Selling your story...

[Arese]

Bit of a weird one this, but I know PH has people from all walks of life so maybe you can help.

Someone I know has a story that needs to be revealed to the newspapers, think more NOTW than The Telegraph. Nobody will be hurt by this story, apart from a large corporation that has caused hurt and upset to the person in question. I have to be vague here, so apologies if it doesn't make sense. There are two reasons why this person wants to sell this story; mainly for the money to address the issues caused by the 'corporation' in the first place, and secondly because he/she feels that people should know.

Now, this person has emailed several newspapers and magazines in the last day, and had an overwhelming response. Twelve voicemails have been left, and numerous emails returned. There have been a couple of 'media agents' that will interview this person, create the story, then sell it on to papers/magazines. Obviously they take a fee, but this is added onto the amount the newspaper will pay. Please bear in mind that the person in question only wants a certain amount of money, enough to correct these issues. Obviously any more is a bonus!

Has anyone on here ever done anything like this before? Or maybe works in the press? I'm trying to help and advise this person, but I'm a little bit out of my depth. I think he/she has two options really, whether to use this media agent or go direct to a newspaper. To me, it seems the agent idea might be the best, but I'd be wary that she'd be taking a large cut.

I don't need to hear anyone questioning my/the other persons morals thanks, but I expect it anyway

[BigBen]

I sold a story to the Sun once for £70, was naive and did not think to negotiate just took what they gave me, that was a weeks income as a student so was happy.

I understand from 'street of shame' in private eye that cheque book journalists tend to offer big money to get a story then weasel out of paying post publication having rendered it worthless so watch out for that.

Ben

[AndrewTait]

I work for one of the National redtops (think reflective surface!). Fortunately my work is not editorial based, so don't have to agree with what they print. However, in my dealings with my editorial collegues, my experience is that there are pro's and con's to both sides.

Some papers will refuse point blank to use an agent, unless it is a very big story. That way, they can keep the prices they pay to a minimum. However, by using an agent to tout the story around the various papers, the story goes to the highest bidder, thus a much larger payout for both agent and story teller.

From a personal perspective, if the person telling the story has already got contacts with the papers, then cut out the middle man, and sell the story direct. At least this way, there will only be one person changing the facts to suit their needs (the newpaper editor) rather than the agency, then the newspaper editors.

[Rob.]

Mmmm, tell the story here first and I`ll consider an offer.

ETA: Typo!

Edited by Rob. on Monday 23 February 23:48

[308mate]

Why are you typing all this out, when you should be watching Pale Rider (ITV1)?

Edited by 308mate on Monday 23 February 23:49

[Arese]

BigBen said:

I sold a story to the Sun once for £70, was naive and did not think to negotiate just took what they gave me, that was a weeks income as a student so was happy.

I understand from 'street of shame' in private eye that cheque book journalists tend to offer big money to get a story then weasel out of paying post publication having rendered it worthless so watch out for that.

Ben

Hmmm, thanks for the warning. I wonder if we can insist on payment before publication or something. The agent we spoke to was quite pushy, wanting to get the story out this weekend!

AndrewTait said:

I work for one of the National redtops (think reflective surface!). Fortunately my work is not editorial based, so don't have to agree with what they print. However, in my dealings with my editorial collegues, my experience is that there are pro's and con's to both sides.

Some papers will refuse point blank to use an agent, unless it is a very big story. That way, they can keep the prices they pay to a minimum. However, by using an agent to tout the story around the various papers, the story goes to the highest bidder, thus a much larger payout for both agent and story teller.

From a personal perspective, if the person telling the story has already got contacts with the papers, then cut out the middle man, and sell the story direct. At least this way, there will only be one person changing the facts to suit their needs (the newpaper editor) rather than the agency, then the newspaper editors.

Thanks for your advice Andrew. I think the main advantage with using the agent is not having to go through all the negotiations with different 'papers. But then, like you say, if we go direct we might get more money. I'll have another chat with the person with the story this morning I think...

Rob. said:

Mmmm, tell the story here first and I`ll consider an offer.

This will not happen.

308mate said:

Why are you typing all this out, when you should be watching Pale Rider (ITV1)?

I do not like Westerns!

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 24th February 09:34

[Bowler]

I’m a cynic, so temper these comments with that in mind….

My view of the media is that if your colleague sells the story, then they should potentially be prepared to have “rivals”, whether they be professional or other papers, looking for another angle or to discredit the original story – ex partners/ work colleagues/employers Etc

My view is that people who see others (publicly) make easy money may get jealous and chose to spill the beans on events that are best consigned to the past. So, if there are any skeletons in the cupboard, be prepared to let those get aired.

I’d guess that the chances of this happening will depend on how big the story is….

Then again maybe the £ figure your colleague is thinking of means that they are prepared to take some grief…

Or, just stay schtum!

[pokethepope]

Out of interest how much are we talking here, few hundred, few thousand?

