One of the hardest voice over jobs to quote isn’t a commercial, an explainer, or an eLearning project.
It’s Voice of God (VOG) and Live Announce work.
And here’s why…
Two events might sound almost identical on paper, but one could be worth a few hundred dollars while another could be worth several thousand.
Over the past few months, we’ve had at least four people reach out asking about VOG and Live Announce rates.
The challenge is that the GVAA Rate Guide doesn’t have a dedicated category for this type of work, which leaves a lot of talent wondering:
“What should I actually charge?”
And if you’re not asking the right questions up front, you could easily underquote the project—or overquote and lose the opportunity altogether.
To help bring some clarity, I reached out to long-time voice over agent and manager, Jeffrey Umberger, for his insight on how he approaches VOG and Live Announce quotes.
GENERAL VOG/LIVE ANNOUNCE QUOTE –
$500 – $5,000
If it’s for a large company, like Delta, for their annual shareholders gala, it’s between $2500-$4000+
What determines the rate?
Things that drive the rates:
- Event size (local corporate meeting vs. major televised awards show) **TELEVISED can be SAG, and a quote from a Paymaster is often suggested because of where the event is televised from which dictates state taxes and major market rate minimum differences, etc).
- Duration (half-day, full day, multi-day)
- Location and travel requirements
Also take into consideration:
- Performance time: The hours spent actively voicing during the event.
- Rehearsal time: Many events require run-throughs beforehand and preparation (reviewing scripts, learning names, coordinating with producers).
Typical rough range:
- Smaller/local events: a few hundred dollars (Announcing for Miss Georgia Universe was $250 for recorded VOG ahead of time, for example)
- Mid-level corporate events: $500–$2,000 per day
High-profile: usually starting at $2000 for half day (4 hours) and $5000+ for full day (8-10 hours)
Here is an email template to save and use to send to clients with questions to ask to ensure an accurate rate –
EMAIL TEMPLATE
Hi ,
Thanks so much for reaching out—this sounds like a great event!
I’d love to put together an accurate quote for you. Would you mind sharing a few quick details so I can make sure everything is covered properly?
Event Details
- What is the event and its purpose?
- Will this be live, pre-recorded, or a combination of both?
- Is the event internal or public-facing? Will it be recorded or broadcast?
Timing & Schedule
- Event date(s) and location:
- Estimated hours on-site:
- Will there be rehearsal or tech run-throughs?
Role Expectations
- Will I be announcing throughout the event or at specific moments?
- Will scripts be finalized in advance, or should I expect live updates?
Logistics
- Will travel or accommodations be required?
If helpful, feel free to include any budget range you may already have in mind—I’m always happy to tailor my quote based on the scope of the event.
Once I have these details, I’ll send over a quote that reflects the full time commitment, including prep, rehearsal, and performance.
Looking forward to hearing more!
Best,
Thanks again to Jeffrey Umberger for sharing his expertise and helping shed some light on a part of the industry that can feel a little murky.
Hopefully this gives you a better starting point the next time a Voice of God or Live Announce opportunity lands in your inbox.
