Who's Doing These Jobs on the Cheap?

Ken Theriot

I was just contacted by a potential client after sending in a proposal for narrating an audiobook that was 60,000 words long. His posted budget was $500-$1000. My typical rate for works this long has been 8-cents per word, but it sounded like a fun book, so I went down to 5-cents per word and quoted $3,000. He sent a message to me saying the following: "Thank you for your interest in our recent project. Although I enjoy your voice, unfortunately I have strict budget guidelines I must stick to. We will be posting several jobs per month if you see something within your budget range please feel free to respond."

This leads me to believe that he must be getting SOMEONE to read 60,000-word books for a rate of less than 2-cents per word, right? When you count the reading, editing and finishing of a complete audio book, my pace is usually about 3-4 pages per hour (most of that is editing). So for 40 hours of work to do this one job, I'd be making $25 bucks per hour.

Am I on crack? Or is that REALLY low pay for a big job like this?

Thanks!

Ken

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 17:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Ken -- you're right; he's looking for something super cheap. And I know of no one who works that cheaply, but I suppose he does (or thinks he'll find it!) I did a discount at the same rate you quoted and got the very same note from him. You're not smoking crack. (well, at least I hope you're not....nasty stuff, that....) Stand firm.

Greg Houser · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 17:52 (GMT) Post subject:

you'll find two types when it comes to this stuff. The first are those who don't understand this industry and will unintentionally lowball. Only after hearing the auditions or having a disaster (or near disaster) from sub-par talent will they get the hint.

The second are the "something for nothing" crowd. You could give them Don LaFontaine for their project, charge them $150, do a dozen retakes based on changes to the copy, and they'll still complain that you cost too much.

Unfortunately, it's the nature of these online systems.

I won't lower my rates regardless of the client's budget. If you can't afford me, you can't afford me. To do so is unfair to the rest of my client list who do pay my rates.

Robert Jadah

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 18:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, but Mr. J., by your own reckoning, you'd still be over this particular person's budget. Thinking too highly of ourselves, are we? Laughing

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 20:55 (GMT) Post subject:

I was going to start a separate topic, but the issue I was planning to call attention to meshes quite nicely with this one. In the past several days I have received at least 5 or 6 SmartCast reinvitations. Invariably, they are for jobs with extremely low budgets.

I didn't respond to them the first time and I disposed of them the second time around, as well -- and for the same reason: the money made it not worth the trouble. Obviously, I was not alone in staying away from the cheapo gigs. Clearly the reason for the reinvitations is that the seekers did not like any of the demos they got from the people who were willing to work for such insultingly low compensation. I actually think this is a good sign that the free marketplace is working as intended.

When we see these low-ball leads there is often a fair amount of hair-pulling and cries of "Why does Voice123 allow these seekers to post these crappy jobs?" But the fact that people who are worth more are not dignifying these requests with answers tells me that we don't have to be quite so fearful that the bottom will drop out of the voice over market.

So, maybe the answer to the question, "Who's doing these jobs on the cheap?" is "Nobody."

Maybe, when the second round of responses produces yet another collection of sub-standard demos, one or two of these seekers will take the hint and realize that they need to up the ante.

Bob Bair · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 21:07 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm always impressed by the speed of some people's editing abilities. I did a 50,000 word audio book just a few weeks ago. It took me about 32 hours. If I sit in front of that screen editing for more than 5 hours straight I start getting punchy.

Greg Houser · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 22:12 (GMT) Post subject:

September Day Leach · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 23:07 (GMT) Post subject:

Yep, lots of re-invites this week. And I am always much more comfy giving a high price once the seeker has listened to 50+ talents and still haven't found what they're looking for.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008, 23:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Greg Houser · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008, 05:56 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm curious if any of the seekers who've posed here have ever received a mass e-mail of the type we're regularly subjected to?

This would put a lot of questions and concerns to rest.

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008, 15:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Greg, in answer to what I believe you're asking, no. Seekers receive updates on changes or "improvements" to the service, trying to encourage job posting, but I've never (and I am a "seeker" too) received anything slapping my hand, or "educating me", the way I do as a "talent/producer". Talent and producers who pay for access to leads seem to be viewed almost like employees by the v123 folks. Whereas "seekers", who pay nothing to post jobs or have access to the "talent/producers" are treated like customers. It's so strange. I've never seen the like.

Greg Houser · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008, 16:18 (GMT) Post subject:

that's what I expected.

Says a lot to me, as it should to the rest of you.

/actually monitored the offerings from this site for the past two weeks (not a "privledged member" so I usually don't... only one spot met my normal rates based on the work involved.

Scott Pollak · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008, 00:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Ken, I've done an audiobook before and it IS low-paying but not that low. And I responded to that same lead, quoting quite close to what you quoted, and got the identical reply.

WE determine our worth, not the client/seeker. If you're willing to work a job like that for that kind of pay, then that's what you're worth. Funny thing is, over the years as my rates have eeked up, I've gotten better jobs and felt much less inclined to 'sell my soul (voice?) ' I believe I'm worth more than what this client wishes to pay and he will probably get his proverbial 'money's worth'.

Robert Jadah · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008, 02:13 (GMT) Post subject:

The true wonder and value of forums such as this are well demonstrated by the frank and civil discussion here.
I, for example, have read and considred it often, and have done a complete turnaround.

I have come to realize it is cavalier of me to trumpet for professional rates elsewhere, yet rationalize my way to lowballing quotes in audiobook.

Oddly, I then quoted Friday and Saturday for a 60 and 100,00-word read respectively.
Without any other calculation gyrations, I instead went with eight cents per word, and won both gigs.
My relative comfort and speed with audio reads should affect only my turnaround quote, and not the price.

I'm grateful to my peers for helping me to see the light (sort of; I mean, I'll now be in my darkened basement for the next three weeks.)

Advice On!