Set and Negotiate Your Voice Over Rates with Confidence (and get help from Lotas)

Know Your Value (and how to talk about it)

One of the first skills you’ll need to develop as a voice actor isn’t mic technique or script delivery. It’s learning how to talk about money. Setting and negotiating your voice over rates is a necessary part of the job, especially if you’re freelancing or working independently. You won’t always land high-paying jobs early on, but that doesn’t mean you should work for less than you’re worth.

You’re a creative professional providing a specialized service. Treat your rate discussions with the same professionalism you bring to your performances.

Start with a Trusted Voice Over Rate Guide

Before entering any negotiation, it helps to have a clear understanding of current industry pricing. Using both guides together gives you a well-rounded understanding of what’s fair, whether you’re quoting a local corporate video or a multilingual global campaign. These tools empower you to respond confidently when a client asks for your rate, and help you back up your pricing with credible industry standards.

Two reliable guides stand out:

The Global Voice Acting Academy (GVAA) Rate Guide offers detailed, U.S.-focused rate benchmarks by project type. It breaks down expected rates for commercials, eLearning, corporate narration, video games, and more.

Check out the GVAA Rate Guide >

The Gravy for the Brain Voiceover Rate Guide provides a broader, international view. It’s especially useful if you’re working with clients outside the U.S. or want to compare market norms across regions.

Check out the Gravy for the Brain Rate Guide >

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Be Flexible, But Never Undervalue Yourself

There’s nothing wrong with negotiating, offering a discount for a worthy cause, or taking a lower-paying job to build a long-term relationship. Just make sure the flexibility is on your terms, not because you feel pressured to settle.

Rates aren’t one-size-fits-all. You can and should adjust based on:

• Project size and complexity

• Usage (broadcast, internal, social, etc.)

• Number of deliverables

• Turnaround expectations

• Type of client (corporate, nonprofit, indie, student)

Build Relationships, Not Just Rate Sheets

The goal isn’t just to book work. It’s to build a sustainable career. That means forming strong, respectful relationships with clients, studios, producers, and agents. Fair, transparent pricing helps establish that trust early. Start by knowing your worth. Then learn how to communicate it clearly, kindly, and with the confidence of someone who takes their work seriously.

And if you ever need a partner who can help manage the business side, Lotas Productions is here to support you.

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What About Union Projects?

If you’re a SAG-AFTRA talent or looking to work on union projects, the rate structure is different. Union rates are not negotiated individually in most cases—they’re set by SAG-AFTRA’s official rate guides, which vary depending on the contract type (e.g., Commercials, Animation, Interactive, Corporate/Educational).

When you work with Lotas Productions on a union project, we can handle the entire process for you. That includes:

• Coordinating directly with SAG-AFTRA

• Managing session paperwork, contracts, and usage tracking

• Ensuring payment is made according to union rules and schedules

If you have an agent or manager, they can be involved in the process as well. We’re happy to coordinate directly with them, or handle the negotiations and communication ourselves if you prefer.

Our goal is to take the administrative burden off your plate so you can focus on what matters: showing up, performing well, and getting paid correctly and on time. Whether you’re new to union work or a longtime card-carrying talent, Lotas makes the process smooth and compliant.

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Lotas Productions Can Help Simplify the Process

At Lotas Productions, we understand how confusing rate negotiation and payment logistics can be, especially for newer talent. That’s why we offer Talent Payment services that take the stress out of getting paid.

When we manage things, we:

• Confirm rates clearly in writing before the session

• Handle invoicing and payment processing on your behalf

• Ensure timely payment with clear usage terms

• Serve as the intermediary between you and the client so you can focus on performing, not chasing checks

Whether you’re negotiating your first session or working on a major campaign, we’re here to help you protect your time, your work, and your earnings.