the aloof voice talent
I don’t think I’ve ever met an aloof voice talent but I know a bunch that could come across that way; they hurt their businesses but they don’t know they are doing it.
My reference is because these voice talents don’t have a phone number on their web sites. Hard to believe when you digest that sentence – a voice talent with a web site that contains no phone number. They are unable to be easily communicated to via the most effective form of electronic communication (email isn’t the “most” effective).
I was on the phone today with a very talented, well-respected and experienced voice talent whom I’ve known on-line and off for some time. I wanted to follow up on an email he sent me via phone (because I’m a talker – a voice talker).
His email signature did NOT contain his phone number (another long standing no-no in my book). So I clicked on the web link that was in his sig (awesome!) to find his phone number.
The phone number wasn’t on the site and then I remembered it was in my phone’s contacts so when I buzzed him, I called him on the omitted phone number on the web site. The reason he gave for not having a phone number on the web was that didn’t want his home phone number (where his studio was) listed all over the web. He hadn’t seemed to consider the situation with the cell phone.
My thoughts on this to him were simple:
– Use a cell phone as your business phone – nobody can see WHERE you are answering your phone. It will always be with you and you’ll have less chance of missing an incoming job. The rules on phones have changed – cell phones are a priority over traditional business lines in many cases (your mileage may vary)
– If you follow this strategy, make sure you ALWAYS answer your phone in a professional manner and make sure you outgoing message sounds professional. No “It’s me, you know what to do, dude.”
– When you secure a cell phone contract, get them to give a good phone number. What constitutes a good phone number? One that is easily memorable and sounds like a business number. When I bought my phone a number of years ago, just after cell phone numbers became portable, I told my phone provider that I would buy a new phone and contract with a good phone number – without it, the deal was off. Quickly they found me 716-572-1800.
– Live near a big city? Sometimes you can get a phone with the big city area code (212/New York City for example). Suddenly, you’re a big city voice talent.
I hope this helps.
Great advice, Peter. I face the same frustration when following up something for a VoiceOverXtra article – and can’t find a phone number or email address. I do understand the problem for many, though, as they rightly want new biz to go to their agent.
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John,
That’s a very good point…there are some cases (a vast minority I would think) where talent would only want their rep’s info on the site.
But the sites I have come across haven’t really had the situation come up…they just think email is good enough and in my opinion, it ain’t.
Best always,
– Peter
Another option is Google Voice. I have also had good success with BroadVoice a VOIP provider that will set up a phone number under the “Bring You Own Device” plan for about $10.00 a month.
Both of these services, and others I’m sure, allow you to forward calls to any number you choose, have unlimited incoming calls and have voicemail to email services.
The drawback is that you may not own your number and if you change providers or they go belly-up you must set-up another number.
Hi Dan:
These are cool options for managing one’s business communications and I really appreciate you bringing them into the discussion.
Best always,
– Peter
I wanted to add a little more to Dan Brantley’s comment. I have been using Google Voice since it was Grand Central. This service is completely free and you can set up your number with any area code (as long as phone numbers are available in that AC). Additionally, you can have it ring any of your phones (as Dan mentioned) or all of your phones with a caller ID of your your Google Voice number. By doing this you can know instantly that this call is coming in for work. Also, the caller has to announce themselves on the Google Voice system so when you do answer your call, you are not live with the caller yet. You hear their name and decide on whether you want to take the call or not.
Fantastic for work, even better as a number to give out when you have to give out a phone number as you can screen all calls.
Serge
Thanks Serge, good info!
Best always,
– Peter