smartcast I could. I was Voice123 suscriber in 2007 and I loved it. I made a lot of clients and money but unfortunately I couldn’t suscribe again in 2008. I returned in 2011 and the truth is that I wasn’t so happy with Smartcast, but now I think that my prayers were listened.
Odette Joannidis
August 9, 2012
I’d consider this if Voice123 had a stronger presence in the Australian market. I hope the new system won’t leave me at a disadvantage if I don’t take it on.
Wendy
August 9, 2012
Having read your details about the Premium subscription it strikes me that it is not at all necessary for voice artists who do not have American accents? I say this because, as a British voice, I do very well out of voice123 and secure a decent amount of work to top up my work in the UK. I do not over audition and I get invited to every smartcast that is relevant immediately. Therefore, I cannot see how I could at all benefit from paying 5 times the fee – or am I missing something…..?
faabulousdarling
August 9, 2012
I cannot see how this premium subscription is of any use to voices with non American accents because, as a British voice, I get a decent amount of work through voice123 that tops up my voicework in the UK. I do not over audition and I get invited to every job that suits me straight away. There doesn’t seem to be enough British accent work to make spending 5 times the fee worthwhile – or perhaps I am missing something…….? I just can’t see how I could in anyway benefit…..?
Ron Tavernit
August 9, 2012
I am a little concerned that this new plan will reduce the number of auditions I get as a premium subscriber. Lets not forget those premium subscribers that have been here for several years now, but don’t wish to shell out $1,200 instead of $300…
Steven Lowell
August 9, 2012
Ron,
Did you read the blog carefully?
Where is it written, that you will get “less auditions as a premium subscriber”? If you can quote that for me, I will address it.
In addition, how is this one account different from having 4?
Read again. Dont assume the worst.
julia wilde
August 9, 2012
Steven, it would be great if you could clarify the point Rob is making, which, if not phrased as exactly as you’d prefer, seems like a relevant thread of thought to me.
If some folks are ‘invited first’ within 9-13 minutes of the job posting, versus the 17-20 minutes on Smartcast, within a system that sends a limited number of invitations, you could extrapolate that at least some regular Premium subscribers are going to get bumped out of the first round of invites, etc, because the number of Platinum Premium Subscribers may have pushed them down the line. Thereby reducing the number of auditions for the regular Premium guys. Or do you still send the same number of Smartcast invites as dictated by the project and just tack the Platinum members on top of that number? No need for us to get antagonistic ; ) Just wondering if you could explain how that all works.
Steven Lowell
August 9, 2012
Hi Julia,
Great question! A voice talent I spoke with explained to me her perception of it: “Paying to first on the ride” which ultimately means…everyone will get on the same ride, but the ride hasn’t changed.
You see…Some want the satisfaction and convenience of “being first”, but more so in this case, the convenience of using ONE email address & account.
I stated in the blog, people do not want to use 3 to 5 email addresses & accounts for 1 website. Having one account is more convenient. Keep some facts in mind:
- Less than 6% of Premium Subscribers are going to be interested in this.
- These folks have had several accounts anyway. If you did not know before, you certainly know now, and it never affected you in the past.
- If you are wrong for a job, you wont be hired. The 6% of people I mention are incredibly talented, but they are also selective and smart business people. They also liked us enough to want to spend more time here. It is easier to use one website also, especially if the majority of clients have been built on one site.
Also…Shutting off SmartCast on a grand scale is a throwback to “the way things were”. No one wants that!!! On a grand scale, history shows, it leads to less people being heard & less people booking.
That is not our intention here. In fact, out of all those who tested, some discovered they did not want change. Because most did, we made the offer. Its an offer people can take if they want, not many will, and if they do, it wont affect what you currently do.
If there is a day you realize you need it….it will make sense.
These ideas come from over 100,000 emails sent to us each year by voice talent. We try to offer alternatives.
Thanks!
Steven
Mimi Weisbond
August 14, 2012
Wait. What? Could you explain the benefit of having multiple accounts?
Alyson
August 16, 2012
Steven: ” Also…Shutting off SmartCast on a grand scale is a throwback to “the way things were”. No one wants that!!! On a grand scale, history shows, it leads to less people being heard & less people booking.” I disagree completely! I used to book TONS of jobs and when vo123 went the new route it became less and less.I miss the old way — and sadly can’t afford 1500 at the moment…..
Steven Lowell
August 16, 2012
Alyson,
You skipped over some major important facts:
1. Before 2007, only 10% of auditions were opened.
2. Before 2007, less than 30% booked work on the site.
3. You were competitive on the site when there was less competition. But you know…the secret’s out.
4. Now, many great people use the site, which makes it harder for you, especially if you audition with the same tactics you did 5 years ago.
5. You booked tons of jobs because of the way the search feature worked many years ago.
If you think 400 people submitting for every job is a way for everyone to work…you may not be recognizing the details of why you once worked: You were one of the first…and now…more know about us. Personal experience is not the bigger picture.
If you want to talk more about this. Please email me: steven@voice123.com
Be well,
Steven
Alyson
August 16, 2012
yup. tis true. Sigh…..