One Time Use Fee ?

[GMACK24]

Hey Guys
need a little help here.

Got this email


Hi, Greg.

My name is In my day job, I work for I handle it's magazine, Context. We're running a small story on what other cities have done with major road projects as we look to our own waterfront, and we're looking for an image of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. I was wondering if you might let us use yours. We're a small membership magazine, so we don't have much of a budget. I could probably give you $25 or so for a one-time use.

If you're interested, drop me a line at over the weekend, or during the week at work at
Thanks again, and have a good one.

Best,



Does that seem fair ?
is he just trying to take advantage of me ?
lo-balling me ?

I think $25 is 25 bucks but hey should I ask for more ?
Again looks like he just wants it for this one time use.

Any help is appreciated.

Greg

[CannedHeat]

Hey Guys
need a little help here.

Got this email



Does that seem fair ?
is he just trying to take advantage of me ?
lo-balling me ?

I think $25 is 25 bucks but hey should I ask for more ?
Again looks like he just wants it for this one time use.

Any help is appreciated.

Greg

Too low in my book, even for a small publication. The publications I sell to generally pay between $100 for small partial page up to about $350 for full page and $450 for double page spread. And I have been told that THAT is below normal scale. Yes, they are larger publications but to put that $25 bucks in perspective consider this: it almost costs 25 bucks in gas nowadays just to crank up the car and go to the grocery store.

Ultimately, it's up to you. But perhaps you can get something thrown in. For example, if you have a website you could ask for photo credit and a link to your website in the cutline. /Dan

[tcphoto1]

The offer of $25. is laughable. There is a wealth of information on the Editorial Photographers website. I remember seeing the page rates for just about every magazine published in the states. The mentality of "$25 is $25" is exactly what is wrong with our business. Just about any GWC would accept the deal and it's not the way to run a profitable business.

[GMACK24]

ok thanks guys.
I think I am gonna say no to this guy due to the fact that he just emailed me again asking that he have the rights to the photo on monday.

I think that in itself is rather strange. I would need for him to sign a contract before allowing him to use the photo correct ?

[sfaust]

$25 may very well be the market rate for that publication and one time use. You have very little information on who the magazine is, their subscription base, industry, target audience, etc.

A local trade magazine, free circulars, membership based magazines, etc, all pay very little when it comes to articles and images. Unless its a cover, full page, 1/2 page, etc, it might only be worth $25 for one time rights. On the other hand, if its a regional guide or local magazine with a larger subscription base, thats altogether different.

A couple things you need to do;

1. Is it worth $25 to you to write up a one time use agreement (forms help here), and then e-mail that agreement along with the image? If not, move on, you're done :)

2. If yes, then make a quick search on the magazine to determine its size, subscription base, revenue stream, target audience, industry, etc.

If its a low circulation, local/regional magazine or circular, or even a nationwide low end specialty magazine serving a very small community, its probably about market rates for a small inside shot. If it doesn't fall into that narrow or low end category, then $25 is not enough. If its for the cover, full, 1/2, or 1/4 page, etc, I'd ask for more.

As examples, the Roanoker magazine covers the greater Roanoke VA area, and pays roughly $15 on the low end, to $100-150 for the cover. Dog and Kennel is a national magazine but with a low subscription base, and they pay $20 for an inside image. Backyard magazine pays $100-300 for inside shots and $300 for a cover, but is a well known national magazine with a good subscription base. Trailer Boats Magazine is also a well known national magazine, and they pay $25-200 for inside images.

Research the magazine and compare to similar magazines, then you'll have a much better idea of what is reasonable to charge.

On the low end, $25 is the going rate :(