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How much do online media writers make?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by jtc, Apr 17, 2015.

  1. jtc

    jtc New Member

    I've been asked to include in a job memo how much I'm looking for and, like many people who post similar stuff in this forum, I have no idea what to say. I don't want to negotiate against myself but also don't want to go overboard. I currently have a good job in the industry with salary/benefits and about 5 years experience, and they know that.

    The gig is at an online-only "daily magazine and digital media company" (they aspire to be like a local version of Buzzfeed type place), and the sports gig there would be a one-man-band reporter/writer/editor. I can't imagine they have a ton of money to spend on staff given ad-only revenue.

    How much is reasonable to ask for/expect from a web-only publication? $25,000? $35,000? $40,000? What have other people experienced or heard for a ballpark figure?
     
  2. ringer

    ringer Active Member

    Why don't you at least ask for what you're earning now -- more, actually, because you're currently getting benefits, and you'd be taking the risk by going to a newer "aspiring" place... and you'd be doing your own editing there.

    Don't assume they're low-budget. Online-only places don't have nearly the overhead costs that paper publications do.
     
  3. LongTimeListener

    LongTimeListener Well-Known Member

    NOT $75 an hour.

    If it's a general-interest news outlet, the wages you're quoting sound pretty optimistic.
     
  4. Doc Holliday

    Doc Holliday Well-Known Member

    If they want you to work full time, I'd ask for at least $35,000 with health, dental and vision. That's the very least I'd ask for. If they can't do that, they don't want to be taken seriously.
     
    Steak Snabler and FileNotFound like this.
  5. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    I would not put a figure on the form if you can get away with it. It doesn't help you in any way.

    Time for that is when they want you for the job.
     
  6. Editude

    Editude Active Member

    We ask what you make (made) at previous jobs, and our backgrounding company verifies that. We also ask you to fill in a requested salary but really don't expect that to be completed.
     
  7. Riptide

    Riptide Well-Known Member

    What is a backgrounding company, and how does it verify salary history?
     
  8. JakeandElwood

    JakeandElwood Well-Known Member

    Write "negotiable."
     
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