Dave Courvoisier's Blog

Archive for the ‘Pricing’ Category

So many variables go into the setting of rates for freelance entrepreneurs.  That’s my opinion.  Others differ.

The arguments can get quite philosophical — wrapped up in value judgements of self-worth, market conditions, and even personal relationships.

I’ve heard ‘em all.  I especially love the hard ‘n’ fast rules that always seem to come from the highly successful long-time voice actors who typically will say something like:  “….I never even turn on my mic for less than $450…”

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

Those of us still struggling to keep a daily flow of work…who are developing a full stable of clients…who are ever seeking the threshold of fair pay for hard work… THOSE kind of hard ‘n’ fast rules are elusive.   At least they are for me.

Let me relate a story that just happened to me:

The call came out of nowhere.  A local producer wanted to hire me to be the voice of a conference being held in Vegas…I quoted directly from my rate sheet, and he seemed happy with that, AND my work.  All good all around.

Then he asked if I could refer him to a voice actor of the female gender.  He had another project, and needed a certain type of voice.

I returned to him a couple of names and contact information.

One of the referrals — a seasoned voice actor with a sterling reputation — returned a thank you, and continued to keep me in the loop with communications back and forth.

Then came the e-mail today.   She quoted him a price for the project they were negotiating, and then he returned to her an email ATTACHING MY RATE SHEET. She then very nicely mentioned in an email to me that she hoped she hadn’t scared-off my client because her rate was “…significantly higher than mine.”

OUCH!

Reactions:

– The client faux pas’d by sharing my rate sheet in the first place (I told him so)

– I launch into a gut-wrenching rationalization of my rate sheet

– I also launch into a soul-searching re-evaluation of what I’m worth and what I charge

On the VO-BB some time ago, the notion of “SPINE” became popular.  Rightly so.  The idea being that only those Voice actors with spine will stand up and ask for the price they truly think they’re worth.  Raise the bar.  Take charge.  Have chutzpah.

Great!…but there’s just this one caveat….

CourVO

Take a moment, if you haven’t, to read the comments to my blog Splitting Hairs from a couple of days ago.  I appreciate it so much when people respond to thoughts here, so thanks to Anthony and Wayne.

Let me just reprint another comment made by a close personal friend here in Las Vegas.  A guy who’s successfully run his own company for 25+ years before the economy shot his legs out from under him.  His response to my re-post of the blog on FaceBook sparked a lively debate between us over hors d’oeuvres tonite.

His argument comes from the perspective from that many some years of dealing with all kinds of hardball knuckleheads in his business (civil engineering), and it made me open my eyes.

Dave, welcome to my world!! If I had a dime for every discounted service I prepared in the hopes of landing the “big project”, I would be rich.

I call this the “call girl principal”…… The value of services rendered diminishes rapidly upon delivery of those services! Don’t take it personally and don’t enter into an agreement expecting a pat on the back just because you thought you did good work. The only way you will know if your services are valued is if they send you more work.

I have learned after 25 years in business that it is not about what you think is good, but what value your goods/service brings to THEM. Don’t assume you know what is best for them because you will be wrong every time. Your “rich” client didn’t get to where he was by being freindly and compassionate. He got there because of adherence to strict business rules.

What should you do? You should realize you’ve just learned a very valuable lesson and use it to strengthen your business acumen. Secondly, get a retainer!!!

His comment drew this remark from another LV friend:

I have only been in the business of providing a fee based service for a relatively short time but I too have learned that any service provided without a signed agreement, if not an agreement and a deposit, is a service provided for free.

Take solace in the fact that your willingness to work on ahandshake is noble, and I admire you for that. Although it does not provide the monetary reward you may have expected your talent and dedication will.

Thank you for sharing your story and opening it to the rest of us to comment.

CourVO

Thanks for all the constructive thoughts, people!

Maybe I’m late to the party hearing this, but if you were on the fence about whether or not to purchase Source Connect, now might be the time.

For the next 10 days…until January 31st, their long-standing price for Source-Connect Standard is going up.  Right now it’s at $395 with a 6-month service contract, but on Feb. 1st, it goes up to $650.

OUCH!!

Yeah, this would definitely be the time to move on it if you were going to.

Click HERE for more info, then click on “pricing” for the word on that deadline.

CourVO

Marc Cashman distributed an e-mail late Monday that contains a response by an un-named friend in the VO biz to a growing concern about pricing, buyouts, expectations, and general questions about the worth of our work.  Marc is an accomplished voice actor, and coach, and runs one of the most respected audio studios in the LA area.  I don’t think he’d capriciously send this out.

Here’s Mar’c intro:

“I thought I’d share a letter from veteran voice actor and respected colleague who shall remain anonymous. Feel free to pass this on to your colleagues as well.”

His colleague’s written response is below the fold.  I think there’s excellent food-for-thought for all of us in his words, whether we agree or not.

CourVO

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'Ran across the following listing on a website that matches freelancers with people offering work.  
I won't say what site, but it WASN'T V123 or Voices.

It WAS a shockeroo and an insult, though.

What people think voice actors should accept as pay for good work is astounding!
(see listing by clicking below)

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