The Complete User's Guide to Filling out a Voice123 Profile!

Hey!
I think this will help many of you, who are unclear as to why certain things happen on Voice123. I think what many people miss out on is the fact that they are the one's behind the wheel of their own profile, and what you say in it means much more.

So, for example, if you have no accent (i.e. neutral, none, no accent) , that means you have to say so, or the system wont pick it up or people who find you will think you have not completed your profile.

First rule of thumb about profiles...

They have to first match the request of the seeker in the project, before one is invited. (Yes...we encourage voice seekers to fill out the profile the best way possible.)

So, if it is not technically added, you will not be invited to projects that match. If your profile is left blank anywhere, you are limiting yourself.

Common problem:
Many believe that what they write in text is what matches, and that means selected parameters then do not have to be chosen.

Solution:
When you get a 'summary of projects', do not ask why you did not match, cross-reference the two to see what was missing. All of it! Remember, with computers, nothing is 'assumed', so it has to be there.

Don't lose me yet...I know you have questions already. Just read on.

I can tell you that there are those out there who have profiles that match more than others, but that just has to do with the majority of projects posted. It just may mean that they delete more projects than you.

For myself, my voice type barely shows up on here, therefore, if you are one of those people like myself, you will want to make sure you are invited first when something for you comes along! http://voice123.com/stevenlowell

If your voice is unique, you stand a better chance of landing long-term contracts because you offer one thing no one else has to offer. (All of you who use Voice123 and speak Chinese or an Eastern European, or Middle Eastern voice take note)

Let's fill a profile out:

First thing: Honesty matters. It really does. There are so many ways, from google reviews to algorithms, that lying on a profile can hurt your chances of getting work online in the future. If your profile is a complete 'bait and switch', people do have the tools to report you. So, be honest. You wouldn't lie on that paper resume you mailed to an agent. Dont start now. No one here started a voiceover career in 1900.

Second thing: 'Creative spin' does not involve 'lying'. Base this profile more on 'what you have done, and what you can do'. Basing it on 'something you were thinking about trying, but you are not sure yet', is a dangerous way to approach working online especially in the age of 'time is money'.

So...

Here is what you are basically matched with when a project is posted:

1. Voice Genders and "Ages" I Can Perform

2. Language(s) of Which I Am a Native Speaker

3. I Offer my Services for these Recording Purposes

4. Jobs I Am Willing to Take (Union-wise)

5. My Union Affiliations and Memberships

6. My Recording and Delivery Capabilities

7. Pre-, Post- and Production Services I Offer

8. My Home Base (this is only applicable only if there are Geographical Requirements)

9. Budget filters: NOTE: You check off what you DO NOT want. So if you say, 'I want it all.' and check everything, you wont get anything.

10. Seeker preference. A common algorithm in the internet is to connect people who like working with each other, as seen by the feedback i.e. rankings left. So, if you are a favorite of the seeker, the seeker stands to see you before others may.

Not done yet...That section MY DEMOS...you MUST BE equally detailed about what is in your demos. Why?

If what is in your demos matches what you state you do in Project Details, you will be a better match for a project than others.

Therefore, do NOT leave any sections blank in My Demos. This is helpful because if you do something specific, you will match someone's specific needs before others. For those who think from this, 'I will just upload one demo 30 times, and select all different information' to get invited, that is balanced out with a QA Process that can catch this, and a ranking system.

Honestly, you hurt yourself trying things to trick a system. Internet companies know the integrity of the users can kill a website. I have seen it happen, and it hurts everyone, not just you.

You may wonder...'What about short voice description?'

That is helpful for the search feature, and search features like Google, Yahoo, etc. Try a mixture of popular words, and other words that describe your voice.

Regarding the text of your profile, if someone finds you on Google, your voice description then becomes important. Keyword stuffing is not helpful to you. Its an old trick. It is also a good idea to understand what is considered a 'black hat practice'. Beyond what Voice123 does, there are millions of users that could possibly find you at any given moment. Here is why: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyword_stuffing

The internet is full of opinions, so don't put yourself in 'some bad lighting'.

Some ideas:

If you can record in a studio near you, I personally don't think you are lying to offer that studio's recording capability in your profile. I did it in the past to get work. The recording capability in my profile is based on what my coach offers in his studio. I live in NYC. I know I can get a subway and be there quickly, but I also had to factor that in as a talent when I did budget quotes.

In the end, being creative without lying about your ability is best. Understand that the profile you fill out is seen by many more people than just those who post projects.

Take a look at the way I have filled mine out:

http://voice123.com/stevenlowell

The main basis of matching projects to get invited started with profile content.

Understanding that some will falsify their profiles had something to do with why there are limits.

Not everyone knows how to be truthful, or even market themselves online. Being able to use the tools, based on what you know about yourself, is very important.

And when you are done reading this....remember that this business changes all the time. I know people who have faked their profile, and spend a good deal of time deleting things not right for them. The best way to go online is to focus on being a better talent, honesty, and being down to earth that we are all trying to use a computer (seekers too).


And if you worry about 'inactivity messages', login to your profile, and see if any messages were bounced. Close that message and log out again.


It may seem like hoops to jump through, but these very tiny details help you get in front of the eyes of users that are looking for you.

This truly is a brand new international stage of finding work, and a new way of auditioning, and never before has a talent had direct ability to show themselves to possible clients to so many, at one time. Make the best of each opportunity by making sure the right auditions come your way.

Such power requires great responsibility, so with all that out there, it now becomes that the most original thing out there is someone who is flexible to work with, and does exactly what they say they will do.

Best regards,
Steven Lowell
Public Relations Manager
Voice123

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