CoMMerciAL SOnG ProdUctiOn FEE

[Fender]

Hi Guys.

I just finished a radio Jingle for a restaurant chain (not like McDonalds but 15 rest in TX.) do you know the going rates for 30 second jingles. I produced it at home, so It didn't cost me for studio time or for performers. I just need some ideas so I know what to charge the buyers.

I'm curious as to what this would have cost had it been produced in a pro studio with hired musicians, sound engineer etc.

Thanx in Advance for yourhelp.

[T. Alan Smith]

Good question.
I once produced a radio commercial for a buddy of mine and it came out real well. It was more of an experiment on my part and being a friend, he wasn't billed. I AM interested in the going rate though as I'd like to pursue that veign further.

[Fender]

So you don't know how much I should charge him.. I mean what I am thinkin is I spend over 100 hours at my studio, so maybe $35 per hour???

And there is another thing.. ASCAP.. if I register my jingle, they will pay each time they play.. But if I do that, maybe I must'nt charge the first money from buyer.. I am confused..

[EngineGuitarist]

generally in jingles you don't get royalties (unless its a famous song in a commercial) the company who pays for it buys it, which is why session players are hired to play if you need a band or any live instrument. Honestly , with the royalties, it all depends on whats in your contract with the company.

[Fender]

Thanx.. But Thats what I am asking.. How much I should say.. They did like the song, but they don't wanna pay too much. I should say some numbers. $1000 maybe? How is it sound like?

[bikerdude2]

I'm interested in what the going rate is..anyone?

[BryanMichael]

I charged 900.00 for a 30 second spot a few years back.

I broke it down into billable hours
30.00per hour apiece for me and my partner @ 15 hours=
900.00 including deliverables (DAT, CD)

And since it is a "work for hire" the restaurant owns the music-not you. So no royalties are generated. You are paid to create a product and they get the product.

Bry


__________________

[Fender]

I gotcha..
Thanks :)

[reggie reddog]

The guy that does jingles in my area (and many others) charges around $3000 for a jingle, but he is fairly established and does some excellent stuff. And yeah, work-for-hire and all that. No royalties. Charge them as much as you think you can get away with if they are pro quality. Did you not discuss price with them first?

[reggie reddog]

dam, this thread is pretty old so...nevermind

[BryanMichael]

Yes-
the "pros" in my area (really only one other guy that does this that I know of in Columbus and gets ALL the work- they profiled his studio in MIX magazine a few years back...) charges much higher rates, but I thought my rate was fair.

B

[Fender]

900 is not that much for alot of work.

[gtrjones]

Originally posted by Fender
900 is not that much for alot of work.

True, but if your competitors can crank a 30-second spot out in about 3 hours, that makes it hard for you to charge your clients for 15... even if it really took you that long... you have to think about it as eating some of your time for 'learning'...

I would say that $1000 is a pretty good number...

[BryanMichael]

I don't think 15 hours was that long considering we met with the clients, interviewed them about their ideas, wrote ORIGINAL lyrics and had them approve them- composed and recorded the music-had them approved. Hired a vocalist that they suggested (which didn't work out- she sucked!) Hired ANOTHER vocalist and recorded her- and then mastered the thing to DAT in three different versions. The recording sesion of the shitty vocalist wasn't our fault, but still cost hours.
There wasn't much "learning" involved.
Peace,
B