Comments on: Setting VO Rates

By: Paul Strikwerda

Paul Strikwerda — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 22:09:57 +0000

Great post, Dave. Thank you so much for openly sharing some of your pricing strategies.

As English speaking voice-overs, we’re operating in a global market. That means that we have even more variables to deal with. The going US rate for project X might be considered low for a similar project in e.g. Germany. I wonder how many US-based talents are taking that into account.

Jeffrey, do you know that your rate sheet is all over the web? Here’s one source:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23548983/Jeffrey-Kafer-Voice-over-services-Rate-Sheet/

If voice talents feel that they should publish their rates, at least quote a scale. That way, there’s always wiggle room.

By: Stefan Chinell

Stefan Chinell — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:26:52 +0000

I have my (official) rates posted on my website. That way I seldom get into that kind of problem, and can sleep fairly good at night… :-)

I think that nowadays the VO industry is a mass production industry in many ways, wich means it has matured. And I’d rather go with the flow than waste time complaining about things you can’t stop anyway.

By: Philip Banks

Philip Banks — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:35:30 +0000

“….I never even turn on my mic for less than $450…”

Well that’s just all fine and good. Did you start with that?

I know the above quote was a rhetorical question but I felt it was worth an answer.

YES

By: Rates ThreeDux | Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Rates ThreeDux | Dave Courvoisier's Blog — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:20:46 +0000

[...] one is HERE. Part two is [...]

By: Rates Redux | Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Rates Redux | Dave Courvoisier's Blog — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:38:12 +0000

[...] wasn’t overwhelmed with a response to yesterday’s blog: SETTING VO RATES, but the few who chimed in added much to the [...]

By: Dave Courvoisier

Dave Courvoisier — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:23:04 +0000

Thanks for replying guys….
Jeffrey, I don’t have any problem sending out my rate sheet. I do it all the time. It certainly doesn’t mean I can’t change it whenever I want to. I view it as an upfront psuedo-contract so the client can’t come back and tell me I wasn’t clear in stating my rates.
Different strokes, I guess….but I appreciate your perspective.

Dave C

By: Jeffrey Kafer

Jeffrey Kafer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:45:33 +0000

You don’t ever EVER send a client your rate sheet. You give them a quote from it, but you never attach it. Not only to avoid situations like this, but because in time your rates may change.

By: Bob Souer

Bob Souer — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:44:18 +0000

Dave,

Excellent post. I think the idea of “spine” is vital. It’s equally vital to remember that spines are flexible, otherwise you couldn’t bend over to tie your shoes.

Be well,
Bob