Getting it 'Right' with Writers- Tell us what you think!
I really appreciate the open and frank conversation we have had around paying writers for their contributions. Thanks to each of you that have contributed to the discussion.
Rest assured that I heard the message loud and clear. Committed writers want to feel appreciated, valued and celebrated. I could not agree more.
Now, I ask "Beyond money, what else is really important?"
What are the most important motivators for writers? Is there a service companies can provide to active writers that is even more important than 'beer money' every month? A few companies have gone down this path with mixed success. For example:
1. Exposure. One company helps writers get their work noticed. They give writers a huge audience to build their name and reputation.
2. Access to Editors. One company does not pay its contributors, but it gives them access to an editorial staff.
3. Access to syndication. One company says if you contribute on their site, you can get your work distributed to many websites.
4. Free products. One company says if you write enough, you can get free products.
Are those valuable? Are those things that your spouses would say-- 'okay, go write for that place!' What is it that writers really want and need? What makes it worth your time?
Is it getting clips? Is it getting noticed? Is it helping charities? Is it taking free classes? Is it a place to safely test out your work?
Let's pretend for a minute that you had to PAY to have your reviews and opinions posted somewhere online. Under what circumstance would you consider PAYING to post your content? I know it is extreme... but if you were paying for a service, it means that the service is really great and is adding value to you as a writer. I would love to know your thoughts! No worries- this is purely PRETEND- lala land.
Happy Friday.
7 comments:
If I had to pay, I'd want fame and fortune in return! :-)
No, seriously...
I consider most things you've listed to be solid motivators. Some comments though:
- Access to editors: Ehh. I'm pretty comfortable with my writing style and in my professional writing experience, I found that editors dumbed down my content and made it more vanilla and bland whenever they edited it. I felt that they didn't so much edit my words as they edited my personality. I'm not entirely fond of editors, particularly not for an online site. A newspaper would be different.
- Syndication has possibilities. Beyond online syndication, if there were a way to get reviews in a quick "consumer section" of various newspapers, I think that would be very cool.
- I was kidding up at the top when I wrote that, but upon further thought, it really does mostly boil down to "fame and fortune". Not so much the fortune, as the online reputation, but on a bigger scale than just generic syndication where a new set of eyes still doesn't recognize the writer.
You know how some bloggers started out small, but are now so well known (particularly the political ones) that they get called on for their opinion by other parties? Today you sometimes find a shopaholic blogger on a "Today" show piece, or the woman who blogged about her experience cooking up every one of Julia Child's recipes for a whole year getting a book deal, or a political blogger on an MSNBC. Their work is legitimized offline. Their following is huge, and they've become more than just a blog, but a force and a community.
If a site could capture that sort of magic, with reviews by having an excellent system of syndication, product coverage, diversity of views and community... Well, that I would possibly pay for. :-)
Dear Jolie, Thank you for the email. As a life long fine arts painter and sometimes bad poet, I understand the importance of passion in one's work. As an introduction, I invite you to visit my home blog at http://paintingstudio.spaces.live.com Have a great day and be well. Stephen Craig Rowe
I don't think access to editors means much to most writers.
I think some people like exposure and see that as a way to possibly get paid work. In fact, I started on the net writing for a free newsletter, was noticed by the publisher of a magazine, interviewed him, and ended up Executive Editor of that magazine so obviously for me writing for free had many benefits.
However, in general, free products or gift cards, chances to win sweepstakes, or something similar seems to be a basic way to satisfy people who write for fun and also to expand their exposure.
I do know that writers won't stay no matter what if the community is unfriendly, uncommunicative, or confusing.
I think developing an inviting, fun community helps a lot to keep writers who aren't getting paid (and those who are!). Who wants to spend time and effort on a site that they don't enjoy?
That, to me, is key. Make the site a person contributes to fun and inviting, a place people want to go to.
Then the "egoboo" of seeing their work in print and on the net might be all they need to keep coming back.
As for paying to get something published, I wouldn't do it for anything. It would feel very empty. But that doesn't mean others feel the same way.
Dear Jolie, Thank you for visiting the Painting Studio and for your comment. I was born in Oak Park and spent most of my adult life in Barrington. Where ever I go. Chicago is ever home. The prospect of artists and writers paying for valid links and such is ok. If formated and presented in a manner that is refreshing and does not prey on the weak and weary as do sites such as, Poetry.com, Art.com, Photography.com and others that are perhaps latent, redundant, and yet sucessful as they fade away into the new world.
