[Journalists] An Update, and A Couple of Questions...

Tue Nov 10 17:13:50 UTC 2015

Hi Kerri,

I think $10 is too low. Even if you've worked for free before, don't undervalue your work. Do you know about how long it would take you to write a blog post? I would figure that out and then pay yourself $25-50 an hour since you're a contractor of sorts. It doesn't seem like the CEO is going to balk at anything reasonable.

Hope that helps.

Best, Patricia

-----Original Message-----
From: Journalists [mailto:journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Kerri Kosten via Journalists
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 1:24 AM
To: Blind Professional Journalists List <journalists at nfbnet.org>; jobs <jobs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Journalists] An Update, and A Couple of Questions...

Hi Everyone:

I hope this message finds you well.
It has been a long time since I have posted to this group.
So first, I will give an update and then get to my questions.
Unfortunately, after seven great years, I no longer write sports for WAJR.com. Last November, my mentor, boss, and editor was diagnosed with brain cancer. After working at WAJR for 30 years he had to quit because of the cancer and the way it affected his brain/thoughts.
First, without telling me the station completely changed the website so I was no longer able to log in. Then, I learned they replaced Jim with a new program director and I realized my time there was over.
Jim had surgery in December but only part of the tumor could be removed. He regularly goes to treatments and says he feels fine but the tumor isn't shrinking.
He can still hear things and he says he goes outdoors when the weather permits but he can't put thoughts together anymore. He knows in his mind what he wants to say but I guess when he tries to say what he is thinking he can't get the words to form right. I guess he is also forgetting the names of objects and such. I'm glad he isn't in any pain though and the tumor hasn't grown.
Anyway, I have another opportunity and this is where I have a couple of questions. A person I know is the CEO of an inbound marketing company called Inneraction Media. He would like me to assist him with the company's blog because I guess they are so busy they can't get to it. The goal of his company is to help their clients increase their business and online content. So, the posts would be along the lines of "How to Use Facebook Effectively" or "Are Facebook Likes Important for Marketing a Business?"
I admit, I'm pretty nervous. I've never done this type of writing before, but it has to do with writing, and the media and after what happened with the radio station I have to start somewhere.
My question is, the CEO wants me to come up with a price I want to be paid per blog post. The blog posts would be around 800 words. I told him whatever he is able to pay me  is fine, but he wants me to come up with a price because he doesn't want to underpay me.
What is a starting price for this type of work? Keep in mind at the radio station I wasn't paid anything so I know I have to start basic but I have no idea what that is.
I was thinking $10 per post but I know at the student newspaper they pay $25 per article so is $10 too low?
I tried Googling but all I got was under $100 and to me that is obvious...it will be way below $100!!
If he allows it, I am going to see if I can work from their office because I feel getting out of the house and having somewhere to go would be good for me. What is the best way to handle installing Jaws?
Did you install from the DVD or do you use the dongle?
Up until a few months ago I had no idea about the dongle but I could see where it would be useful because you just stick it into any USB drive. I heard though for some reason Freedom Scientific isn't keen on selling customers the dongles.
On a side note, I'm still writing articles about sports, particularly West Virginia University football and basketball. I'm considering starting a sports blog but I have some questions/concerns about doing that which I'll save for another post. I'm also trying to see about volunteering in the football or basketball offices or somewhere like that so I can get my foot back in the door with sports.
Last January, I applied for an assistant editorial position at our local newspaper but did not get it. From time to time, the newspaper is looking for inserters so the next time I see that I think I'll try applying because that would be a start there.
If I have any more questions (which I likely will), I'll post another message.
Thanks,
Kerri

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