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Non-broadcast rates can be tricky. Especially these days with the buy-out terms and in-perpetuity contracts. Know how to protect yourself and price your work correctly.
Mastering Voiceover Rates and Pricing: Your Roadmap to Success
Are you intrigued by the vast and varied landscape of voiceover rates and yearning to explore its intricate topography? Join us on a journey as we navigate the maze of broadcast and non-broadcast rates, helping you become a master of the voiceover industry, delivering top-notch content while meeting your financial goals.
The Two Categories of Voiceover Rates
Voiceover rates can be categorized into two types: broadcast and non-broadcast rates. Broadcast rates apply to voiceovers that you might hear on television, radio, or online, including social media. Non-broadcast rates, on the other hand, cater to internal productions such as e-learning modules or corporate meetings. Your voice will not be accessible for public consumption in non-broadcast voiceovers, and these rates are usually a flat rate charged once - what we like to call "one and done".
The Factors That Determine Rates
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to voiceover rates. They can vary depending on the project and what it entails. Whether it's an explainer video, a corporate narration video, an e-learning module, telephony, or even an audiobook, each genre of voiceover commands different rates.
The Key to Pricing: Time Management and Script Analysis
A critical part of setting your voiceover rates involves analyzing the script beforehand. By calculating the amount of finished audio time that you'll be voicing, you can set an appropriate rate. A typical schedule of rates is often based on time, with price brackets for zero to one minute, zero to five minutes, five to ten minutes, ten to twenty minutes, and so on.
The Medical Narration Niche
Medical narrations usually command a higher price due to the additional time spent on finding out pronunciations or practicing them. If you have the skills and the patience for this type of work, it can be quite rewarding.
E-Learning Modules and Corporate Narrations
E-learning modules and corporate narrations often fall under the non-broadcast category and can be priced similarly. However, e-learning modules tend to be longer, which may influence the rate.
The Art of Quoting
Quoting your clients involves careful assessment of multiple factors, such as the client's size, budget, and project specifics. Also, it's essential to make sure that your voice cannot be used for any other purpose than the script provided. In some cases, you may want to include a timeframe stipulation in your quote, limiting the usage of your voiceover to a specific period, such as a year.
In the wild west of voiceover rates, understanding the dynamics of pricing is critical. The key is to value your time, expertise, and the quality of your voiceover. Remember, just because it's an e-learning module doesn't make it less valuable than a national commercial - you are just as valuable!
Thanks for reading!
Keep on rocking your business like a #VOBOSS
About Anne Ganguzza
Recipient of multiple Voice Arts Awards for Outstanding Narration Demo - Anne Ganguzza is California-based Voice Over Coach and award-winning Director & Producer specializing in target-marketed voiceover Demo Production. Anne's production team creates SOVAS-nominated demos across several genres, including Commercial, Corporate Narration, and eLearning, and her VO BOSS podcast is the winner of SOVAS Outstanding Podcast in 2022.