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Voice Actress & Vocalist. Youthfully enchanting, audience romancing & quite contrary to the ordinary.

Mary Morgan VO

Beware of the Generic Voice Over Email

January 15, 2022 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

Funny title for today’s blog post right? Well, there’s a reason for that. Last November, I received an email with the subject line “CASTINGS / BARN TALENT/ SEEKING MGMT REP”. For this post, I used fake names for the agency and the owner’s name, as well as marked them out on the email screenshot as I don’t wish to slander. I sensed this email was blasted to many people all at once and upon reading the note, I was right!

The first sentence as you can see, says: Hope all is well. This email is only being used for submissions of new talent. Then someone who called themselves Barney’s Assistant (not the actual name) wrote a poorly fashioned letter asking if I was seeking representation, talent management, or more opportunities.

Next, there was a super short description of the agency being around for 10 years and working with top casting directors, producers, etc, a request to visit the company website for more information, and an invitation to submit my demos. Oh, they also included the phrase “We are freelancing with talent and understand what that entails.”

Unsolicited emails are nothing new and I get them often. But I decided not to respond to this particular one for quite a few reasons:

As I mentioned above, I could tell the email was blasted out to lots of people. It started with “Hello” instead of “Hello Mary”, or “Hello Ms. Morgan”. It wasn’t directed solely to me.

Barney’s Assistant didn’t give their real name or even explain who Barney was.

Why was I specifically being contacted? Yes, I’m a voice over but there’s no mention of what genres they work most with or where I’d fit best in the agency’s VO department (if they have one): commercials, animation, video games, promos, etc.

Something told me I needed to find out if other colleagues received a similar email. So, I went on social media to visit a few voice-over groups and lo and behold, almost every talent and colleague I knew as well as many, many others had received the EXACT same email! Everyone questioned the legitimacy of the agency and who was Barney’s Assistant? But alas, there were no answers, just memes, and jokes.

A friend and colleague discussed some very interesting points as to why this email backfired the way it did, and I got his permission to share them:

The email was impersonal/generic. They didn’t address their message to anyone in particular and therefore had no idea who they were contacting.

The message felt arrogant, as though the receiver was expected to know who exactly Barney was and expected me to trust that they really know the business.

The proposal seemed fake and much like a scam. With no name from the sender, “Barney” was either acting as his own assistant or he had hired someone inexperienced at writing emails. The note felt like a “jump in the bandwagon while it’s hot” scheme or a “let’s make lots of money together in this new venture” propaganda completely ignorant to the nuances of what a successful voice acting career would entail.

The email was poorly planned with terrible use of phrases, typos, and little to no knowledge of voice-over other than starting up a department for it. If this is how they communicate with voice actors, what does their communication with casting directors, ad agencies, producers, and directors look like?

The sender didn’t do proper research on whom they were emailing. They more than likely found a list of names somewhere and sent their email to anyone with an address.

Instead of curating a roster that fills a need for the agency or their existing talent, they just wanted to add as many names as possible, which means they didn’t value the people they were contacting.

Lastly, the so-called owner of the agency, Barney himself, made a video on Instagram defending the email blast by explaining it was legitimate, how much he wanted to build the VO department at his agency, and finally mentioning that his Instagram page was in fact verified.

What’s more unfortunate is that new and unsuspecting voice-over talent are likely to fall for this gimmick which is why I wanted to blog about it. Always do your research! Legitimate agents/agencies DO NOT mass solicit talent. It’s also been reported by various sources that “Barney” shares jobs on social media that are supposed to be confidential, thus violating NDAs!

All in all, it’s not unusual to hear from an agent interested in representing you. It can be rare for certain due to agents being incredibly busy. Nonetheless, beware of generic emails that don’t address you by your name or mention how they found you.

Do your research, ask questions, and be careful out there!

Filed Under: Voice Over Tagged With: agents, Community, emailing, emails, Hard Work, managers, marketing, presentation, professional, research, respect, scams, social media, VO, Voice Acting, Voice Over, voice over artist, voice over career, voice over studio, work

The One Voice Conference Experience

September 18, 2021 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

Hello again! It’s… been a while. Last year was a nightmare, this year has been a mix of good and bad, but it’s not over yet.

[Read more…] about The One Voice Conference Experience

Filed Under: Voice Over Tagged With: Advice, Animation, commercial, Community, Conference, convention, Hard Work, Knowledge, Learning, marketing, networking, One Voice, One Voice Conference, presentation, professional, promo, research, respect, Video Games, VO Talent, Voice Over, voice over artist, voice over career, voice over talent

Do you have a thick skin to work in Voice Over?

January 29, 2019 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

They are out there lurking around the Internet waiting for the right opportunity to strike you down with malicious criticism. Yes, I mean the trolls. The online bullies. The ones who look for any excuse to ruin your day or your whole life. They love to linger on YouTube so they can dislike your videos and post cruel comments. And when you succeed at something they post taunts and in some cases death threats just to unnerve you. [Read more…] about Do you have a thick skin to work in Voice Over?

Filed Under: Creativity, Voice Over Tagged With: Acting, Advice, attitude, bullying, Commitment, Community, criticism, Experience, fame, Infamy, Knowledge, Learning, professional, respect, social media, talent, treatment, voice actor, voice actress, voice artist, voice over artist, voice over career, voice over studio, voice over talent, voice over website

Are you a Jack of All Trades?

December 3, 2018 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

Warning, long post today.

I sincerely apologize for having no posts in months. I’ve been terribly busy, dealing with uncomfortable controversies and false accusations and my wedding which was fantastic.

