Thank you! Your take about narcissists telling us to charge top tier rates is spot on. I know am not worth that now, but I can work towards becoming worth that in time.
Kevin, I started watching this and I was so enthused I had to stop it and cast it up onto my big TV to give it the respect it was due. I softly fisted the air and did a Picard clap a couple of times, much to the confusion of my wife. This is the kind of video/thinking/rhetoric the modern industry needs. I wish I had people like you on my radar 3.5 years ago when I went full time, instead of wasting a lot of time, money and upset getting abuse from, and trying to gain the approval of, long time professionals - instead of the people actually paying my wages. I'm starting to see a pushback against bullying gatekeepers, dinosaur theory and toxic behaviour and it's people like you making our industry a happier, more modern place. Thank you for this video my dude. Now if *that's* not a gushing comment, I don't know what is. This message is brought to you by 3.5 years ago RJ Bayley.
Thanks for the kind words. I held off on jumping into this manure fire but I finally just couldn't stand the bullying and browbeating anymore and had to say something. I simply can't stand bullies! My wife says it's because I spent too much time watching "Superfriends" when I was a kid so that may explain my motivation a bit. :)
@@kevinclay You're quite right, and I think in general silver age superheroes are the best place to get your ethics from! The bullying and hazing really got me down when I first started and affected my depression quite badly, given I'd been told this was the "friendliest community you could imagine." It put me right off any of the groups and I stayed out of them for years, and as such mostly did things my own way and figured it all out for myself, and so far that's worked out pretty well. In hindsight perhaps I should've fought my corner and helped be the change I wished to see, but these people were talking with such aggressive confidence it made me ashamed that I was making my living in the 'unapproved way'. I'm pleased to see there's the start of a push back on toxic behaviour and stagnant theorising now I'm poking my head back in the groups. Funnily enough I recently saw one of the people who piled onto me during one such incident recently say he's been doing this a year less than me! 😂 It's really heartening to see this change. Thanks for being a voice for this progress.
Hi Kevin. It's been many years since we hung out together back in Diana. Without saying my name can you guess? You taught me how to play "Without Expression" on the guitar. You also are responsible for me learning the words to "Rocky Raccoon". I have many other memories of hanging out with you when we were young teenagers. Anyway, it's been a long time and I was surprised and happy to find you on here. It looks like you're doing good for yourself. Good to hear your voice again my friend.
I liked how a TH-camr said start at like $5 and when you’re booked up or have jerks, raise your rates to $10 and once you’re booked up and if you have jerks, raise it again.
THERE IS NO NEWBIE RATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, Kevin... I always thought it was funny that somehow narration was supposed to defy all other industries, i.e., 'everyone starts at the high rate, period.' Anyway, this was fun to see, hope to work with you again soon!
I thought it was interesting how TH-camrs said it was $100 per hour and it’s PFH. I thought it was interesting how TH-camrs said to charge at least $250 PFH because it’s $125 after taxes and it can take 4-6 hours to complete your 1-hour and you will bring down other people’s rates. I’ve heard TH-camrs say royalty share should pay you well if you pick them right. I just want someone to be honest and straight up with me. I like how you’re actually helpful.
Wow! Not sure where they are that the tax rate is 50% but this would be a good time to mention NOT forgetting to write off your equipment and training costs if you itemize on your taxes. :)
@@kevinclay Well thank you for doing so. It seems like these voiceover groups forget that fact that ultimately we are all competitors. And some buyers just aren't willing to pay out large sums of money. It's like they feel they have control over supply and demand.
Can you elaborate on the scams? I’ve just accepted my first narration job on acx for 50pfh plus royalties (I just want one under the belt to get the ball rolling) and it seemed to me like the acx makes it hard for them to scam… now I’m like 😳
The scammers are still out there. If I even get a whiff of "something's not right here" I won't even audition. Here's a really good article on scams: www.narratorsroadmap.com/acx-projects-to-avoid/
Personally, I think that would be good money that you could then invest in some coaching. Just try to move up from that rate as soon as possible. Good luck! :)
Hey Kevin. Great vids! Thank you. I'm a professional DJ / Music Producer /audio engineer. I have a great studio, and I've been practicing various voices for years. What site or forums do you recommend for someone who's fairly experienced in several aspects, but is new to the VO industry as a whole? I'd really like to do characters and video games. Also, do you need a specific type / tone of voice for audio books?
