media pass presentation: profile, pay and contracts
TRANSCRIPT
Surviving and Thriving as a Freelancer
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Presented by
Fran Molloy
Walkley Foundation MediaPass Student Industry Day
Why Freelance?What people think freelancing looks like:
Why Freelance?What freelancing actually looks like:
Overview
freelance and writer networks & job sites
negotiating pay / signing contracts
syndication and re-use of your work
Part One: Websites, Networks & Job Boards 1.1: Know Thyself! 1.2
What are you good at? [writing feedback / ask teacher / intern site]
Who might pay for your work?
Collect written examples / published work
Part One: Websites, Networks & Job Boards 1.1: Know Thyself! 1.2 Websites: Your Own 1.3 Websites: Directories 1.4 Networks 1.5 Job Boards: Mainstream 1.6 Job Boards: Freelance 1.7 Content Mills
1: Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.1: Know Thyself!
What are you good at? [writing feedback / ask teacher / intern site]
Who might pay for your work?
Collect written examples / published work
1: Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.1a: Know Thyself!
Proofreader:
“It’s a great story. I would delete the first eight paragraphs and write a lead.”
Source: ‘Overheard in the Newsroom’
1: Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.2: Websites – Your own Set up your online freelancer profile
Your own website? Use free tools eg wordpress
Linked-In – [professional resume / network]
Facebook – create a ‘page’
Twitter – engage; follow media
1 : Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.3: Websites: Directories
MEAA freelance directory / communityhttp://www.freelanceaustralia.org.au/
http://www.journalistdirectory.com
Mumbrella [media / marketing site]http://mumbrella.com.au/freelancer
1 : Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.4: Networks: Mingle & Share
MEAA freelance directory / communityhttp://www.freelanceaustralia.org.au/
Freeline – closed google grouphttp://freeline.net.au/
Facebook / LinkedIn / Sydney Writers CentreAlumni networks
1 : Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.5: Job Boards: Mainstream
Set up a profile/resume. Get email reminders
SEEK: www.seek.com.au (biggest)
My Career: www.mycareer.com.au (Fairfax)
Career One: www.careerone.com.au (News)
1 : Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.6: Job Boards: Freelance
Usually: looking for cheap labour for small jobs
Be careful what you sign
Freelancer.com OzLance http://ozlance.com.au Elance Guru
1 : Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.7a: Writing ‘Content Mills’
Pay is peanuts. Many pay $5 or so for 300 words
The point: ‘SEO’ – Search Engine Optimised
Changed Google algorithm 2011 has reduced the demand
1 : Websites, Networks & Job Boards
1.7b: Who are the ‘Content Mills’?
Sites include: eHow, Helium, Livestrong, Demand Studios, Associated Content, Suite 101
Most work goes through ‘brokers’:
Textbroker, MediaPiston, Constant Content, Writers Access, Interact Media and Daily Article.
Earning a livingWorking from home isn’t always lonely
Part Two: Negotiating pay and signing contracts
2.1: How much do freelancers earn? 2.2: How do you ask for money? 2.3: What about contracts? 2.4: What to look for 2.5: What to ask for
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.1: How much do freelancers earn?
2008 MEAA Survey: Most full-time freelancers earn $300 - $600 a week
Rates have not changed much in ten years
Typically pay is per-word:50c to 80c per word for reputable publishers
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.2: How do you ask for money?
EVERYBODY hates this conversation – even editors
Email: ‘My usual word rate is 70c but I’m negotiable.’
Ask. Preferably by phone. “What do you pay?”Then confirm in writing by email
If money is low – “Will that increase after 2nd story?”
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.3: What about contracts?
Another hated conversation – especially by editors
“The Paperwork”; “Contributors Pack”; “Accounts will send you a form”
Wait till it arrives. Until then – include RIGHTS when you send your story in.
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.4a: Contracts: What to look for
RIGHTS :
First Rights: First Print Rights
First Australian Print Rights
Once published, the rights revert back to you
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.4b: Contracts: What to look for
RIGHTS :
DIGITAL Rights: Non-exclusive Digital Rights
PERPETUAL Rights You never get them back!
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.4c: Contracts: What to look for
INDEMNITY:
The writer indemnifies the publisher:
This could cost you a fortune if they are suedPublisher should indemnify you
WARRANTY – similar – you make a legally-bound guarantee
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.5: Contracts: What to ASK for
INDEMNITY: The publisher indemnifies the writer
RIGHTS: Non exclusive Digital for this title only
Territory rights – eg Australian NOT worldwide
2: Negotiating pay & signing contracts
2.5: Contracts: What to ASK for
Get advice
MEAA members can phone the Alliance hotline
Freelanceaustralia.org.au
2: Negotiating pay and signing contracts
2008 MEAA Survey: Most full-time freelancers earn $300 - $600 a week
Rates have not changed much in ten years
Typically pay is per-word:50c to 80c per word for reputable publishers
Part Three: Syndication
You need to own the rights
http://writerscontracts.com/syndication-agencies-for-feature-writers/
Sell second rights, territory rights – from 10% to 30% of original fee
