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Phone messaging/on-hold

M

marketweis

I know there's no too much cash to be made doing the phone messaging stuff, I guess unless it's pretty heavy volume work, but wondering what any of you charge and HOW you charge....is it by the word, the page, the second??

Is there a minimum amount you work for, so that you're making at least $25 per client for example?

Thanks.
 
You should be getting much more than $25 for on-hold messaging..
 
Most On Hold work is 4, 6, or 8 minutes long. There's maybe 5 blurbs per minute. Do a search and you'll find out what others charge. Are you only WORTH $25 ???
 
I once did the voice-menu/directory stuff for my wife's former company and charged $100/page. $250 for fifteen minutes work... I need to give them a call and see if they need any updates!
 
uppendowndadial said:
Are you only WORTH $25 ???
Click to expand...

Well that's why I hesitated to even put an amount in my posting. It was purely a figure I pulled out of the air, not what I feel my work is worth. ;)

I was asking for advice because most people tell me on-hold pay sucks....I just wondered HOW MUCH it sucks. I figured you could at least protest yourself by charging a minimum, whatever that amount may be.
 
Considering the amount of work involved, on-hold pay isn't bad at all. But it is usually more work for less money than voicing for broadcast. If there are a lot of menus involved, you may spend an hour or more voicing and only make a couple hundred dollars....But that's still a couple hundred dollars per hour. Not a bad racket. But you can frequently make that much in a few minutes when dealing with broadcast material.
 
Several years ago I did a TRUCKLOAD of phone work for a major software company in Washinton State. Did the ENTIRE employee directoy..Nearly 56 pages of single spaced names ranging from (management names) "Robert Jameson", to (lower level teir employees) "Sjapdip Dvardyd" Spent more money on long distance calls to the company to "ask" the employee how to pronounce their names than I got to do the work. BUT turnover ensured that I still got a call to do updates at least twice a month (at 150.00 per set of updates) Not a bad deal really. These days they have the employees say their own names.

Currently I do phone "on hold music-on hold messages" as a bonus for my really good clients, and for BARTER. I have one running at my veternarian's office in exchange for a BIG discount..and I got a set of tires from a local tire place in exchange for a CD of music on hold messages..Also at a local bank that financed out latest studio..It's an easy way to get favors, and or a few bucks.

But here's a really good insider's secret:

Wanna make some really fine money? If you're in a major town call a large realty company that uses the "Talking House" system. Realtors are always looking for a professionally produced Virtual Tour Audio track. Make a deal to be paid AFTER the home sells and offer to do it for .25 percent (yes 1/4 of ONE percent) of the selling price of the house. They ONLY use these Talking House systems in the upper-end homes, and 1/4 percent of a 900,000 home comes out to 2,250.00 dollars! 2250 for around 5 min worth of work..THAT'S HUGE, and the realtors will EAT it up! Even on a 450,000 dollar home..you can still make 1150.00!! And they can usually run ten or more of these in an average office..that's 11,000 or more a month for just a mid-priced house!! Think about that..(and stay out of my markets)
 
Jeff Laurence said:
Wanna make some really fine money? If you're in a major town call a large realty company that uses the "Talking House" system. Realtors are always looking for a professionally produced Virtual Tour Audio track. Make a deal to be paid AFTER the home sells and offer to do it for .25 percent (yes 1/4 of ONE percent) of the selling price of the house. They ONLY use these Talking House systems in the upper-end homes, and 1/4 percent of a 900,000 home comes out to 2,250.00 dollars! 2250 for around 5 min worth of work..THAT'S HUGE, and the realtors will EAT it up! Even on a 450,000 dollar home..you can still make 1150.00!! And they can usually run ten or more of these in an average office..that's 11,000 or more a month for just a mid-priced house!! Think about that..(and stay out of my markets)
Click to expand...

A-ha!...a man who thinks along my lines. I've actually been getting ready to really pound the real estate world for my services, since the number of realtors and real estate companies is virtually limitless. I was wondering how to charge for the ole talking house thing, and your idea is fantastic! I'm sure to them, the 1/4 of a percent sounds like peanuts, but doing the math, it CAN equal some really nice cash. Great idea Jeff!
 
