What to charge per word/hour

Meanwhile, some newspapers are paying $50 or less for a high school football game...

 

In my final days as a sports editor, I was told I could offer stringers $35 to cover a high school football game. While I probably would've gotten some takers even for that pittance, I was too embarrassed to even offer that to someone who would give up a Friday night.

 

The big-city daily about 90 miles from where I live pays $50 for high school football games. At least it did until I quit covering games for it a few years ago. That's not enough money to cover a game where I have to keep my own stats and send in scoring updates every quarter.

 

At 7:22 a.m. this morning, I received this:

*Hello swingline:

I received your contract back late yesterday so your payment is being processed today.*

The check (cheque) is in the mail! Maybe. I'll spend it when I see it.

 

And upload post-game video...

 

I finally got my money. With mileage, a shade more than $1,000. Hallelujah, bills will be paid.

 

I use a service that transcribes audio and video files of public meetings, and they charge 85 cents per minute of audio/video.