Can't go wrong with www.patfraley.com . He has several courses designed specifically for character voices. He has a LOT of experience in that realm. Look him up and you'll be surprised at the voices he's done. I've heard all kinds of voices on audiobooks. I think it's more about the delivery than a specific voice. Good luck!
Maybe 3 to 4 hours. Pre-reading the book takes a while because I'll actually practice voices while reading some sections, while zipping through others. Actual record time is pretty straight forward and I like to edit my own stuff (after it gets back from the proofer). Some books seem to go faster than others.
I looked at $50 and under for a while and the covers looked crappy and the auditions had spelling and grammar mistakes plus books that are famous. ACX needs to clean up the garbage books for us.
Utimately, it's up to us to weed out the garbage and look for red flags. Yep, crappy covers and mistakes are a sure sign that the author didn't put a lot of effort into their work. Oddly enough, these also tend to be the most difficult people to work with. I would say avoid these jobs or if you take one and they start being difficult don't hesitate to tell them you will be unable to finish the project in a way they will be satisfied with and they will most likely be much more happy with a different narrator.
Thank you! Your take about narcissists telling us to charge top tier rates is spot on. I know am not worth that now, but I can work towards becoming worth that in time.
Spot on, Kevin. You are correct: The market does determine the rate. Nice job. Thanks!
Kevin, I started watching this and I was so enthused I had to stop it and cast it up onto my big TV to give it the respect it was due.
I softly fisted the air and did a Picard clap a couple of times, much to the confusion of my wife.
This is the kind of video/thinking/rhetoric the modern industry needs. I wish I had people like you on my radar 3.5 years ago when I went full time, instead of wasting a lot of time, money and upset getting abuse from, and trying to gain the approval of, long time professionals - instead of the people actually paying my wages.
I'm starting to see a pushback against bullying gatekeepers, dinosaur theory and toxic behaviour and it's people like you making our industry a happier, more modern place.
Thank you for this video my dude.
Now if *that's* not a gushing comment, I don't know what is.
This message is brought to you by 3.5 years ago RJ Bayley.
Thanks for the kind words. I held off on jumping into this manure fire but I finally just couldn't stand the bullying and browbeating anymore and had to say something. I simply can't stand bullies! My wife says it's because I spent too much time watching "Superfriends" when I was a kid so that may explain my motivation a bit. :)
@@kevinclay You're quite right, and I think in general silver age superheroes are the best place to get your ethics from!
The bullying and hazing really got me down when I first started and affected my depression quite badly, given I'd been told this was the "friendliest community you could imagine." It put me right off any of the groups and I stayed out of them for years, and as such mostly did things my own way and figured it all out for myself, and so far that's worked out pretty well.
In hindsight perhaps I should've fought my corner and helped be the change I wished to see, but these people were talking with such aggressive confidence it made me ashamed that I was making my living in the 'unapproved way'.
I'm pleased to see there's the start of a push back on toxic behaviour and stagnant theorising now I'm poking my head back in the groups.
Funnily enough I recently saw one of the people who piled onto me during one such incident recently say he's been doing this a year less than me! 😂
It's really heartening to see this change. Thanks for being a voice for this progress.
Hi Kevin. It's been many years since we hung out together back in Diana. Without saying my name can you guess? You taught me how to play "Without Expression" on the guitar. You also are responsible for me learning the words to "Rocky Raccoon". I have many other memories of hanging out with you when we were young teenagers.
Anyway, it's been a long time and I was surprised and happy to find you on here. It looks like you're doing good for yourself. Good to hear your voice again my friend.
Wow! I had forgotten all about that song. Good ol' REO Speedwagon! Hello, Ronnie! :)
I've learnt much. Thanks Kevin
I liked how a TH-camr said start at like $5 and when you’re booked up or have jerks, raise your rates to $10 and once you’re booked up and if you have jerks, raise it again.
Good take on this issue, Kevin! 👍
Thanks so much Kevin, great advice. I have been doing voice over for quite a while now but want to start doing audio books too. Thanks again.
