Here are the latest questions from my correspondent, Ann. I’ll post both questions here, and my responses below them.
Ok, Bob, here’s another Q for you.
When you answer a job post, what type of letter/ proposal do you submit along with your file.
AND
Do you always do a custom demo when that’s requested or do you submit a generic?
I have more questions where these came from!!!
Ann
And my replies:
Ann,
Most of the time, I include only a short “thank you” comment for the opportunity to audition. If it seems like the situation might call for it, I sometimes include my website URL and/or my cell phone number. And even more rarely, I may include a comment about some of my experience or equipment if the job posting seems to require such an explanation. For example, one post recently asked about having some Christmas holiday music added behind the voice track. I indicated in my reply that I had such music in my library and already licensed for such use.
As for the matter of custom demos, yes, if one is requested, I always record one if I’m going to respond to the post at all. I’ve previously commented to you that I don’t reply to every lead/job posting I receive; but if I’m interested and a script is provided, I always record a custom demo.
There are two main reasons for this. First, most of the time clients don’t ask for a custom demo unless they need one. Second, because I want the client to hear how I sound on their actual copy, rather than having to guess what I might sound like based on my standard demo. And to be candid, I don’t believe I’ve been cast a single time yet based on my standard demo. I would guess I’ve received a few leads based on that demo; but no one has contacted me for work (so far as I know) on that basis.
I welcome your next questions.
Be well,
Bob Souer