Mary McKitrick, female voice talent extraordinaire (or whatever the German translation of extraordinaire is) has gone and done it.
She done went and set up herself a Facebook fan page just like all the utter idjits out there.
Well, y’all better commence to fanning her right quick.
(Note to self: less sugar at dinner)
Some will think this stuff and nonsense but I have been stewing about something for while and it has truly been bugging me.
Facebook Fan Pages.
Specifically, should I have one for my voice over marketing?
I have one for the Voice Over Entrance Exam and I have my own personal Facebook page…but do I need a “Fan” page? Sheesh!
Social Media clearly has a narcissistic component to it. Rarely are you asking people on Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn or on your blog how they are doing – more likely you are telling people who, what, when, where and how you are doing.
There is no ME in team but there sure is ME in Social Media.
Yet most of us play the game and often times enjoy it especially when there is give and take, usually always pleasant.
But I guess it’s the term Fan Page that has bothered me (I think Facebook is trying to get everyone to call it a Like Page but you’re basically asking for fans or for people to vote that they like you.)
That’s awkward to ask and seems kinda desperate in appearance when the Fan Page is about me (the e-book is a “thing” and it helps people – I have no problem with a Fan Page there).
I have joined a ton of fan pages for other people and never gave it a second thought. No, I didn’t think they were desperate at all because of their Fan Page.
But I look at myself differently. It feels like I am being egotistical if I do this Fan Page thing. The old comic line “But enough about me, what do YOU think of me?” comes to mind. Again…awkward is the word that keeps coming to mind for me.
From a business stand point, it could help me communicate with people on Facebook who are interested in my voice over business (the same reason I participate on LinkedIn and Twitter). That’s the big “Pro” in the “Pro/Con” debate that’s been raging in my cranium literally for months.
Well, ultimately that was the deciding factor for me and shamefully, I am announcing I have a Facebook Fan Page now (talk about burying the lead). Peter K. O’Connell – Male Voice Over Talent is what its called (for the SEO lovers out there). In this context, it sounds as ridiculous as “Peter K. O’Connell – Male Model” but, in for a penny, in for a pound.
We’ll have to see how long I can stomach this. I make no promises.
Thanks for listening.
Is it the partner of sales? Is it the overlord of advertising?
Is it missing from your business? It depends on who you ask.
Does this picture represent Kodak quality?
So my brother-in-law and I are strolling the grounds of the Locust Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY on Sunday enjoying the LPGA Championship there, presented by Wegmans.
A few quick notes – sadly, there are not enormous crowds respecting and enjoying the talents of these great golfers – happily, that makes it easier and more comfortable to get around. This is a MAJOR championship for Ladies Professional Golf Association (like the Masters and the PGA Championship for the men). My father-in-law and I have long agreed that the LPGA tournaments are some of the most enjoyable because of the the access and quality of golf guests experience. Also of note, most of the good merchandise is sold out by Sunday at these tournaments.
But now on to Kodak.
So Kodak was a huge American corporation based in Rochester and in spite of changes to photography that the company didn’t always weather well, the company seems to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence (a quick example, I own and enjoy my Kodak Zi8 video camera which I purchased in the past year based on a presentation I saw by Kodak’s very gracious Jennifer Cisney). This is all great for Kodak and the city of Rochester, NY. I want Kodak to succeed.
They are one of the sponsors of the LPGA Championship and as such had a fairly big tent with the chance for guests to get their picture taken with the LPGA Championship trophy as a free gift. A lady from Kodak stopped us and beckoned us into the tent for a picture and we said sure.
The above photo, taken by Kodak, had us standing in front of a green screen with the trophy on the podium. It was taken by what I assume was Kodak cameras, set up by Kodak staff and assembled on Kodak software to allow the images to be mixed.
Setting aside the obvious – that the two subjects (at least one of them) are not terribly photogenic in the best of circumstances- if you are Kodak, I would assume you would want this cute, silly throw away (possibly) memento to have outstanding photographic quality in reproduction, color, contrast, lighting, framing….the whole deal. Cameras, imaging and photo reproduction are what the Kodak brand is all about.
I looked at the picture and I thought – it looks as if my wife or anybody else could have taken it. It was washed out, the framing was odd (likely because of the background and the logo they put in) and basically I was underwhelmed.
Maybe I am highly critical because I’m more involved in media and marketing than most people. Maybe most people DON’T make the correlation between a photo booth picture and quality imaging and photography…but if they don’t, why would Kodak do the booth?
If you or I host a silly photo booth at a carnival with our little cameras, people aren’t expecting too much. But when you are Kodak – an iconic leader of photography and imaging in the U.S. and the world – I think people do and should expect higher quality and I think if you are Kodak you should want and expect to provide it.
I think Kodak tried to do the right thing here with the booth, I just think the execution needs to be tweaked. I know that it would be difficult to adjust photographic conditions for hundreds of individual photographs…but I think there’s got to be a better way for them to achieve a higher quality product even with a mass assembly line process.
It’s Kodak, it’s America – shouldn’t we expect their best?
Voice Talent Doug Turkel, the UNnouncer
Some folks call them tchotchkes, trinkets, gifts, souvenirs or ad specialties.
They are the presents, usually logoed, that business give to other businesses as a thank you or as a possible long term reminder of a company’s name and brand. Hopefully the gift (pens, hats, flashlights etc.) are useful or at the very least fun.
This came to mind as I was going through my VOICE 2010 bag (yes, I knew I’d get around to it) and saw this gift from UNnouncer Doug Turkel.
The message on the envelope says:
Have you ever needed a surprisingly compact copy stand to use with your mobile recording rig? A minimalist frame to hold that photo you should’ve reconsidered posting on Facebook? Or a convenient place to keep your important list of to-do items front and center?
Yeah, me too. Enjoy.
Creative, different, memorable.
Now you have to go out and think up something for your business? Or do you have an idea you’d like to share with the class?
Female Voice Talent Susan McCollom
As you may or may not know, VOICE 2010 starts next week in LA.
As you may or may not know, I’ve been asked to take part in a panel hosted by John Florian and featuring Doug Turkel, Trish Basanyi, and David Kaplan.
I’m talking about voice over marketing and the internet and here’s where my new friend Susan McCollom comes in.
Today I received an email from LinkedIn saying “Susan McCollom has indicated you are a Colleague at Voice 2010”. In her message Susan said:
HI Peter,
I just wanted to introduce myself and connect with you (albeit through cyberland) before the big event begins!! I’m looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your work through the course of the conference.
– Susan McCollom
And I of course accepted the invitation.
Folks, there can be no simpler example of how easy it is to market yourself on the internet than the professional exchange that Susan and I had.
There can be no better example of how to prepare for a conference and get in touch with people you WANT to me than what Susan did here. Sure, their will be tons of connections after the show…but to do it before shows her excellent ability to plan and prepare for the show. She will be getting the most for her money, I’m guessing.
I’m looking forward to meeting Susan. Who is looking forward to meeting you?