Communication is essential for the betterment. There, the quality gains value as it grows in the SEO and elsewhere, for Space is only as deep as one makes it! If you have a moment please visit my international spot http://flyingmonkeyshome.spaces.live.com
As ever be well. Stephen Craig Rowe
Ok my thoughts:
1.Exposure. I'm not sure that is a motivating factor for the average reviewer. Most of us aren't professional writers. I know there are in the PC but when you look at the millions of reviewers how many consider themselves writers when asked what they do for a living?
2. Access to Editors. Ditto - but perhaps I am not the average in the PC. I do think I'm an average reviewer/consumer however.
3. Access to syndication. Ok and what does this distribution do for the contributor? What am I getting out of it other than more people reading it? Does this go back to 1 and 2.
4. Free products. This is motivating - something tangible and that's where I'm going with all this. I know people who write a lot and earn, let's say, $4.00 a month or less but give them a free product - even if it is a $3.00 item and you catch them.
Are those valuable? Are those things that your spouses would say-- 'okay, go write for that place!' What is it that writers really want and need? What makes it worth your time? I wrote for a couple of years and earned about $14.00 a month. Would I still be doing this if that's all I got? I doubt it. In fact when I was making let's say close to $100 a month and spending hours online which I still do my husband used to say "Here I'll give you $100 a month if you'll get off the computer." After so many years of writing I'm earning a bit more, have won sweepstakes, etc. so he is now supportive of this hobby.
Is it getting clips? Is it getting noticed? Is it helping charities? Is it taking free classes? Is it a place to safely test out your work? Once upon a time at a now defunct place I posted poetry. We got paid - not a lot if I recall but yes it is nice to safely test out our work. Writing is cathartic and for many that's why they write only essays and get paid nothing. So you've got that element but the cathartic writing isn't going to earn VPs any money.
I know VP is big on charities but my husband's employer takes money out of his paycheck each month that goes to the United Way. I don't think many people will get pulled in by helping charities. A lot of people I know online are not people of means so they don't have disposable income.
Let's pretend for a minute that you had to PAY to have your reviews and opinions posted somewhere online. Actually it isn't all that extreme. Some magazines will only look at a submission with money. I wouldn't pay to have a magazine look at anything I wrote if I had to pay. A professional writer however might. Again I don't see that this is tangible. I guess that's my bottom line. jo
I'm in a rush and haven't had a chance to read the other responses, so I'm sorry if I repeat anything the others have said:
1. Exposure: Generally more is better. I don't know that I'd pay to have more exposure, but I know this idea is coming down the pike sooner or later in the blogosphere. A pity, really, since it means many great writers with shallow pockets will be frozen out of the market.
2. Access to editors: I started blogging to escape editors. Throw an editor at me and I'll run away.
3. Access to syndication: Also a big deal. Syndicate me and I'm yours.
4. Free products: I do get free books right now, and would love to get other products to review, but only with the "no strings attached" understanding I have with book publishers.
Don't know if this helps. I'll add that I'm not straight out of college looking for online clips.
I'm looking for an excuse to stay home with my kids and fit my career around that. So I view all writing opportunities through that lens.
1. Exposure.
That's what it's all about for me. Credit at one level leads to opportunity at another level. I've been writing for regional magazines for 10 years and would like to make some connections with nationals, which pay much better.
2. Access to Editors.
Only if they are decision-makers who are looking for content at national magazines or the New York Times and such.
3. Access to syndication.
This definitely appeals IF the financial compensation is there. I usually cross out the lines in my contracts that say my work can be used elsewhere, unless there's substantial compensation for it.
Syndication helps with exposure, however, so I would hope for a syndication situation which is financially nice in the short-term AND the long-term. Cat's examples of bloggers who get bigger deals was spot on.
4. Free products.
If they are four-star hotel rooms, plane tickets, concert tickets, or lifetime movie passes - yeah! Seriously, I don't want products given to me that I am supposed to review. That would feel like pressure, unless the product was inexpensive, say under $20. The exception is luxury hotel stays. I can always rest assured the hotel will be nice if it's a four-star. I've yet to experience otherwise when staying in comped rooms.
Under what circumstance would I PAY for submissions?
Well, in real life - never. I'd consider that a scam. But in pretend life, I would pay to post on a site used by national magazine editors and television producers and book publishers. I believe I can catch an influential someone's eye with my words. I don't know that I've caught my "dream" set of eyeballs yet... but I caught yours, Jolie :-) and I have pretty high hopes for a beneficial future with Viewpoints.com! I think you're onto something great, and I like your management style.
Post a Comment