FAQ
FAQ
FAQ
Don't see your question below? Please feel free to reach out to us at community@lensmag.xyz.
Don't see your question below? Please feel free to reach out to us at community@lensmag.xyz.
Don't see your question below? Please feel free to reach out to us at community@lensmag.xyz.
What is Lens?
Lens is a publication that celebrates creators through inspiring, informative, and entertaining stories. Our writers cover culture—the cultural trends driving creators; creativity—the art of the craft; and commerce—the business of creativity.
Lens is published by Stir, whose mission is to enable a world where anyone can make a living off of their creativity. In order to do so, we need a thriving creator middle class. Unfortunately, this creator middle class does not exist today. There are 50 million creators in the world, and only four percent of them make enough money to qualify as small businesses—making less than $100,000 per year. Having a thriving middle class might seem less daunting if there are compelling stories that illuminate those striving to make this vision a reality. Lens is our attempt to do so.
While Lens is funded by Stir, the publication operates independently. We will not promote our products and do not accept paid promotions from others.
What is Lens?
Lens is a publication that celebrates creators through inspiring, informative, and entertaining stories. Our writers cover culture—the cultural trends driving creators; creativity—the art of the craft; and commerce—the business of creativity.
Lens is published by Stir, whose mission is to enable a world where anyone can make a living off of their creativity. In order to do so, we need a thriving creator middle class. Unfortunately, this creator middle class does not exist today. There are 50 million creators in the world, and only four percent of them make enough money to qualify as small businesses—making less than $100,000 per year. Having a thriving middle class might seem less daunting if there are compelling stories that illuminate those striving to make this vision a reality. Lens is our attempt to do so.
While Lens is funded by Stir, the publication operates independently. We will not promote our products and do not accept paid promotions from others.
What is Lens?
Lens is a publication that celebrates creators through inspiring, informative, and entertaining stories. Our writers cover culture—the cultural trends driving creators; creativity—the art of the craft; and commerce—the business of creativity.
Lens is published by Stir, whose mission is to enable a world where anyone can make a living off of their creativity. In order to do so, we need a thriving creator middle class. Unfortunately, this creator middle class does not exist today. There are 50 million creators in the world, and only four percent of them make enough money to qualify as small businesses—making less than $100,000 per year. Having a thriving middle class might seem less daunting if there are compelling stories that illuminate those striving to make this vision a reality. Lens is our attempt to do so.
While Lens is funded by Stir, the publication operates independently. We will not promote our products and do not accept paid promotions from others.
Where can I pitch a story?
Here are our pitch guidelines.
How to pitch
Direct pitches to editors@lensmag.xyz with the subject line “Pitch: [your pitch title]”
In the body of your email, please include:
A brief summary (1-2 paragraphs) of your story
A few lines explaining why you’re the best person to write it
Standard rates start at $350 per original piece; negotiable for syndicated pieces.
Pieces are generally commissioned at 500-800 words or 800-1,000 words. Word count is meant to be a healthy creative constraint, not an obligation, so we’re flexible on either end of those ranges.
What to pitch
Lens is a publication devoted to telling stories about and for creators, and those who aspire to produce or make a living from their creative work.
We love stories that explore the lives of creators, their creative process, and the often unseen and unheard people who work “behind the lens” to empower them—both the creatively inclined (video editors, thumbnail designers, graphic artists, etc.) and the commercially savvy (agents, managers, producers, etc.) without whom a creative career is unsustainable and, frankly, almost impossible.
We also love essays that illuminate the cultural trends that creators are both driving and riding, and the platforms, niches, and corners of the internet in which they emerge and thrive.
And we care about “suit” things—how creators build and manage their businesses, optimize taxes, hire the right team, etc.—and about providing the vital resources that creators need to preserve their well-being in an always-on culture.
Having said that, we’re open! If you’re working on something cool, we’d love to hear about it. Forget everything we said above and pitch us anyway.
Where can I pitch a story?
Here are our pitch guidelines.
How to pitch
Direct pitches to editors@lensmag.xyz with the subject line “Pitch: [your pitch title]”
In the body of your email, please include:
A brief summary (1-2 paragraphs) of your story
A few lines explaining why you’re the best person to write it
Standard rates start at $350 per original piece; negotiable for syndicated pieces.
Pieces are generally commissioned at 500-800 words or 800-1,000 words. Word count is meant to be a healthy creative constraint, not an obligation, so we’re flexible on either end of those ranges.
What to pitch
Lens is a publication devoted to telling stories about and for creators, and those who aspire to produce or make a living from their creative work.
We love stories that explore the lives of creators, their creative process, and the often unseen and unheard people who work “behind the lens” to empower them—both the creatively inclined (video editors, thumbnail designers, graphic artists, etc.) and the commercially savvy (agents, managers, producers, etc.) without whom a creative career is unsustainable and, frankly, almost impossible.
We also love essays that illuminate the cultural trends that creators are both driving and riding, and the platforms, niches, and corners of the internet in which they emerge and thrive.
And we care about “suit” things—how creators build and manage their businesses, optimize taxes, hire the right team, etc.—and about providing the vital resources that creators need to preserve their well-being in an always-on culture.
Having said that, we’re open! If you’re working on something cool, we’d love to hear about it. Forget everything we said above and pitch us anyway.
Where can I pitch a story?
Here are our pitch guidelines.
How to pitch
Direct pitches to editors@lensmag.xyz with the subject line “Pitch: [your pitch title]”
In the body of your email, please include:
A brief summary (1-2 paragraphs) of your story
A few lines explaining why you’re the best person to write it
Standard rates start at $350 per original piece; negotiable for syndicated pieces.
Pieces are generally commissioned at 500-800 words or 800-1,000 words. Word count is meant to be a healthy creative constraint, not an obligation, so we’re flexible on either end of those ranges.
What to pitch
Lens is a publication devoted to telling stories about and for creators, and those who aspire to produce or make a living from their creative work.
We love stories that explore the lives of creators, their creative process, and the often unseen and unheard people who work “behind the lens” to empower them—both the creatively inclined (video editors, thumbnail designers, graphic artists, etc.) and the commercially savvy (agents, managers, producers, etc.) without whom a creative career is unsustainable and, frankly, almost impossible.
We also love essays that illuminate the cultural trends that creators are both driving and riding, and the platforms, niches, and corners of the internet in which they emerge and thrive.
And we care about “suit” things—how creators build and manage their businesses, optimize taxes, hire the right team, etc.—and about providing the vital resources that creators need to preserve their well-being in an always-on culture.
Having said that, we’re open! If you’re working on something cool, we’d love to hear about it. Forget everything we said above and pitch us anyway.
How can I get involved?
You can participate in Lens as a contributor and/or as an engaged community member.
We’re always on the lookout for talented writers, editors, creatives, and like-minded humans. If you’re interested in being a contributor, check out our pitch guidelines or drop us a note at editors@lensmag.xyz.
If you’d like to become a member of the community, join our Discord.
How can I get involved?
You can participate in Lens as a contributor and/or as an engaged community member.
We’re always on the lookout for talented writers, editors, creatives, and like-minded humans. If you’re interested in being a contributor, check out our pitch guidelines or drop us a note at editors@lensmag.xyz.
If you’d like to become a member of the community, join our Discord.
How can I get involved?
You can participate in Lens as a contributor and/or as an engaged community member.
We’re always on the lookout for talented writers, editors, creatives, and like-minded humans. If you’re interested in being a contributor, check out our pitch guidelines or drop us a note at editors@lensmag.xyz.
If you’d like to become a member of the community, join our Discord.
