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Topic: 3,750 words for $400!
| Author | Message |
| Magazine Mania | Posted – 1/25/2008 9:04:10 PM | show profile An upscale regional magazine that I really want to write for assigned me a feature. I was shocked when I asked what the rate of pay would be and was told $400 for 3,750 words. What's the best way to make this a win-win for both sides? I really want to develop a long-term working relationship with the magazine, so does anyone have ideas on the best way to negotiate more money? I know budgets are sometimes an issue, but this is an upscale magazine and I'm finding it difficult to believe that their freelance writers aren't paid more. I definitely should have asked what the rate of pay would be BEFORE we discussed possible topics. I've made a whole lot more for 300-word articles. Help! |
| Lula | Posted – 1/25/2008 9:20:42 PM | show profile Why not politely express your surprise and ask if there's any wiggle room, as you were expecting something more in the range of $XXX-$XXXX? |
| Marie | Posted – 1/25/2008 9:25:40 PM | show profile If the magazine pays so poorly, why do you want to establish a long-term relationship with them? It's possible they lowballed you slightly and will come up slightly, but it's not going to be a lot. If you believe this clip could be a stepping stone to higher-paying national markets, then do the article. But you're never going to earn a whole lot from this magazine, it that's your goal. |
| Magazine Mania | Posted – 1/25/2008 9:47:11 PM | show profile Thanks, Lula, I will try that route. Marie - I did ask myself why I'd want to work with a publication that pays so low. But, yes, I'm hoping clips in this magazine will lead to high-paying national markets. Given that they probably won't come up much, how much more would you guess they'd negotiate? The money is not my focus right now, but I'm also not a beginner in the writing field. |
| Righter | Posted – 1/25/2008 9:51:54 PM | show profile In my experience, a lot of regional upscale mags are upscale only in their subject matter, the pay for articles never quite lives up to the hype. When I was first starting to freelance, I pitched one of the "upscale" mags in my city and got the assignment, only to find out they paid 7 CENTS a word!!! I was still in college and wanted the clip, so I did it and never worked for them again. But I used the clip, got the byline, and could say I'd written for so-and-so, so I used it to go onto better-paying assignments. It doesn't seem like you're just starting out, so, like another poster said, why would you want to continue a relationship with someone that pays so low? I doubt it'll make a significant difference to negotiate at this point. |
| BurbGrrl | Posted – 1/25/2008 10:45:47 PM | show profile For what it's worth In our magazine, when assigning to a writer for the first time, we generally pay about half of our standard rate since it's a trial run. (The exception would be a well-established freelancer with heavy national clips.) If the piece is good and the writer is fine to work with, they get the full fee from then on. But I tell the writer this up front -- my guess is that if the editor didn't specifically say so, then they probably won't bump you up for future articles unless you agitate for it. That said, I've been in your shoes with an upscale regional mag. They pay a fraction of what the magazine I work for does, and we're probably middle of the pack. It's disheartening to see so many ads for luxury cars, jewelers, furs, plastic surgeons, etc. and then to find out they won't even pay 50 cents a word. Fie on them, I say, and I put my time and energy into better projects. |
| Magazine Mania | Posted – 1/25/2008 11:01:26 PM | show profile Well...I see that I'm not alone in this. I'm just going to ask for more. If they say no, I'll know how to proceed next time. Another lesson learned in the world of editorial! |
| writesonwater | Posted – 1/25/2008 11:34:59 PM | show profile You could always say "I'm accustomed to working for a rate that would put this piece more in the ballpark of xxxx" -- they know you're not a newbie, but you also haven't given them an ultimatum. If there's any leeway, at this point perhaps they will negotiate. But I'm betting there's not much wiggle room. Need the clip -- do the work. Have the clip, perhaps do better elsewhere next time. But I agree with other posters who pointed out that you may not want a longterm relationship with them. