Here are a few key questions that you need to ask when looking for your voice talent.

What is their normal turn around time for a project?

It's normal for a voice talent to be booked several weeks out. What is most important is that they are able to work with your schedules.

What type of voice work do they prefer to do?

Some prefer narrations (film narration is a different skill than book narration), some prefer promo material and formats that fit broadcasting formats.
(30 sec / 60 sec) Some prefer Announcer type positions for, including podcasting and trailers.

Some prefer character work (think impersonations as well and animated voicing ) Some prefer voice mail automated attendant work, some prefer voice acting (think radio plays)

Hire the talent in areas that they prefer, not just an area they can do.

Voice talent has to match your project, its as important that the voice / image is a match with your product or service.

The Voice you hire is as important as your message, it's your Audio image.

Union or non Union, Pay rates will vary widely / Broadcast and non broadcast rates ARE different.

AFTRA rates for non broadcast voice mail is $208 first hour/ $104 hour after first hour.

AFTRA Commercial Network rate is $422.15 for One WEEKS USE / Same work for 13 weeks is $1,353.85 those rates are of up to one hour session of the voice talent for one announcement.

There are rates for everything from podcasting to new media (think games)

Also with AFTRA Talent that does NOT include the union studio time and engineer / or union rates for backing music etc.

Non - Union / Freelance

Generally freelancers and non union voice talent has a studio rate and a non-studio rate (It takes time for them to travel to a studio and has to schedule their time to match the studio openings requiring a higher rate for studio work)

If they work with their own studio / home studio, The rates will be lower.

Voice Talent artist work by the Job not by the hour.

The longer lead time you can offer / the more flexible the voice talent can be.

Make sure you know what you are contracting for.

Voice Work does not mean fully produced.

A fully produced project involves editing time / and mixing.

Engineering is a different talent than having a good voice and knowing how to use it.

Are you contracting for Script writing too?

That again is a different talent than just voice work.

Music Selection is also a consideration for projects, make sure there is a clear understanding of what you are actually contracting for.

Many people think that all these talents are part of the voice artist job. They are not.

Many Voice artists do not have the equipment / skills / desire / experience to create a project from concept to completed ready for you to use in your project.

I've seen voice talent doing voice mail work on ebay for as little as $10.00, One of my friends won't even consider a project that pays less than $7500. ( if you have SprintPCS Voicemail you've heard her voice)

So be specific about what you are wanting.

Make sure that what you want is clearly communicated with your voice talent.

Don't buy more than you need, but don't need more than you are contracting for.

Use these guidelines to find what you are looking for!

Voice over can be one of the industries that at one moment there is more work than time and other times more time than work.

That is when its great to have a second life to your business model.

My second tier work is internet marketing and creating production beds for radio, TV, theaters, and public speaking events.

Just think in your background what is you 2nd talent in that you can use to not only keep your mind clear, and also satisfy that desire to live a full life.

Knowing this will improve your peace joy and happiness.

Alway keep your mind fresh and live your dream!