I am working on some e-learning courses and I am considering using professional voice talent for narration. What are the typical hourly rates for professional narration for e-learning? I am sure it varies by the market (I am in Grand Rapids, Michigan), but any general guidance would be helpful to get me started. Thanks!

We use SpeakEasy Productions in Baltimore. They are wonderful and I highly recommend!!! You can easily work with them via telephone/email from Michigan. Here is their website: http://www.voiceover.com/

Rates vary depending on the length of time and choice of talent. Contact them to request an estimate. By the way, you can listen to demos from their website!

Best of Luck!
Jason

I've recently seen a wild variety of rates - from a fully narrated 30 page module for $400 to a two paragraph in-character performance for $300.

The balance of quality/price of home recording studios seems to have improved in the past few years - I'm hearing top quality sound coming out of 1-man home operations. In my experience, you'll get the best price from an independent voiceover artist (dig around at Voices123.com for good leads), but if you need special character voices or background effects, go with a talent studio.

I'll be happy to recommend a couple of people with whom I've had good experiences - email me at dennis@artisanology.com if you're interested.

Cheerio,

Dennis

Take a look at http://www.narratorfiles.com/
We haven't used them yet, but they certainly look to be good value and i had a good chat with them and they came across very well.

S.Colbrun? Would this be the S. Colbrun who worked at FTDC about a decade ago for MSXI? This is Doug Swiatkowski who also worked there with you.

Have a lead on a narrator I used when I was with another comapny (Raytheon Professional Services). Out of Texas, but the narration is midwest in accent. Excellent work and very reasonable. About $800.00 for a one hour Web Based Course.

Will get the info for you and post it. If this is the S.Colbrun I think it is, how are things going and where are you at right now?