Voices.com vs Voice123 | Which is right for you? | Tips from a Pro VO

[@kellilangvo]

Uploaded a sample yesterday….Thanks so much for the opportunity to receive feedback…and for sharing all your experience🙏🏽🙂

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks Kelli! Looking forward to listening 😊

[@megancapoto]

@jaymyersvoiceover thanks for the explained videos it was truly helpful - liked and subscribed 👍🏽where can I send my demos for you to have a listen to?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@megancapoto so glad to have you! If you’d like fast and private feedback, that’s available via my website. Www.jaymyersvoiceover.com If you’re interested in subscriber feedback, here’s the form: forms.gle/qG4gzAARFaeb1vDn6

[@Dean0mac]

So first off thank you for making this video. I know a lot of people have said that. However as someone totally new to this industry but have the drive and determination it is a lot of information to try and compile

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

My pleasure! I felt the same way starting out 😊

[@3dtomecoates92]

Very relevant and helpful information. Thanks so much for your perspective!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You bet!

[@ClydeRougeAmbient]

Thanks for this. I've been receiving a few invites on Voice123 on my free account but today as I was about to submit an audition I noticed the slots had been filled and I needed to upgrade. I'm on the fence as I'm an absolute beginner but I'm Scottish and so have a Scottish accent. There's not so many jobs requiring this I guess but also little competition as there are not so many Scots in the world.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You gotta start somewhere 😉

[@robert_starling]

Hey Jay! Love your channel and voice! Do you like that little ball head mic positioner? I'm always adjusting my 416 and would love more "precision" for mic placement. Thanks sir! ~Robert

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks! And I Love it. 😉

[@BibleHacks]

I really like your content. Thanks for what you are doing! If you are still taking folks who want notes I will fill out your form.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks so much! That’s lovely to hear 😊 And yup! If you want to submit via the form we’re still rolling.

[@BibleHacks]

@@jaymyersvoiceover done!

[@maltefriedrichspricht6085]

Very informative, warm and kind 😉 thanks alot 😊👍

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thank you!!

[@HeraVoiceOver]

Such a great breakdown - thank you! And definitely subbed. :)

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Awesome, thank you! :)

[@incognitocas]

Enjoyed the vid. Which would you rate higher and choose? I've heard both of these are struggling and fewer jobs are appearing. Maybe it's because of AI. I sent some sample audio as well. Subbed and look forward to more of your vids.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks! and great question. Voices.com I think is better for folks towards the beginning of their careers, and maybe unsure of their voice's niche. V123 is better for established pros who can afford to pay into the higher subscription tiers--that's how you get more auditions on that site.

[@incognitocas]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Much appreciated!

[@ErinHerrick1]

Personally found this very helpful. Thanks for all the info Jay!!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Hey HEYY!! You bet!

[@Simon20Jones]

Very helpful video!! very clearly explained - awesome - thank you!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You bet!

[@ArabicwithToqa]

Thanks for your helpful videos. I would like to know which one has more projects for Arabic voice actors.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

My pleasure! I'm glad you find the videos helpful. Per your question, unfortunately because I don't speak Arabic I don't receive castings intended for VOs who might speak the language. All to say, I'm not certain if one is better than the other in this way. However, Voice123 does have a free trial period, so you could perhaps give it a try to see how many castings you receive. If you go down that route, I'd recommend having a range of short ~15s demos showcasing your voice and work ready to upload right away so you can maximize the trial period, and get a more realistic sense of what your experience might be going forward. Alternatively, you could reach out to both companies directly. Voices.com has great support in my experience, and will likely be able give you a better idea than I will. Hope that helps!

[@brianSalem541]

I'm new to VO; still setting up my recording space. Quick question: what is the purpose of demos on these sites if I still have to audition to get hired? Thank you kindly - I subscribed to your channel and look forward to learning from you!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Great question. Your demos and how you categorize/label them are how V123 and clients decide what to send you. For example, if I have a demo for an audiobook the system will send me auditions for audiobooks. In other words, the demos help people find you for auditions.

[@brianSalem541]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Thank you!

[@arkland3532]

Great video! One of my fav channels! Quick question. You said you no longer have accounts with either site. Is there a reason why you do not do business with either website now?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks! That's awesome to hear! Yes to clarify, I still use Voices.com often, just less frequently than when I was starting out. Voice123 I stopped using in part because I simply didn't have time to make the effort worth it for the cost, and that I somewhat disagree/dislike the way the profile discoverability is dictated by "likes" and that your "ranking" relative to other artists on the site is one of the first things you look at, which I don't find personally helpful, healthy, or motivating. I may give Voice123 another try this year once I update my demos however.

