VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Moosevoice]

Needing some input on a rate for a friend's business.

My friend owns a comic book/CD/vinyl/hobbies store in town.

About 5 years ago, after I lost my full-time job, I started voicing his commercials through the local ad agency he uses. This came at a perfect time as I was fresh from being let go and was fearful about money.

For all of those 5 years he, again through the agency, has been getting an 80% discount from me on radio spots that sometimes find their way onto the local TV stations.

I looked at it as steady work that brings in about $100/month. But now I’m kind of tired of leaving money on the table with this.

It’s not hard work at all as it takes me about 15 minutes of my time to crank out 3 takes for 2 spots.

To be clear, this is all through the ad agency. I don't deal with my friend at all on these spots, much less the payment. My friend would probably not even notice any increase on MY rate and I doubt the agency would be increasing their rate on HIM.

I’m not struggling to make ends meet. However, my wife is without income currently and with the fact I kind of cringe every time I put in that discount on the invoice, I’m thinking about giving them notice that my rate will go up to about a 50% discount.

My friend DOES give me discounts at his store but they’re not even close to 80%.

Would love to get some input on this, please.

Should I just keep at it with the regular/low-paying gig or push for more money and risk losing it?
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www.moosevoice.com

[Mike Paul]

Hi Moose,

To put it bluntly: what have you got to lose, but $100/mo? This is what happens when you train ANY client on a low rate. The upside is tremendous here.

As to how, this is just one way -- others will have their way

1) Remind them of all the great work you've done together. (Do not mention old rate)
2) Mention that you're re-aligning rates in '26 to reflect current industry standards, and your rate for these commercials is now X.
3) Since you know this will come as a shock, offer your client an easy transition period: Their next invoice is 50% off instead of 80%, then 25%, then full rate after that.

Whether or not they need that ramp-up, you'll have done what's right by you, provided a gentle way to ease into the new rate, and you're showing that you care.

The ad agency is very likely *not* passing the savings on to the voice buyer, your friend. This is pure margin for them, and they know it.

If they come at you with "your rate's too high" hit 'em with:

"I understand. This may become less of a factor when you consider the value my years of experience working with you brings—we've developed a great flow, wouldn't you say? Revisions and project managing headaches are reduced, speeding up your time to completion. How would $X work for you instead?"

"X" here being NOT TOO MUCH LESS, but a concession on your part nonetheless, making it feel like a slight win for the agency, despite the bad news.
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Mike Paul
speakingofmike.com • accountabilityemails.com

[Moosevoice]

Thanks so much, Mike. This is great stuff. I like the idea of having a little discount ready to go if they come back with 'too high.'

Yeah, my guess is my friend has NO CLUE what they're paying me for voicing his spots.

I'm assuming I should give them about a 30 day notice, right? I don't see any new work coming from them til at least February anyway.
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www.moosevoice.com

[Mike Paul]

Sure, you can give them a 30-day notice as a courtesy, and let them know that this is indeed a courtesy because you've worked with them for so long and you appreciate their business, you make life easy for each other, etc.

If they clap back for any reason, I'd have to ask why. Imagine if your dentist was giving you an 80% discount, then finally came to their senses and charged the actual rate they're supposed to be charging, because... well, that's the rate any normal dentist would charge. You'd be disappointed, but you'd understand, right? You were getting an 80% DISCOUNT.

I don't think you'd go try to find another discount dentist if you both work well together... maybe this is a bad comparison, but golly—they've been milking this cow for long enough while they eat the goose's golden egg for breakfast. Time to pay real rates.

Again, all you have to lose here: $100/mo. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Worth the risk to me.
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Mike Paul
speakingofmike.com • accountabilityemails.com

[Moosevoice]

Thanks again, Mike.
Here's what I just sent....
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Dear Jeff,

Hope your holidays have been going well.

I would love to continue providing you with the recording quality plus turnaround time value you’ve expected from me and wanted to inform you my current discounted rate will be changing in the new year to closer meet industry standards.

Effective February 1, 2026 , my current rate on voicing a 13 week, radio spot will be $350.00 per spot of lengths 60, 30 and 15 seconds.

I appreciate our work together and hope to continue producing more awesome productions in the coming year(s).

Thanks,
Moose Warywoda
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www.moosevoice.com

[Mike Paul]

Cool, Moose! Keep us posted.
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Mike Paul
speakingofmike.com • accountabilityemails.com