#1626271 - 01/13/01 04:13 PM
30sec. spot charges
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jermush@flinthills.com
Senior Member
Registered: 01/11/01
Posts: 53
Loc: Manhattan,KS,UNITED STATES
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I'm doing some commercial work for the first time....I'm doing spots of 30 sec. lengths with original music, and voice overs using effects and sometime multiple voices....what should I charge the customer? I'm doing them for the retailer, not the media (radio,TV)stations...
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#1626272 - 01/15/01 10:30 AM
Re: 30sec. spot charges
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Doctor Al
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Registered: 05/05/00
Posts: 192
Loc: ,,US
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now im not a jingle guy - never have done that. But my intuition tells me to go easy on him the first time so that he comes back for a second time. If his business rallies because of your work, then a raise is in order the second time. But, dont double your fee. Gradual pay increases until you reach a point where you're making a fair profit from this client is the way to go. If ANOTHER client comes to you as a result of this work, start him at the fee you are currently charging the original client. I'm sorry I dont know the dollar amounts, however.
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#1626273 - 01/15/01 02:45 PM
Re: 30sec. spot charges
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jermush@flinthills.com
Senior Member
Registered: 01/11/01
Posts: 53
Loc: Manhattan,KS,UNITED STATES
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Thanks for taking the time to answer....good solid businsess sense, and after all aren't we all hoping we're worth more as time goes on...hahaha Thanks again...JT
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#1626274 - 01/17/01 05:45 AM
Re: 30sec. spot charges
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Curve Dominant
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 10/29/00
Posts: 4223
Loc: Philadelphia USA
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First of all, Dr. Al, you dropped the ball here. With all due respect, as the moderater of this forum and as someone in your position, you could have made a phone call or two and gotten some straight info for this cat. Are you new at this or something?
Jermush: first, have a minimum flat rate, up-front fee for just getting started on a job (say, $500), and then specify to your clients some distinctions of your services. For example: the low-rate, for "background sound," and a higher rate for "original music composition." When you articulate this to a potential client, you will find that their needs will fall into either the first catagory (we just need a beat and some sounds as wallpaper), or the second (we need music that enhances the visual action like a movie soundtrack, that follows the action, with a melodic theme, development, etc.). Since the "wallpaper" is easy, charge a small fee for that, say $50 per minute (with the $500 minimum, + $50 for each additional minute after 10 minutes). For original composition, though, you should negotiate higher fees, because that is more work for you. Get $1500 (at least) up front, just to get a commitment to get started. After 30 seconds, charge about $100 per minute. Now, that's cheap for the East Coast (I'm in Philly & NYC where the rates are much higher), but for where you're at, it's fair. In addition, keep a manifest of how much time you spend working on the job, so you can charge an hourly fee for that voice-over stuff, etc.
The key is to get paid for the amount of work you have to do. Make sure your clients understand this if they try to low-ball ya. If they balk, go to PLAN B...
Ask your clients, "What's your budget?" Then explain, with the above listed parameters in mind, what you can provide for that budget. Then feel out the client for what you would be willing to do for them. If you think they're going to be an "easy" client, adjust your fees downward accordingly. But if they come off as ball-busters who are buggin' about the over-all quality, charge to cover your ass. Remember: get paid for the amount of work you do, and how valuable it is. That's the American Way.
Happy hunting.
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#1626275 - 01/17/01 08:10 PM
Re: 30sec. spot charges
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jermush@flinthills.com
Senior Member
Registered: 01/11/01
Posts: 53
Loc: Manhattan,KS,UNITED STATES
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First I'm grateful for you guys answering these questions and taking time to respond. EQ Mag is must for anyone in this field. Curve, I don't think here in the mid-west I can get that kind of money, (hell, maybe I should move to coasts...haha), but you've given me more ideas....after talking to a friend who is in radio production, I'm more in the $75-$100 range, with a guarantee of "X" number of spots....thanks again to all who who take the time to reply....right on...JT
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#1626276 - 01/18/01 01:58 AM
Re: 30sec. spot charges
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Curve Dominant
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 10/29/00
Posts: 4223
Loc: Philadelphia USA
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YO YO JT...
>>I don't think here in the mid-west I can get that kind of money, (hell, maybe I should move to coasts...haha), but you've given me more ideas....after talking to a friend who is in radio production, I'm more in the $75-$100 range, with a guarantee of "X" number of spots<<
I'm happy if I've helped you even a tiny bit. The numbers I quoted were just examples - you can scale them up or down to suit the market you are in. The important thing is that you have a system of billing that suits your market, fairly reflects on your workload, and provides profitability for you. It's a delicate balance in your region, I know, so don't be put off by the examples I've given you, which are based on how things work in the Northeast Corridor. I'm probably paying 5 times the rent you are, so you have to take that into consideration. Not to mention that a night on the town entertaining a fine honey is a little pricey out here, too - that's another reason that my rates might seem a little high. The important things are that you provide value to your clients, are pro-active in your relationships with them, build a strong character reputation, and become profitable, in that order. You seem like a cool dude who knows what to do, so good luck to ya.
PEACE AND LUV TO YA MAH BRUTHA!
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