Amazing information, I am very thankful that I actually found your Chanelle🙏🏾💯
THERE IS NO NEWBIE RATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, Kevin... I always thought it was funny that somehow narration was supposed to defy all other industries, i.e., 'everyone starts at the high rate, period.' Anyway, this was fun to see, hope to work with you again soon!
Thanks Kevin. I had a feeling that was how charging worked. I believe this as well, good to know I'm not the only who thinks like this.
Great information!
Your sense of humor and realness is fantastic! Your advice is based on common sense. Course now, these days common sense is uncommon!
Good stuff. PEOPLE! listen up.
Very, very eye-opening!
Thank you for a good video and tips! A regular guy from Sweden...
Glad to help! :)
Like realness. Tell it as you see it... Good down-to-earth info.
Thank you! This video is very helpful!
Helpful
I thought it was interesting how TH-camrs said it was $100 per hour and it’s PFH. I thought it was interesting how TH-camrs said to charge at least $250 PFH because it’s $125 after taxes and it can take 4-6 hours to complete your 1-hour and you will bring down other people’s rates. I’ve heard TH-camrs say royalty share should pay you well if you pick them right. I just want someone to be honest and straight up with me. I like how you’re actually helpful.
Wow! Not sure where they are that the tax rate is 50% but this would be a good time to mention NOT forgetting to write off your equipment and training costs if you itemize on your taxes. :)
I like this guy!
Kevin Clay you are the man. Loved this video.
Thanks so much! Like I said, I kept quiet as long as I could but just couldn't stand the bullying and finally had to say something. :)
@@kevinclay Well thank you for doing so. It seems like these voiceover groups forget that fact that ultimately we are all competitors. And some buyers just aren't willing to pay out large sums of money. It's like they feel they have control over supply and demand.
Can you elaborate on the scams? I’ve just accepted my first narration job on acx for 50pfh plus royalties (I just want one under the belt to get the ball rolling) and it seemed to me like the acx makes it hard for them to scam… now I’m like 😳
The scammers are still out there. If I even get a whiff of "something's not right here" I won't even audition. Here's a really good article on scams: www.narratorsroadmap.com/acx-projects-to-avoid/
with duet book narration do you split the costs with the other the narrator/s or just charge for the same hrs??
I don't think there's a set way to do that. I'd imagine whatever the client and other narrator would agree to.
@@kevinclay Thanks for the response. :)
Hi Kevin, would it be fair to charge $100/finished hr for erotica books? I'm a total beginner. 😅
Personally, I think that would be good money that you could then invest in some coaching. Just try to move up from that rate as soon as possible. Good luck! :)
Hey Kevin. Great vids! Thank you.
I'm a professional DJ / Music Producer /audio engineer. I have a great studio, and I've been practicing various voices for years.
What site or forums do you recommend for someone who's fairly experienced in several aspects, but is new to the VO industry as a whole?
I'd really like to do characters and video games.
Also, do you need a specific type / tone of voice for audio books?
Can't go wrong with www.patfraley.com . He has several courses designed specifically for character voices. He has a LOT of experience in that realm. Look him up and you'll be surprised at the voices he's done.
I've heard all kinds of voices on audiobooks. I think it's more about the delivery than a specific voice. Good luck!
what all gear you have any starter kit? thanks
Hi Kevin thanks good video... how many hours do you do for a finished hour?
Maybe 3 to 4 hours. Pre-reading the book takes a while because I'll actually practice voices while reading some sections, while zipping through others. Actual record time is pretty straight forward and I like to edit my own stuff (after it gets back from the proofer). Some books seem to go faster than others.
Kevin Clay ..... why thank you sir you are a gentleman
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I looked at $50 and under for a while and the covers looked crappy and the auditions had spelling and grammar mistakes plus books that are famous. ACX needs to clean up the garbage books for us.
Utimately, it's up to us to weed out the garbage and look for red flags. Yep, crappy covers and mistakes are a sure sign that the author didn't put a lot of effort into their work. Oddly enough, these also tend to be the most difficult people to work with. I would say avoid these jobs or if you take one and they start being difficult don't hesitate to tell them you will be unable to finish the project in a way they will be satisfied with and they will most likely be much more happy with a different narrator.