O.K, what is the going rate???

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006, 14:53 (GMT) Post subject:

I have probably always priced myself below what I should simply because I've worked on the other end in radio as a producer for years and know how very little radio stations are willing to pay freelance talent to voice a spot. Also, I work with several small, one-person production shops who have been VERY good to me, sending me steady work for several years. I know they don't have much budget to work with and I figured, if I can voice a spot and shoot it to them in 10 minutes, then $50 for a :30 or even a :60 still equates to $300/hour (in theory). Nonetheless, when replying to jobs here on v123 I use the ratesheet provided here and also from TOS. On very large local jobs I'll sometimes work a deal, such as $800 for an hour of finished audio on a mammoth e-learning project I've been working on for months. The client is thrilled, I'm making plenty of money on it, and they've promised another project after we (finally) wrap up this one. Part of it is having a realistic idea of your client's budget and deciding it it's worth it to you to do it within that budget. But if you can build up long-term, repeat business, it's often worth it.

I just recently sent an e-mail to all of my clients telling them that on 01/01/07 I would HAVE to raise my rates, and showed them AFTRA rate sheets to prove I was still a good deal. Every single client said "no problem! You're WORTH IT!" So the relationship-building enabled me to raise my rates but not lose my clients.

Randall Bigham · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006, 01:33 (GMT) Post subject:

please excuse my ignorance, but what is a "buy-out"?

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006, 02:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Robert, Jesse, Randall - you all have good points (and all the rest of you as well). I believe you do have to take market size into consideration. I've got a little indie TV station in my hometown. I go to church with the production director. We have a special deal - he gets a good rate - and when he has a client that has deeper pockets he tells me to charge more. The other issue is volume. I deal with several MOH clients at a corporate level. When you buy 600+ messages a year - you by-golly get a better rate.

Not to beat a dead horse here; but the "voiceover-whore" debate will rage long after we are dust. I've said it before and I'll say it again, cost of living is a huge factor in your rate. I can charge less for almost anything than someone living in Manhattan. I will also, in general, have fewer opportunities than that person. I also pay less for a gallon of milk, a pair of jeans or a gallon of gas than a person in L.A., but that person is more likely to get a recurring role in a cartoon.

Maya Kuper · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 97

What is a buy-out?

Bascially, it's the fee paid to non-union voice talent to do a spot. A *union* (SAG or AFTRA) talent would be paid both their session fee ($400ish), plus residuals (paid every time the spot airs, can add up to thousands). A buy-out, on the other hand, means that no residuals will be paid. When you negotiate a buy-out, always make sure that you specify a time period. For example, a $500 one-year buy-out. This means that if the client decides to run your spot again next year, you should get them to pay you more!

Does that help clear it up?

Randall Bigham · Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2006, 00:46 (GMT) Post subject:

thank you for the explanation. Very Happy