Question
Our business sells guitars, banjos and other related items. We're almost a year old now. We have a friend that knows instruments (he teaches and is in a band) and he knows computers (teaches computers at a local school). He's looking for part time work during the summer and we think he might benefit our company.
His main job would be to write the content for our listings on eBay and, most importantly, our website. We want our website to expand into an informational site as well as a retail site. He brings ALOT of knowledge and experience. However, I've never been in this situation and I'm not sure what we could pay him. I don't want to underpay, but I also don't want to go broke.
We have not agreed to hire him yet and have not even discussed money at all. I'm just trying to find out a ballpark figure. Also, should we pay hourly or by the job?
Any ideas on where I can research this kind of information? Can anyone give me some pointers?
Thanks!
Gina
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I think we have a couple of tech writers around..bumping this thread hoping they will see it...Also consider starting the thread again in the general community forum...
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Thanks! I wasn't sure to put it
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Technical writers usually make anywhere from $20/hour on up, depending on the skills required to create the material. Paying by the job is also an option. Your best bet is to discuss that aspect with the friend.
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At least now I have some idea. I told my husband I didn't know if we were talking $10 or $50/hr.
Someone else suggested by the job and that is starting to make more sense to me. Now I just have to figure out the best way to do that.
We will be talking to him more tomorrow (friday) and we should be able to get a better idea. He is a good friend that we feel we can trust and talk openly with. However, money is always a touchy subject.
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I used to write freelance - four or five years ago I was charging $15/hour for similar jobs. Although I had regular clients whom I just charged a monthly fee for essentially unlimited service.
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Thanks for your input RJ!
We did talk with him last week and he's coming over again today. Having numbers gives me some frame of reference. I did find out that he is going to give us a break because he buys stuff from us at cost
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Strummer-
If he, too, has a website, why not 'exchange' articles!
He writes one for you about the 'technical' end of your instruments, you write one about one particular style, model, etc. Each of you includes a live link to the other's site.
Content for you both and a possible search engine placement boost to you both, too!
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Great idea! I'm not sure if he has one or not. We'll ask him.
Thanks!
Gina
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Strummer-
That goes for OTHER sites out there related to yours, too!
Offer them an article (written by you, with a link to your site) in exchange for an article from THEM (with a link to THEIR site).
It doesn't have to be long, or overly scholarly, but it should be beneficial to the OTHER website and their 'theme' or visitors, too.