How do we come up with $87 for a 30-second intro, commercial or promo?

Four factors determine our pricing. First, the length of time it takes to produce a particular audio product is a factor. For example, a 30-second audio intro (or commercial or promo) with voice and music takes us 30 minutes in the production room to record the voice, then another hour and a half of post-production (editing, enhancing and mixing) -- for a total of two hours.

The second factor that determines how we price a 30-second voice and music presentation is the music. Because we don't have the time to produce a custom music track that fits the feel of the script, we purchase a 30-second track from a music production company for $17 (because of fierce competition, production music is quite reasonable).

The third factor and fourth factors that determine our pricing are we don't lease expensive offices and we're non-union. Most union voiceover talent charge union rates. We're non-union and are not subject to union rates.

Okay, back to the price for a 30-second audio intro. We currently charge $35 an hour for labor. This charge varies throughout the year based on supply and demand (similar to radio advertising). Because we want to always meet our 48-hour turnaround, we increase the price when demand gets too heavy or lower the price when demand gets light. Multiply our current hourly charge of $35 by the 2 hours it takes us to produce a 30-second audio intro and you get $70. Then add in the $17 for the music track for a total price of $87.

We believe it's a bargain. If you're wondering about the quality of the audio you get from us for such a low price, check it out for yourself at http://audiobag.com.

Audio Advice: Voice talent is more than just "Choose Bob"

Audio Advice: Voice talent is more than just "Choose Bob"

Voice talent is more than just "Choose Bob"

We used to worry at Audiobag that we weren't coming up with the same sound or vision a customer had in his or her head when we produced their podcast intro. Most voice talents are capable of several styles of delivery. But the definition of "high energy" can mean different things to different people. High energy to one person may be yelling (a style we don't do at Audiobag). To another person, high energy may be projecting the voice more than a conversational delivery. Recently we decided to better define the voice delivery styles.

To make sure we understand the exact voice delivery a customer wants, we now give the purchaser audio samples of each style of delivery we offer -- conversational, upbeat, and high energy-- on our Script and Instructions page. We've always had samples of our voice talent on the product description page, but never specific samples of styles of voice delivery on the page where the customer is communicating their needs to us. So now, next to the voice talent check box is a specific voice talent name, the style of delivery ( for example: "Jack high energy") and an audio sample. The customer can listen and hear for herself that "Jack high energy" is a very excited style. Whereas, "Jack upbeat" is somewhere between conversational and high energy. After comparing the two styles, the customer may realize that upbeat will work better for their podcast than high energy. However, we've gone one step beyond offering the audio samples. We now give recommendations.

We recommend a conversational voice delivery for informative podcasts where the podcaster is not selling any products or services during the show. We recommend an upbeat delivery if the podcast is promoting non-sale products and/or services or if the podcaster wants to match the podcast host's voice if he or she speaks louder than a conversational voice. And we recommend high energy for podcasts that promote sale items, contests, events, or are actual live shows.

After giving specific examples of voice talent styles along with sample audio clips, the results are we better understand what's in the customer's head now. It's rare these days that we need to recut a podcast intro. And the customer can match her vision with our actual audio samples. The days of "Choose Bob" are over.

How did the Alesis iO Dock do on voiceover?

My wife gave me an Alesis iO Dock last Christmas. I was elated! I've always thought it might help me keep up with our workload at Audiobag while I'm on the road. I've been so busy the past few months, I'm embarrassed to say that I finally found the time to try out the iO Dock.

What pushed me to finally take it out of the box and start using it is the recently updated version of the iPad app called MultiTrack. It's now capable of recording 24 bit (instead of 16) and 96 kHz. I'm traveling this week and I needed to record a podcast intro for a new customer in Australia. I did two versions -- one on the iO Dock using MultiTrack and one on my Mackie ONYX 820i board and laptop that I lugged along with me on the trip. I used an AT 4060 vacuum tube microphone and a spongy mattress pad for sound insulation in a makeshift sound booth (a closet).

Alesis iO Dock and Mackie ONYX 820i

I loved the sound I got from the iO Dock. It's a crisp clean sound with plenty of low and high frequencies. I uploaded the voice track I produced on the iO Dock to my laptop via SoundCloud.com and mixed the music and sound effects in Adobe Audition. You can hear the results at http://audiobag.com/hvac.html. The first version is on the iO Dock. The second version is recorded on the Mackie board. I projected more in the first version, so I stood back from the mic just a bit (which means the mic picks up the higher frequencies more than the lower frequencies).  I was more conversational in the second version, so I worked the mic closer -- which gave me a slighter fuller sound (and I changed up the compression some on the second version, giving it a warmer sound). In other words, the slighter warmer sound in the second version is from working the mic closer and compressing a little harder; not from differences in the iO Dock and the Mackie. By the way, the customer requested sound effects that were similar to those he heard on another podcast. I travel with a laptop full of sound effects and production music, so I had no problem getting the sound he requested.

My verdict is the iO Dock is an excellent way to record voiceover whether on the road or in the studio. And here's the best part --- it's quiet. No fan noise for my microphone to record just a few feet away in the closet (uh, I mean in the sound booth).

If you'd like a fully-produced intro for your podcast, learn more about us at http://audiobag.com/intros.html.

