When it comes to setting rates as a voice actor, there’s a fine line between valuing your talent and pricing yourself out of the market. While many voice actors know not to underbid—undervaluing their work and undermining industry standards—there's another side to the equation that is equally damaging: overbidding.

Overbidding is when voice actors consistently price themselves hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars higher than the industry standard or the reasonable rate for a job. While it’s important to feel confident in your worth, overbidding can seriously affect your job opportunities and damage your reputation.

Voice Buyers Are Paying Attention

Voice buyers—producers, directors, or casting agents—get familiar with the names of voice actors who overbid regularly. And not in a good way. It is easy to spot an overbidder. With every voice over casting, there are always a few voice actors that bid much higher than every other person that auditioned for the job. Then, the next job comes along and the very same voice actors overbid again. This is chronic overbidding.

It’s not about having high standards; it’s about creating an expectation that doesn’t align with the project’s budget or market value. Over time, these voice actors develop a reputation for being "out of touch" with what the job should actually pay according to industry standards, and buyers hesitate to consider them for future projects.

There’s a simple reality here: voice buyers are looking for a reasonable price for voice over work. They want skilled voice talent who can deliver great performances at fair rates. Many clients research budgets for voice over jobs using industry standard sources like the GVAA Rate Guide when setting prices.  When a voice actor consistently overbids standard rates, they risk being viewed as unaffordable or unrealistic, no matter how great their demo or experience. Over time, this can severely limit the number of opportunities that come their way.

Why Fair Pricing Is Key

The goal is not to undervalue yourself. Far from it. In fact, VOPlanet is one of the few casting sites that does not allow underbidding. It’s important to recognize your skill and experience, but pricing your services fairly means being in line with industry standards and the project’s scope. Fair pricing ensures you're paid well for your work, without turning away potential clients who need high-quality voice work but can’t afford to overspend.

When voice actors consistently set reasonable rates, they stay competitive and build long-term relationships with clients. Buyers feel comfortable working with them because they know they won’t be overcharged. That relationship leads to repeat business and referrals, which are essential for a long-lasting voice acting career.

Overbidding may seem like a way to get more for your talent, but it could actually be a roadblock to future opportunities. By pricing your services fairly and staying in tune with the industry, you’ll not only avoid pricing yourself out of jobs, but you’ll also ensure your name stays at the top of buyers’ lists for the right reasons: talent, professionalism, and reasonable pricing.

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VOPlanet is a global marketplace that connects freelance voice actors with creators, casting directors and other voice buyers. Want to join our voice over team? Find out more about how to find voice over work.