A Tip: What To Do When The Project Closes During a Recording

One of the features on Voice123.com is the ability to 'lock in' to a project, giving you one hour to record, and submit for a project. There are valid reasons why this is done, and I would like to share this with you, but also let you know what to do when the project is closed manually by the voice seeker, before you submit.

The reasons for the 'lock in' feature on Voice123:

• When SmartCast came out, there were those who spent three to four hours submitting an audition. These talents were often unable to submit because the voice seeker closed the project, early.
• When SmartCast introduced a limit on the amount of talent that could be requested, a range from 10 to 200, if the quota filled up while someone was recording the could not submit.
  

What does the 'lock in' feature do?

• It simply locks you in for the hour, so even if the quota was reached, the fact that you locked in ahead of time means you still have the hour to submit.
  

So...What is the loophole to all of this?

• It just so happens, for many reasons, that by coincidence at the same time one is recording, the voice seeker decides to click on the button 'close the project' in his/her account.
  

How often does it happen?

• Rarely. To give a number, I only hear of this maybe once a month, and usually when the project is a really good find.
• I know the initial reaction is to request Voice123 to submit the audition, almost forcing it into the inbox, but this is something we cannot do. Why? If a person has made a choice to do something while working online, the last thing they want is another email from Voice123 saying, 'You missed this one.' The comparison here would be, how many talents do not like reminder emails (you can shut those off by the way in Opt In/Opt Out).
  

What can one do when it happens?

• Save the MP3. Voice seekers repost projects: Remember that in this business, based largely on creative opinions, somewhere down the road there may be someone who says, 'I do not like this voice. Try more people.' When this happens, you will want to hold onto the MP3, just in case they repost a project on Voice123.
• Do not be upset: Call this, 'Karma Resolution', but I am a big believer that things happen for a reason. If you locked in, and by some odd coincidence the project is closed during that time, just trust that may be it was not meant to be. Things happen. It is best to always move forward.
  

I actually had this happen to a friend of mine once, also a coach on Voice123. I must admit he was not pleased when I told him I would not submit after the project was closed. The truth is...Back in 2007, while experimenting with ways to bridge community ties, I did submit for a talent after it was closed. It was a very bad idea. The response I received was, 'If I made my choice, why would you send me more people anyway. I get enough email about the one's who have already submitted.' It was the first and last time I tried it, if only, because the email made perfect sense. As Voice123 is a marketplace, we need to facilitate connections as best as possible, and not get involved in an 'agent'-esque aspect.

Besides, if one person makes a decision, the last thing they want is me, 'some guy in computer world', telling him/her, 'Listen to just one more please.' Doing such a thing could prevent voice seekers from using Voice123 in the future, which means less work for everyone. This serves no one in the long-term.

Peace, and save the MP3's.