While we certainly mention it from time to time, we wanted to have an official post for handy reference regarding contributor compensation in our magazine. This is in addition to our
advertising rates, which figure into contributor compensation.
Electric City Creative understands that your time and talent is of value, and we want to be able to honor that value in whatever way we are able. We want to work
with you, and will never, ever feed you the line that you'll get "really great exposure" or "a portfolio piece" in our publication, as though that should be payment enough.
That said,
Electric City Creative does not have financial backers. We publish our magazine out of a love for creative culture in the Great Falls area, and we really do believe in doing our part to highlight what the city has to offer. No one got into this for financial reasons, but we understand that it's important to provide benefits to the creative community that helps us grow.
With that, here is how the magazine will compensate ALL contributors -- writers, photographers or any other work provided for us:
1.
We can pay in ad space. The amount of work provided for us will determine the size of your ad, and that ad size will be agreed upon between both parties. We understand that each job requires a specific amount of work, and we want to do right by you.
If you do not have a specific service you need to advertise, you are able to use your ad space for something else. In our previous publication,
SPOKE(a)N(e) Magazine, we had writers and photographers advertise their non-trade-related businesses or even just friend's events they wanted to help promote. We can work something out.
2.
All ad revenue is split equally among contributors. If there is paid advertising within an issue, the money from that advertising will be split among all the people who helped create that issue. Editors receive the same percentage as a contributing photographer or writer. We believe this is fair. Since we do not publish under a traditional print model, our bills are few, and any profit should go back to the people who helped create the magazine.
Also, on the side bar of this page, you will notice a PayPal "Donate" button. All funds raised through this button are also equally split between all contributors.
3.
All work is credited. You will
always receive credit for your work, and you
always retain copyright. When we ask to use your words or your images, we are asking for one time usage. Your work will not be used without your permission in other
ECC materials.
4.
We will never ask you to send in "unprocessed" work. This means that photographers will not be asked to send in their original unprocessed files, nor will photographers be asked to send in every single shot they took during an event. This is on par with asking a writer to send in their rough draft. At the very least, it is bad manners to ask this of contributors.
We trust you to send in your very best work. We trust your vision for your work, and would not have asked you to contribute were we not already aware of your aesthetic. While all writing does undergo basic copy editing, the writing will not undergo massive changes without consulting the writer.
Communication and professionalism are of utmost importance to us when working with our contributors. After all, you are part of the creative community, and you have worth.
Thanks for reading.
