VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

whalewtchr · Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 8:28 pm Post subject:

all good

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Nikki · Contributor II Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 50

Good points and great information.

Even as daunting as it is, I still haven't been able to get it off the brain, so I'm imaginging I'll be pursuing this further and looking at ways to improve my editing chops so that it's less of a learning curve and a chore when it does happen. (One more thing to learn).

Melanie, thanks for dropping in the long narration info. For some reason, it still strikes me as less cumbersome than the editing involved in an audiobook (which it seems like you're confirming unless I misread) but it still involves that aspect as well.

I've noticed people seem to accept the 'Finished Hour' scale now where it seems like I read 'Working Hour' used to be the standard. Something else I need to keep in mind.

Thanks!

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:32 am Post subject:

It's easy to convert working into finished hours. With an audiobook, if you're doing all production including editing, figure a 4:1 ratio. So if your hourly rate is $150, then multiply that by 4. Your finished hour rate would be $600 per finished hour.

Though, don't expect to actually get that.... Smile

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Nikki · Contributor II Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 50

Very nice! Okay, so you convert and adapt it for what it needs to be. Makes sense.

What do you normally expect to get per finished hour (I'm asking on average and not for you seasoned experts/pros) with all the editing.

Bish · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 10:45 am Post subject:

I'm in a back'n'forth regarding a book read at the moment. For what it's worth, I use a spreadsheet to calculate my fees for a read. It's set up to take the word count and then apply my own variables. For example:

Word count: 100,000
Word count divided by 250: 400 (page count just for reference)
Word count divided by 145: 690 (assume 145* words per min as average read speed)
Convert minute read time to hours: 11.5
Read time multiplied by 4.0*: 46 (production factor for editing etc.)
Total time multiplied by 100*: $4,600 (using $100 as hourly rate)

Just for reference, I then divide the cost by the word count to give me the cents per word rate (in this simple example it's 4.6)

The wpm rate can be adjusted depending on the source material or reading style; the production factor can be adjusted depending on the complexity or customer requirements; and the hourly rate adjusted on how lucky/hungry you feel! I like this approach as it gives quantifiable figures that can be broken down easily. Changing the word count to 96,525, your production factor to 4.25, or your hourly to $95 gives immediate results. It's definitely a sledgehammer to crack a walnut, but it works for me.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject:

Unless you're already a big name narrator, you're not going to get $4600 for an 11 hour audiobook. Expect more of a $2500-$3000 ballpark on a good day. (I'm speaking non-union)
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Bish · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject:

I think your figures are pretty much spot-on. I only used the $100 as a round figure for the illustration. My usual starting point is around $60, which would bring me fairly well in-line with your observation.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

bobbinbeamo · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 8:09 pm Post subject:

It seems to me the audiobook business is booming. A trend I'm hearing about now is doing them on spec. In other words, you'll get paid on a percentage of sales from downloads, etc.
Doing them is gratifying, and like running a marathon. It's a lot of work, escpecially if you record and edit yourself. You gotta keep your characters straight and stay in it for the long haul.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:25 pm Post subject:

Donna · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 9:07 am Post subject:

Perfect segue, Bobbin! I wanted to ask Jeff about that very thing. Jeff, how has that been working out for you? It seems to me that it might be a win-win for everybody involved, or at worst AFLO*.

Another F!!#* Learning Opportunity
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Nikki · Contributor II Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 50

That's very interesting. Doing it on spec in exchange for points/percentages of sale? I'd be curious as to what the 'scale' is for that in balance to not asking for an up front payment.

But like an author who might get a percentage of royalties, is there any sort of upfront payment at all to the narrator in this new type of trend?

In a way, it gives me hives to think about. At the same time, seems very intriguing and could potentially pay off well on a good book.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:11 am Post subject:

Nikki · Contributor II Joined: 09 Jul 2010 Posts: 50

Maybe this is just the sales person in me rearing her head, but how is it being presented/propositioned to the authors?

I know 'no-brainers' are often too good to be true for most people. And granted, if it's a new 'company' it always takes a while to build trust, but it sounds like you have credibility (worth it's weight in gold) down to a science.

Which is good.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 4:15 pm Post subject:

It's marketed as an inexpensive way for authors to get their audiobook made professionally with the same distribution as the major players. We have distribution agreements with Audible, OverDrive, SimplyAudiobooks, etc. We also have contacts to get their books in the hands of reviewers such as Audiofile Magazine.

And productions starts at a pitifully low $50 per finished hour.

Of course, they give up 80% of the royalty to the narrator at first, but once the narrator is paid back the agreed upon rate (which may never happen, admittedly), then the royalty flips in favor of the author. The narrator is still rewarded with a small cut for the lifetime of the book.
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Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

As someone who listens to a fair amount of audiobooks, I can tell you that the good narrators are a true joy to listen to, and probably don't get paid nearly enough for the talent they exhibit. And at the other end, there have been a few I've listened to that may have otherwise been good books, but I bailed out of early because the narrator just wasn't making it (for me).

And I'm sorry, but I just realized that my comments have little to do with your original question.

Never mind..... Embarrassed