Have you ever heard of Stenographer's World?

[Janiece Young]

I just got an email from a friend about "Stenographer's World."  There is a charge to belong to this group.  Have you heard anything about it?  

[Dean Morris]

Thank you, Kelli.  Respectfully, in my opinion, every posting for a request for a job should have a fee attached - or maybe charge a high yearly fee for the agencies.  While a reporter here and there may be chosen, it is more often than not "another warm body."  Yet, the national/worldwide/international agencies benefit for each posting they make.  As others have said, your website is the lifeblood, the lifeline, for agencies to find a warm body.  Thank you for all you do for the working reporter.

[Amanda Leigh]

https://www.chasepaymentech.com/recurring_payments.html

I am very happy with Paymentech through my bank (Chase), although I do not think you have to be a Chase customer.  Quick and easy-peasy.  You don't have to wait for a web guru to start raking it in--decide what you're charging for per or monthly recurring and shoot out the emails of charges.  Get the agency's credit card number, name on card, expiration date, security code, address associated with card, and watch the money hit (it's so fun!!--lol).

Think you'll find they need you more than you need them.  CSRN is well-known--there are other companies in the business of matching talent with need that would LOVE to have your exposure.  I don't agree that everyone just wants everything for free -- well, sure, they may want, but they don't expect.  Don't imagine you'll get too much push-back from healthy agencies.  The small mom-and-pops, I can see it would be more of a financial burden.  But for any-sized agency, to get coverage, it's worth it, whether it be recurring or one-time.  Heck, with this kind of access to warm bodies across the country, Joe the Plumber could have his own court reporting agency in no time.

[Dean Morris]

And I think that reporters are more likely to be involved in a site where there is no fee involved or a minute fee involved.  Personally, I would never pay for Stenographer's World or a similar site.  So, where more reporters gravitate, so gravitate the agencies.  Respectfully submitted.

[Amanda Leigh]

Meaning that reporters don't want to pay, but agencies will. I think that matching company here in Texas discovered that--market research done there ;).

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Gosh, I hope not.  That's a scary thought.  LOL!

I do agree with you both.  I need to look into this.  My husband nags me about it all the time.  I've already had one person offer to buy the website.  I, of course, said no.  I don't want to sell it.  I think it has a lot of potential.  I just need to spend more time on it.  Too bad I have to be a full-time reporter at the same time. 

I think it would be fair to have a 10.00 fee every time someone posts a job offer.  What do you think about that?  I still have to figure out how to implement this idea.  It's time consuming to have to pay through PayPal every time.  It would be better if their credit card was just billed automatically.  

[Amanda Leigh]

Yeah, check out Paymentech, Kelli--you can set up recurring charges.  I would do a monthly fee, recurring, or per-post basis.  If the agency doesn't post often, $10 per sounds very reasonable.  If they post quite a bit, maybe multiply that by several and make that the per-month charge.  Call your bank and ask for information on VIRTUAL credit card services.  Remember, they will take a fee (not much--well worth it), but you will want to consider that when determining your rate.  You can also look at competition--but keep in mind you are more valuable because you're already the go-to site.  Your husband is right!  (And if you grow this baby, you might find yourself working a lot less--at least on depos.)    

[Dean Morris]

Yes, $10.00 to post is very reasonable.  Credit card.  Agree with Amanda.  I'd hope you'd keep the website.  Part of the "niceness" of the website is that it is owned/operated by you, a caring reporter.  Once big business gets involved, it never helps "the little people," the worker bees. and a "good, happy place" could be turned into something you wouldn't even recognize and be sorry you let go.  Thank you again, Kelli.

[Amanda Leigh]

Yes, Deanna, very true! ;)

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Another thing I do is go to bat for reporters that took work through this website and make the agencies pay the reporters before I will let them back on the website.  I've gotten a ton of reporters paid. 

I doubt anyone else would do that.  I care about every reporter that takes work through the Nation and I'll do whatever I can to make it right and get them paid.

[Janiece Young]

We as reporters have a responsibility to walk away from the low-ball rates.  I personally have done that.  If we do that, they will have to raise their rates to a decent price.  I have seen it happen.

[Quyen]

I wish there were a "like" or "thank" button on the Nation. I'd definitely "like" your comment here, Janiece. :)

[Janiece Young]

Thanks, Quyen :-)