How to make money, or how to make MORE money - recording voiceovers

[Jules]

.

[jbuntz]

This is one of those things that kind of requires a good voice obviously. I remember a while back there was some guy who was working in a major market and just faxed a web address for $25 spots and he had some music libraries and people would send him scripts and all he did was cut the v/o and put some music on it and email the mp3. That probably takes all of 5 minutes for him. Not bad money even at that low of a price.

[lasso]

Make deals with production cmopanies, agreeing to speak up to X pages pr. day at a fixed monthly rate. Deliver the speak via e-mail.

[Wolfgang]

Last year we billed $800,000 in just voice-over work (not including VOs for advertisment, video, just straight up VO projects).... helps justify all the other projects that make no $$$.

Books-on-tape
Educational Testing
Training CDs

[Alécio Costa]

$800,000? not bad at all-lol
Two years ago I had an untypical task of recording HAPPY BIRTHDAY messages along with 2 different versions of thesong happy birthday adapted into "modern mtv acosutical stuff", one for males and other for female. It was a big success here.. but far far far from U$800,000
more similar to cutting the last zeroes!

[Wolfgang]

I encourage you all to seek this business ... we all can use it !!

I'm more than glad to give advise, but won't tell ya who my clients are

Seriously though, these are tough times ... and there is still alot of business to be had. This is a great way to keep the doors open.

VO work is super simple. After you setup the mic, adjust pre's, comps, etc - sit back and punch the transport. After the session, basic post editing (i have channel presets for every talent/mic - usually gate - EQ - MultibandComp {or comp - de-esser} )

Of course, sometimes there is alot of editing, but very simple compared the miracles we've done with music.

[Alécio Costa]

you are right, Wolfgand.
I am somewhat worreied that nowadays people are working more and more and less money is going into pockets. time to rethink market strategies.
Lots of writers are releasing their books in CD audio/rom/dvd formats.

[Shan]

Originally posted by Wolfgang
Last year we billed $800,000 in just voice-over work (not including VOs for advertisment, video, just straight up VO projects).... helps justify all the other projects that make no $$$.

Books-on-tape
Educational Testing
Training CDs

So how would one charge a client for this stuff. And what are some of the rates out there? I have one VO proect coming in a couple weeks. Was going to charge $60/hour(Canadian currency). Do you do per hour? Is it different for Audio books, Training CDs etc. Also, do you use your own VO talent or hire people?

What is the 'Educational Testing' you mentioned?

Thanks.

Shane

[Wolfgang]

Alécio, yes, the time is now - especially with the current state-of-affairs with the record industry. Yes, contact publishing companies - ask for project managers, - make sure you have firm rate cards

And pound home "Quality, on-time delivery, etc" That is all they care about. Quality control is very! important, i always have a producer reading the script during the sessions. After i mix down, i send it to the client to proof, and have them 'sign-off' (yes, they sign a legal document approving it). Then, it is sent for duplication, i ALSO, have the duplicator send me a cassette and CD proof, AGAIN, to make sure no errors are made when they create the glass master. And another editor will listen to the cassette/CD and proof it again!

Why do i do this? We once had a first pressing of 50,000 contain errors .... it was a typo, yet, we never had the client sign-off, and we had to eat the cost :-( and fix the error.

Shan,

We charge $120 first hour, $100 remaining hours. That includes room, gear, engineer, producer/editor.

These are flat rates. Same rates for editing, revisions, etc. Keep it simple. Of course, rates vary depending on region, competition, clientel, etc.

We have a very good talent pool, locally. Maybe 12 males and 10 females. Although, i also use talent all over the globe, especially for language translations and advertising.

And several times the client wants a 'well-known' voice, we will usually phone patch to another studio, or record via ISDN line.

Long play is almost always in-house.

Eductional testing: At least here in the US, all states are required to test the aptitude of students K-11, Math, Science, English, Social Studies, etc. This testing is important for funding. And of course, to see if the kids are being educated!!

We provide audio versions of these test for the learning disabled, sight impared. This is all contract work.

Hope that makes sense, typing faster than i'm thinking ;-)

[Shan]

Thanks for the informative post Wolfgang.

We charge $120 first hour, $100 remaining hours. That includes room, gear, engineer, producer/editor.

Does that also include the Voice over talent? If it doesnt, what are some of the going rates maybe from a semi-pro talent to a popular voice?

I'm sure most of your business is word of mouth now but how did you start promoting and making yourself known to the public about the voice over services you offer.

Thanks

Shane

[RaGe]

To those recording audiobooks:

How do you deal with the turning page noise issue?
Usually how long is one session and how many chapters can be read?

Also I noticed the audiobooks are usually published by a diff. publisher than the regular book, anyone knows how those sort of deals go? (kind of OT, sorry)

[csiaudio]

Would love to have some insight of how to market a voice talent without using a service...or is a voice pool service the best way??

Thanks

[ROBB007]

Shan if you would like to know the process we at Marpole would be glad to show you we have been serving the lower main land for over 15 years Logic Audio apoggee * avalon* great* river neve*uad and distressers**This process takes many hour 's of promotion and many many evenings wearing a 3 piece suit listening to clients who think they know everything about the music industry and you thought musicians were bad?Oh yea be prepared to have those music and schooling degrees on hand these people are a different breed in fact never never say you were or are a Musician this counters up images of the morley pedal guy with long stringy hair smioking you no what...Just a tip from a neighbour.

[Shan]

Originally posted by ROBB007
Shan if you would like to know the process we at Marpole would be glad to show you we have been serving the lower main land for over 15 years Logic Audio apoggee * avalon* great* river neve*uad and distressers**This process takes many hour 's of promotion and many many evenings wearing a 3 piece suit listening to clients who think they know everything about the music industry and you thought musicians were bad?Oh yea be prepared to have those music and schooling degrees on hand these people are a different breed in fact never never say you were or are a Musician this counters up images of the morley pedal guy with long stringy hair smioking you no what...Just a tip from a neighbour.

Greetings neighbour, I'll take you up on your offer. And thanks for the advice. Been slowly getting the VO talent pool together and did a couple jingles and TV commercials. The $ per hour doing VO work is just way above doing Indie albums for me. I'm putting together a short demo at the moment.

Shane