#webcomp

I’ve been trying to find the words for this for years, so it would mean a lot to me if you could read and share it. Thanks everyone.

When someone downgrades back to an Entry (free) Webcomp from a Pro Webcomp account we ask them for feedback.  We want to know why they canceled their subscription.  Is there something we can do better?  Is there a tool or feature missing that, if implemented, would make Webcomp a more valuable tool? It’s been a year and half since we launched Webcomp, so we have a large enough sample size to begin drawing meaningful conclusions from.  By far, the number one reason people cancel their Pro Webcomp subscription is some variation of the sentiment: “You haven’t booked me for any jobs, so why pay $5 a month?” I can certainly sympathize with the desire not to waste money on something that you don’t think you’re deriving value from.  At the same time, I want to encourage you to think of Webcomp not as a guarantee of work, but as a tool.  When you upgrade to a Pro Webcomp, we are not promising that now you will have access to jobs you didn’t before, or that we’ll guarantee that clients will book you.  If you've been in this business for more than about 3 days you know there are LOTS of companies on the web that take your money and then promise you stardom and fame and riches and unicorns. First, we could never promise success to anyone because our clients are the ones that choose the talent for their job, not us.  We put EVERYONE in TalentSoup who fits the project criteria in front of client and let them choose who they think best fits the goal of the shoot.  That’s our promise to you, and that’s how it really works: if you fit the criteria, you’ll get a look. (For a more in-depth explanation of the selection process, check out Chef’s Secret Sauce: How getting booked in TalentSoup works). Second, as we mentioned above, Webcomp is a tool.  It’s a beautiful way of presenting everything you are as an aspiring professional to the world.  This is especially true of Pro Webcomp, which lets you attach tear sheets, a resume, videos and all the photos you care to include!  The power of Webcomp comes in the built-in sharing tools.  You can email your Webcomp to anyone, and have you seen the email version of Webcomp?  It is seriously gorgeous.  Not just a link (that few people actually follow) but a designed, mini version of your Webcomp in the body of the email. You can share your Webcomp on Facebook or Twitter.  You can use the Stats link to see who’s visiting your Webcomp, and where they’re coming from. On top of the self-promotion features of Webcomp, having a Pro Webcomp subscription puts you at the top of any galleries you are added to and, should you be selected, lets you keep 100% of your fee (agency linked talent have different fee structures as set by their home agency). In closing, I’d encourage Pro Webcomp users to take advantage of the increased photo limits, unlimited monthly Webcomp emails, and other features to promote themselves outside of TalentSoup.  Think differently about Pro Webcomp. And if you’re thinking about upgrading to Pro Webcomp, ask yourself if there’s anything else out there that will give you the tools you need to promote your career for only $5 a month? (Hint: there isn’t!)