FAQ:
Here are some questions I've been asked by various clients. I thought, if one is wondering, maybe more are! As more come in I'll add them to the database.
Why two different prices for a :30 read?How many words should be in a :30 commercial?What do you need to know from me before you begin?Is there an extra charge for copy change or a re-read?When are you available during the day?What if you're not at home?I'm in another country. Can we chat without having to use long distance?What if you're on vacation?How quickly can you get a project to me?Do you do DEMO's?Why do you not have a list of clients on your page?I don't like MP3's. Can you send the file as a 'Wav' or 'Aif'?Why an Upload link?On my personal pickup page, what does Parent Directory mean?What do I do if your web site is down?Why do you link to your personal site on your business page?Love the web page. Do you do web design?Do you offer other voices like female or child?Can I pay with a credit card?Can I pay with foreign currency?Do you offer Royalty Free music with your service?Any suggestions on where to get good Royalty Free music to use?Do you offer fully produced commercials with bells and whistles?Why do you have three domain names for one page?What does your studio look like?What do you look like?I want to do voiceovers.What is LOL!?
Why two different prices for a :30 read?
Mostly, it is to save you money.
One price is for corporate video/training videos (long form) that usually last two or three minutes up to 12 or 20. The television and radio price (broadcast) is for :30 /:60 second tv and radio commercial voiceovers.
Long form price is set at the highest price you'd pay for a :60 television voiceover. In other words, it's $70 per one minute of script. But, I charge per :30 seconds to keep you from paying for :30 you didn't need.
How many words should be in a :30 commercial?
For me...depending on the client...about 75 to 80 words is a nice pace. Keep in mind that it's really syllables in words that can make the difference. Treat every syllable of a number as if it were a word. (EX: "6325" would be "six-tee three twen-tee five" or six words.) If you're producing a television commercial, many like to save valuable "voice" time by including key words in the copy, while "fonting" more details on the screen. For instance I might say, "Bobby's Buicks on Sandler Drive" and you could font on the screen:
2852 Sandler Drive
Providence, Montana
What do you need to know from me before you begin?
You provide the copy, but it's also nice to have an idea of what kind of delivery you'd prefer. Would you want it "big time announcer" or "conversational"? Would you rather have an MP3 or another format? If I need to hear the a client jingle, I'll give you a username and password so you can upload an mp3 file to me. Also, I've had clients use my samples as an example of their choice. It's OK to say, "I like the way you did the Queenstowne Bank delivery." No detail is too small. Every bit of information is appreciated.
Is there an extra charge for copy change or a re-read?
In most cases, yes. It's usually best to have the script, or copy, approved before I begin. I do understand changes and try to work around them. If it is my mistake then, of course, there is no charge. See more on the Rates page under Re-cuts.
When are you available during the day?
Almost all day. Your day is MY day! It doesn't matter your time or time zone. I'm here to help.
What if you're not at home?
Sure...even voiceover guys get out every now and then. I keep in touch by having my calls forwarded to my cell phone when possible. If I don't answer, you can leave a voicemail message. I'm ever mindful of your needs and time restraints. For more on this...go here.
I'm in another country. Can we chat without having to use long distance?
Yes. There is a Chat Room if you'd like. It requires no extra software except a browser. It uses Java Chat. I also have Instant Message, MSN Messenger or Skype if you'd like to use that method. Just E-mail me to let me know when and which service and I'll send my I ID.
Vacation?
I AM planning on a vacation sometime soon. When I do, those that use me on a regular schedule will be well aware of my absence through the use of my "client e-mail list". It allows me to send everyone a message without having everyone's e-mail displayed. And, yes, you can also ask to be removed from the list if you don't care to get any information of my whereabouts. Keep in mind that I don't go away for months...usually only days! Oh...I haven't had a vacation since I started Bill Elder Voiceovers. LOL!
How quickly can you get a project to me?
My record is under ten minutes. But, that was a cable production company and I just happened to check my e-mail the moment they sent the script. Typically I can have it to you in hours. It's very unusual not to have it to you on the same day. Here's a tip. If it's late at night and you know you need it right away, shoot me an e-mail telling me you need me right then and that copy is coming. I'll wait up for you. If you need help calculating the time, use this.
Do you do DEMO's?
