Hello Terri Daniel,
I dont know if your recall, but you assisted me in putting together a demo several years ago in Louisville. You added one that was a movie trailer that you had done. It’s good to know you are still around. Recently became unemployed and am going to push forward with the voice over work. I am also singing barbershop now with the Thoroughbred Chorus and know how improtant vocal health is. Quit smoking 2 months ago also. I look forward to working with you soon through this website. Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Great advice. I got worried once: after a long read I thought I heard distortion on the track. Looked liked lumps of coal stuck to the waves, sounded like the dreaded ‘digital rattle’ some people report.
My wife, with much sharper hearing than mine, said it sounded just the same as I did, but she noticed I was getting hoarse! Now I trust the trace, and do shorter takes.

I have always wanted to do voiceovers. Never found a resource of info. I can’t wait to dig into your databases. Thanks much for the assist and for your selflessness.

Hi Terry. Well said, as always. Just to cheer us all up, here’s a posting seen this week on a biz to biz site:
“I have a 500 word article to be converted into
a video presentation.
The article will be required to be narrated in an american accent.
I’m looking for someone familiar with powerpoint and windows movie maker.
(Female preferred)
I’ll pay you $5 for the job done”

Great questions, but I feel that they should be addressed in your first communication with the potential client, when they call you for a quote.

Asking “How important is your business to you?” right out of the gate is REALLY going to put any business owner on the defensive. Who WOULDN’T consider their business important, and who wouldn’t be offended by a stranger who even suggests otherwise? I think I’d be upset if someone asked me that in a non-rhetorical way.

And I would address all the questions in a less confrontational way…like this:

“Since it sounds like your business is important to you (question 1), I just wanted to find out your marketing objective for this script. (question 2).”

(they answer)

“Thanks for telling me more about the project. It actually sounds familiar to me since I’m a professional voice talent (question 4) and I’ve done similar work for other clients. Along with my quote, may I send you some samples of those so you can hear what I’m capable of? (question Or, how about a free sample of me reading YOUR script? (question 5)”

(They answer)

“I offer to provide samples, because I know it’s very important to you to have professional audio quality (question 3). You should know that half of my rate goes directly to maintaining my studio (question 9). My rate for this kind of project is _____.”

(they respond)

“It sounds like you’re hesitant to pay my requested rate, and I respect that you want to spend money wisely (question 6). I want to work with you, so I’d like to offer a free voicemail message as well. Are you willing to consider my offer (question 7)?”

(They answer. If the answer is no, tell them you’ll send them a free audition anyway because you’d like to work with them in the future and you’re confident they will be pleased with the quality you can provide. The end.)

AMEN, Terry! You spelled it out nicely!
The whole idea, I believe, is to get a client to think differently… considering other aspects of VO work besides price alone.

And yes, I do have Toto’s first album! I keep their Greatest Hits CD, which won 5 Grammys in my car.

Terry, this blog entry of yours was cosmically-timed. Today a client asked me to do a job for a rate that was…not ridiculously low per say, but it was still a tad lower than what I would consider “economically fair” for lack of a better term. So I threw out a few of the questions you mentioned in this blog entry, and offered to do their phone message system for free.

And guess what? It worked! I got them to agree to the fee that I proposed. It was very gratifying to know that I convinced someone that my job was worth the extra money. Thanks very much!

-Dave

I agree! Good points. A client is either concerned with costs or results – and although budgets are a part of everyday business, a client who cares ONLY about costs is not someone I want to deal with!

I was told by a potential partner that my rates were high compared to what he was currently being charged. He was paying $5 a voice-over and said that it was a huge savings for him and his clients. He indicated that his clients paid him the same for a $5 read as they had for a Pro read and his clients they couldn’t tell the difference. I heard a few examples of his work. The VO sounded like it was recorded in a hallway with a built-in computer microphone. Very sad and worth every penny of $5.

Terry, I understand your indignation at what you see as undervaluing of your professional skills. However, I take exception to your references to ‘so called Voice Talents’. In order to BECOME professional, ie get paid work and build a resume, those of us who are training hard have to start somewhere. Remember, there was a time when you were new to this industry! I train with well respected coaches in LA (including one you use) and have not yet made a demo, so consider it perfectly reasonable to seek low-paying and pro bono work to gain basic experience. Surely there’s room for all levels of experience, with appropriate recompense? I really dislike your insinuation that if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.