Should I ask for payment from magazine? How???

[Doublemint]

I'm a blogger and I have a fairly good following. My blog is fairly niche.

About 3 years ago I was approached by a magazine that is about my niche subject. They wanted me to write a double page article every quarter for them.

I asked if payment was an option at the time and they said that unfortunately they were not in a position to pay me.

Fast forward three years and my article is doing very well in their magazine. So much so that their editor said it was their most popular feature in her Christmas card. She also told me that is a reason they get new subscribers as my articles for them are exclusive and separate from my blog posts.

Anyway that editor has left and the new one starts in April. In emails with the current stand in editor she's said that he still wants me to write for them and that they are all "avid fans" of my blog.

I'm now thinking that with the arrival of the new editor now would be the perfect time to approach them for payment.

I've got a LOT on right now. I work full time in a demanding role, I'm doing a degree and I have a preschooler. I can just about manage writing for them but I feel I should be getting some payment.

So 1. Do you think I should be paid?

1. How the heck do I ask the new editor about it?!?!

Thank you!

[brownmouse]

Gosh yes! That's enough free content! Unless you are making money from your blog (so the mag is good advertising for you) then draw a line under this now.

[Pidlan]

1. YES! I am a writer and I think that you should ALWAYS get paid, even if it's only a very small amount. They are paying for a service! Would they ask for a plumber to come in to fix their toilet for no money? No.
   
2. Be straight. Decide first if you're going to carry on if you don't get paid. "I feel that after X time of contributing to your magazine free of charge, it is time to discuss perhaps getting paid for the work I do."

[Doublemint]

Thanks @brownmouse and @Pidlan . I don't feel like I'm being a cheeky mare now.

I just think that after so long and after putting so much traffic their way I should be getting some reward.

Also it's getting harder to get the articles in on time and I think I would give my writing higher priority if I was being paid.

I would be ok if they said they couldn't publish me anymore. I have a strong following on social media and that's good enough for me right now.

[FeedtheTree]

There's nothing 'cheeky mare' about being paid for a job you're good at. Are the editorial staff paid?

Just say that you're glad it's done so well and in the light of its success can you discuss remuneration. If you're happy to let it go if they say no, you're in a very strong position.

If they're a small, niche mag they may not have much money, so you could ask for a nominal fee or an hourly rate (and make sure the writing comes in within the hour) But do charge. It devalues the craft of writing if good writers offer their work free.

[Doublemint]

Ooh like the phrasing of "remuneration!" I think it will be easier for me to go and speak to the new editor directly as I have no history with him as such.

He's coming to this magazine from its "sister" magazine and so knows my blog and it's audience etc.

It will be a shame if he can't pay me. As I have enjoyed writing for them and it's great to reach a wider audience. Think agony aunt type of feature I guess! but designed to cheer ppl up.

And yes the magazine's staff are paid as the magazine is part of a larger company if that makes sense. The editor is deffo paid as I saw the ad!