Plus, if you have just a fairly agressive real estate agent you're dealing with, they could sell a quick advertisement message - to somebody like a mortgage company - that could be part of the talking house audio track, which would help defray what they're paying the voice talent.
 
Many realtor's offices HAVE connections with mortgage brokers and will have you add thier blurb in the packages. A few things to remember. Most of these folks have NO idea what we make in broadcasting. When approaching them...I "offer my services to them" for a small fraction of ONE percent of commission, OR 950.00 flat rate per CD whether the home sells or not.. This gives them an "option"..but they have never opted for the 950.00..even if it would save them a ton in the process. Don't know why that is, but having to pay from a commission is more appealing to them..probably because it amounts to NO money out of pocket. Either way.it's a win for all because when was the last time you made 950 bucks for reading a 3-5min script? It is a sweet deal that will probably get sour when a few folks get wind of this, and start selling these directly to agents for 100 bucks a throw..but for now....s-w-e-e-e-t
 
That's awesome Jeff. I'd love to hear a sample of your work for one these projects. Do you just voice or offer to produce too?
 
It IS produced with music. I just also began adding in the listing agent's voice as part of the "glamor" of it all. Usually I ask them to give a little history about the home, and intersperse it with my stuff. I have a few new ones to do for May, and I'll upload one so you can hear one. Usually around 3 min to 5 min in length. Typical script:

Welcome to 12001 Lower Camino View! You are looking at a wonderful 4 bedroom 3 and a half bath estate home located here in the desirable Scottsdale Terrace area. Perfect location and large 1.2 acre lot size ensures a lifestyle you'll love. Some of this home's amenities include indoor roman shower and in ground/indoor jacuzzi tub in the master bathroom...two guest baths upstairs allow privacy for both guest and host, or for an active family. Did you see the master bedroom? It comes complete with a built in wall mounted plasma HDTV!

(perfect for watching sports after sex <---not really)

In the kitchen you can entertain and prepare delicious meals in the large gourmet "cooks centre" featuring Viking and Kenmore Pro-Line apppliances. These units were purchased locally and were professionally installed in 2005. More on this fabulous home in a moment..Here's listing agent Cheryl Russell:

"Cheryl: Your family will love the easy access to all major shopping areas, and state honoured award winning school system. Utilities are provided by Arizona Electric Management Cooperative and typical monthly electric costs are low due to the energy star certification of this home. PacBell DSL is available for Internet connectivity, and although cable television is not available, Dish network, and DirecTV may be installed without a waiver from the local homeowner's association"

"Jeff: truly a beautiful addition is the lush landscaping complete with live oak bushes, and native cactus plants enshrining the bahia sod lawn. All watering is provided via an automatic shallow well sprinkling system. Large backyards are always a bonus, and this home features plenty of room for pets, kids and oppulent entertining. There is also plenty of room to build in a pool or outdoor spa facility. Property values here in the Scottsdale area are typically valued at a 12 percent rise per year, with the average homeowner realizing an over 70 percent profit in less than 5 years. That's nearly 200 percent over the national average. And since we're talking figures..Here's Robert Petulum, CFO of General Finance and Mortgage in Phoenix:

(INSERT GENERAL MESSAGE)

Cheryl: This is Cheryl Russell again, I would welcome any questions you may have about this property number ST-607 in our listing book. Call me anytime at home at 206-555-6666.

This listing, at 12001 Lower Camino View is priced to sell. The seller is motivated and they will also add a 3500.00 new flooring discount. This beautiful two story executive home is under market priced at 855,000. Remember, this is home number ST-607. Take your time, look around all you like...we'll repeat this feature in 5 seconds..Thanks for looking today. We appreciate your time and interest.

ENF OF FILE
 
What kind of document/agreement do you draft to bind your clients to pay you upon sale (you don't scour the classifieds to see who owes you, I hope)?
 
We have a similar agreement to a seller's contract that binds the listing agent to our percetage upon reciept of thier commission. This is signed by the operator of the franchise (century 21, Coldwell-Banker etc) and copies are retained by our business office and thiers. For the small percentage involved and the assurance that thier Realtor's affiliation would be comprommised, we have never had any issues. There simply is no reason to nickel and ime us for the service provided..we help them sell property, and they like the service.
 
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