Pay to play (P2P) voice over websites like Voices dot com, Voice123, and Bodalgo have become major players in the industry. For voice actors, these platforms can open doors to new clients and projects, but they also come with their share of frustrations. As someone who has used these platforms extensively, here’s my honest take on the good, the bad, and the reality of navigating P2P websites.
How Pay to Play Voice Over Websites Work
The premise of pay to play websites is simple: you pay for a membership, create a profile, and receive invitations to audition for projects that match your expertise. For voice actors, these platforms offer opportunities to connect with clients from all over the world, but each comes with unique pros and cons.
The Pros and Cons of Bodalgo
Bodalgo is often seen as one of the more ethical pay to play websites.
The Good: Bodalgo has a strong European client base, which can be a major advantage for voice actors with international appeal. Clients don’t always expect custom auditions. In many cases, you can submit snippets of previous projects that align with what they’re looking for. This can save time while still showcasing your skills. Bodalgo doesn’t take a cut of your fee—your membership fee covers everything.
The Bad: While the platform is ethical, it doesn’t have the same volume of projects as bigger platforms like Voices dot com or Voice123. Despite this, Bodalgo stands out as a transparent and straightforward platform for voice actors.
The Love-Hate Relationship with Voices dot com
Voices dot com is one of the largest pay to play platforms, but its business practices have sparked controversy over the years.
The Good: Their platform is well-organized, with plenty of project opportunities. Voices dot com agents are friendly and responsive. If you search online, you can even find their email addresses and build relationships with them directly.
The Bad: Voices dot com acts as an agent and takes a 25% cut of your earnings, which is significant. There have been claims that they manipulate project budgets. For example, the client might allocate $20,000 for a project, but only $1,000 is listed on the platform. This lack of transparency has caused concern among voice actors. You never get direct access to the client’s contact information, making it harder to build lasting relationships. Voices dot com’s scale and reach make it a tempting choice, but its business practices leave much to be desired.
Voice123: A Platform That’s Falling Behind
Voice123 has its loyal users, but it has faced increasing criticism in recent years.
The Good: It is considered a more ethical platform than Voices dot com, with fewer concerns about hidden fees or budget manipulation.
The Bad: The platform’s design and functionality are lacking. It operates on a popularity-based system, where more “likes” on your auditions lead to more opportunities. This setup favors those who’ve been on the platform longer or have invested heavily in premium memberships. Competition has grown fierce, and newer voice actors often find it hard to break through. Voice123 might have a more ethical foundation, but its platform design makes it difficult for newcomers to succeed.
What to Consider Before Using Pay to Play Websites
If you’re thinking about using pay to play websites, here are a few things to keep in mind: Membership Costs: Make sure you understand the return on investment before committing.
Transparency: Be cautious of platforms that don’t clearly outline how fees and budgets are handled.
Your Goals: Decide whether you’re looking for a platform to start your career or to expand into international markets. Bodalgo, for example, is great for connecting with European clients, while Voices dot com offers more volume but less transparency.
Conclusion: Are Pay to Play Websites Worth It?
Pay to play voice over websites like Voices dot com, Voice123, and Bodalgo offer opportunities, but they aren’t a guaranteed path to success. Each has its strengths and weaknesses: Bodalgo’s ethical practices, Voices dot com’s scale, and Voice123’s ethical foundation but poor platform design.
As a voice actor, it’s crucial to approach these platforms strategically, understanding their limitations while leveraging their strengths. Ultimately, the most successful voice actors don’t rely solely on P2P websites. They combine these platforms with direct marketing, networking, and building strong client relationships.
If you choose to use pay to play websites, make sure they’re part of a larger strategy to grow your voice over business.
That said, I do think it is very important to be where the clients are. You need to be visible. You need to be able to be found. If clients can’t find you, you won’t get any work. So do create profiles on these platforms, even if you don’t pay for a membership. You never know who might contact you, especially if you’re in a niche or specialize in a certain area.
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