How Do I Know What to Charge For A Voice Over Gig?

You worked extremely hard at perfecting your sound and you finally got your first gig. Wait, what should you charge?!? Well, let's dive deep into this question to make sure you get paid your worth. There are different methods to charge for voice-over jobs. Here are the most common methods:

Monthly Retainer: The client pays a set amount each month to compensate you for ongoing work. In this scenario, you should negotiate your rate based on the average amount of work per month. Furthermore, you should agree with the client on a maximum amount of work per month at that rate.

Hourly-Rate: for the time you spend at the studio.

Project Fee: A flat rate for the project regardless of the time you spend working on it.

Session Fee: A flat rate for the recording session regardless of the number of projects recorded during that session.

Corporate Video

Companies use corporate videos for various reasons, such as internal communications and business promotion. The duration of such videos is usually 5 minutes, but it can vary depending on the client and the purpose of the video. The rate of a 1-hour session that includes recording, production, and editing typically starts at $500.

E-Learning

A standard e-learning module is about 15 – 30 minutes long, and each course consists of numerous models. Although the rate depends on the size of the content to record and the languages required, the usual rates for e-learning voice-over projects start at $0.20 per word.

Audiobooks

The average audiobook is around 10 hours of finished audio. Audiobook material is usually recorded and edited by the voice-over actor without the involvement of a producer. The rate of an audiobook finished hour starts at $170.

Commercials

In addition to the usual recording and production fees, the rate of a commercial voice-over project includes an additional usage fee that is proportional to the scale and reach of the commercial.

While the production fees are straightforward, you will need the following details about the project to negotiate the usage fee:

The mediums where the content will air, such as T.V, Radio, and social media.
Number of the commercial spots (if applicable)
Broadcast dates

The average production fee for a commercial is $650, and the usage fee range from $1500 – $3500.

Telephone IVR

Voice-over talents who work on telephone IVR projects charge an average of $15 per prompt. However, many telephone IVR projects are small and has just a few prompts. In such a case, you should opt for charging your minimum fee to cover the session cost.

Video Games

There are many factors to consider when doing voice-overs for video games. Doing a character voice-over for a major publisher is different from doing voice-over for a budget indie game. Generally speaking, however, the fee for recording 100 lines for an indie game character range from $650 – $1400. Now…go and get your money!