International VO Rates

[billh]

Ok I went and took Eric's post he made awhile back. Hope you don't mind Eric. But I thought it would be best to use a members request that will reply and post comments to this topic.

 

This is what he requested.

 

“You're listening to the first Belgian Country Music Radio station on the internet, this is Nashville Rock”

 

The reason for this post is to get voice over artist to post what they would need to do this in their currency. I want an honest reply don't over price or under price it. What would be your fee for doing a read like this.

 

If you can post it for a dry read and produced. Also post what the fee would be in other currencies.

To Convert your currency I linked to a page you can use.

 

http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/market/currencyconverter.aspx

 

Also as we know the currency rates change so they maybe different. But over all they should be close.

 

 

For example: Lets say a dry read is $10 in US Dollars.

 

$10 US Dollars = 6.39 British Pounds

 

$10 US Dollars = 14.53 NZ Dollars

 

$10 US Dollars - 7.31 Euros

 

Or we can use Pounds, say it cost 10 pounds to do the read (dry).

 

10 Pounds = 11.45 Euros

 

10 pounds = 15.65 US Dollars

 

10 pounds = 22.73 NZ Dollars

 

 

So now the question becomes, Is the above pricing worth doing the read for in each currency?

Is it worth the VO's time to do a read.

 

I am doing this to see if we can come up with a standard price that everyone can agree upon. So post your fee and lets see what we can come up with. It may or may not work.

[JBVoice]

The exchange rate is always changing...so there is no possible way to set a default rate. Alot of my clients in other countries I give them the amount in USD and usually it is cheap for them because of how weak the USD is these days...no my response to this is there really is no point, just everyone pay is USD and let paypal do the conversion ;)

 

 

-JB

[kiwiborn]

I am with JB on the US dollars. Better to stick to the one currency.

However I for a terrestial station for a liner like that, I would charge US: $25-300 dollars, dependent on if it was for local, regional, or national station. Obviously, the larger the market the more the charge.

[kiwiborn]

Oops.. so in answer to your question, for that liner if it were terrestrial station, $37.50

 

I understand that internet stations have much less funding, so I would negotiate with them, but it would not be less than $20.00.

 

Because I always do at least 4 or 5 takes, and then edit them all and give the client the choice of which they prefer.

 

So for that line you would be looking at close to 15 minutes work.. which, at the hourly rate I charge is $37.50 without editing charge (Min. hourly rate $150.00, editing $50.00).

 

Of course everyone charges differently, but the quote I gave you for rates is industry standard.

[billh]

JB, I understand what your saying. But what about setting a price for BW thats what it's for. I'm not suggesting everyone change their pricing on their sites. Or charge the same fee when it comes to their business.

 

Would it be worth coming up with a rate in US dollars or what ever, for BW only? I'm just trying to find away to get some type of suggested rates. Everyone could agree to use for the VO's on BW. What each voice over artist charges their clients outside of BW is their business.

 

I'm just trying to find some type of fee that the people can go by when they request a line or two.

That they can afford, as we know a lot of people asking for the VO's are running their station as a hobby. So they aren't making a lot of money, if any at all. And I'm sure they know that creating a VO takes time. I don't think everyone running a station as a hobby isn't willing to pay a small fee for a VO.

[kiwiborn]

here's what I suggest. How about we have a minimum donation of $5.00 for a 1 liner?

That way, the vo artist gets a thank you.... and the receiver appreciates the work gone into it. If they are willing to pay a nominal amount, means the person is genuine and not a hit and runner.

I see that as win/win. The artist doesn't feel used and unappreciated, and the person requesting the service values it more, cause they paid for it.

[EricVdM]

and what with the low life guy's (or girls) who askes for a liner or something else, you do all the work and they don't return?

[billh]

You can make VO's and put beeps or something in it and only give the person a clean copy after they pay.

[billh]

I made a quick demo I added background sound to rockbgsound and bgsound is just the sound.

 

If you put that in an mp3 file. I think they'll have a hard time removing it.

If someone request a VO and they don't pay they don't get the clean VO.

[JBVoice]

JB, I understand what your saying. But what about setting a price for BW thats what it's for. I'm not suggesting everyone change their pricing on their sites. Or charge the same fee when it comes to their business.

 

Would it be worth coming up with a rate in US dollars or what ever, for BW only? I'm just trying to find away to get some type of suggested rates. Everyone could agree to use for the VO's on BW. What each voice over artist charges their clients outside of BW is their business.

 

I'm just trying to find some type of fee that the people can go by when they request a line or two.

That they can afford, as we know a lot of people asking for the VO's are running their station as a hobby. So they aren't making a lot of money, if any at all. And I'm sure they know that creating a VO takes time. I don't think everyone running a station as a hobby isn't willing to pay a small fee for a VO.

 

Oh, well that makes some since...however, BW is known for "free" samples, the problem is that people come requesting projects that would normally cost $20-$1000. For 1 liner, $5 donation would be acceptable... If someone keeps requesting freebies and not donating, thats when you just not do any freebies for that person lol. I mean, if they are active users/contributers on the site, I don't mind giving out more freebies. To be honest, I would like to see BW expand the "Requests with donation offers" similar to what other sites are doing as I see that to be a good idea. Someone posts what they are willing to donate, artists submit a watermarked copy and whoever the person selects...pays them, and then voice artist uploads the un watermarked copy. This has been proven to work well, and I hope to see more users using this option.

