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Which Really Pays More: Magazines or Blogs?

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Back at iBlog 3 I talked about how different the pay scale is between blogging professionally and being a contributing writer for a print publication. I want to elaborate more on this.

Although it may be true that blogging pays more steadily and regularly, let us assume that both types of writing gigs required you to write everyday. This would put a spotlight on writing articles for the broadsheet or magazines as the usual trend would be one to three articles a month if you’re quite settled in with your contacts.

To tell you the truth, if you had a gig every day writing for a magazine, you’d make more money than working for a blog network. Yes, traditional media still pays more, at least here in the Philippines. I know of a company that paid P3,500.00 for a 1,000 word article and the writer did two of these. Sheesh – P7,000.00 for six hours of work.

But wait, stop there just a bit. Compared to blogging though, that would entail longer articles, longer hours and more research. Two inightful blog posts would take you about an hour or two to do, conservatively. Am I saying that blogging is easier because you exert less time? Well, yes and no. Yes – because it really doesn’t take a lot of time to write a standard blog post. No – because as a blogger you have other things to worry about. A contributing writer for a magazine publication will never need to worry about promoting his or her column. In fact, the publishing company does that for you. Writing for a blog network is a little different as you have to sell yourself to a worldwide audience. I’m not saying that the network doesn’t help sell you – it does, because it is nonetheless a business.

All I’m saying is that as a blogger, you may actually be earning more by doing less, but you will have to acquire the “business acumen of blogging” which truth be told, does entail a serious look into writing skills (you are your own editor – blog editors will not edit your posts), a little bit of knowledge on SEO and some marketing skills. And that is something that can only be learned through time, as this is still a grassroots industry for the most part.

By Jayvee Fernandez

Jayvee Fernandez is a tech enthusiast, EAN certified SCUBA Diver and underwater photographer based in Metro Manila, Philippines. His photos and videos have appeared in various international and local publications including Random House Germany, Discovery Channel Canada, and CNN.

9 replies on “Which Really Pays More: Magazines or Blogs?”

Hello Jayvee. Thanks for sharing your knowledge at the iBlog3 event and I agree with you that writing for magazines can even bring in more money. In my experience, the best of times were back in 1997 before the Asian Financial Crisis. I wrote for an international publication that pays me US$450 a month by just submitting two stories (500 words) a week. Another publication is paying US$1 per word for a featured article.

I missed your talk last saturday for reasons I failed to control 🙁 anyway, i was wondering if you’ll be posting your entire speech here or at least the gist of your presentation. but then i read this entry, your turn in the podium must have been very insightful with a lot of applause, of course. too bad i wasn’t there.

I have to pay hosting for my website. So blogging costs me money.
And magazines… Too bad I don’t write or publish magazines. I just buy them now and then. So I lose money on those too 🙁

Very insightful post JV. I also think it’s either way how someone works in this industries. Whether they write for a mag or a blog, the frequency and how much effort they do is what really counts. Although at times, for blogging, sometimes you get the pay as a bonus.

i forgot to mention that with blogs, you are free to choose to write about what you enjoy doing. with magazines, sometimes you have to accept writing jobs that aren’t really your cup of tea.

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