I just finished a big project.
By big I mean it was about one finished hour of audio and hundreds of slides worked on over a five-week period. By slides I mean after the audio was recorded & edited, it needed to be chopped up into little bits and each bit saved as a separate file with a specific name. It was for a regular client and it was a relatively easy gig.
Once the project was finished and we confirmed there were no more retakes (when I screw up) or revisions (when they make changes in the script), I confirmed the length of the finished project and the number of slides with the client. The client approved so we’re good to go.
A little while later, I get an email from the “portal” that got me the gig. And no, it’s not one of the big P2P sites. It says on their website that once the project length hits one finished hour, a volume discount kicks in. Since the project was only a few minutes over an hour, the portal left it up to me as to how much to charge. We’re talking a about a difference of a few hundred dollars if I apply the discount.
It was a no-brainer. I gave them the discount.
TIP OF THE WEEK
Never, ever look for the maximum kill. It just isn’t worth it.
That client will remember that I saved them hundreds of dollars as well as did a good job and (fingers crossed) will keep me in mind for when the next big gig comes across their desk.
The key to voiceover success is building meaningful relationships. Meaningful relationships are built on communication and trust, not how much money you can make off of them.
Oh, and if you think I’m a fool for leaving money on the table or lament that you would take the money because of your current financial situation, you may want to re-examine your business model. Just saying.
NEWS AND NOTES
Johnny Heller will be hosting a voiceover retreat October 28-30 at Whispering Pines in Rhode Island. The list of coaches so far are:
Debra Deyan – Audiobooks Carol Monda: Commercial VO and Audiobooks Johnny Heller: Commercial VO and Audiobooks Peter Berkrot: Audiobooks Steven Jay Cohen: Tech, Marketing, Media Tom Dheere: ELearning, Marketing, Business
Rates and details TBA. Bring your Halloween costume!
I landed two more audio books: “The Gift of Anger” by John Solmonese and Judy Shepard and “The Art of Community” by Charles Vogl. Looks like I won’t be hitting the beach much this summer. 🙂
HAPPY HAPPYS
Happy Pineapple Day and Paul Bunyan Day!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I don’t think corporations have heart or soul and ultimately it rubs off on the product. Peter Guber
From my village to yours; this is Tom Dheere, GKN News…
Tom Dheere is a 20-year veteran of the voice over industry who has narrated thousands of projects for clients in over a dozen countries. He is also a coach at Edge Studio, voiceover business consultant known as the Voice Over Strategist, and is currently writing & producing the comic book “Agent 1.22”.
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