How do you handle a request for Monthly Retainer?

Kathleen Keesling

Hello all! This is a first. I have a person who contacted me on the "other site" requesting my monthly retainer fee.

Is this a common practice? Or...is this potentially a RED FLAG to some sort of sc. am?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Confused

Tom Greenlee · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 22:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Kathleen....you tell him that it depends on the retainer....retained by handcuffs is 300 per month and retained by leather straps is 500 per month. Laughing

I'm sorry. I honestly can't answer your question. I do know it's a legitimate question tho.

Kathleen Keesling · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 22:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Robert Jadah · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 23:04 (GMT) Post subject: Re:Retainer

The retainer does not necessarily exclude you from other work, Kathleen, although the client would likely enjoin you from voicing for his direct competition.
Generally, it simply means that he has dibs on your services when he/she needs it. For example, he may need your availabiltiy on a certain day and/or time every week.
You're then his. And you're bound to work the client's voiceover needs for the duration of the retainer, be it six months, a year, or whatever.
It's generally used for high-volume telephony, or a series of ads or shows.
Quite the opposite of a sc. am; it's a sweet deal if the retainer amount is sensible.
Viced On!

Victor Harris · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 23:17 (GMT) Post subject:

I'll try. It all depends on what u r doing. Alot of radio and tv station promo work involves retainers. Around $150-250 for radio and $250-400 for local tv. I am on retainer for a national cable network, so, its more. What they want, is your time. They will use you at will...sometimes they may not. Along with the retainer u will have an agreement on fees for actual VO recording as normal. Retainers can vary alot from one to another. Retainers can also be used for other than radio and tv stations...like branding. Where a client wants to use your voice always for their product or as a spokesperson. Hope this helps since u didn't say what type of client offered it. Wink

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 23:21 (GMT) Post subject:

One word.

Limits.

Make sure everything is spelled out.
How much $$$ you get, and the max in time/spots/pages that it covers.

Additional work can be billed at a discounted rate, if you're so inclined.

It is a sweet deal, as long as it's not the moon they're asking for Wink

Let us know how it works out - Big Congrats!,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

Lynne Alston · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 23:36 (GMT) Post subject:

Congrats kathleen, sounds like a great opportunity.

Tom, would we have expected anything less than your answer, must say still LMAO

Victor that was a very helpful breakdown of how retainers work, and Joe, good points to take into consideration.

Thanks

Lynne

Kathleen Keesling · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 23:41 (GMT) Post subject:

Thank you, Robert, Victor and Joe. Does anyone here have a sample of how a retainer agreement reads. Perhaps to PM me? I know its a lot to ask and I hope I'm not being rude.

I don't want to shoot myself in the foot in making an error on this.

BTW, I have requested more information from the client since I was not confident in the scope of what type of term or commitment they require.
hilfe

Victor Harris · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007, 23:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Retainer copy. I can't help....sorry. Wink

I would guess if they r asking, they already have it. Wink

Kathleen Keesling · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007, 00:02 (GMT) Post subject:

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007, 00:13 (GMT) Post subject: was it for radio imaging

The3 only place I know where retainers are used is in radio imaging.

Small market exclusives can run $300 - $500 per month

larger markets $1,000 - $3,000

Of course this all depends on the volume of material they expect to have you voice.

It would help to get an understanding of what you're being asked to do. Is this imaging? Is it broadcast? Is it someone who wants you to come over every night and read their 9 year old daughter bedtime stories?

Each is valid and each has a price point.

I would ask them if they had a standard agreement. If they do, this would be a good excuse to get yourself an agent. I'm pretty sure most agents wold agree to represent you if you called them up and said Hi, I need someone to negotiate a monthly retainer agreement for me.

If you already have an agent, then use them. It's worth the 10%

Robert Jadah · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007, 00:38 (GMT) Post subject: A gent-le touch

I'm not sure I agree with the agent suggestion.
Clients at these sites are not here to follow standard showbiz practice.
Were Kathleen's new agent to suddenly ring 'em up...they may bolt.
At this stage of her career, she may be better off going it alone in a short-term agreement. In the months ahead, an agent can then be eased into an established business relationship.
Advice On!

Victor Harris · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007, 00:47 (GMT) Post subject:

Kathleen, what kind of gig is it for?

Kathleen Keesling · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007, 01:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Victor Harris · Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007, 01:39 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm cool with answering questions. I think at this juncture until you find out more about what they are looking for, I would be careful to not give an exact quote...IMO. Wink