[@joywest1078]

Very helpful, thank you! ❤

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You're so welcome!

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

What I don't get about the Voice123 tier system is, how long after the first tier has received audition notifications, does the second tier get them, and so on..? Do the clients have to initiate the notifications to pass down a tier, or does it just automatically do it after a set time? Just trying to work out the nature of the incremental benefits in the top 3 tiers... Great video by the way!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Great questions, and it's kind of a combination. Some is dictated by the client, some is automatic, and some is algorithm based. 1) when a client posts a job, they can 'set' how wide the initial pool of talent available to submit is. This is dictated by Membership Tiers and your profile visibility (i.e. "Top 10% of Talent, or "Bottom 40%" etc.). In this, a Tier 1 Member who is a Top 10% will get access first, then it trickles down from there. 2) The trickle down is dictated by the number of submissions a job gets. Effectively, everyone "above" you in line (as explained above) get's first refusal. If they all pass and there are still open submission slots for the job, you'll get a shot. This is why lower tiers are in my opinion not worth your money unless you're building your elegablitiy for a Tier 1 Membership. (You have to be a premium member for 1 year and an established talent.) Many of my colleagues who are Tier 1 Members, DON'T audition outside of jobs they are directly invited to or simply cast directly in. Many clients will contact you directly without posting jobs, and for this being Tier 1 or 2 is high priority.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Great response! Thank you…

[@onedramaboi]

Hey there, welcome back I hope your break was a nice one! This is very off topic from the video but since April I've been sitting on purchasing an Earthworks Ethos for longform vo and streaming online. And since I'm going to university in a few weeks, I decided to take the plunge and purchase one off Amazon and take one with me (for the price it's also very worth it) and it comes next week! I love the sound of the Ethos, it's a high quality mic with detailed sound but because it's a blank canvas type of mic, it's designed for tweaking to your own voice. I was wondering if you had any tips for any type of highpass filter or noisegate for the mic? :) Of course less is more when doing this kind of post processing and I wouldn't overdo it. Thank you!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks very much! It was lovely. Congrats on the new one! ETHOS is lovely. As far as recommending processing, I'd need to know somewhat the tools/software you're using. BUT a high pass filter at 60-80hz is a good bet for ANY mic. Gating will depend on many more factors that I wouldn't really be able to weigh in on effectively without knowing more about you, your recording style, and setup.

[@onedramaboi]

Thank you for the insight on the high pass filter suggestion- I'll play around with it for sure. It also seems I may have been confused on what a noisegate actually is 🤔 but in terms of streaming or creating KZbin videos, I use OBS which I do recommend for video creation, though it has got a simpler choice of EQ options for audio. One would probably have to buy a mixer to use in real time to get personalised EQ preferences. I'll definitely update you on my experience with Ethos when I receive it however :)

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Ah yes that’s a whole different ballgame 😅 sounds like you’re well on your way though! Lmk if I can help any further

[@elblancoruido]

Hi, Jay! Great video. Thanks for sharing all these important insights. I have a question: do you think having few demos uploaded on Voices might have an effect on the jobs I'm public invited to and the VoiceMatch percentage I'm assigned per job? I only have one demo uploaded on my profile, it's a general one (1:15 aprox) where I included different pieces (narration, characters, inspirational, and so on). Thanks for taking the time to read this comment. Greetings from Colombia.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Hi! Great question. Short answer yes. I have another video on my channel going into greater detail on just that. I’d recommend checking that out, and if you have any additional questions of course let me know!

[@elblancoruido]

Thanks a lot, man! I'm gonna be working on my demos then 😁

[@willpickett5307]

Jay, when you started, how many auditions per week would you say you were tossing onto them internets? Thanks, Will.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Hi Will! Great question. When I was starting I went all out (an important caveat I think just to temper expectations) and was in my booth auditioning/looking for auditions 40+ hours a week. In my first year I submitted over 2000 auditions across a number of websites, mainly Voices, UpWork, and audiobook marketplaces like ACX/Findaway Voices. A more realistic number to aim for I think is to try and submit 10-15 a day, but it's always a game of quality over quantity. 10 bad auditions aren't as effective as putting effort into 2-3 solid ones. Now that doesn't mean you need to spend more time on them, just that volume without intention doesn't get you anywhere. Hope that helps!

