Last updated: 16 March 2008
A few years ago I was trying to make a flyer at Kinkos. I handed my rough draft to this goth-looking, pierced eyebrow kid, and asked if there was a way to switch around some of the images and text.
“Look dude,” he said, sliding the sheet back to me, and then pointing to the empty rows of computers. “There’s no magic here. Try Microsoft Word.”
Remember this when you’re trying to break into travel writing professionally, and dealing with busy editors: There’s no magic. Getting paid travel writing assignments comes down to doing your homework, having your pitch and story tight, and not wasting time. Here are 10 tips to help you.
1. Blog. If you don’t have a blog already, start one now. For a step by step guide to on how to do this, click here. Editors don’t want to dig through some obscure website’s archives looking for your clips, nor waste time opening .pdf files. They want to go right to your blog, check to see that indeed you can write, that you’re already generating comments, traffic, etc. It doesn’t matter if you pick up a free blog on blogspot or wordpress.com. Just get going. Get writing. Start gaining visibility today.
2. Study the websites where you want to contribute and get on their radar screen. If you are interested in writing for a particular website or magazine, you should know the answers to these questions: Who are the editors? Who are the publishers? Who are their regular contributors? What kind of stories do they run? What subjects have been covered recently?
If possible, before sending your first story pitch / submission, get on the radar screen by commenting regularly to others’ stories. Write letters to the editor. Editors (and publishers) love these free contributions. You’ll already have a foot in the door.
Don’t waste time telling the editor why you’d be perfect for telling this particular story. Hook him or her with the story itself, giving a sample of it that keeps them wanting to read more.
3. Learn how to pitch a story. Pretend you’ll be receiving the pitch instead of sending it. How does it address the site’s content needs? How is it original? How does it fit with the magazine’s overall style? If you can’t immediately answer these questions, chances are you need to do more homework.
Finally, don’t waste time telling the editor why you’d be perfect for telling this particular story. Hook him or her with the story itself, giving a sample of it that keeps them wanting to read more. Usually the way you write the pitch will be a pretty good indicator as to whether you’re the right person to tell this story or not.
4. Be patient, then follow up. All too often your email ends up buried. If you haven’t heard back from the editor in a couple weeks (or months–check the site or magazine guidelines for response times) follow up with him or her. Compose a new email rather than amending the original as these can sometimes stay buried.
Editors are human–they might have simply read your story, liked it, but forgotten to respond because it was the end of the day and they thought they’d do it tomorrow. Sometimes the right follow up letter is the difference between getting published or not.
5. Think long-term and play this into your pitches. Editors of travel blogs are looking for regular contributors they can count on for content each month. Knock them out with your first pieces, and then suggest a series of stories that you could work on and submit over several weeks or months.
6. Send short thank-you notes and feedback. Whether your submission was published or not, send a quick thank-you to your editor. Offer concise feedback to how the story came out. (Editors need praise too.) Too often, the good communication that led up to a publication (or not) suddenly disappears. Perhaps the editor liked your story but it just wasn’t the right fit, only he or she didn’t have time to tell you. Sending him or her a thank-you note encourages them to respond.
7. Networking. Take advantage of online and offline networking as much as you can. Get on social networking sites like Facebook and Matador. Do you have an account on Flickr.com? Are you a member of del.icio.us? Stumble Upon? Editors want to see that you can help their publication gain visibility across the internet, not only by the strength of your story but by whatever connections you can add.
8. Learn basic HTML and photo-editing skills. As travel writing continues to take place online, the more you can offer your editor, the happier he or she will be to work with you. Don’t cop out with “I’m not computer savvy.” Invest a few hours of your time each week to learn how to resize a photo, or provide hyperlinks in whatever format your editor asks.
9.Establish a sustainable lifestye. Building your writing skills, networking, pitching, publishing: it all takes months, years, decades. If you really want to get good at this, it will help to live in a place where you can afford to spend the maximum amount of time reading, writing, revising. Most of us have to make sacrifices, such as living at home, or in a state of semi-permanent travel / homelessness. Either way, make an honest assessment of what living arrangements are the most productive.
10. Come correct. Embrace your unique travel experiences and perceptions. Don’t front. If you’re not a surfer (or whatever it might be), don’t write a story pretending to be one, because the false notes always come through in the writing. Instead, identify and develop your particular niche. Maybe you work with kids? If so, you’ll see the world differently than an architect. Work this into your travel writing. You’re always your own best bet.
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20 Comments... join the discussion!
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Hey David, great post! Some good reminders and some stuff I’d never thought of, too… (I’ve definitely played the “I suck with computers” card – oops!)