[Landlord]

Is there any risk to your mate that the fall-out of this story - once it's died down - will be their continued inability to find work, personal reputation ruination etc. etc. by some nefarious agency that may or may not be prodded in to action by said corporation?

If so - the payout had better be worth it.

Again - my comments should be tempered by the fact that I despise the tabloid journalism in this country.

[bigandclever]

Arese said:

The agent we spoke to was quite pushy, wanting to get the story out this weekend!

Yeah... that's why it's called "news"

[Nicholas Blair]

Parasite Max Clifford time.........
£££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

[Dracoro]

Also make sure he has concrete proof and documentation.

You say it's a large corporation, they will have their lawyers out in force if so.

[Arese]

Bowler said:

My view of the media is that if your colleague sells the story, then they should potentially be prepared to have “rivals”, whether they be professional or other papers, looking for another angle or to discredit the original story – ex partners/ work colleagues/employers Etc

My view is that people who see others (publicly) make easy money may get jealous and chose to spill the beans on events that are best consigned to the past. So, if there are any skeletons in the cupboard, be prepared to let those get aired.

I’d guess that the chances of this happening will depend on how big the story is….

Then again maybe the £ figure your colleague is thinking of means that they are prepared to take some grief…

Or, just stay schtum!

Hmm, well it's not a massive story. Maybe a middle-page spread on a Sunday, and an article in a stty women's mag or something. I'm pretty confident that there are no skeletons that might come out. Like I said, my 'colleague' isn't trying to rape anyone for loads of money, just enough to cover things that have occurred.

[Arese]

Landlord said:

Is there any risk to your mate that the fall-out of this story - once it's died down - will be their continued inability to find work, personal reputation ruination etc. etc. by some nefarious agency that may or may not be prodded in to action by said corporation?

If so - the payout had better be worth it.

Again - my comments should be tempered by the fact that I despise the tabloid journalism in this country.

My mate is speaking to her employer today just to alert them that she will be in the papers and possibly local TV soon. This won't be the first time, and they were fine about it the first time a few years ago. It's not the kind of story that will mean recognition for her when she walks down the street, but local people will recognise her of course.

pokethepope said:

Out of interest how much are we talking here, few hundred, few thousand?

Mid four figures hopefully.

Dracoro said:

Also make sure he has concrete proof and documentation.

You say it's a large corporation, they will have their lawyers out in force if so.

There is physical proof that can not be denied. I/we have been in touch with the corporations legal team to try and resolve this amiably but they're not interested. They were made aware what our next step would be, so they had chance to rectify this without being in the 'papers.

Thanks again everyone for your advice.

[Dracoro]

Fair do's.

Please post linkies when the story is out though......

[Arese]

Dracoro said:

Fair do's.

Please post linkies when the story is out though......

Sure, as long as the colleague doesn't mind. It's quite a sensitive subject.

[dan1981]

Arese said:

Dracoro said:

Fair do's.

Please post linkies when the story is out though......

Sure, as long as the colleague doesn't mind. It's quite a sensitive subject.

But it's going to be splashed accross the national press???

[prand]

Please be careful about this. Apart from having your (friend's) life ripped apart in front of everyone, and that this is a highly risky way to gain compensation (I would perhaps think of legal representation rather than media representation).


Also note - that the papers might get into a bidding war for the story adn offer lovely amounts of cash, but it is common for them to reduce that figure if they feel the story or picture was not as big or as truthful as they originally thought. This renegotiation is very common adn is another example how these redtops are complete scum and will screw anyone to get a story and sell papers.

[eldudereno]

Think I would be asking the 'large corporation' how much they're prepared to pay for me not to go to the newspapers.

[Arese]

dan1981 said:

Arese said:

Dracoro said:

Fair do's.

Please post linkies when the story is out though......

Sure, as long as the colleague doesn't mind. It's quite a sensitive subject.

But it's going to be splashed accross the national press???

I understand your point. But if I posted a link on here to the story, some of the less sensitive members of PH would have a field-day!

eldudereno said:

Think I would be asking the 'large corporation' how much they're prepared to pay for me not to go to the newspapers.

Already tried that, they weren't interested. They were also in the national media a few years ago for another large-scale balls-up resulting in resignations etc. They don't seem that bothered about their public image.

prand said:

Please be careful about this. Apart from having your (friend's) life ripped apart in front of everyone, and that this is a highly risky way to gain compensation (I would perhaps think of legal representation rather than media representation).

Also note - that the papers might get into a bidding war for the story adn offer lovely amounts of cash, but it is common for them to reduce that figure if they feel the story or picture was not as big or as truthful as they originally thought. This renegotiation is very common adn is another example how these redtops are complete scum and will screw anyone to get a story and sell papers.

Thanks for the advice prand. The problem with legal representation is that I don't think we'd win anything. It's more of a moral issue than a legal one, if you see what I mean? It's really hard to explain without going into too much detail. This 'corporation' should be doing something, and they aren't, so to speak. Thanks for the heads-up, I'll make sure we're very careful with the redtops.