[@willpickett5307]

@@jaymyersvoiceover quite a bit! Thanks so much sir!

[@justaguywithacamera78]

I been there over 14 month , all I got is 4 dataset jobs ;( a couple of times shortlisted

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

If you wish, you should send a couple of your auditions in for the Subscriber Feedback videos! We might be able to help pinpoint some ways you could improve there.

[@nicolocutor]

I am spanish LATAM ehat is the best you think?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

That's a great question, and unfortunately, I can't say for certain as the castings I receive are for me and my profile, which isn't representative of how much opportunity for Spanish speakers there are on each of the platforms. I do know both have traffic in that regard, but I seem to recall Voice123 has more international representation in their management and model, which might result in more potential work for you. (Voice123 also has a free 30 day trial so it might be worth trying them out first?) Let me know if you find anything! And thanks for bringing that up.

[@venturaVlogger]

Do i need laptop to submit voice over demos

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Generally a computer/laptop is the easiest and most recommended, though you could submit through a laptop or phone potentially. Sometimes mobile web browsers cause issues with each site's features though.

[@venturaVlogger]

@jaymyersvoiceover is audio interface necessary, or would a USB mic will do??

[@venturaVlogger]

@jaymyersvoiceover how I wish I can talk to you on the phone, if that's possible

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

A USB mic is okay, though entry level XLR mic setups aren't dramatically more expensive (especially if you buy on sale or used)--which is why I typically recommend them. I offer coaching sessions via my website! So if you'd like to chat, that's probably the best way to set up a conversation. :)

[@jarredcannon]

You forgot to mention Voice123's crazy predatory "like" system. If your audition doesn't get a like, you get shown fewer and fewer jobs too not just profile visibility

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Solid clarification. I had lumped that together with “visibility” but good to discuss distinctly.

[@jarredcannon]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Agree, as it isn't about being found anymore, it's about the opportunity to audition. After they explained that to me I immediately cancelled and never worked with them again. Great video, your content is always informative and a pleasure to watch

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@jarredcannon Thanks mate! Appreciate you taking the time to say so!

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@jarredcannon Hmmm...I've got about 8 years professional VO experience and I'm pondering tiers 2-3-4 on Voice123. Sounds like you wouldn't touch them with a barge pole! The "like' thing is exactly what's making me not pull the trigger. Also I'm confused about the exact advantages the Tier 1 has over Tier 2 and so on...

[@jarredcannon]

@@NoLefTurnUnStoned. It may be worth it at the highest tier, but I just believe that a system where your future opportunities hinge on someone liking your current audition is massively flawed on principle, and I'll never go back

[@richelecaragianis3794]

can't find the form

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I'd be glad to help if I can. What form are you asking about?

[@richelecaragianis3794]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Just unclear if my voice/engineering and editing is in the right direction

[@richelecaragianis3794]

I filled out a form and uploaded a file

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Great!

[@richelecaragianis3794]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Did you receive my form and submission?

[@SportsSimp]

Voices123 interface is trash compared to voices.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

It does tend to feel a little clunkier, I agree.

[@SportsSimp]

@@jaymyersvoiceover at least on mobile it seems like it is. I sent you a short 3 minute narration rough draft. It’s actually a novel I’m writing. It’s the first take, so there are slurred words and mistakes lol.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@SportsSimp I look forward to hearing it! Thanks for sending that in!

[@SportsSimp]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Don’t judge me too harshly lol

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@SportsSimp I never do ;)

[@AlienFrequency]

What the heck is an "informative" voice? haha

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Haha think more so in "tone of voice." If you've ever listened to like a history channel documentary or a non-fiction-esque podcast, that's kind of the ballpark.

[@AlienFrequency]

I gotcha. Maybe like the guy who did the bulk of How it’s Made. I thought he was fantastic. So, is voices com worth $500 a year? That’s not a small amount of $ for me. But I know my samples are good.. and my current job has ZERO future.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@AlienFrequency How It's Made is a great example! Regarding Voices, I think it's a great place to get started. Think of it more so as a practical workshop to improve, with real world clients/experience, that might pay you back for your time. Just know it takes patience and consistency more often than not.

[@AlienFrequency]

​@@jaymyersvoiceover That helps. Thanks. I just got an email for $125 off a premium membership. I have 24 hours to use it though... So, I'll probably wrestle with that for 23+ hours before making a final decision...