The awkward issue of discussing payment with clients

Mike Kuhlman · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 27

New to http://voice123.com and looking forward to getting started. I'm non-union. I think I've got a pretty good generic demo already uploaded to My Profile. I've been told by customer service that, when responding to public auditions with a custom demo, simply upload a PARTIAL read of their script, then say "For the complete version..." and discuss payment options.

To talents (yes, my competition): How do you people collect clients' payment? I've enacted the PayPal tab. I've yet to use PayPal, so I'm not sure how it works: Over e-mail? Do I get e-mail notifications that the money is there?

Should we ask for 100% of the money up front, or is it more courteous to request 50% to secure service, then 50% when the final read is delivered? Most of these reads are short enough to perform and send same day. Some of these companies might have 90-day accounts-payable cycles and I'm dreading clients running up a tab...

Do y'all use e-mail for sending MP3s? It seems to me that is the next-quickest method to ISDN, with CD overnight being the next-quickest method after that. What does Fed-Ex overnight cost to send a CD?

Trying to work all this out to develop a smooth-running and profitable business. Any advice is greatly appreciated. This looks like a great site as a resource for both talents and clients! I'm looking forward to rocking and rolling as soon as possible.

Russ McLamb · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Posts: 62

Mike,

As far as payment, for me, all new clients are full payment up front. After a few projects and some payment trust is built, I'll start invoicing. On big projects it's half up front with the remainder due upon completion with files sent after the final payment. I haven't had any complaints so far with this setup.

As far as Paypal, you'll recieve notice to the email you used to setup your account when payment is made.

100% of what I do is delivered by email or setup for download from my server as MP3s. The CD delivery is there if anyone wants it but nobody has used it in over 5 years of fulltime VO.

Hope this helps a little and good luck!

Russ

Mike Kuhlman · **Voice Talent** Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 27

Life-saver, man.

Andrea Rooz · **Voice Talent** Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 25

Hi Mike,

So far, after a couple of months here, I've gotten one gig and for that one I did the gig and then invoiced the client. I think you need to get a feel for the client and if he/she is from a reputable agency or business then you can trust them to pay you once the job is done. After 5 years of doing vo's, I've never been paid up front but gigs done via the internet could be a different ballgame.