So, you’re voicing your first audiobook, and you come across the scary PFH acronym…
Scary terms and jargon frequently appear when communicating rates, timescales, delivery formats and much more.
So, it’s important you understand these terms so you can go into your next gig feeling confident!
In this particular case, understanding the PFH meaning will give you an insight into how the costs breakdown for an audiobook narration project.
PFH is short for ‘Per Finished Hour’
PFH is one method of calculating the payment of audiobook production services.
One finished hour of voice over narration is 60 total minutes of professionally recorded and edited audio, ready for broadcast or publication.
Example: If a narrator states that they charge $200 PFH, it means they will record themselves reading 7,500 – 10,000 words of text (depending on the pace of the read), then edit out mistakes, pops, and clicks to deliver a finished audio track.
But what factors go into calculating a PFH rate?
Any professional narrator needs to understand this because it will ultimately determine their hourly rate of pay. Authors seeking to hire a narrator will also want to understand what is involved.
Whilst paying a low PFH rate may seem like a good idea to an author (everyone likes a deal, right?), they may change their mind when they realise the shortcuts taken to achieve it!
Yep, let’s take a deeper look next.
How long to create a ‘finished’ hour of audio?
Creating one finished hour of audio requires extensive effort beyond just recording time.
An experienced narrator typically records about 20 minutes of usable audio per hour in the studio. Narrating is challenging due to the need for precision and the avoidance of natural speech errors.
Recording 1 hour of audio usually takes around 3 hours of work, followed by detailed editing. Editing involves removing mistakes, correcting errors, and ensuring a clean final product.
On average, producing one hour of finished audio involves roughly 9 hours of combined recording and editing.
Even the best narrators need about 6 hours for one finished hour, accounting for recording and editing time!
What is a fair PFH rate?
If you’re an author seeking to get your book turned into an audiobook, the PFH meaning is vital to your success.
Knowing that it takes at minimum 6 hours – and more likely 9 hours – to create one finished hour of audio, do you think a rate of $50 PFH or even $100 PFH is reasonable compensation?
That equates to an embarrassingly low range of pay from $5.55 – $16.66 per hour. Understanding what is fair compensation for time is part of the PFH meaning.
A good narrator brings words to life – they don’t just read aloud in a monotone. They’ll expand the audience – sometimes two or five-fold over the e-book publication.
Being a narrator is a trade, but it is not like other trades because it may catapult an author’s writing to new heights. So, is it fair to offer a rate less than the average pay rate for a plumber in the US?
And no disrespect intended to hard-working plumbers, they are vital, but they aren’t going to turn your bathroom into a money-making enterprise.
An accomplished narrator can and often will.
Our recommendations
Consider an audiobook production an investment, not an expense.
So, how much does it cost to produce an audiobook?
We recommend:
- $200 PFH minimum to attract experienced narrators
Ideally:
- $300 – $500 PFH for expert narrators.
Fact: offering less than $100 PFH will only attract:
- novice narrators with little or no previous experience
- narrators that use cheap recording equipment
- narrators that don’t spend sufficient time editing the audio
All of which will require more hassle for you and inflict a lasting negative impression on your audience.
After all, the audiobook version should enhance the writing, not detract from it, and a sub-par audiobook will only lead to listener dissatisfaction.
Conclusion
Understanding the PFH (Per Finished Hour) rate is crucial for authors and narrators.
Authors should note that low rates ($50-$100 PFH) usually mean less experienced narrators with cheaper equipment and minimal editing. So, investing in higher rates ($200 PFH or more) attracts skilled narrators who can elevate your audiobook quality.
Treat your narrator as a partner, possibly sharing commissions to foster a successful collaboration. This investment can significantly enhance your audiobook’s success and reach.
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