What's "acceptable" fee for a recurring column?

[NeverEndingStory]

An editor of an online magazine liked an idea for a recurring column that I pitched. Of course, he replied to my query with that one question I can't seem to answer: "What are your fees?"

Well, the mag is a start-up, and I have no idea what the ed's budget is. From what I know of the debut "issue," I don't think it's pennies. (They've got a pretty key figure for the lead story.) I typically get paid .25-.50 cents per word in my local magazine market. Should I expect an online magazine to pay more money, because web exposure is greater, or less money? And, do you think he's looking for me to answer his question with a per word fee or a flat per column fee?

[Mayntz]

Typically columns are a flat fee, though you can calculate it based on the projected word count range for the column. It's good that you're comparing your rate to what the magazine is willing to pay for features, but bear in mind that a column is not quite the same as a feature. I'm a columnist for our local weekly paper, which pays the whopping rate of $30 per feature. For the column, I'm getting $20 per installment, but there are no interviews required (features require 2 sources, minimum), so I'm happy with that rate based on the amount of work required for me -- that is to say, not a lot other than drawing on my personal experience and writing the piece. For less than an hour's worth of work, that's not a bad wage, certainly not for my region and such. Yours may be vastly different, of course.

Hope that helps!

[zeprosnepsid]

I spent a couple years as an online journalist, I had two columns, and yeah, the pay range varied widely. Very very widely. They were flat fees.

But in general, online pays less than print. At least in my experience.

But .25-.50/word for a 500-1000 word column seems possible.

[NeverEndingStory]

That's about what I'd expect based on my current gigs. I shot for the .50 cents. We'll see what the response is.

[smoothseas]

Just wanted to say... Good luck.

[NeverEndingStory]

They countered my offer of .50 cents per word (the high-end of my typical rate) with an offer of .10 cents per word. Wow. Seriously? I mean, we all know for the most part that writers are underpaid. But, you know what really irks me about this, and so many situations like this? The editor said it was due to lack of budget ... okay, I can understand that ... but WHY bother to ask what my rates are when you know full well that the actual rate of pay is going to be far lower than it should be? Was he hoping I'd quote .10 cents, or better yet, .5 cents, and magically we'd have a deal??? Have mercy.

[KTC]

The last column I had paid $0.45/word plus $40 for web publication. I considered that low to middling.

[Ken]

...been doing one for five years. Am making 3x's as much as I made at the start and also do other stuff for the mag, now. So starting low may pay off down the road. Good luck. (Why not give the column a try for a month, and if it's too demanding you can always just say later. That would be my advise.)

[Skyraven]

Neverending - glad to hear about the column, sorry to hear about the low counteroffer. They should have been upfront and said what they wanted to offer as payment. Good luck with it. :)

[KTC]

...been doing one for five years. Am making 3x's as much as I made at the start and also do other stuff for the mag, now. So starting low may pay off down the road. Good luck. (Why not give the column a try for a month, and if it's too demanding you can always just say later. That would be my advise.)

Good point. I made some connections from my column too. I'd counter for more than $0.10/word, I think...meet somewhere in the middle if they are willing...but connections are priceless.

[Ken]

...yep. If you could get more per word, as KTC suggests, that would be cool, if you go ahead with the gig. Just be tactful about how you ask. The first column I landed with a local newspaper I wound up losing when I "requested" more loot. From then on whenever it comes to money matters I am circumspect, e.g. "This payment would be fine, though I'd prefer more."