Remember, you can always request a "demo" if you like. It will be a partial read of a script delivered in a lower bandwidth MP3 file.
Why do you not have a list of clients on your page?
There are a couple of reasons. But, mainly, I want everyone who uses me to feel as if they are my only client. It's all about service.
I don't like MP3's. Can you send the file as a 'Wav' or 'Aif'?
Yes. Thanks to my new web host, I can deliver a WAV or AIF file via my web site. Keep in mind that you'll need to have a DSL or Cable Modem high speed connection to the internet, or the download time will be...um...lengthy. Most still prefer MP3 because with a high enough bitrate, the sound is practically CD quality. However, I can deliver all types of files and compression formats. For more on this see the FileType page.
Why an upload link?
I've had it come up just enough to need it..but not enough to use it all the time. Sometimes clients want me to hear a background tune or incorporate a voice clip in a commercial. Perhaps a client jingle for radio. It's easier to do it that way and send it directly to my server than to go through E-mail...and much faster, too!
On my personal pickup page, what does Parent Directory mean?
If you click Parent Directory it will open the Pickup Page on this site. Technically, (for you html types) you're seeing a raw page in a directory without and "index" file. The advantage of this is that I can set up your own personal page that lists your voiceovers files and gives the date and time they were posted. Advantages to you is you get them more quickly, and can easily tell what's been updated and when.
What do I do if your web site is down?
First thing is you e-mail me and tell me. LOL! I have a web host which offers a 99.9 "uptime guarantee" policy. It works very well and consistently. If it IS down, I'll redirect to a backup site. If this does happen, the phone and e-mail usually still work. You can learn more about what happens then by reading this.
Why do you link to your personal site on your business page?
The whole idea of the web site is to help you do business with me. The personal page is to help you feel comfortable by knowing more about me and the career page proves those 30 years in broadcasting. <g> I mean, really, who would put stuff that bad on the internet if it wasn't true?
Love the web page. Do you do web design?
Not really. I did enjoy designing and maintaining this page and did graphic design and web work professionally for about half a year. To me the web is about communicating and doing it logically. I do have a site that explains more.
Do you offer other voices like female or child?
I don't consider myself a broker for other VO artists.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Sure! I use PayPal for this. It's secure and internationally accepted. I've also made it easier for you to use just by clicking on this link:
http://paypal.billeldervoiceovers.com
or you may go to the PayPal link on the main menu for details and explanation.
Can I pay with foreign currency?
Again, PayPal is great for this. Just enter the US Dollar amount and click "?" next to "Currency:U.S. Dollars".
Do you offer Royalty Free music with your service?
I do have Royalty Free music that I use. For Tv or Instructional video voiceovers I don't recommend that I include the music. From a production standpoint, you can control the music from your editing timeline much better than I can from here. If I choose the wrong music, then that slows down the process. For Radio and various projects I can include music for an extra fee.
Any suggestions on where to get good Royalty Free music to use?
The Music Bakery is what I recommend. You may download by cut or buy the CD. Their Variety CD's are a great value. They seem to have kept the "long form" videographer in mind, too, with longer cuts on some CD's. You can also get the traditional :60, :30, and :15 cut for use in radio and television. Great information on their FAQ page.
Do you offer fully produced commercials?
I can lay a music bed behind a voiceover. If you want something really fancy then I'd recommend a specialist. There are two audio producers that I use. GMS Productions is local and we have done many projects together. Turnaround time is very quick. Also CP Audio Services in Cyprus does great work.
Why do you have three domain names for one page?
Many web sites have more than one way to go there. I'm a big believer in name recognition. If you can just remember my name, you can always get here. User either:
BillElder.com
BillElderVoiceovers.com
Voice.BillElder.us
What does your studio look like?
OK...I'll show you, but before you look...remember that it's like looking behind the curtain of Oz. LOL! Once you see it (or the team from "Design On A Dime" visits) you can never go back. You've been warned. See the studio.
What do you look like?
See above warning. See my pic.
I want to do Voiceovers.
See here.
What is LOL!?
Oh...sorry. I'm mostly in a good mood and things like that express happiness in a conversation. LOL is "Laugh Out Loud". I do that a lot. Then <g> is a grin. <BG> is BIG GRIN! LOL! (sorry)