Continued from page 1
The magazine has lots of advertising. By calling
advertising department, and having their advertising rates faxed to you, you see that they're charging $10,000 for a full page ad. You've read that their usual contributor rates are around fifty cents a word.
You're offered 40 cents a word. You haggle, and you and
editor establish that this is 40 cents for
complete 1000 words, even if
magazine cuts
piece right down. Why did you agree?
Firstly, you want to break into this magazine. Secondly, you've done a lot of
research, and
article will be easy to write. Thirdly, you need
money, and you've heard that this magazine pays within fourteen days of receiving
invoice.
On
other hand, let's say that you've written for this magazine before. You've written three features which were well received. You've been getting a dollar a word. For this plastic surgery story,
editor tells you they've had budget cuts, and she can only afford to give you 50 cents a word.
You thank her for her time, and tell her that although you can't afford to do
story for that rate, you look forward to working with her again.
So getting an attitude means being armed with knowledge. You know how long and how much effort it will take you to do
work, and what
client can pay. You know what kind of deal you're happy with, and what you'll walk away from.
Want another example?
Let's say you're a sub-contractor occasionally working with a graphics design business. They send you an eight page brochure, and ask for a quote to copyedit it.
You read
copy-heavy brochure, and it's a mess. You estimate it will take you eight hours to do
work.
They get back to you --- eight hours seems too long. Are you sure it will take you eight hours?
You reply that it will, but if you finish in seven hours, you will only charge them for seven hours. On
other hand, if it takes you nine hours, you'll only charge them for eight.
You get
job.
Get an attitude about your work. Know your markets, and stand up for yourself. Not only will you be happier, but you'll also make more money from your writing.
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Australian author, journalist and copywriter Angela Booth has been writing professionally for over twenty years. She writes business books and copy for businesses.