If you have been a professional voiceover talent on Voice123 for many years, you are aware that it is in need of a facelift. It needs to be updated to make the user experience better for all voiceover talent and voice seekers. This blog post will explain the road ahead for Voice123 and voiceovers in 2013.
We hope you find it exciting!
What will change about Voice123 in 2013?
Nothing that will change the way YOU work. We will just make things easier for you. Do not worry. We were listening to all your feedback replies over the years, and Voice123 has lots of things to fix up. Somethings have changed already. These are the first 6 things to be worked on:
- The homepage changed already. (Goodbye text monster, but it’s still being worked on!)
- Website interface re-design for both voiceover talent and voice seekers (Biggie!)
- Social sharing integration for several sections of the website from profiles to forums.
- Re-investing in SEO to fit with the changes Google made last year to target more job opportunities. (More work means more money!)
- Removing all flash-based players and replacing with HTML5. (Great for those who work with mobile devices!)
- Coding and text changes to auditioning pages…simply put…so it makes more sense. (Terminology on the site that has proven to cause more confusion than helpful information)
Now, much like working on a roadway, we have to do things in a way that will not disturb traffic flow. Some of the changes will be subtle, and some will be obvious. The most important thing to understand is that these changes will not…well…mess with your business. It will only make things easier for you. To be honest…these changes will not happen overnight, but they will happen.
Who is the man behind such a daunting task of revamping a successful 10-yr old website?!?! 
Angel Rendon! And he is excited to take this on! We will be sharing your feedback with him, as he works on this project.
Do you have specific things you would like to see happen first? Tell us more about it!
“Take the road less traveled. It will make the difference!”
 |
Steven is the Community Manager of Voice123 |
John Florian
January 2, 2013
Hi Steven,
Happy New Year, and best wishes for success with all your enhancements!
John VoiceOverXtra
Steven Lowell
January 2, 2013
Thank you so much John!
Wishing you the very best in 2013!!!
Steven
Voice123
Bill Cooper
January 3, 2013
Thank you for making the new website and the audition submission process compatible with the Google Chrome browser! Now I don’t ever have to use IE again!! — Bill Cooper, VoiceImage NW, Beaverton, Oregon
Sean O. Shea
January 3, 2013
What about a Voice123 app??
Steven Lowell
January 3, 2013
Thanks Sean! So far…first thing is to get it working on mobile. I will ask about an app but thats something of creating new products. We need to get the site fixed up first!
David Lecinski
January 3, 2013
@Sean,
I totally hear you regarding the desire for an application. I am encouraged by the developers taking a giant step toward ubiquitous access by implementing HTML5. In fact, HTML5 is proving to be so promising that developers have to carefully consider if a “native” app is warranted or if the HTML5/web app will suffice. In any case, the Voice123 site will be moving in the right direction in due time so I am very optimistic! Here’s an interesting article about this very subject: http://www.infoworld.com/t/mobile-development/native-mobile-app-dev-vs-html5-why-not-both-206167
jill goldman
January 3, 2013
sounds exciting, steven! looking forward to the changes. will i be able to use IE with the changes? i’ve had to use firefox lately, which is ok, but i am still overall an IE user (maybe one of the few?). thank you for always seeking to find ways to improve the user experience. i actually enjoy the usability as it is, but am eager to see what’s going to change.
David Lecinski
January 3, 2013
@Jill,
You will definitely be able to use Internet Explorer (although you will need IE v8.0 or better in order to take advantage of the HTML5). Users will also have a better experience while using mobile devices and the site will soon fully support iOS (think iPad). One of my coaches has a really sweet recording setup recommended by George Whittam which includes an iPad, Yeti mic with pre-amp, and TwistedWave recording/editing software. She travels quite a bit and this little setup allows her to record easily and without having to worry about lugging lots of gear along. The problem has been that the use of Flash on the Voice123 site prevented her from being able to submit auditions while on the road. (Apple and Adobe didn’t play nice with each other and there has been no Flash plug-in support on the iPad). Replacing all Flash with HTML5 components will allow her to use all her cool gear AND audition! yeah!!!
jill goldman
January 3, 2013
David, thank you for your reply. I’ll have to see if my IE version is the latest one or not. Sounds like these changes will help when recording on the road, too. Thanks again!
debbieirwinvo
January 5, 2013
The changes you’ve already made are great!
You’re moving in the right direction and we appreciate your efforts to improve the UE for all of us!
Happy 2013!
Steven Lowell
January 5, 2013
Hey Debbie! Thank you so much! The entire team here appreciates the compliments!
Jill kenton
January 5, 2013
Love your site! Can’t wait for new changes ! Perhaps even work references so talent gets references! But all in all I’m very happy ! Jill /london