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Leads From Biz Journals Work!
This Cold Call Got Hot Fast ...
By Janet Ault
Voice Actor
Jan. 5, 2009
 As a professional voice-over talent in what is considered a "not-major" market (even though Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country), I scour my local Business Journal, the Business Section in the local newspaper, trade magazines, etc., to find new clients. And I have had great success obtaining new clients this way.
However, one in particular became what I call my "Christmas Miracle." Even I am having a hard time comprehending it! Here's what happened ..
December 26: In the Business Section of the local newspaper, I noticed that a new grocery chain is expanding in the Valley. Grocery chains, especially new ones, do a LOT of radio and TV spots and, of course, need VO talents.
I Googled the company, found their web site, and discovered that I already knew the marketing person mentioned in the newspaper article.
Because of the Christmas holiday, rather than call, I sent that person an email with a voice sample, with the intention of calling on the 28th.
December 28: No need to call!
The marketing person forwarded my sample to the ad agency, which emailed me to request a hard-copy CD since they loved the sample!
I sent the hard copy overnight (along with a couple wooden post- it note holders with my logo on it - hey, it couldn't hurt!!)
December 31: Happy New Year! Here is the response I got:
NOTE: It doesn't hurt that my demos were directed by Nancy Wolfson of Braintracks Audio and produced by SantiSound in LA!
The ad agency continued:
January 4:
I received the scripts and have learned that this is an ongoing job for a minimum of six months in several regions, with a lovely monthly income.
Like the lady said in her email: "Your timing was great!"
In a little over a week, from one newspaper article, a repeat-customer was born! As voice-over professionals, we can't just sit and wait for the phone to ring. We've got to create opportunities. Once in awhile, it really does pay off!
ABOUT JANET ...
Janet Ault, "The Voice of Choice," is a voice-over professional based in Scottsdale, AZ. With over a decade of experience, she has been providing her voice-over services in commercial, narration, interactive, e-learning, and imaging genres, to name a few. Her projects have ranged from Delta Airlines, Disney/Hasbro and Fisher-Price to thousands of local and regional spots. Email: janet.ault@cox.net Web: www.janetault.net
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Thanks so much for the kind comments. Please be my guest to use this article in your seminar!
Recently, I voiced spots for an upscale hair salon and spa because despite a remodel that cost them huge big bucks, their phone system and radio ads sounded horrid. And in Dallas where I'm based, our Biz Journal is great for leads too. They publish nationwide, so keep an eye on their info. And yes, supermarkets are a fab account for us ladies. They advertise so much, plus you can voice their point of purchase stuff (ceiling announcing).
While car dealers are great for guys (occasionally they use a female), think "women's products" and that is a good way for female vo talents to find new clients. Of course, local hospitals and health care providers of all types are great targets for vo talents too.
PS: My Medical and Corporate Narration Day Workshop in Dallas is March 7 and in Houston, The Business of Voiceovers and Voice Acting For Newcomers is Feb 20-21 (shameless self promotion and I'm not ashamed...) lol.
Happy New Year everybody and THANKS JANET for this fine article. May I have your perrmission to use in my seminars?
Thank you very much for the inspiring and insightful story, which will help me to think outside the box to move my career forward in leaps and bounds! (ITNOJ) God Bless You & Yours Indeed!
Tron Kendrick *Listen to my VOICE OVER Samples:
**http://www.tcoettalent.com/Kendrick_Tron/Tron_Dialects.mp3*
Bob