In that case, you'd only pitch an article idea to this magazine if you were certain you could complete the entire piece in five hours or less. Another way to look at your rate is by averaging it across assignments. When Time Isn't the Only Factor Money is nice, but it may not be the only consideration when choosing whether to seek or accept a particular assignment. If you're just starting out, your first goal may be to build a portfolio of clips. In the beginning, a track record of success and acceptance can be more important than the actual fee.
Some markets pay little, but offer extra rewards in terms of recognition and reputation.
This is especially true online, where your work may be viewed by readers from around the world. Sometimes you may choose to write about a particular subject, or for a particular publication, simply because it's what you want to do. In many cases, passion counts for more than cash. Conversely, you may also discover that some projects aren't worth doing, no matter how much they pay. Some are impossible to please, even when you've provided exactly what was asked for.