My First Offer of Paid Work!!!!

Scott Wallace · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 25

Quick!!! I am a rank amatuer, but via the internet, some one representing a foriegn government organization (legit email address) has asked me to send them my rates for narrating video productions. What's the going rate per word or second, he says from one to five minutes wotrth of reading in most cases. I'd like to get back to this guy as soon as I can, he pm'ed me, so I'm not about to miss out because I don't respond in time.
Can one of the Voice Pros on this board point me towards what would be fair to charge? I'd appreciate it very much.

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Video narration for what kind of presentation, Scott? And does he want edited or raw audio? F/X? Music?
My basic edited rate would be a $120 session minimum, then 150 per recorded three minutes or portion thereof.
For major broadcast or long-run presentation, I'd add a buyout of 75 to 125%.
I'd dicount from 20 to 50% for volume/repeat business.
You'll get more suggestions, but that's where I'd start...
(and congratulations; good luck!)
Voice On!

Scott Wallace · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 25

Hi Robert, the client wants, dry, edited reads, for what I 'think', because I am not sure, are in house video productions, but it's well within reason that he may also be doing TV PSA's, given the department he works for.
I take it that you charge differently for each one? What do you think?

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

Sorry for the delay, Scott: been busy not voicing all day.

Yes, I'd go with a buyout on TV PSA but not in-house.
It's really part of the process to ask the client about his intended use of your (collectively) project. Don't be shy about that.
And remember that much work might go into a 5-minute audio, what with customer preferences, retakes, etc.
InVoice On!