At Lagom, we believe that every contributor should get paid, and although as a fledgling publication we’re unable to offer heaps of cash, we feel very strongly that every contributor should at least get something. Unfortunately, it seems that not many independent magazines share our opinion.

I was talking to a potential contributor earlier today and told her that we’re passionate about everyone getting paid, and her response really resonated with me:

“As long as there is something offered, I consider it a nod of respect and that's all I need.”

A nod of respect. Regardless of the project or medium, if you’re not paying your contributors, you’re not respecting them, and you should: those people quite literally make your project what it is.