Some folks have questions about Voice Over, what talent should you hire, and how it works. I explain that here.
Great video but a free audition on Fiverr? I am not sure about that. I am always happy to provide different samples I have on file.
Your samples donât cover the hundreds of different ways a script can be read⊠Auditioning is completely normal. You canât cover all emotions and energy forms in a 1 minute sample. A âvoice over demoâ only covers your type-casted sound and your âabilityâ⊠An audition provides the client with a sound to their project to see if you fit.
If you went and tried to get hired in the real world outside of Fiverr in a studio somewhere and you told them you werenât going to audition for the job⊠theyâd laugh you out the door⊠as itâs completely mandatory. Granted a lot of clients on Fiverr wonât care much about acting ability toward their script⊠there are a lot of clients that DO care because itâs essential to either their SALE or the believability/connection to their project, and they want to know what it will specifically sound like on their copy, and if they ask you to audition a portion of their script and you say âNoâ theyâll find the folks that will.
I agree with you and I donât have a problem auditioning but certainly not on Fiverr for a $5 job. I have other samples on hand that I usually send out to clients after narrowing down what style they are aiming for. I audition on other plattforms all the time but these are paid auditions or jobs that go into the hundreds. A lot of sellers here on Fiverr get burned by providing free samples. The buyer might tell you itâs a test but in the end itâs the project and they disappear with free work. You are still fairly new to Fiverr eventually you will experience this yourself. I understand your point though ;).
1 Like
That happens outside of Fiverr. Iâve actually had someone try and do that to me last night (here on Fiverr). Iâll audition their script no problem, but I donât read the whole thing⊠I read only part of it and if they have a business name, I change it to something else, or change the phone number. I would never give anyone their full read. People have tried all sorts of tricks and negotiations, ⊠it doesnât fly here on Fiverr, especially when prices are already at discounted rates. There are some dirty rats, and itâs a shame that people could be such a cheap-skate, ESPECIALLY HERE of all places where they are getting voice overs done at almost 40x less than normal industry price rates.
I just ran across this. Nice video overall.
I think itâs a personal business model decision. If you want to audition for $5 gigs, go for it. But I donât think you can call having a business model of not auditioning on Fiverr a âred flag.â Itâs probably the more common practice.
And yes, if someone wants a custom sample, they can order a $5 gig. Thatâs valid as well.
I would never audition for a $5 gig. Why? because the amount of words to audition is usually THE amount someone orders anyway if itâs $5. Typically, just from listening to my demo if itâs straight forward (which it usually is), they will hire me from that.
HOWEVER. When it comes to more expensive things like commericials, stuff with animation, and gigs where they may have longer text. Just like with any agency out there⊠they are going to want to know what the talent may sound like on their project before committing to that talent. Itâs just common sense.
Iâm not going to hire an actor in a movie until they audition and I know they are good for the role. Same thing applies to a big project someone has.
Many times clients will just send an order to someone for $5 and the talent wonât know that the client did that same thing for 3 other people (same script) that theyâve already shortlisted to read their script. And out of the $15 they just spent, they will hire ONE of those talents to continue working for them long-term, the one that read and fit their project the best.
I âauditionâ on fiverr the odd time it is necessary, by getting the client to order a small sample gig (so I know they are serious) then discount the amount of that small gig off their final order if they are happy to go ahead once they hear my voice, so it doesnât cost them anything, if that makes sense. I was burned too many times by clients asking for a sample (that sometimes was pretty much their whole job), then disappearing. Happy to do it on other platforms where the rates for the jobs are significantly higher, so the ROI of time is covered, but not here.
2 Likes
Whether on Fiverr or outside of Fiverr, you never give someone a full audition (unless they are a reputable company). Give enough to where they clearly have enough to make a judgement call. Change the company name or phone number in the read. Add a watermark⊠but never give them useable material.