How do I start submitting proposals?

If you're a Voice123 member, your profile is complete, and your samples have been uploaded (ideally, one for every recording purpose you offer on your profile), the next step is submitting proposals!

Here's how:

Receiving proposals

There are two ways to receive proposals on Voice123: Direct Invitations and Voice123 invitations. 

Direct invitations come from clients who’ve hired you before or found you in our voice actor database using Search. Sometimes, clients can send you a direct message, you will find these messages by clicking on Messages located on the menu on the left side of the page.

Be selective

It might sound counter-intuitive not to submit proposals for every opportunity that lands in your inbox but think of it this way: the more selective you are, the higher the chances that you'll be a good fit for the job and receive a "like" this will increase your chances of having a good ranking score.

Recording a custom sample

Some clients will ask you to send a related sample as your proposal. In this case, choose a sample from your profile that’s similar in style and tone to the project you're auditioning for.

If a client asks for a custom sample, record a short snippet of the script they provided (as part of the project posting) before you submit your proposal. 

Keep in mind the following:

• Statistically, clients only listen to the first 7 seconds of audio before deciding if they like it or not. Read only a part of the script to prevent spending too much time auditioning and to protect yourself against unauthorized use.
• Record several takes and try to condense them into one file. This allows clients to hear a variety of different interpretations and gives you a better chance of recording in a style or tone the client likes, and ultimately a better chance of landing the job.
• If it's a short script and the client asks you to record the whole of it, watermark your audition. A watermark can be as simple as slating your name (saying your name at the beginning), adding a beep in the background, or even changing some keywords. We encourage this practice to prevent clients from using your recording without duly compensating you for it.

Recording a custom sample takes time but the key is being able to do them quickly. This also preps you for success as you’ll have a quicker turnaround time when you land jobs. 

Submitting a proposal

After you've reviewed the terms for submitting a proposal, the process is quite easy.

Samples

If the client is looking for a custom sample, you'll have to upload the file you've saved either by dragging it onto the light blue square or browsing your files and attaching it.

Whether you're uploading an audition for a project or adding a sample to your profile, please be sure that your audio file complies with the following:

• It's in MP3 format
• The file is smaller than 2MB
• Sample rate: 44.1kHz
• Bit depth: 16 bit
• Channel: Mono
• Bitrate: 96 or 128 Kbps

If you receive an error message while uploading, check these parameters! Most of the time, an incorrect file format/parameter is the reason.

Pricing

If the project has a fixed rate, you'll see what the client is willing to pay for your work. You can always submit a proposal and then try to negotiate but for the most part, it's wise to only submit proposals for fixed-rate projects if you agree with the price.

If the project is To be Defined or Flexible, you’ll have to quote your price for the work. Remember that time and experience have roles to play in determining compensation so be realistic about how long your turnaround will be. Also, keep in mind the suggested Average Industry Prices for Non-Union Work.

Notes

Use the notes section of your proposal wisely. Make sure you include your personal contact info and briefly explain why you’d be a good fit for the project. Think of it as a very concise cover letter.

Issues

If you have any problems with the proposal submission process, make sure to check the following:

• Project deadline: Ensure you’re applying before the deadline and check the time zones before you start working on your custom sample.
• Project invitation limit: If a client is only looking for 10 auditions, only 10 will be accepted even if the deadline has not been reached.
• Audio format: Your audio must be in the correct format, otherwise it won’t be accepted.
• Cache: Your browser settings may need changing. Clear your cache and cookies. We recommend using Google Chrome for the smoothest auditioning experience (here's how to clear cache files).

You can also email us at help@voice123.com.

Hope but don’t expect, look forward but never wait.

After you've submitted your proposal, the process is out of your hands. You’ll have to wait for the client to contact you if they want to hire you.

It’s very unprofessional to chase clients and ask about the status of a project or proposal. If a client wants to work with you, they’ll contact you. If they don't, move on. We post hundreds of new projects daily and each proposal is a new lesson learned. Move on, hone your craft, and keep submitting proposals. Remember that rejection isn’t failure; your voice or interpretation may just not have been a good fit for that project.