A post on Orlando Cragslist is looking for someone to do a Magazine. They're looking for a low cost option at the moment with of course the claim for higher paid work in the future. This doesn't concern me too much I'm interested in the low cost aspect.
I want to email them a low-ball bid clearly identifying that it will be my first time as a lead on a production but that I work in the industry and am confident I can fulfill my obligations. Worst thing that could happen is they just delete the email.
How would you all write up this sort of bid. I've only done freelance with prenegotiated terms never a bid before. They're looking for a bid price and the number of pages that would include, they also specify to indicate where you might get stock photos from such as istock.
I'm thinking something like $300 for a 25 page magazine. I would email them proofs for any stock materials and if approved would add the charge to their bill. I only want this to cover layout, format and editing. Proofreading would be additional. Any revisions would also need to cost additional or I need to plan for that.
Any and all advice on how to go about making a bid for this and what sorta price I should plan for would be great. I'm mostly interested in it for a little extra money and for the portfolio.
Speaking of which I can't email the guy our entire directory. Should I just email for example front cover, toc, a few pages, index, back cover to show my work experience?
For pure production, I'd figure 1 hour per page average, not counting Special articles, and cover/back cover - which can blow out quite a bit... lets say for a low ball bid where you are ok eating cost - 5 hours for the cover/bc total, and 5 hours if there is a main special treatment article.. So - you're looking at 30 hours minimum - not counting edits (and there WILL be edits, usually lots of them). Assuming production only.
If you are having to come up with the design, templates, etc. Double that time figure for the first edition. Then decide what hourly rate you are comfortable with.
I would not include any new developed cover/toc/pages etc. since you have not spoken with them to develop anything appropriate (also - spec work = bad).
$300 for 25-page magazine isn't a lowball, it's practically a freebie. Also, "paid work in the future" always sets off my bullshit detector.
Unless you want to mark yourself as completely fucking desperate.
Okay so what sorta price would you suggest keeping in mind I'm a first timer at doing a magazine layout on my own.
Use the time estimate I provided above, padded a bit for edits, and then pay yourself a decent hourly rate (plus equipment, software, insurance - pro-rated for usage).
For a real lowball, maybe around 2k, if you are developing the design (that's only 15/hr, and no other expenses or edits... I'd take that way up normally - but you seem desperate to race to the bottom here).
Originally posted by Media44
A post on Orlando Cragslist is looking for someone to do a Magazine. They're looking for a low cost option at the moment
I'm thinking something like $300 for a 25 page magazine.
pardon me for reading into this, but I'm a print guy. perhaps the ad on craiglist stated they were doing an 'online' mag. when I hear or see magazine, I still think print.
in that case, there's no 25-page magazine. even if you can imagine the layout as such, use multiples of four & eight in print. otherwise you are likely to lose the bid right off the top.
Originally posted by Walt
Originally posted by Media44
A post on Orlando Cragslist is looking for someone to do a Magazine. They're looking for a low cost option at the moment
I'm thinking something like $300 for a 25 page magazine.
pardon me for reading into this, but I'm a print guy. perhaps the ad on craiglist stated they were doing an 'online' mag. when I hear or see magazine, I still think print.
in that case, there's no 25-page magazine. even if you can imagine the layout as such, use multiples of four & eight in print. otherwise you are likely to lose the bid right off the top.
good call!
32 is a common thin magazine size.
Is it fair to stipulate that this gets them the press ready .pdf but for the InDesign Files/Template (what I'd be using) for future editions would be an additional charge?
And what do you think I should submit as portfolio? Part of a publication I've worked on or find a way to submit the entire thing or perhaps tell them I can meet with them to discuss the project and bring with me publications I've worked on?
Yes, I would say you are fine with promising only the press files at least untill you have an established relationship of trust with them. If they are paying for setup of a template they could maintain themselves, then let them be upfront about that.
I always prefer meeting folks, but then I'm thinking more of a job than freelance/outside workâdon't know so much if my preferences are applicable there... and that has a lot to do with my aversion for sending electronic files.
that's why I keep up my LinkedIn bio, I could just send folks to the links I use there.