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 1/26/2008 1:52:20 PM | show profile This isn't my experience. For the most part, the first fee a magazine gives you will be the standard for all subsequent pieces. So I would never take a low fee with the expectation it will rise later unless, as in this case, the editor clearly says that is their system. If the editor doesn't say that, it won't happen. Onto the larger issue: The first thing you have to decide, Mania, is the minimum you are willing to do this piece for. You need a firm walkaway price. That may be $4,000. It may be $2,000. It may be $405. I don't know how little you're willing to work for. Until you have a walkaway price, you can't negotiate. --n our magazine, when assigning to a writer for the first time, we generally pay about half of our standard rate since it's a trial run. (The exception would be a well-established freelancer with heavy national clips.) If the piece is good and the writer is fine to work with, they get the full fee from then on. But I tell the writer this up front -- my guess is that if the editor didn't specifically say so, then they probably won't bump you up for future articles unless you agitate for it.-- |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 1/26/2008 1:55:37 PM | show profile Often what I'll do is quote a higher normal rate and then give them a discount: "Usually for pieces like this, I charge $1.50-2 per word, but because I want to develop a long relationship, I am willing to do this for $1 a word." If you just ask for the $1 a word without context, it's more likely they'll try to haggle a lower price. All that said, when someone starts off offering a dime a word, it's going to be low paying work. --You could always say "I'm accustomed to working for a rate that would put this piece more in the ballpark of xxxx" -- they know you're not a newbie, but you also haven't given them an ultimatum.-- |
| Magazine Mania | Posted – 1/26/2008 3:55:41 PM | show profile Dribbledrive1 - do you think it's better to just pick the phone up and have that conversation...or send a quick note via email? Our method of communication thus far has been email. |
| flight risk | Posted – 1/26/2008 5:31:50 PM | show profile Ten cents a word isn't even close to being a living wage for a writer. All that work for $400. Ugh. Even indy magazine Bust pays more and they're known for their insultingly low pay--though you get a decent clip. Why don't you focus on some national markets. Especially if you've already got decent clips. Shoot higher. There are tons of better pubs that would love to exploit you for say .50 cents to $1 a word. |
| jkdscribe | Posted – 1/27/2008 11:13:44 AM | show profile I'd really like to hear some thoughts on what standard rates are for regional magazines. I recently started writing for one that I thought would pay higher to find they paid .15 a word. The stories aren't too hard or time-consuming so i still do them, as well for the clips. But is it really common for a regional mag to pay $1 a word? Seems like a lot for mags that probably have low budgets. Would like to hear thoughts. Thanks. |
| snuffleupagus | Posted – 1/27/2008 12:37:05 PM | show profile Perhaps Arizona Highways is an exception, but they paid me $1/word + travel expenses when I was a total newbie. According to mediabistro's HTP, Texas Highways is now $0.50 a word and they are finally paying (modest) kill fees. If these state-supported pubs can handle a decent rate, seems like those ad-heavy regional mags are just being stingy. |
| mad fingers | Posted – 1/27/2008 12:47:39 PM | show profile In the market I'm in: Our "big" alt weekly: 10 cents a word. Upside: great clips, minimal editorial hassle, easy to work with/for. The one I used to edit: flat fees $50-300, depending on word count. Max was $300 for a 2,000-3,000 word piece by an established writer. Newbies got less. Pitiful! Others here I have written for here: 25-50 cents a word. |
| flight risk | Posted – 1/27/2008 2:20:59 PM | show profile Big city regionals like New York and Los Angeles pay $1 to $1.50 a word. A friend says 5280 pays .50 to .75 cents a word. I did a few stories for a community paper that put out a special magazine once a month. They paid .75 cents a word, though I think that's uncommon. The paper itself was like .10 cents a word. |
| Canadiana | Posted – 1/27/2008 3:39:57 PM | show profile I did a few stories for a national trade publication. I originally quoted .30 cents a word but asked to be bumped up to .45 cents after one story. The editor kind of grumbled about it but did pay me that rate for two other stories. However, my friend who edited a NA fitness pub said she thought .50 cents a word was rather pitiful (what her pub paid freelance writers)! |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 1/27/2008 9:19:55 PM | show profile BurbGrrl, that's unacceptable to offer only half the rate. Chances are, the writer didn't get the assignment without clips from other publications, so the editors at your place know the writer can deliver. If an editor hired a new plumber, would he or she only offer to pay half the going rate to test him out? Not likely. |
