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What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

One of our indepdents asked this question: "One of my clients
seem slow, but since my background is in television I'm not sure what is
considered normal in print. The client is a monthly regional business magazine and their payment policy is 60-90 days after publication.. and publication is 45-60 days after the
writing deadline. Does this sound acceptable? In TV, payment is generally 30 days after
invoice."

Answer: It really depends on your contract, but that does seem pretty slow to me and wouldn't be acceptable to my business. Normally, I try to negotiate contracts that pay on acceptance, meaning payment is due within 30 days of the acceptance of my piece. If I can't do that and I really want to write for a particular publication, I negotiate for payment within 30 days of scheduled publication. Meaning, if my work is scheduled for the May issue, I should be paid within 30 days of the publication of that issue. That protects me in the event my piece is bumped. I would try to negotiate better terms with this particular publication.

Members, what do you think?



 

Published Monday, March 19, 2007 12:00 PM by KerriFivecoatCampbell

Comments

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Monday, March 19, 2007 9:17 AM by Amy Green
Hi there,

Yes, that is slow. I think the worst I've dealt with is 30 days after publication with a client that had a production schedule that was three to six months out, although this is just how some magazines operate. You could try to find some others who write for the magazine to find out whether this is standard operating procedure for the magazine or whether they might be willing to negotiate. Also, if you get a sense they really like you or are really happy with your work or seem like they really want to work with you on an ongoing basis, etc., leverage that into negotiating for a better payment schedule.

Hope this helps.

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Monday, March 19, 2007 9:24 AM by Todd Melby
That's crazy. They are using your work for free for 120 days. You are essentially loaning them content. Payment is clearly an afterthought for these people. Stop writing for them. Find someone that respects your work and pays within 30-35 days.

# A little protection goes a long way

Monday, March 19, 2007 9:46 AM by David Chatrand
You will never be in control of this without a brief written contract. Written as in TYPED ON A PIECE OF PAPER or e-doc AND SIGNED BY SOMEONE.  Problem is, many freelancers are starved for work, so they take a job over the phone and don't want to sound picky. But it's easy. Before beginning work, you send them a very SHORT "memo of understanding" that spells out the terms -- including payment due date and whether it's work-for-hire or one-time reprint rights, etc -- and you ask the editor to approve and send right back. You tell them, politely, that you can't start work until you the agreement is approved and return.  That still doesn't mean you'll get prompt payment, because editors don't issue paychecks. But it gives you protection. The key is to have this little "memorandum" already composed, formatted and ready for them to approve and return, so they don't have to do any work. -- dvc

# spellcheck is also a good idea

Monday, March 19, 2007 9:52 AM by David Chartrand, journalist-author (spj member)
Valuable negotiating tip:  Always be sure to spell your own name correctly.  If, for example, your last name is Chartrand, y ou will like a moron spelling it Chatrand (see last post). Then the magazine will cut the paycheck to the wrong name, the bank won't cash it and ... all hell wll break loose. -- dvc

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Monday, March 19, 2007 10:11 AM by Polly Ullrich
I work as an art critic/journalist for national magazines.  Most copy for those venues is not usually time-dependent (even most of the reviews).  This means that something I write might not be published for quite a few months after I submit it (I never write on spec).  However, I'm frequently paid before publication, when the articles are definitely slated for a certain month.  I've never been paid later than 30 days after publication, and it seems most unreasonable to be expected to wait longer.  Your recourse, of course, is to protect yourself with a contract which specifies date of payment.

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Monday, March 19, 2007 12:53 PM by Mark Stuart Ellison
I occasionally freelance and have been published with and without contract, although I always try to get something in writing. I agree with the previous posts. Payment upon acceptance,in my limited experience, is the norm. As a practical matter, this is usually about 30 days.

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Monday, March 19, 2007 6:37 PM by EdwardJ. Cooper
I have been writing for 21 years and it is reasonable to have a 60-90 policy

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Monday, March 19, 2007 8:57 PM by B. Hordern
It is not reasonable to have a 60 to 90 day policy, and certainly not one that is tied to publication. Within 30 to 45 days of acceptance should be the rule.

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Friday, March 23, 2007 9:59 AM by Jennifer O.
I'm just getting started in freelancing (this is month #7) and I've been lucky to be paid within a month of publication every time. I'm getting stricter on contracts, but I was definitely taking assignments by phone/e-mail so as not to sound too demanding. I've been lucky they turned into regular gigs, but I won't do that anymore.

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 6:42 AM by zxevil163
PSktEr Hi from Russia!

# re: What is Timely Payment for Contract Work?

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 6:43 AM by zxevil163
PSktEr Hi from Russia!
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