Voice-Over Contracts

by Jason McCoy

Updated August 2022

In this episode of the Voice Acting 101 Podcast, you'll learn:

  • The only time I use contracts
  • The reasons I don't require contracts with clients
  • How to lower your risk of not getting paid

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  • Mark Velasco says:

    Jason. Thanks for this info, I was just going to email you about this topic. But I still have a couple of questions.
    You mention you would deal with an agreement/contract if the client provided one.
    What if their terms don’t align with your pricing terms?
    What if they have a legal person/team that is full of fine print and probably favors them?
    If you’re willing to work within the confines of a contract they provide, why would not want the same type of protection? Such as setting down firm parameters for delivery, revisions, etc. It seems like the same amount of work whether they send you one or you send out one.
    There’s no ambiguity about the deliverables. It sounds like you’d be trying to nickel and dime them if they want the fourth revision or the sixth, or whatever, where does it end and how do you not come off as trying to upcharge them for these extras beyond what you agreed upon. And at some point, it could sour, and they just say forget it, we’re going somewhere else. Probably less of a problem with agencies or large clients.
    But even with those types of work, they have legal departments that may dictate how many times you go to the bathroom or all the fine print that says something like, “this agreement is void if the content is not delivered by 5:01 pm ET on the agreed-upon day, etc… And it’s from the largest widget selling company in the area. They do their own ad buys and handle their own creative search.
    You still could end up in court by them claiming you defaulted. I get keeping it easy, that would be ideal. But until a relationship is built, caution is in order. Even then it’s the entertainment/performance business. What if they want to move to a different talent after X amount of time but are locked into you for 2 more years? You don’t think they’d have a “way out” if that’s what they wanted and didn’t want to pay you some sort of severance for early termination.
    I know it’s a lot, but agreements are usually to protect one’s interest in a transaction.
    And do you know of any resources that provide kind of a fill-in-the-blank terms for those starting out and can’t get a legal professional to draft something yet?

    I’m not trying to be combative; you’ve been doing it for a while with mostly good outcomes, but everyone nowadays wants to sue someone for something if they can.
    Thanks for all the info,
    Mark Velasco

    Also, what’s a good place to build your website? I don’t really like WordPress stuff.

    • Hi Mark,

      It’s just never been an issue for me. If their terms don’t align with yours, negotiate.

      The contracts I’ve agreed to have all been pretty straightforward, not full of fine print.

      I do recommend you set parameters regarding delivery, revisions, payment terms, etc. at the same time you provide the initial quote.

      I don’t know of any contract templates available, but I’m sure a search would uncover some.

      For a website, I prefer WordPress / Thrive Architect but if you don’t like WP, another option is WIX or SquareSpace.

      I wish you the best!

  • Thanks a lot for this lecture , but i wish to get the online invoice due reminder link if possible please . thanks again

  • Mike Lynch says:

    An email agreement is enforceable in most situations. Like Jason mentioned, be as specific as you can.

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