I don’t think #2 can be said too often. Particularly with blogging, where along with a particular theme or content, a lot of blogs (worldhum.com and jaunted.com are good examples) cultivate a particular voice. A lot of blogs also have tips@ email addresses posted – if you can send in a good tip or three as you’re getting to know the site, you’ll show the editors that you know exactly what they’re looking for.
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Indeed, a useful resource for people trying to start an online travel writing career. Thanks.
The real question is how to improve the quality of wine one can afford whilst sitting in paradise writing.
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Thanks for posting this David! Great advice I’ll definitely be referring back to at least once a month to keep me on track.
#10 particularly resonates with me especially since we all navigate, travel, and experience the world so differently. The key is to always remember this fact.
PS: welcome back to the states.
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Great post!
It all comes down to research. Know your market, know the editor, know the readers. Once you get those down, it can be all gravy.
I like your idea about thinking long term and doing what Eva suggested – sending freebie tips. Lawyers do pro-bono work, so do doctors and just about every profession under the sun. But we writers get our knickers in a knot as soon as someone suggest we write something for free. Gasp, give away our miraculous writing for free!
And of course, you finished off beautifully. Be yourself because no one can do it better than you.
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It’s a big, bright beautiful world out there…all connected to the Internet. Great advice David. This story is bookmarked.
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Thanks for the great advice David! I’ll definitely keep this one for future reference. Oh by the way, I just signed up an account on Matador, seems like a cool place! Peace.
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Thanks Byron! I’ll look for your profile on matador. Drop a line when you have everything set up.
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Hey David,
Great advice. It totally opened my eyes to the business behind getting published. It was also a great kick in the butt to get my blog started. I’ve been planning it for awhile now, but I’ve been resisting technology…or at least telling myself that I have. Everything is pretty much going online now and I guess there are two choices: run with it or resist. Though the latter makes life more difficult for the writer-as if it wasn’t difficult enough (financially speaking).
Definitely a piece that got me motivated. Thanks! Danke! Gracie!
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Okay, so I think I’ve figured out the Gravatar/photo issue. I’ve set up my blog and posted my published travel articles there. Now I need to learn how to optimize a natural search so readers out there can find my blog. Of course, I’ve joined Matador and included a link to my blog. So much to learn, so little time.
Thanks for the tips! It’s off to the Bounty Board.
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People love stories and especially stories which they can relate to. I found that if you can provide a rags-to-riches story or some other success story, people will relate to it. It builds trust.
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I would see this as a very important article and tips. Thank you for your post.
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So, what are the best places to start a travel blog??
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Great advice, David and to the point!
Let’s see, point one is not a problem. My blog is my window to the “other” world.
Even though I read this article before, I decided to leave a comment this time, which helps to put me on the radar (point 2).I love to write, am familiar with Matador for a long time, and I am living a very different life than most which creates many interesting adventures, experiences and insights that will catch the attention of the ever growing Matador crowd. I also mix some humour in my stories. That covers point 3.
Patience is my middle name. I used to be a teacher in one of my previous lives. I am interested in building a relationship with my favourite editors and become a regular contributor. A busy traveller’s life and the lack of good internet infrastructure along the way are here the problems (I guess I have to work on number 9…).
I am on Facebook and my computer skills are adequate. It looks like I am on the right path!! Soon enough you will find a few articles coming you way! (How long have I been saying this?) Beware!
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Thanks for that common sense advice David, I guess I should have read it before I jumped in and sent my first article for consideration. Have taken the first step and written a couple of blog articles, now off to do my networking. Cheers.
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Thanks David!
I’ve been writing about travel in magazines, newspapers and in books for years and was looking to expand my online gigs. Great suggestions! Really love the quality and content of the Matador Network and think I found a new home.
Thanks for sharing,
Lorry
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Great post! Thanks for sharing!
It’s definitely one that I’ll be referring back to as an aspiring travel writer!
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Great article, there are a lot of points in it that now seem so obvious, so much so I wonder why I didn’t think of them in the first place. Thanks.
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Hi David, This is spot on. I am now in my second decade of working as a freelance travel writer in that honest sustainable lifestyle (semi-nomadic with a small apartment I rent with my freelance filmmaker husband). I love what I do and I love my interaction with editors whom I work with: they are a very smart and hard working group of people. This is the best piece I’ve read about what it really takes to do this. Thank you. Now when people tell my I’m lucky to be doing what I do, I’ll send them to learn more through your excellent wisdom. Beebe
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I loved the way this article has listed the most important points of travel writing regularly…being a travel writer myself I can just say…’bravo’ to the writer of the article.
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