Video Game Reviewer

steve_

Hey guys sorry if this is the wrong section, i didnt really know where to post this. Anyways my question is, does anyone know how much i would be expecting to pay someone to write custom, unique video game reviews? I was thinking of paying someone on a per review basis but i dont know the going rates for anything like this. Thanks for any advice

Raging_Ninja

Probably the same as any other type of journalist. Did some googling and the annual salary was anything from $25000 to $50000. Source

On another google, according to these guys, the usual on a per-review basis is something like $0.20 per finished word for a website, and ideally (from the journalist's point of view) $1 per finished word for a publication. Those are base prices. Maybe someone with actual experience in the field can tell you more.

steve_

Interesting reads there thanks!! Considering proper reviews range from 1000-2500 words i just couldnt invest that money at the beginning to someone writing review for me. Id be looking at 75 euro per review minimum. Which just wouldn't be viable. I was thinking more like 10-15 euro per review. Im not looking for a high profile journalist, more a college student looking to get into journalism and earning some cash on the side. I guess i was just being ignorant with my pricing but i definitely wouldn't be able to afford those prices

Sabre0001

Also have to ask yourself if you're going to be able to supply the review copies? Otherwise that person is minus €30 even if you pay them...

If you send around mails to colleges, you may get a student to do it for free - "good experience" and all that. How do I know? Because I am one such student. I'll do reviews for money though

steve_

I would be providing review copies to the reviewer. Are review copies usually given in good faith or is the copy of the title expected to be returned after the review is completed? What would your going rate be Sabre per review?

Sabre0001

Good faith AFAIK - PR companies typically send them out for review...once they're not traded in I think it's fair game (so up to yourself).

My current fee is the aforementioned -€45 (yes, correct - that is a minus sign) I wouldn't count on me for much until May - college stress levels at an all time high!

steve_

I know at the start i would be providing games personally but hopefully once the site got some notice that companies would provide review copies to use

Sabre0001

That is certainly more than several places seeking writers Game companies come round after a little time - some easier than others.....while others are never good for sending anything out!

flogen

Certain companies would be fairly forth-coming with review copies of games assuming you could show they were being put to good use (i.e. reviewed on a half decent site).

Others are hard to get even for the big guys.

As for money, unfortunately a lot of this kind of web journalism is done for free on a 'good experience' basis (which is generally a questionably claim but we won't get into that).

As a result you might find it fairly easy to get someone on board for a €10-15 fee per review, especially if you're looking at students. One major problem with this is that you may find it hard to keep one person with you for very long. If they're any good they may quickly find their time filled with better paying work once they start to get a foothold in the mainstream media.

Long story short you're facing the chicken and egg problem a lot of attempts at news-based journalism have. They need good content to build an audience but have no money and they have no money because they've no good content to draw in an audience.

Grumpypants

Different places have different set ups and can range widely from free to $250 a review. Other places base it on traffic numbers, others pay per word. It really is up to you once you take in all your costs. I would think between €10-20 a review for starters would be fairly reasonable. Heck i'd do it myself for that kind of money

PR just takes time, once they know your serious they will be very supportive.