VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject: What is a radio sweep?

I had someone contact me about doing some radio sweeps. Since I've never done radio imaging, can someone tell me exactly what a sweep is? And what is a fair going rate for a medium sized market (dry voice)?
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jasbart · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:16 pm Post subject:

Not sure about "radio" sweeps, but TV sweeps refers to the Ratings Period, which we are just entering. This is the period where TV Stations, subscribers to the media ratings services, put on their most titillating news stories to boost ratings, translating (hopefully) to higher advertising rates for their sales departments. A good example of such a story would be "Killer Garage Doors!!!"

I assume the radio biz does the same thing.

Jim
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I'm sure he's talking abour "sweepers" - short, branding imaging for the station.

"Star 95.7, the best mix of the 80s and 90s" type stuff.

Most "image voices" are on a retainer by the station on an annual basis.
Meduim to large markets can pay $500 to $700 a month.
Smaller markets may pay as little as $150 per month.
With a retainer contract, they will be exclusive for that market.
You can negotiate for one page per month to unlimited.

For a medium market, you could charge $200 for a ine time session of one or two pages of "sweeper".

Hope that helps.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Bill, that does, indeed help. And again, that's for dry voice? How much extra to fully produce it? I ask because I'd have to pay someone for the production.
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Audiogal · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject:

I've always heard them called "sweepers" and they're the station imaging voice giving the call sign/dial position/identifying phrase. Used between songs. Often with sfx added: stingers, explosions, etc.

You'll hear this when the DJ sweeps from one song to the next without opening the mic.

We must've been typing at the same time. Smile

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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Jeffrey:

Those are "dry" fees. Someone at the station will "produce" them.
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ccpetersen · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:42 pm Post subject:

Frank F · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:00 pm Post subject:

Actually gang, it is the DJ's at radio stations... they pick up a broom and "sweep" away the dust and dirt... So the DJ's are called "sweeps"...

Ba dum bump (rim shot)

F2
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Kasbah · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:24 pm Post subject:

Sweepers/Liners are used inter-changable in radio. They can either be a music sweep, or music with station image, or just station image. Peter O'Connel and Todd Ellis are masters at producing them...almost everyone here has voiced one or two of 'em for me...(Freedom Radio) Ninja

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JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

The cool thing about imaging work is the retainer. It's nice to have regular coin coming in each month that you can count on. So get a monthly retainer agreement with the station if at all possible. If you agree to buyout, you may never be able to offer imaging in the market again as your station will be able to use your VO as long as they'd like and any other station in that market you might ordinarily be able to snag won't like that your stuff continues to run on a competetors frequency.

If your client won't sign a monthly agreement, at least get them to sign a contract that allows them use of your VO for 6 or 12 months, then they have to resign with you or drop your VO. I personally don't go that route but if you really want to work with them, it's an option.

Also, I'm surprised at how many small market stations want their imaging fully produced. For getting your start, it helps to have the skills to do it rather than hand it off to someone else. After you have a sizable number of clients, you can focus on strictly voicing if you'd like. Up until then, it might pay to sit down with Pro Tools, Audition or something similar and learn the basics. Obviously, it will allow you to command a higher rate.
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melissa eX · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:35 pm Post subject:

I don't want to sound discouraging but good imaging producers are true geniuses at their craft. It's a skill I wouldn't attempt to learn under a deadline where you're not only trying to learn the software but also grow an ear and an instinct for what you need to do.

For this gig I would do the dry voice and hire someone to produce it but make sure you get someone who does imaging. Then if you're interested in picking up the production skills for later work I would start by listening to radio - a lot - all different formats - and pay attention to the liners/sweepers/promos/ID's.

M

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice, folks. This person was really confused when I asked how big her market was. She came back with "I guess you don't do much of this since no one ever asks about the size of the market." She's right, I don't really do imaging, but she didn't seem to know the ins and outs either,

I guess she wanted to know how much a single sweep would be so I quoted her $200. <shrug>

I swear, I'm a magnet for these kinds of people.
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melissa eX · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:46 pm Post subject:

Here's a link of radio markets for anyone who's interested.

http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DefaultSearch.aspx?ShowAll=yes

glittlefield · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: