We're creating a stronger Smile Politely magazine by starting to pay writers for the content they provide — be part of it!
As the most well-read, and culturally relevant, online magazine in the greater Champaign-Urbana area, Smile Politely dot com has succeeded in developing a daily readership of over 1500 people simply by producing good work; our hyper-local angle has changed our local community into an online community and ultimately, into an interactive one, with people clamoring for more all the time.
Because we sell so few advertisements, and because we will not keep an active sales representative "on staff" (in order to avoid the pitfalls of what commercial journalism has generally become), we've decided that in order to raise the proper amount of funds to start paying our writers what they deserve, we needed to ask the community to help fund it.
We've been almost 100% volunteer run for our first three years, and while we will still maintain that kind of DIY-ethic, we also feel that there is some value in offering our writers a monetary incentive for producing well-researched and deftly crafted stories about the people and places that affect change in our community.
So, we're essentially asking our community to help start a writer's fund — like a pledge drive — so that we can feel good about asking our writers to dive into particular topics in Champaign-Urbana, as well as maintain a fiercely independent stance on the relationship between journalism and advertising.
FAQ
-
Plain and simple: we want to bring you better content. And part of that means acknowledging good work and solid journalistic efforts with financial compensation. We aren't out to earn a living at Smile Politely; all of us maintain full time jobs in other arenas. As a result, we keep our ads cheap and our pocketbook is light because of it.
Like with many "free" sources of information these days, we've decided to humbly ask for our readership to help us bring a small payday to the folks that write for the magazine.
As a reminder — ANYONE can write for Smile Politely, assuming it's of decent quality and pertains to the greater Champaign-Urbana community and culture. We'd love to hear from you.
-
Smile Politely is an incorporated company, and is not functioning as a 501(c)(3). We've kicked around the idea of moving in that direction at some point, and if it ever happens, you will be the first to know. But it's much MUCH easier to operate in a part-time capacity with an S-Corp than it is as a not-for-profit. So with that said, your donation isn't a tax write off, per se. It's a purchase, technically, because you will receiving a copy (and hopefully multiple copies!) of the first ever Smile Politely Anthology, which will likely have a better name than that soon enough.
-
Technically, you are already seeing it! As of August 2, 2011, Smile Politely will be officially paying its writers for all content as it pertains to Champaign-Urbana and its culture. Great stories, and journalism with a little elbow grease will be subject to a discretionary bonus as well.
Trust us — it's not a lot. But it's something, and a place to start. We're hoping that, over time, we can grow this to the place where the magazine is a pretty legitimate place to write and be published and be paid in some decent way, to boot.
This kind of writing — this style of journalism — really matters, especially in a community like ours, so it's a goal that we aren't bashful about working towards with great interest and seriousness.
-
We're hoping to have it out by Thanksgiving in order to provide for you a chance to gift it come Hannukah time. There's a few holidays that time of year as well, so perhaps that works better for you? Nonetheless, you don't need a reason to give the gift of Smile Politely? It's always a good thing to do.
22
Backers
$5,761
pledged of $5,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Aug 1, 2011 -
Sep 16, 2011
- 2 created · 1 backed
- Seth Fein 2855 friends
- Website: smilepolitely.com
Pledge $25 or more
12 backers
A hearty virtual handshake, as well as a copy of Smile Politely's first ever hard copy book, a yet to be titled Anthology that will feature writing from the first three and a half years of content, as well as essays and new fiction from local authors. You will also be thanked in the book!
Pledge $50 or more
2 backers
Oh, gosh — thanks! A hearty virtual handshake, as well as TWO copies of Smile Politely's first ever hard copy book, a yet to be titled Anthology that will feature writing from the first three and a half years of content, as well as essays and new fiction from local authors. You will also be thanked in the book!
Pledge $100 or more
2 backers
Good Lawd! You're a real mensch! A hearty virtual handshake, as well as FIVE copies of Smile Politely's first ever hard copy book, a yet to be titled Anthology that will feature writing from the first three and a half years of content, as well as essays and new fiction from local authors. You will also be thanked in the book!
Pledge $250 or more
0 backers
Really?! That's bananas, yo! A hearty virtual handshake, as well as FIFTEEN copies of Smile Politely's first ever hard copy book, a yet to be titled Anthology that will feature writing from the first three and a half years of content, as well as essays and new fiction from local authors. You will also be thanked in the book and listed among our most cherished supporters.
Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
Oh, just get right out of town! A hearty virtual handshake, as well as 50 copies of Smile Politely's first ever hard copy book, a yet to be titled Anthology that will feature writing from the first three and a half years of content, as well as essays and new fiction from local authors. You will also be thanked in the book and listed among our most cherished supporters.
Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
Seriously? Let's just talk a little about this. You can reach us here: info@smilepolitely.com
