Pay Question

[da man]

$100 for a 1000-word story is borderline insulting if you have to put any work at all into it.

The sad part is they'll have no problem getting people to jump at it.

 

[SixToe]

Within the last year I've secured regular assignments for a magazine (750 words, $250) and had a niche blog paying $250 for 500-600 words.

I've written for magazines that paid $1 a word, and laughingly turned out small ones that asked for 1,000 words, a sidebar AND 1-2 good photos for $50.

Istopped writing for a website that wanted a similar word count and sidebar but requested 20-25 photos with each submission, all for $300 to $350. Why? Because after the time involved in putting together and writing the story, and selecting photos (my photos), the pay rate devalued everything submitted. The photos were worth only a few bucks, if anything, yet the site sold an advertising "frame" around it and made money.

Don't give away your talents for paltry sums. You can be firm in asking for more money for the experience you bring. And if they won't pay, let them buy **** from some wannabe.

 

[BB Bobcat]

I'm currently the editor of a magazine and we pay a minimum of about 30 cents a word, and that's for the cheap low end. Some of our stuff is 50 or 75 cents.

I've written for MLB Publications (WS program, All-Star Game, etc.) and they pay a buck a word. It's a sweet gig.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

When I was in college, almost 20 years ago, I would get $75 a pop for gamers and previews. Some of those same papers pay $30 for the same stuff now.

In the late 1990s when I was actually so busy I sometimes had to turn down freelance work, $1 a word was the going rate for middle-to-lower level magazines. I think the most I ever got was $2500 for a 1,500-word feature. ESPN The Magazine would routinely pay $600 for college football capsules. One year I did three and made $1,800 for about two hours work... Those days are long gone unless you're very well-established and in demand.

 

[SixToe]

I'm currently the editor of a magazine and we pay a minimum of about 30 cents a word, and that's for the cheap low end. Some of our stuff is 50 or 75 cents.

Thank you for paying good rates and, most likely, expecting quality work.

I'm sure your writers and readers appreciate the effort.