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Topic: Word up!
| Author | Message |
| Latinaspygirl | Posted – 2/7/2008 10:05:45 AM | show profile | email poster A few months ago an editor for a local magazine liked my pitch and wanted me to write a 700 word article. Pay rate was .30 cents a word (I know it's low but it's one of my first paying gigs.) The article recently published but they cut the article down to 500 words. I'm guessing for space. My question: Regarding word rate, am I paid by how many words I wrote for the article or how many words was published? |
| mag writer | Posted – 2/7/2008 3:42:32 PM | show profile per-word rate You should be paid for the number of words ASSIGNED. Articles are always edited and often tightened for space, but that should not affect the payment, which is per your original contract deal: 700 words at 30 cents/word. |
| cynthiarupe | Posted – 2/7/2008 11:25:27 PM | show profile I agree. Invoice them based on 700 words. |
| westsidestory | Posted – 2/8/2008 12:33:06 PM | show profile don't count on it Don't be surprised, though, if they pay your for 500 words. Many of the small publications pay by published word count -- it helps them avoid problems when freelancers send in 2,000 words when assigned a 700-word story. (this happens more often than you'd think). Small publications also have far tighter budgets, so if they pay you $60 less this time around you may have to let it go and not fuss. If you want to keep writing for them to assemble more clips, don't fight what they send you. 30 cents a word is too little to argue about. What's more important is that you continue to create a reputation that you are a professional who delivers clean copy on deadline - and |
| westsidestory | Posted – 2/8/2008 12:39:47 PM | show profile - and - and, actually that's it. I've been an editor, I've been a freelancer, and it's all about delivering clean copy, on time, no whining about pay or edits, and generally becoming viewed as a valuable part of the content team to the extent that that when you suggest you have to raise your rates ...they'll agree to pay more because they don't want to lose you. Repeat, repeat, repeat with all publications and you will grow a career in no time. |
