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Cheap VO
- Thread starter VODood
- Start date
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Mike Walker
Guest
OBVIOUSLY they think out work is worth more. They're "middle men", out to screw the talent, and resell in a more competent way. Makes me sick. We've got to learn to be as effective at selling ourselves as the products our clients advertise!
As disrespectful as this guy is to the industry, talent working for pennies doesn't bother me.
You see, when I first started out on the freelance kick, I charged nothing...And yet, I couldn't land any work. I tried, I worked at it and my rates were ridiculously low. Then one day, another talent gave the lecture about underselling myself and cheapening the industry. So I jacked up my rates to the point where I thought they were too high. Like magic, clients started rolling in. If you have a decent product to offer, it becomes worth whatever you charge. Just like perfume and handbags, placing a high price on VO automatically creates a demand and clients that are looking for quality are far more interested in talent with a higher price.
Since then, I've learned to use higher rates as a selling point. On the occasion that a client mentions how much cheaper they can find talent for, I have no problem being arrogant and telling them that a cheap spot is going to sound cheap. If they want my level of quality, it's going to cost them. If they want their business represented by something that inexpensive, so be it. I have even said, 'Do you want your business wearing K-Mart or Armani?' So far, none have ever backed out after that. I'm willing to fudge my rates a bit to help stay in line with their budgets (especially if there's a high volume of spots), but I still keep everything reasonable. And they keep paying for the simple fact that I tell them my product is superior. It's a fun little game!
You see, when I first started out on the freelance kick, I charged nothing...And yet, I couldn't land any work. I tried, I worked at it and my rates were ridiculously low. Then one day, another talent gave the lecture about underselling myself and cheapening the industry. So I jacked up my rates to the point where I thought they were too high. Like magic, clients started rolling in. If you have a decent product to offer, it becomes worth whatever you charge. Just like perfume and handbags, placing a high price on VO automatically creates a demand and clients that are looking for quality are far more interested in talent with a higher price.
Since then, I've learned to use higher rates as a selling point. On the occasion that a client mentions how much cheaper they can find talent for, I have no problem being arrogant and telling them that a cheap spot is going to sound cheap. If they want my level of quality, it's going to cost them. If they want their business represented by something that inexpensive, so be it. I have even said, 'Do you want your business wearing K-Mart or Armani?' So far, none have ever backed out after that. I'm willing to fudge my rates a bit to help stay in line with their budgets (especially if there's a high volume of spots), but I still keep everything reasonable. And they keep paying for the simple fact that I tell them my product is superior. It's a fun little game!
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woodyj98
Guest
I saw the same add on allaccess and all of a sudden, I didn't feel so bad for getting $25 per spot at the cable office for the TV VO's I did for them. It should have been $50 but had I been in a top 100 market I would have made more. I totally agree with the thinking Emmett. I use the same principle when I give a price on my mobile DJ service. If they don't want to pay the price I tell them I have another jock that will do it cheaper and they tell me they want me and I tell them that MY services cost more because I have been doing it since age 15, so that is 30 years I put into the mobile thing. Same principle applies to any service industry. If you don't want to pay $50 for a steak dinner and you want steak, then go to Golden Corral, you can get steak, chicken fish all for about $10. Cheaper steak, cheaper VO, it's all the same.
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uppendowndadial
Guest
Does that mean the higher the price, the older the steak?woodyj98 said:
LOL. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
BTW, that guy's domain isn't up yet (probably cant find a web designer to work for five bucks). But you can sure as heck run a whois on it.
I found him on myspace. He's a 24 year old dee jay (the turntable kind) in Denver that claims at any given moment, 300,000 people are hearing his voice because of all the stations he voices. I couldn't find any voice demos on there. He likes headshots of himself a lot too. 
It must be nice to voice so many stations without needing a demo or website!
It must be nice to voice so many stations without needing a demo or website!Most gourmets know that higher priced "aged beef" is better..so there.
A client who asks "how much" is already trying to find a deal..and I personally like deals..However as Emmet mentioned clients are just like anyone else. They want the best they can get for the money they have to spend. Who can blame them? However percieved value comes with a price tag. Bargains are available but they are just that..bargains. The product/service client most likely IS paying a whole lot more for the "voice talent costs". I know of several "agencies" that charge 500 dollars for the voice talent while paying 75 bucks TO the voice talent. To some extent that's the nature of the business. The more reputable types will charge a higher rate, but usually will pass on the lion's share to the actual talent. Typically if I get 150.00 to 250.00 for a project, I find that the client actually pays 200-350 for my services through an agency. That's okay. But to sell "air passing over your teeth" for 5 bucks for a half a minute is all they're getting. "Air, with vibrations included" and to find that the original client is paying 100.00 to some guy is an insult.
Sadly..I woulld be interested to see how many people "secretly" send demos to these folks just the same. Five bucks is five bucks after all. Would you speak for 30 seconds to put a gallon of gas in your car? Who wouldn't?
Like Emmett and so many others on the board here I place a higher value on my product, and it's not ego. It's pride in product...and those who can afford this product may avail themselves of same with a passion and skill that only experience and years can provide. In addition they get a partner in thier product or service that truly cares how the spot performs and will make the adjustments to ensure a quality production that gets results.
Do that for 5 dollars!
A client who asks "how much" is already trying to find a deal..and I personally like deals..However as Emmet mentioned clients are just like anyone else. They want the best they can get for the money they have to spend. Who can blame them? However percieved value comes with a price tag. Bargains are available but they are just that..bargains. The product/service client most likely IS paying a whole lot more for the "voice talent costs". I know of several "agencies" that charge 500 dollars for the voice talent while paying 75 bucks TO the voice talent. To some extent that's the nature of the business. The more reputable types will charge a higher rate, but usually will pass on the lion's share to the actual talent. Typically if I get 150.00 to 250.00 for a project, I find that the client actually pays 200-350 for my services through an agency. That's okay. But to sell "air passing over your teeth" for 5 bucks for a half a minute is all they're getting. "Air, with vibrations included" and to find that the original client is paying 100.00 to some guy is an insult.
Sadly..I woulld be interested to see how many people "secretly" send demos to these folks just the same. Five bucks is five bucks after all. Would you speak for 30 seconds to put a gallon of gas in your car? Who wouldn't?
Like Emmett and so many others on the board here I place a higher value on my product, and it's not ego. It's pride in product...and those who can afford this product may avail themselves of same with a passion and skill that only experience and years can provide. In addition they get a partner in thier product or service that truly cares how the spot performs and will make the adjustments to ensure a quality production that gets results.
Do that for 5 dollars!
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uppendowndadial
Guest
I for one would not. And I do not send out demos to blind ads like this one was. I do spots for local cable systems, and that price point is already mentioned here. But, like you said, Jeff. There is pride in product. If this guy is a moble DJ with a myspace page, he is obviously not serious.
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Matt Damrow
Guest
A lot of good advice ended up in this thread?
Good stuff, guys!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to Denver (I'm familiar) and hang this yutz by his b*lls. ;D
A Happy St. Patty's Blessing to all the production brothers & sisters of the world,
~ Damrow
www.MattDamrow.com
Good stuff, guys!
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go to Denver (I'm familiar) and hang this yutz by his b*lls. ;D
A Happy St. Patty's Blessing to all the production brothers & sisters of the world,
~ Damrow
www.MattDamrow.com
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