RATES FOR RADIO IMAGING (LINERS, IDs, SWEEPS)

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

I've been contacted through my own web site for rates to do a Spanish FM radio station's imaging. I read Jennifer Vaughn's suggestions in Alburger's book regarding limited buyouts, retaining control of your voice, and such (good comments), but of course no actual rates are provided and I don't see any radio imaging rates on V123's suggested rate sheet, or the one provided by ToS.

To those of you with radio imaging experience:
[list]> what are fair rates for liners, sweeps, IDs?

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

I've only had one private response to this. I'm counting on all you radio veterans to please give me something to go on regarding the fair rates for this type of work. If you're willing to provide this information publicly in this thread, I'm sure it will benefit everyone.

Thanks in advance.

Nik

Adam James · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 180

Nikki,

Here in the UK I understand the going rate is about £15-£20 a script. Production Companies charge as little as £5 for a liner, so I would think maybe about £2-£3 per liner or sweeper. I think it really depends on the station, the script and the expertise on your part. If you feel you are worth more then charge more. I suppose the risk there is that you outcharge yourself and the companie goes elsewhere.

It also depends on how much work they expect you to do, ie. a handful of liners, or 2 pages of scripted Idents.

Hope that is of some help!

Let me know how you get on

Adam

www.djadamjames.com

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

That's about $10 US per liner $40 per script (assuming a few liners or IDs per script). I only had one other response so far, which listed one voice talent who charged $200 a month unlimited for liners and another voice talent who charges $500 per page dry reads.

As with a lot of other types of jobs, we're all over the place on pricing when it comes to imaging. There are a lot of variables of course, size of the market, long-term versus one-shot retention, length of the run. This was for Spanish radio imaging for a station in a large city.

Thanks, Adam, I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to respond.

Adam James · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 180

It is extremely difficult to put prices to things. I have worked in Broadcasting and there is an industry which is all over the shop in terms of pay. It was a case in the end of pricing what you felt you were worth, so maybe the same applies to VOs.

If you know it is for long term use, and they want to constantly get in touch wit hyou for more, then a fixed cnotracted sum sounds like a great idea, and you also know that you will get a decent income. The key to that is contracts I think, that way they can't just ditch you without warning (unless you don't mind that!)

For a big city station I would have said the upper amount of around £200-£300 a month sounds fair, they will then want to get the most from you, which goes a long way to help bump up your demo!

And of course, just be thankful you're getting work! If you ever fancy putting my name about too I wouldn't dispute it ;o)

Hope it all sorts out, which I'm sure it will (law of reasoning or whatever...)

Adam

www.djadamjames.com

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

I definitely fancy putting your name out there. I enjoyed listening to your hospital radio demos. I guess you have a captive audience. Wink

I actually do have a UK client and they do media presentations with DJ support. I emailed your link to them, Proents Group. I did their web audio, their logo design and some other stuff.

Anyway, they're very nice and you never know. Networking is a good thing. Thanks again for your input.

Victor Harris · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2007, 18:31 (GMT) Post subject:

I lost one of my Imaging contracts a couple months back. I was getting a $500 retainer per month. That included about 2 pages of dry reads per month. Anything over that was $200 per page or $10-20 per line. It all depends on how busy your client wants to keep you and how many "emergency" reads they want...lol.

They always want dry reads with no effects or processing...because they are just going to do their SFX magic with it anyway...which by the way, is a real art IMHO. SFX guys get around $10-20 per line to add their SFX to it...if they are subbed out. Of course if they have their own production people, they will do it then. Wink

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

I totally agree with you, Victor - adding SFX to imaging is a real art. Thanks for the input.

Adam James · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 180

Thank you Nikki! I was half jesting but I really do appreciate that. Two problems I am having:

1. Not had enough commercial experience in VO (Had plenty of broadcasting experience though) so it might put off potential VO hunters.

2. I can't afford the £100 membership to this website right now, so the only way I will get work is through hunters directly contacting me. Feels a bit like a Catch 22 situation...

Your audio is superb and very professional. Have you been a VO for long?

I have edited many a sweeper and jingle with SFX, Never put it down as 'a real art' though, just something I do almost instinctively! (All the audio on my website is my own creation.) I agree with Victor though, lots of stations (especially here in the UK) like to tinker with that side of things themselves. A commercial radio station I worked at last year had in house producers, kept costs down as well.

Adam Smile

www.djadamjames.com

Nikki Saco · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 465

Being able to audition will get you exposure and some jobs. But some VO talent get work exclusively through their web contacts and private leads. Incidentally, I've gotten a couple jobs (not just leads) from people reading my posts in these forums. So auditions aren't the only way to get VO work by any means. Wink

I started doing VO in college and worked pretty steadily for a cable TV station (they were new then). But I took a very long break to work in the legal field until 2005 when I returned to VO work. No way do I have the years of experience or knowledge other people here have. But I've done VO work over a longer period of time I guess. I also have theater training, which really does help. Theater people are usually too loud for a mic, but I had the opposite problem, I was too quiet for the stage (until my boyfriend at the time taught me how to project and control my volume). I've been very lucky.

Adam James · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 180

Nikki,

Well I hope to even get auditions, as all the work keeps my fine vocal chords in perfect working order Wink

Seriously though, I am 100% committed to my work, and will undoubtedly purchase full membership in a few months time, but for now I am just putting my feelers out there for work and hope that companies recognise my skills and give me an opportunity to voice for them.

I wonder what the demand for British VOs is for Americans?

Adam Smile

www.djadamjames.com

Heather Ruby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 188

Adam: Just reading your posts with Nikki. I think there's a lot of desire for british voices in America. The whole Supernanny thing, the Simon Cowell thing...media has bridged the gap over the big drink of water, so its seen as a 'status thing' in my perception...to have a british VO on your phone line or web demo.

I haven't looked at your site, but if I were you I would definitely pursue the british angle you have in your marketing.

Best of luck..
Heather

Heather Ruby · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 188

Oops, but then, you see by my avatar, that I have a profound respect for british men, the likes of me Ralph Fiennes! Wink

It's embarrassing...
Over and out.

Adam James · **Voice Talent** Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 180

Well us British men are rather fine... Wink

My plan of action (if you can call it that) is to contact UK production companies and also some American radio stations, as I am off to the states for 6 weeks, a good opportunity to put my name about, and the more people that know of me the better IMO.

Casey Mac · Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2007, 01:24 (GMT) Post subject:

...If anyone has any questions regarding Radio Imaging / Production, please shoot me a pm or drop a line to me (www.loudmouthimaging.com)

I (more specifically my company) specializes in Radio Imaging & Production for radio stations all around the U.S., and beyond! I can give you a good idea of the rate for the market you may be working in. Also, (shameless plug) I would like to offer any production services any of you may have - demo building, etc. Please check out the website for demos - In a world where image is everything, "I have a face for radio". Smile