 

I agree with you though, a suggested donation rate would be very helpful for both the poster, and the voice over artist. Everyone wins! lol

 

 

Sorry if I'm not making since, I think this snow has been driving me crazy!

 

 

-JB

[kiwiborn]

You can make VO's and put beeps or something in it and only give the person a clean copy after they pay.

 

That is precisely what I do when I do auditions, or send work to first time and unknown clients. I send them a watermarked copy for their approval.. if they are happy with it, they send me the funds. Then they get their product, but, only once I have the money in my paypal acccount.

[JBVoice]

Kiwi, thats the way of the business Never give product before receiving payment..I made that mistake :x

 

 

-JB

[kiwiborn]

Kiwi, thats the way of the business Never give product before receiving payment..I made that mistake :x

 

 

-JB

Hard lesson to learn JB... I have always done that right from the begining. The only exception I have ever made to that rule was when I did the Merke, Sharpe & Dohme, commercial late last year...

[JBVoice]

Yeah, it really depends on the client. I trust some of my regulars...but never first time clients! I lost a $200 production because I sent it (after seeing an email from paypal that "payment has been received") not realizing that they only sent $1 lol. Oh well, I learned my lesson. This is one reason why I encourage my clients to use my "prepay" service. That way, I don't get screwed over...Works really well and people like it.

 

-JB

[kiwiborn]

Oh that really sux. A lot of money to lose. What wankers! Well, I believe in what goes round, comes round. They will get theirs at some stage.

Prepay is a great idea, how do you get it to work for you?

[JBVoice]

Well, what I do is offer a discount for anyone who prepays. $40 prepay = $50 credits..and so on. Savings add up depending on how much you prepay. After receiving the payment, I use a client management system to keep track of each client's balance. Every time I record a voice over for them...I deduct the amount from their account. When their account reaches zero, I either send them a refill invoice OR I let them manually do it on my site.

 

No real problems have come so far, though sometimes people will just put $40 and instantly buy $50 worth of voice overs (internet radio pricing) which forced me to make the rule that you can't empty your balance all at once

 

The reason I like doing the whole discount is because rather than getting a few jobs here and there, I get more than what I am working for, and simply doing the work over time or as needed.

 

It's not for everyone, but it works out well for me

 

-JB

[johny c]

Not wanting to sound like a downer, but say the person will pay $10 for a liner. 10 of us make that liner watermarked and the person picks the one they like and pays the maker the $10. But the other 9 have made one as well, taking the time to watermark it, so in fact the other 9 have wasted their time for a chance to make $10. We might as well have just given it to them for free as we have already done the work and not got paid. Just my thoughts sorry.

[GKIye]

I found these rates who can be interesting to this topic :

http://www.voices.com/voice-over-rates.html

[JBVoice]

Not wanting to sound like a downer, but say the person will pay $10 for a liner. 10 of us make that liner watermarked and the person picks the one they like and pays the maker the $10. But the other 9 have made one as well, taking the time to watermark it, so in fact the other 9 have wasted their time for a chance to make $10. We might as well have just given it to them for free as we have already done the work and not got paid. Just my thoughts sorry.

 

You are very right. But remember, you're trying to market your voice. So, if you do your best, they select you and hire you in the future at standard rates At least thats what happens in my case..

 

It comes down to, are you willing to or not. I understand your view though..

[billh]

I think we all agree we are trying to come up with a fair price. After all we are trying to help the small radio stations, people doing it for a hobby, I guess you can call it.

 

Yes a voice over artist will be spending time to make the VO, but as JB said they may have you do VO's at your regular rates.

 

I was also thinking about the currency rates.

For example say the agreed fee is $10 US Dollars thats about 6 British Pound or about 7 Euros.

Would it be worth their efforts to do it at that fee? Thats what we need to figure out. A fee that is fair to all the voice over artist and a price people can afford.

 

Look at the price list GK put a link to.

[JBVoice]

That would be acceptable by me...for BW members and internet stations/non commercial stations as this is my normal rate either way :3

 

I understand what your trying to get out. Makes sense.

 

=JB

[frankallen]

Hey Guys,

 

Ive been reading the threads in my email and though i should just add that the pricing or donation amounts was never an issue with me. If you start setting a minimum amount you are going to cut off your own noses to spite your face. There are some honest, respectable people that will donate a good sum to you.Setting a minimum amount you will all earn less. My point was always about courtesy Please and Thank you a little something back from the person asking for your time in form of contributing to the forums nothing more nothing less, maybe for some of you it is an issue but not for me.

 

Frank

[JBVoice]

Hey Guys,

 

Ive been reading the threads in my email and though i should just add that the pricing or donation amounts was never an issue with me. If you start setting a minimum amount you are going to cut off your own noses to spite your face. There are some honest, respectable people that will donate a good sum to you.Setting a minimum amount you will all earn less. My point was always about courtesy Please and Thank you a little something back from the person asking for your time in form of contributing to the forums nothing more nothing less, maybe for some of you it is an issue but not for me.

 

Frank

 

Very true. I have no problem with giving a way some freebies in my spare time. I make most of my income through my contract clients. As long as I get a simple thank you, I'm satisfied...oh and donations don't hurt ;)

 

-JB