Question About Ghostwriter Rates

Freelance Momma · #1 02-10-2006, 08:07 PM

I saw a post for an online mag that's starting up. They are offering $10 an article for up to 10 articles that they want to be 800-900 words. The pay goes up by $5 for every additional 10 articles and maxes out at $30 an article. When you email the submission you have to include a contract giving all rights to them.

I am new at freelance writing and am wondering if this is a good deal.

**lynnzop**[$] · #2 02-11-2006, 01:12 AM

Well, I'd consider a couple of things.

How long does it take you to write a 800-900 word article? Do you consider the hourly rate when you mulitply it out to be fair? I can whip out a 1000+ word article in less than 20 minutes, but I write and edit fast. You need to determine if the rate they are willing to pay x the time it will take you to write is worth it.

I don't like giving up all rights to my writing, but that's me. I have many of my articles on multiple sites, and I'd hate to give that up. Unless someone is paying me boo-coo bucks, I won't write or create "exclusively" for them. My work belongs to ME, not to some publisher who can hawk it as they like.

On the other hand, writing for an online mag is great pub. As an online site publisher, I know it's great to have contributions from other authors, but paying for them at start up can be difficult.

Overall, you need to decide what's right for you as a writer, and if you are interested in contributing to the magazine long-term. Good Luck!

Lynn

Redlass · #3 02-13-2006, 12:55 AM

It is NOT a good deal, but there may be mitigating factors that make it worth your while to do.

Are you looking for clips? Are you looking for something that will help you develop the discipline of writing for a deadline and a contract?

If not, I would skip it and look for something that pays at least 30 cents a word. Also, be careful about what type of rights you sign away.

I'd also add that I typically charge more for ghostwriting than I do something that will have my name on it. If I'm ghostwriting, it means I won't get any further benefit out of the work once it has been completed. That means the up-front compensation needs to be higher.

Freelance Momma · #4 02-13-2006, 01:29 PM

Thank you for the helpful info. When you're just starting out it can be difficult to know what to accept and what to turn down.

**pippadaisy**[$] · #5 02-13-2006, 03:24 PM

Bridgette, I always meant to ask... how did you get into freelancing?

Redlass · #6 02-13-2006, 04:05 PM

That's actually a tough question to answer. I suppose I'd have to point to when I started as when I was in high school and trying to get clips and build my resume. After that, it was part of professional development for my career and bringing in extra income.

Most of the freelance work I do has ended up dropped in my lap. Other people refer work my way or they are people whom I've worked with in one professional context who want me to do work for them in another.

There are some that I've pursued--magazine writing and theater reviewing. Everything else has been sort of serendipity. (Which, I know, is poor advice, but there you have it.)

**pippadaisy**[$] · #7 02-13-2006, 05:43 PM

Wow...high school!

I'm just wondering because I just didn't bother after college and never went out of my way to try to get anything after that, and you seem to have great success at it, whereas most of the things I see now are like what Freelance Momma pointed out...low-paying gigs.

Redlass · #8 02-13-2006, 06:35 PM

For me it really has been a lot of networking. However, other people make a success of it in other ways.

What type of freelancing are you interested in? It's probably easier (though a lot of hard work) to break into consumer trade magazines. I tend to do more of what is known as industrial writing--which is typically pretty steady and pays well (if a bit boring) but relies a lot more on connections and networking.

Redlass · #9 02-13-2006, 06:39 PM

By the way, I should add that a lot of networking comes in pretty unexpected ways.

One book that I did was because the previous editor had dropped out of the project. My friend's mother was the secretary for the department and mentioned my name when she saw that the professor was in a panic.

Another project came because my dad mentioned to one of his professional contacts that I was a writer.

Another time there was a mention at a theater after-glow for one of my husband's shows that a woman there was looking for a ghostwriter.

I've also had people point out to me things they saw in the newspaper and I've had fellow freelancers send work my way (and I've sent work their way when appropriate--it's always a helpful thing to do favors for people, even if you don't think those favors will ever pay off.)

It also helps for people to know that you write and that you're willing to take on freelance projects.