I’ll do my best to post at least every two weeks as best I can. If some posts are similar to past ones I ask that you please forgive me because it’s not easy going back over every post when there’s little time to do so. I’ll try my hardest to share new information as much as I can.

So, how do you define a “Jack of All Trades”? [Read more…] about Are you a Jack of All Trades?

Filed Under: Creativity, Voice Over Tagged With: Advice, Community, Creativity, explanation, Hard Work, honesty, IMDb, Jack of All Trades, Knowledge, Learning, practice, presentation, professional, proof, questions, recording, red flags, respect, social media, Training, truthful, VO, Voice Over, warning signs

Warning Signs

March 6, 2018 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

Not everyone approves of the #metoo movement, but the fact is, it’s real and it’s happening. What does this have to do with voice over? A sad fact is that predators also prey on voice over talent. A recent story has come to light about a highly respected coach by the name of Peter Rofé. I’ve been fortunate to work with TRUE coaches who are masters at the craft and helped me get where I am. However, I know that only so many other VO talent can claim the same thing. It really made me angry when I learned a horror story that happened to my friend Heather Costa, an amazingly talented voice. And because I’ve been a victim of sexual harassment twice I my life, I felt compelled to make sure this story was shared everywhere, especially to new potential talent reading my blog.

[Read more…] about Warning Signs

Filed Under: Voice Over Tagged With: Advice, Community, Learning, professional, research, respect, social media, support, Training, Voice Acting, Voice Over, voice over coach, warning signs, warnings, work

Voice Over and the importance of Marketing, Marketing, Marketing!

January 23, 2018 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

This is a topic that goes on and on and on and on because there’s just too much information and commitment involved. Thus, it’s the reason why every year new books are published on the subject of marketing with hundreds of pages of new data collected. [Read more…] about Voice Over and the importance of Marketing, Marketing, Marketing!

Filed Under: Creativity, Voice Over Tagged With: Commitment, Community, Creativity, emailing, Hard Work, inspiration, internet, Knowledge, Learning, letter writing, Linkedin, marketing, presentation, professional, research, respect, social media, VO, voice actor, voice actress, voice artist, Voice Over, voice over artist, voice over career, voice over studio, voice over talent, voice over website, work

Kindness and Respect, You Need Both

November 7, 2017 By MaryMorgan 2 Comments

I know, I know this is nothing new, I’ll admit that. But lately I’m asked by lots clients to help find VO for projects which I’m happy to do. However, it reminds me of certain people whom I keep on a list. These people are either pros, intermediates or even beginners. When I started out, many were helpful and encouraging, yet there were also those who happened to be quite established and turned their noses up at me, sometimes literally upon introduction. When I asked acquaintances why these pros treated me in such a way, they listed a few reasons: [Read more…] about Kindness and Respect, You Need Both

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Voice Over Tagged With: Advice, attitude, Community, Ego, fame, Infamy, inspiration, kindness, Knowledge, Learning, Life, Life Lessons, presentation, professional, Rejection, reputation, respect, social media, Understand

Reasons why Voice Over can be hard work

October 30, 2017 By MaryMorgan 2 Comments

Please forgive me for such a long delay. October is my busiest month, not just for voice over but for my other careers. I am a severe workaholic, but I’ll my best to keep up with posting every 1-2 weeks.

So for today’s post, as always, please read but keep an open mind. The information here is based on my own experiences and that of some of my colleagues and friends. I don’t speak for everyone. And don’t let what I have to say discourage you from your VO journey. My only goal here is to share knowledge.

“I’m a Voice Over and I feel like I haven’t worked a day in my life.” When I first started in VO, a teacher actually said those words at the beginning of the workshop. Looking back, I would have started laughing out loud if I knew then what I know now. [Read more…] about Reasons why Voice Over can be hard work

Filed Under: Voice Over Tagged With: Advice, Community, Creativity, Hard Work, ideas, inspiration, Knowledge, Learning, practice, presentation, professional, recording, respect, scams, Training, VO, Voice Acting, voice actor, voice actress, voice artist, Voice Over, voice over artist, voice over career, voice over studio, voice over talent, voice over website, work

Embrace the Art of Learning Voice Over

August 17, 2017 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

 

Patience is a virtue often underrated due to a fast-paced society we live in. People want to be famous right now so that others will grovel at their feet and pay money to see them at a convention. They want to be rich so that they never have to get a 9 to 5 job or splurge on ridiculous luxuries. The list goes on of course.

However, if everything happened quickly, how would you handle the consequences of what comes after?

[Read more…] about Embrace the Art of Learning Voice Over

Filed Under: Voice Over Tagged With: Acting, Advice, art, Commitment, Competition, creative, Creativity, Do Your Best, Hard Work, ideas, inspiration, Knowledge, Learning, practice, presentation, recording, respect, social media, Training, VO, Voice Acting, voice actor, voice actress, voice artist, Voice Over, voice over artist, voice over career, voice over studio, voice over talent, voice over website, work

10 Reasons Why You Won’t Make It As A Voice Over part 1

July 24, 2017 By MaryMorgan Leave a Comment

Due to this post being quite long I’ve made it into two parts. Before criticizing the negative title of this post please know that it’s not meant to discourage; it’s meant to explain what you need to be doing today to be a voice over and the reasons that MIGHT be stopping you. [Read more…] about 10 Reasons Why You Won’t Make It As A Voice Over part 1

Filed Under: Creativity, Voice Over Tagged With: Acting, Advice, Commitment, Community, Competition, Creativity, Hard Work, inspiration, Knowledge, Learning, recording, respect, Training, VO, Voice Acting, Voice Over, voice over artist, work, working

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