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I may be getting involved with a magazine startup in the near future in an editorial capacity. While in talks with the publisher, we’ve been looking at different models for bringing in a regular stable of writers. I’ve shared my thoughts on the options, and now I’d like to reach out to you for feedback from other writers. I’d like your opinions on the following two models, to pass your feedback along in the process (just feedback now - I'm not officially involved and recruiting at the moment). I hope you’ll be kind enough to share.
Background:
I don’t want to share specifics about the publication. Because we would be accepting research and opinion pieces from non-experts in the subject matter, I’d like to get feedback from writers across the board.
It’s also important that you answer with the understanding that this is not the type of profit-sharing gig you would see spammed all over Craigslist or something. It would be backed by an experienced businessman, reasonably funded, and very thoroughly planned out (as in lawyers, accountants, and proper business planning and projections - not a “I want to start a site or magazine, and if it makes money someday I’ll pay you” situation). It's also important to note that any writers under the part-ownership model would have access to those financial and planning details when presented with a contract to consider - no secretive BS about it.
The goal during startup is to find a dedicated team of 20 regular writers for the publication, as opposed to different freelancers each month. As the publication grows beyond that, supplemental freelance submissions would be considered from others. Please base your thoughts here on those initial 20 regular writer positions and not just freelance pieces.
While I know I'm not giving a lot of specifics, other things to consider are that the publication is in a niche that's not only in-demand on a regular and constant basis, but especially so during the current economy. Research shows that publications in the niche are doing rather well compared to the print publishing industry as a whole right now. Print industry issues are also being actively confronted in the planning, covering everything from common staff overhead issues (lean and remote staff, supplemented by contractors as needed), a strong online distribution / promotional plan, and targeted print distribution to keep those costs under control (again, can't really go into much detail right now other than to say these things have all been taken into consideration).
That said, here are the options. I hope you’ll contribute your thoughts on the pros and / or cons of each. The idea is to pass along as many thoughts on the matter as possible, as they may play a role in the final decisions on that front:
Part Ownership
The goal is to work from an existing online magazine format, and take it to print in several months. Writers would initially be brought in for one or two articles on a freelance basis at around $200 per article (assume 1000 - 1500 words for most features).
At that point, if the publisher wants that writer to fill one of those regular roles, they would be made an offer of part-ownership to continue.
That offer would involve a small ownership percentage of the magazine, but would also involve no further direct pay for six months (with one article due every two weeks).
After those first six months, all articles would be paid at the $200 per article rate.
After the first year, those 20 writers would be put on a more industry standard salary.
It’s also important to note that the contracts would include an exit strategy that would involve some kind of buyout or compensation for past work - meaning you wouldn’t have to worry about being dismissed in those first six unpaid months and ending up with nothing.
Up Front Payments
This would be similar in that you would be a regularly contracted writer if you’re one of the 20, and would still be expected to produce bi-weekly features or columns. You would receive the flat $200 per article from the first, and at least through that first year (where you then may also be put on a more typical salary). Having one or two articles accepted wouldn’t guarantee a longer-term commitment. They would still be used to narrow down the best 20 writers, who would be presented with the longer-term contract offers.
However, you would have no ownership in the magazine, and you would earn no profit from its operation or later sale.
(Please note that I’m basing the $200 on features, and for much shorter regular columns pay might be lower, or you may offer the same word count by writing your column alongside a short department piece.)
--
In either of these situations, it’s also important to note that you wouldn’t be asked to sign a contract with vague promises. You would have access to the same financial projections and other planning details relevant to your position, just as those in editorial or marketing roles would so you would be able to make a well educated decision before making any commitments.
Those offered a contract who choose not to accept it would not be continuing on with freelance assignments. In the beginning, all of the attention would be going into getting those 20 writers on board. At that point if we needed additional material, we would certainly love to talk to those previous writers again about freelance pieces occasionally, but it shouldn’t be expected as that need is currently unknown.
So there you have it. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more specifics, but I’m really just looking for general thoughts to pass along at this point. I hope you’ll share yours, and I appreciate you looking through all of this.
Background:
I don’t want to share specifics about the publication. Because we would be accepting research and opinion pieces from non-experts in the subject matter, I’d like to get feedback from writers across the board.
It’s also important that you answer with the understanding that this is not the type of profit-sharing gig you would see spammed all over Craigslist or something. It would be backed by an experienced businessman, reasonably funded, and very thoroughly planned out (as in lawyers, accountants, and proper business planning and projections - not a “I want to start a site or magazine, and if it makes money someday I’ll pay you” situation). It's also important to note that any writers under the part-ownership model would have access to those financial and planning details when presented with a contract to consider - no secretive BS about it.
The goal during startup is to find a dedicated team of 20 regular writers for the publication, as opposed to different freelancers each month. As the publication grows beyond that, supplemental freelance submissions would be considered from others. Please base your thoughts here on those initial 20 regular writer positions and not just freelance pieces.
While I know I'm not giving a lot of specifics, other things to consider are that the publication is in a niche that's not only in-demand on a regular and constant basis, but especially so during the current economy. Research shows that publications in the niche are doing rather well compared to the print publishing industry as a whole right now. Print industry issues are also being actively confronted in the planning, covering everything from common staff overhead issues (lean and remote staff, supplemented by contractors as needed), a strong online distribution / promotional plan, and targeted print distribution to keep those costs under control (again, can't really go into much detail right now other than to say these things have all been taken into consideration).
That said, here are the options. I hope you’ll contribute your thoughts on the pros and / or cons of each. The idea is to pass along as many thoughts on the matter as possible, as they may play a role in the final decisions on that front:
Part Ownership
The goal is to work from an existing online magazine format, and take it to print in several months. Writers would initially be brought in for one or two articles on a freelance basis at around $200 per article (assume 1000 - 1500 words for most features).
At that point, if the publisher wants that writer to fill one of those regular roles, they would be made an offer of part-ownership to continue.
That offer would involve a small ownership percentage of the magazine, but would also involve no further direct pay for six months (with one article due every two weeks).
After those first six months, all articles would be paid at the $200 per article rate.
After the first year, those 20 writers would be put on a more industry standard salary.
It’s also important to note that the contracts would include an exit strategy that would involve some kind of buyout or compensation for past work - meaning you wouldn’t have to worry about being dismissed in those first six unpaid months and ending up with nothing.
Up Front Payments
This would be similar in that you would be a regularly contracted writer if you’re one of the 20, and would still be expected to produce bi-weekly features or columns. You would receive the flat $200 per article from the first, and at least through that first year (where you then may also be put on a more typical salary). Having one or two articles accepted wouldn’t guarantee a longer-term commitment. They would still be used to narrow down the best 20 writers, who would be presented with the longer-term contract offers.
However, you would have no ownership in the magazine, and you would earn no profit from its operation or later sale.
(Please note that I’m basing the $200 on features, and for much shorter regular columns pay might be lower, or you may offer the same word count by writing your column alongside a short department piece.)
--
In either of these situations, it’s also important to note that you wouldn’t be asked to sign a contract with vague promises. You would have access to the same financial projections and other planning details relevant to your position, just as those in editorial or marketing roles would so you would be able to make a well educated decision before making any commitments.
Those offered a contract who choose not to accept it would not be continuing on with freelance assignments. In the beginning, all of the attention would be going into getting those 20 writers on board. At that point if we needed additional material, we would certainly love to talk to those previous writers again about freelance pieces occasionally, but it shouldn’t be expected as that need is currently unknown.
So there you have it. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more specifics, but I’m really just looking for general thoughts to pass along at this point. I hope you’ll share yours, and I appreciate you looking through all of this.