Sp O.

A few things:
1.) Booking work on Voices.com can be quite challenging if you aren't among the top 100 talents or don't have rising star status, a new feature they introduced.

2.) Timing is critical when auditioning on Voices.com; if you don't submit your audition within the first 5 minutes of a job posting, it's unlikely you'll be considered. Once around 50 people have already auditioned, your chances diminish significantly.

3.) Voices.com has introduced a "Live Directed Session" feature, which they include in your quote, adding an extra cost to you. It's important to note that directed sessions are not a new concept in the industry; they have been standard practice for many years.

Here's my experience in more detail:
Over the course of four years on Voices, I've had some successes with job bookings and found transparency to be an issue initially. While the platform worked for a while, the dynamics changed, and now it seems like being in the top 100 is crucial for better opportunities. Most of the work leans towards corporate and explainer-type jobs, although there are occasional commercial opportunities too. However, a significant portion of the jobs, like in-perpetuity ads and eLearning narrations, offer relatively low pay.

Though I had a positive booking experience, I question the payment model, as there seems to be a 20% deduction for professional services without clarity on what those services entail. Voices' management can be elusive when asked about it. Additionally, the process can be frustrating, with roadblocks hindering progress just when momentum is building. This is likely driven by their desire to keep more money from talent.

Recently, budgets have shrunk, and commercial work has diminished or pays significantly lower with global usage buy-outs (See attached image). Many job invitations I receive now have meagre payments, making it challenging for experienced professionals. Unfortunately, Voices doesn't seem to prioritize higher-paying opportunities that would benefit talents and job managers. You are often limited within the confines or their corporate structure and have to play by their rules to achieve success. It would be beneficial if they stopped accepting jobs with small budgets, as this practice is negatively affecting the industry.

Regarding customer support, Voices' responses seem generic and don't provide actual solutions; it appears to be damage control for their declining online reputation.

In the past, Voice123 used to be effective for talents, with better chances of booking regular work if you were talented and driven. However, in 2023, things have changed, and the site has become more of a "Pay-to-Play" platform in the truest sense. Booking work now seems to rely heavily on paying for higher membership tiers of $888 and above or being grandfathered in from years of listing, regardless of the changing algorithm. Many at the platinum levels are either recognizable figures or potentially involved in industry scams.

Higher memberships don't seem to be worth it as downgrading didn't yield positive results either. The rating system based on clients' "likes" on proposals can be misleading, as you may receive multiple hires without corresponding "likes," causing ratings to plummet.

The site primarily offers non-union work with in-perpetuity buy-outs and extreme usage terms, which may not be ideal for beginners. The ratio of NonUnion to Union jobs is significantly skewed, with a vast majority leaning towards non-union work.

Another drawback is the site's navigational issues and frequent bugs, causing crashes or freezing.

Reviewers have found customer service lacking in addressing concerns or issues effectively.

Ultimately, the decision to use Voice123 depends on personal preference, but users are advised to be cautious and explore other online sites that might offer better experiences.