LisaCampbell MEDIA's Microphone Messages division offers voice services for all media - requiring professional - specialized voice talent.  

We are excited to now offer Audiobook Production and Narration services at LCM with the fastest turnaround time in the industry.  Partnering with The PRDesignGroup (publishing) and over a dozen other publishing groups, LisaCampbell MEDIA is thrilled that the Audiobook Industry is showing such an increase in sales growth. 

Audiobooks now comprise over 10% of the book industry (about $3 Billion in sales) and projections indicate an industry-wide expectation for those numbers to triple over the next few years - thanks to the release of eBook readers like Apple's iPad, Barnes and Noble's NOOK, and the Kindle. 

One of the most frequently asked questions on LisaCampbellMEDIA.com is "How much will it cost me to get you torecord my book?" Well, each project is inherently different - but here's a bit of information and a few rules of thumb as you search around the industry.  

According to Judy Byers, author of Words on Tape, "Most commercial recorded products are done in large cities like NY, L.A., Chicago, Miami, or Atlanta...  and $500 - $5000 per 'finished' hour is a range I've seen publishers use."  The following four factors combine to contribute to the rates:

• Studio Time

• Recording Engineer

• Producer/Director

• Talent Fees

Studio time is generally in the $150-$200 an hour range, audio engineers services can often be acquired for around $125 an hour, a producer/director: A few hundred dollars/hr to "the sky's the limit", depending on the individual’s experience, status in the industry, etc. (Studio rates have been declining due to the proliferation of affordable digital recording equipment and subsequent "home studio" set-ups).

Talent Fees can range from $175-$300 per finished hour for professional "unknown" talent to four figures for celebrity talent. (Depending on who the celebrity is, as you can imagine, it can run the gamut of those four figures). Fees are often negotiated based on the scope of the work, intended distribution, type of talent agreement, etc.

What is involved in the audiobook production process?

Audio production for the spoken word can have a widely varying production ratio, anywhere from 4:1, (i.e. 4 hours of work for every hour of finished product) to as much as 12:1 (i.e. 12 hours of work for every hour of finished product). Considerations of pacing and style for the delivery and attention to detail in recording, proofing, editing, and mastering are the largest contributing factors.

The process involves the work of a narrator (performance), an engineer (recording & editing) and producer/director (coordination & direction). Post production entails editing, mixing and mastering.

What is involved in the audiobook narration process?

In a word: Storytelling. Narration is an art form, the narrator or voice actor is a "voice artist". There are special skills required of an audiobook narrator. The skill set for a narrator or voice actor includes the following "performance tools": Script analysis, interpretation and a range of creative delivery styles for character development and portraying characters and, not least of all, stamina and consistency.

A lot of time goes into preparation for an audiobook performance. This includes pre-reading the material, (often creating a database of the characters to be voiced) and going through the manuscript to do  "mark up", putting accent/emphasis marks in for a guide, etc.

In voice acting it is important that the "global" or overall performance flows well and is consistent. The rhythm of each line, each paragraph, each piece of dialogue, each chapter as it unfolds must match the flow that the imagery of the scenes demand.  The pre-read is essential to the execution of this task. At the same time, a fine balance must be maintained,  delivering the necessary emotion, characterization and tone without overshadowing the story.

Unless called for in the story, an "over the top" performance can distract the listener and detract from the experience. Therefore the narrator must be able to serve the needs of the role while remaining "transparent".

What is involved in choosing a narrator?

As the author or executive producer, you are the person closest to the project, and if the voice "resonates" with you on an emotional level, chances are it will be the appropriate "type" for the material. In addition to that, however, a narrator must have the skill set to be able to do much more than just read clearly: One must have the understanding and expertise necessary to breathe life into your work.

Some other important considerations in choosing a narrator should be: budget, deadline, narrator's availability, range of related services available (Does the narrator have access to a studio and engineer, e.g.?), attention to detail in recording, proofing, editing, and mastering.

LisaCampbell MEDIA offers all of the above and, as industry standards go, at an uber reasonable rate.  Contact Us today - and have your book come to life - on tape!  

[Contact LisaCampbell MEDIA for an Audiobook or Narration Price Quote. Click Here.]

LisaCampbell MEDIA  created the docuMEDIA Film Short.  It's a hybrid of a documentary, news story, and commercial advertisement (watch selected demos on HOME page).  docuMEDIA films use Kinetic typography, still photography, professional audio editing and voiceovers to articulate your messaging your way. They're being used by all sorts of companies with great success. 

Here's one - created for Ackerman & Co. (Commercial Real Estate company)

Contact LCM for a FREE consultation on how your company can use these unique technologies to build your business, image and brand. 

Your messaging, your way. Unfiltered. 

LisaCampbell MEDIA ...a Communications and Understanding Project
©2010 All Rights Reserved