How messages on hold keep callers from hanging up

According to a retailers study, 80% of callers don't want to be put on-hold. No big news so far, right? After all, in this gotta-have-it-now world, we want to talk to a real person as quickly as humanly possibly. The next statistic may surprise you, though. When put on-hold, 88% of callers prefer to hear information about a company's products and services instead of silence or background music. So, we really don't want to be put on-hold. But when put there, we want to use that time effectively.

We don't want companies to waste our time with outdated music or dead silence (which makes us believe you've dropped our calls). By golly, if you're going to insist on putting us on-hold, keep us happy while we're there. Inform us of something. What are your hours? Got any cool new things we can buy? How do we apply for credit? Where is that form we need to fill out? What's your web address? The list is endless of what you can teach us on your messages on hold. If you inform us with messages on hold instead of forcing us to listen to background music or dead silence, we'll stay on the line 25% longer. We won't hang up after 60 seconds like those who do when they hear only silence while on-hold. Nope. We'll patiently wait for you and we'll learn something new about your business.

Not quite ready to spend money on phone messages on hold? We've put together a one-minute phone messages on hold presentation for you to download free and try out on your phone system. Go to http://audiobag.com/free and stop losing 60% of your callers who are currently in the dark of silence (is that a saying?).

To learn more about messages on hold, visit http://audiobag.com/messagesonhold.html.

We've added video openings to our services

I have lived and breathed audio since I was a tottler. I've loved audio so much, I've resisted adding video to our product lineup. Dont get me wrong; I've personally synced plenty of audio with video that clients have sent to us. However, we didn't have that service listed on our website.

As you know, audio podcasts were the first to take off. It was nice downloading audio podcasts into my MP3 player, and later into my smartphone, listening to various shows while I walked around the neighborhood. Then YouTube came along and changed everything, making it easy for just about anyone with a video to upload it for the world to see. And now social media apps are the icing on the cake, making it where a child can take a video with a smartphone, click a button and upload it to their favorite social media network.

Today, video is everywhere on the Internet. And because more and more videos have video openings, I thought it was time we started offering our video podcast customers what they need -- a fully-produced opening for their videos. So we've begun.

Our new video intro service is similar to our audio intro service. Using our voice talent, music and/or sound effects, we create a fully-produced intro for your podcast. And now we add graphics, text, and your video clips (send us your own video clips and we'll mix them in) to create a professional video opening for your podcast or other video presentation. We just completed an opening for an online biology course. You can view that video opening at http://audiobag.com/locklin.

Learn more about video openings at http://audiobag.com/intos.html (just scroll down to Video Intros on the page).

The elements of a good podcast opening

We've created hundreds of podcast openings (or "intros") through the years, and we believe we've got a pretty good idea of what makes a good one.

First, the music should match the topic. You'd be surprised at how often we get a request for rock music where it just doesn't fit. Using hard rock in a podcast about spas really doesn't work, believe me. New age music would be a more appropriate choice. Next, there's no need to have the voice talent yell throughout your script. Excitement can be accomplished with a smile, the right inflection, audio compression, and music. And when it comes to your script, don't forget to include the name of the podcast, what it's about, and the host's name. You can preface your podcast opening yourself with the episode number and date it was recorded (a nice touch).

There are a few additional things that make a podcast opening stand out. Use the appropriate gender as your voice talent. If you're talking to mainly women, use a female for your voice talent. She'll be more convincing and your female audience will relate to her better than a male. Sound effects can enhance a podcast opening, but only if used sparingly. And finally, a little surprise in your podcast opening can make it memorable. For example, we created an opening for a father and son show where the last line of the script was, "Now, go clean up your room!" The last thing you hear in the podcast opening is a young man saying, "Huh?"

In summary, make your podcast opening stand out by choosing the right music, voice talent, sound effects (used sparingly), and words.

A Quick Guide to Podcasting

I'm happy to hear you're going to start podcasting. Here's a link to give you the basics of getting into podcasting: http://onlinebusinesszen.com/2011/podcasting-for-bloggers-learning-to-podcast-part-1

There are many audio interfaces (to get high quality audio into your computer), microphones, and software you can choose from. You'll need a computer and an audio interface box. I've used the Tascam US 122L, which I believe has been discontinued. A good alternative is the M-Audio MobilePre interface for about $150. You can pick one up at Best Buy or get it at http://www.musiciansfriend.com/computer-audio-interfaces-convertors/m-audio-mobilepre-mk-ii/h65460000000000?src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=603222883 . You'll also need software to record and mix your audio. I like Sony Vegas Pro ( http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/vegaspro), but it's not cheap ($599). If you're using an Apple computer, you may want to use Garageband. I'd suggest you spend a little more money on your microphone to give you a nice sound. I like Audio-Technica micrphones and have used the AT4030 for recording. The AT4030 has been discontinued, but the AT4040 is a good alternative ( http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/9b6aac05c5aca887/index.html ). Be sure to get a windscreen to avoid the "popped P" sounds.

For recording your interviews, the most inexpensive way to do it is to use SKYPE and software called CallBurner ( http://www.callburner.com ). I like CallBurner because it records your voice on one track and your guest's voice on another -- which makes it easier to clean up the unwanted noise. The advantage to using SKYPE for your calls is, of course, they will be free (once you've purchased an annual plan that allows you to call a landline).

I hope this gets you started on looking for your equipment. Good luck with your podcasts. Let us know if we can help you with your podcast imaging (intro and outro) and/or editing.