Seeking Rate Advice from a seasoned bunny vo artist
Hello bunny vo pro's. Yes, you who have crazy good project completed numbers and receive bookings daily. I am looking for advice, or more specifically what to set my rates at for the following:
A project of 500 words :
US$(0.25 per word)
A project of 50 words :
US$(0.28 per word)
What I'm hoping to achieve is to still get speedies BUT, make a little more on the bookings while I'm at it.
I also have that I will accept bookings that pay up to 60% of my rates, as some work is better than no work! Anyway, if any of you super bunny vo artists can weigh in I sure do appreciate your input. I've read the previous articles posted but I'd like to hear from the people doing the vo's themselves. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience and knowledge!
-Dannhy
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Hi Danny,
You can use the "quote" feature on the site to see other pros' posted rates. See who's getting a lot of work, then set your rates somewhat lower at first so you can get some exposure. Keep in mind that the rates you see are what the clients pay, not what the voice actor receives.
With VoiceBunny, look at their pricing breakout and you'll see the talent gets about a third of the overall charge to the client. You can set your rates wherever you like, but from the client's side, their charge will be a good deal higher. That's to pay for the platform, Bunny Managers, promotions, etc. - all the expenses needed to keep the platform operating. (I am not connected to VB in any way other than as a voice actor, btw).
On MY end, I do not have to maintain an expensive studio, entertain clients, spend money on wardrobe (I've recorded in my skivies) or transportation, or handle billing and collections. To me, that means a lot.
So I am willing to set my rates lower because of the ease of working with this platform. Once my work is accepted internally by VoiceBunny, I get my money 30 days later - like clockwork. That's a pretty darn nice gig.
I still list with some agencies, and occasionally pick up work from local/regional producers, but 90% of my income is via VoiceBunny now.
Regarding % of rates: personally I set mine at 90% of my asking rates. That way, I get about what I want, and VB has a bit of wiggle room on the front end.
In general, set your rates somewhat low to get started, then as works picks up, gradually increase the rates (you don't want to shock existing clients). I will raise mine annually to semi-annually, but not more than 5%.
Best regards,
Joe Brown
ADDENDUM: Looked at my own rates compared to the ones you list. We're not too far apart on the 500 word rate, but your 50 word rate is a good deal lower than mine.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I am in retirement years and am working about as much as I want, about 2 VB gigs per week. There are a number of people earning a full-time income with VB. Would enjoy hearing their comments on this topic!
Hi, Gents!
The subject of rates is one we're always trying to improve, for it is not the only function involved in increased bookings, but a determining one nonetheless.
I think Joe B. laid out a pretty comprehensive guide for anyone to follow but allow me to let you in on a little secret: we'll be releasing a new episode of the Top Pros Podcast very soon, which addresses this topic as well so stay tuned!
I'll be doing some research and try to find the relevant topics to reproduce them on this forum for you to read.
Thank you for a great question, Danny!
- Héctor Adolfo Ituarte (VoiceBunny QC Agent)
Hello Hector and Joe!
Joe, I listened to you on the bunnies last featured podcast and enjoyed it!
So, I've been playing around a lot with my rates.
My goal: To get a bevy of daily speedies to boost my stats in order to get more bookings and make a little more than the minimum on bookings.
If I raise my rates even slightly on the project for 50 words and 10 words, the speedies available almost immediately dry up. This is perplexing as I'm willing to take 60% of my rate, which would still qualify me for the speedies. Yet, I don't get any? I cannot figure out the pricing algorithm at all!
Hector, your thoughts?
That's interesting about adjusting the rates. Because of my non-constant availability, I have not done speedies since about the first month I was active with VB. Honestly, I don't think I got many anyway. But good on you for experimenting with those rates.
Hey, Gents!
Got to say I'm equally perplexed, Danny! But I'll be sure to share this post with my fellow Bunnies and the ninjas behind these algorhythms, God knows I could also use the explanation myself!
So, please be patient while I come up with a coherent, definitive answer and as Arnie would say "I'll be back!"
- Héctor.
Thank you!!!! I'd love to be able to take the guess work out of it.