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VO-301Module 4 · The Business: Rate Cards & Negotiation
Module 4 · Advanced

The Business:
Rate Cards & Negotiation

Talent without business acumen leaves money on the table — and undermines every voice actor in the industry. Know your worth, know your usage categories, and never accept a lowball without a counter.

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Session Fee vs. Usage Fee

Your session fee covers your time in the booth. Usage is a separate, and often much larger, licence fee for how widely and how long the work is distributed. Never conflate the two.

Perpetual = Career Risk

Accepting perpetual buyouts at low rates removes your ability to renegotiate as a campaign grows. A spot that runs for 5 years on national TV should earn significantly more than one that runs for 3 months.

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Global vs. National

A national South African licence and a global all-media licence are not the same thing. Global perpetual is the most expensive category — charge accordingly, and don't let clients conflate the two.

Tool 1 — Quote Builder
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VO Quote Calculator

Usage drives price. Always.

Standard 30s spot ≈ 80 words

Estimated Rate (ZAR)

Select options above to generate a quote.

Tool 2 — Lowball Inbox
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Lowball Simulator

Your inbox — 09:14 this morning

1 UNREAD
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David Khumalo

09:14

dkhumalo@primeshift.co.za

Re: NovaPay National TV — VO Quote

Hey [Your Name],

Really loved your demo — the team agrees you're a great fit for this spot.

We'd like to move ahead with a full national TV buyout, in perpetuity, across all media. It's for a financial services brand, so it needs to run everywhere indefinitely.

Our budget for the VO is R1,500 all-in. Hope that works! Let me know by end of day.

Thanks,
David K.

Module 4 Complete

You've priced a quote, decoded a lowball, and drafted a professional counter-offer. That's the business.