VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:33 am Post subject: Rates

We click on the link that reads "RATES" and see an extensive list of calculations to help us establish the cost of hiring Dick Thrust - a 64 year veteran of voice overs/air talent/shoe shine boy and catwalk model. ON NO WE DON'T!!! What we see is the following.

Every project is different except for those that are similar or nearly the same. We at Dick Thrust productions LLC tailor our productions to keep in mind your production and a whole bunch of other stuff. sometimes we can't be bothered so we just pluck a number out of thin air and hope you will go for it. Click here to send us the details of your project and how gullible you are or give us a call to discuss your requirements as it would be pointless to give us a call to discuss other people's requirements.

The message from potentail clients is clear (a) If you have a rates page PUT YOUR RATES and that means a number or set of numbers. ( cool

If you are not prepared to put your rates get rid of the rates page as it is doing you a disservice.

brianforrester · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:41 am Post subject:

I'm not sure that I understand why any non-union talent would post their rates on their website anyway... for that matter why any talent would post their rates, since union rates are readily available and known by the industry.

I have a rate sheet that I work off of, but it's for my use I don't send it to anyone and quite truthfully have no intention of doing so in the future.

Why would you post something in black and white, that may or may not be in line with what a potential client can or cannot pay? While I have a rough guidline that I work from, Mr. Bob's House of Bolts is in all likelihood going to get a different rate than is a large multi-national corporation. However, if I post my rates, I'm pretty much pigeon holing myself to a certain rate level, and the perception that my rate reflects my ability, either appealing to Mr. Bob, Mr. MultiNational or somewhere in between. Why would I want to do that?

I personally prefer to handle each inquiry from a potential client on an individual basis. If I post my rates all they have to do is look and possibly click away. However, if they looked in the first place they were obviously interested in what they heard from my demos, why not encourage them to either send an e-mail or pick up the phone, at least that way I have the opportunity to guage their interest and work some magic!

I'm actually quite interested to see what others have to say on this one. I'm sure that there will be those of you who think my point of view is absolutely off base, but that's what this board is all about!

Cheers,
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Brian Forrester Voice Overs
www.brianforrester.com
brian@brianforrester.com
778.668.5715

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:49 am Post subject:

From a website a potential client needs to discover who you are, what you do, what you've done( no, what you've REALLY done), how you sound and how to get in touch if they like what they have discovered. When contact is made then is the time to discuss money.

Charlie Channel · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:55 am Post subject:

I have a rate sheet. But, it's not published. If someone wants my rates I send them a link to it, with a caveat.

When I first contemplated getting into this business, I thought all I'd be doing is voice. Then, the gear came. Then, clients who want music. Then, the need to engineer and, finally, master the content. There's a lot of stuff involved and it varies by client.
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Charlie

Hart · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:45 am Post subject:

That's a question I've been mulling. I've seen lots of sites (including some members on this site) with a RATES link and some variation of what Banksey posted. I'd love to hear an opposing viewpoint on this if anyone has one.

SoundsGreat-Elaine Singer · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

Personally, I like it when v/o's post their rates for all to see. That way I can gauge if my rates are in the ballpark. Would I post my own rates? No - for all the reasons mentioned above.
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Elaine
The Youthful Mature Voice (Emeritus)
Senectitude is not for the faint of heart.

Drew · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:15 pm Post subject:

I'm most curious as to whether a VO with over 64 years of experience could still live up to his name. Shocked

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Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:00 pm Post subject:

This thread is starting to tread the line.

Watch it.
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