Voice Actor payment methods

Breaking Down Voice Actor Payment Methods

In Part 1 of this series, we demystified how professional voice over rates are calculated. Now that you understand the value behind the quote and are ready to move forward, let's cover the simple logistics of payment.

Hiring a voice actor is a Business To Business (B2B) transaction. As someone who is self-employed, I try to make the payment process as clear and convenient as possible.

This blog will walk you through standard industry payment terms and the variety of methods available, making the business side of things seamless, no matter where you are in the world.

Understanding the Billing Cycle

After your project is complete and the audio has been delivered, I will send you an invoice. On that invoice, you will see payment terms, often expressed as "Net 15," "Net 30," etc. This indicates the number of days after the invoice date that payment is due.

• Net 15, Net 30, Net 45, Net 60: The most common term is Net 30, the standard for most business-to-business transactions.

• Payment Upfront / Deposits: For very large projects or first-time clients, it is a standard (and healthy) business practice for the voice actor to request a deposit (typically 50%) before the recording session begins. This protects both parties and secures the project in the voice actor's schedule.

Clear terms ensure everyone is on the same page and help maintain a professional and positive working relationship.

Navigating Currencies and International Payments

The voice over industry is global. You can hire the perfect voice from anywhere in the world, and thankfully, modern payment systems make international transactions simple.

As a US-based voice actor, I typically invoice in USD ($). For international clients, there are several easy and low-cost ways to handle payment:

• Wise (formerly TransferWise): This is one of the most popular platforms for international payments. It's known for its transparent, low fees and favorable exchange rates, making it a better option than a traditional bank wire for many transactions.

• Wire Transfer: For larger corporate payments, a standard international bank wire transfer is a secure and reliable option.

• PayPal: A globally recognized platform that is familiar to most businesses.

Modern, Flexible Forms of Payment

To make the process as easy as possible, professional voice actors accept a wide variety of payment methods. My goal is to work with your company's preferred accounting practices.

Traditional & Corporate Methods:

• Direct Deposit (ACH): A simple and secure method for direct bank-to-bank transfers, often preferred by established businesses.

• Check: While becoming less common, payment by physical check is still an option for US-based companies.

• Wire Transfer: Ideal for large, secure domestic and international corporate payments.

Online & Digital Platforms:

• Credit Card: Most voice actors can process credit card payments via secure platforms like Stripe or Square.

• Zelle: An excellent method for immediate, direct bank-to-bank transfers within the U.S. with no fees.

• Google Pay / Apple Pay: These mobile payment options are becoming increasingly common for their convenience and security.

From the initial quote to the final payment, the entire process should be transparent and straightforward. Us voice actors are flexible partners dedicated to making every aspect of your project a success.

If you have any questions about my billing process, don't hesitate to reach out!

Thanks For Reading!

To learn more about me, hear some samples, or download my demos, just go to www.tomdheere.com.

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Tom Dheere is a voice actor with over 25 years of experience narrating just about every type of voiceover you can think of. He also helps other voice talents navigate the voiceover industry as the VO Strategist. When not voicing or talking about voicing, he produces the sci-fi comic book Agent 1.22.