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Topic: How much to charge for tourism guide writing?
| Author | Message |
| spoentwriter | Posted – 2/28/2008 7:24:01 PM | show profile | email poster I've been approached about writing a new travel guide for a regional tourism organization in my area. The project will be due in late July, and will run between 10,000 and 12,000 words. Since it's a large region, some travel will likely be required too. I have done a good deal of other travel writing (glossy magazines, weekly newspapers, and visitor publications--the style of this project will be closest to the latter), but I haven't worked specifically for a tourism organization before. They have asked me to submit a quote. The key, of course, is to avoid overpricing or underpricing. I am planning to submit an approximate flat fee based on a per-word rate (i.e. 10,000-12,000 words at $0.50/word=$5,000-$6,000). I've been told that they will subsidize fam trips I may need to do outside my major West Coast metropolitan area. I'd greatly appreciate thoughts from other travel writers about what they might charge, based on the info I've supplied. Thanks! |
| aoscruggs | Posted – 2/29/2008 2:18:28 AM | show profile I'm not a travel writer, but that rate seems low You're only charging 50 cents a word? Since you'll probably need to do regular rewrites, I suggest at least $1 per word. That's $10,000, but you can then negotiate down. I'm sure you'll earn all of it. |
| Thabit | Posted – 2/29/2008 7:05:44 AM | show profile agree, try for more You may not get 1$ a word but when you're doing all that tedious fact checking (dates, opening hours, websites, ticket prices) if you're getting more than .50 you'll be grateful. |
| Sam Waynewright | Posted – 2/29/2008 9:02:41 AM | show profile How much to charge for tourism guide writing Yes, $1 per word, and trust me, you will earn every penny of it. Also, one word of advice beyond money -- make sure that you are dealing with a single boss -- one person who is actually in charge of approving the editorial. Otherwise you will have an absolute nightmare dealing with some comittee of amateur editors, each with their own agenda. Tourism is one of those fields where every thinks that they are an expert. |
| ISR | Posted – 2/29/2008 9:09:42 AM | show profile I used to edit travel guides. It's a ton of work---very specific updating, very little writing. 5K would be the minimum they'd offer you; a fair rate would be 10K. I'd ask for 10K and if they want you they'll give it to you. Most travel guides have a total budget of about 12K minimum. |
| Stanley_Milgram | Posted – 2/29/2008 9:54:09 AM | show profile I've written for many travel guides. The pay is dismal and the work is hard (addresses, phone#s, do they accept VISA/MC, etc). You'd be lucky to get anywhere near .50 a word. My .02. |
| Sam Waynewright | Posted – 2/29/2008 1:45:02 PM | show profile How much to charge for tourism guide writing The pay is "dismal" because writers continue to accept ridiculous fees like .50 per word. There's nothing whatsoever "lucky" about getting paid .50 per word. As long a some writers think like amateurs, you will be treated like amateurs. |
| Stanley_Milgram | Posted – 2/29/2008 3:06:17 PM | show profile actually, my mistake. i thought you were referring to guidebooks from the major publishers (lonely planet, fodor's, etc.). but upon rereading the post, i see that you are being hired by a tourism organization, which is probably then more of a promotional thing, and the pay should/would be better. |
