Love Travel, Love Writing, Want to Sell? Pitch like a Pro.

Follow the Shepherd ©Solange Hando

Pitch before you Jump

Why?

All professionals do, act like a pro. and you'll  be treated like one

The editor may have a similar piece in the pipeline so don't waste your time or theirs

A good pitch will catch anyone's attention, that's enough for a commission

How Do you Do it?

*Focus on a specific angle

*Select the most suitable market for your idea

*Check the travel editor's name (correct spelling) 

Don't

*Don't phone editors, they're busy, only interrupt if highly  topical

*Don't include a biography, all the editor wants is your idea

*Don't offer anything vague or general

*Don't request guidelines, you checked the market, you should know

Don't ask about rates, far too early 

Do

*Allow plenty of time to craft your query 

*Show you are familiar with the publication by writing in similar style

*Be enthusiastic, brilliant but keep it brief,  just enough to whet the appetite

* If you have great images,  send 1 or 2 low res. but mention high res.

*Contact by email, keep the subject line short and specific

Would you like to read more?

Tips, examples, practice and everything you need to know on the road to success

Enjoy and good luck

Want to be a Travel Writer / Part 2

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

KEEP GOING AND FOLLOW THE RAINBOW

Work sent, pictures sent

How long do you wait?

At least 2 or 3 weeks before you chase up politely

OOPS

 'No thank you', no reason given?

Put your work aside for 2 or 3 days then look at it again

Be honest, did it fit 100% or maybe not quite?

Learn as you go and the future will be bright
Now remember the other markets you had in mind? Try again, one at a time

WOW..

It's a 'yes'

If any changes are needed, don't argue, just do it

Then when all is ok, you may ask about 'usual' rates

Modest for a first piece but if they really like your work, may offer more next time round.

FOOT IN THE DOOR?

Brilliant, keep moving

Offer new ideas as soon as your work is published or even sooner if that takes a long time.

Meanwhile check new ideas, new markets and have several queries/features out at the same time 

The harder you work, the luckier you'll get

ANYTHING ELSE?

Blog or print, read lots of travel and learn from others

Join any relevant associations, attend travel shows and network as much as possible

Ask tourist boards and operators to put your name on their lists for any new information

Work on your profile, have a website and link everything you do to social media.

Flying High

Be a Travel Writer

Want to be a Travel Writer? Part 1

How do you do it?

Just 5 steps to success
Come along and follow me up

STEP 1

WHERE DO YOU START?

*Prior to travelling

Do some research, know what you want to see

*On location

Keep a diary, note what you notice, what you feel, not google stuff but your own observations

Take lots of photos, a pocket camera will do but if you're aiming for print, high resolution's best

STEP 2

WHAT TO WRITE

*Blogging

Want to tell the story of your trip? Perfect

Blog as you go along, keep it regular and link to social media to increase followers

*Print

Focus on specific ideas, the tighter the better

Family attractions, city break, cycling, water sports, food and wine, saving turtles, Hindu temple

The list is endless, how many can you think of?

STEP 3

WHERE TO SELL IT

Decide on your top 3 ideas

*Check out possible publications: newsagent or internet

Look beyond the obvious: niche markets, women's mag, seniors, crafts, gardens, health... 

*Which magazines/newspapers would be interested in your idea?
Find at least 2 or 3

Imagine the readers: age group, budget, interest

STEP 4

GETTING THERE

Choose your favourite market and email a query to the editor (travel or features)

That's professional and will save time to both of you

*Keep your letter short but make it interesting

*Write it in the magazine style so the editor knows you've read it

If you have fabulous images, send 2 or 3, low resolution at this stage

*No CV, editors just want ideas 

Don't ask about rates until your work is accepted

STEP 5

READY, STEADY, GO

*Check similar articles in your chosen market and make sure you get it right

Word count, paragraphs, 1st or 3rd person, vocabulary, fact box

Plus nitty gritty, it or it's, three or 3, metric or imperial and so on

*Now you can write but make sure you respect format and style

Read and enjoy
'Packed with practical advice and entertaining'
Be a Travel Writer

Love Travel, Want to Write

Festival in Bhutan ©Solange Hando

Top Tip

Forget the destination track

The tighter the focus, the more original the feature, the easier the sale

So what can you write about?

Culture and craft

Heritage, festivals, food and wine, embroidery, woodcarving, pottery, the list is endless...

Local travel

Steam train, river trip, rickshaws, bus journey, hot air balloon, donkey riding

Activities

Family fun, water sports, golf, cycling, paragliding, cooking, painting...

Nature

Conservation, eco-lodges, bird watching, trekking, saving turtles

Local people

Visit a school, talk to monks, meet a budding actor, a poet, a chef, a guide with an unusual story

Now what do you do with all these ideas?

Choose your favourites, do the research, take lots of pictures and find suitable markets

Where do you start?

On shelves and online, bear in mind weekly mags need a lot more copy than monthlies

Check out

Women's / Men's magazines

Publications for seniors, families, young adults, outdoor fans

Special interest, sports and hobbies magazines

Transport

Food and wine

Health / Spa / Body and Mind

Wildlife

Newspapers

Travel magazines

In-flight magazines

Finally

Study your chosen market

Length, style, format, fact box

 Pitch to the editor

Keep it brief and to the point

Would you like to know more?

Be a Travel Writer 

Will guide you step by step on the road to success

Enjoy

Travel Writing? How to Sell every Feature you Write

Flying High ©Solange Hando

How do you start?

Think 'idea', the tighter the better

A flight over Everest, a festival, sampling the local food

Be original, less is more

and

Easier to sell

What next?

Find a market

Spend time browsing all sorts of publications

Who would be interested in your idea?

Who are the readers?

Think age group, budget, interests, families,couples

Made your choice?

Pitch

That makes you a professional

That saves the editor's time and yours

How should you pitch?

Show the editor you are familiar with the publication

Write your pitch in similar style

Be brief and to the point

Offer pictures

Keep Going ©Solange Hando

Got the go ahead?

Brilliant

But before you write a single word

Study the publication in detail, both format and style

Word count

Number and length of paragraphs

Choice of vocabulary, speech, quotes

1st or 3rd person

Fact box?

Next take a look at your pictures

It will

Refresh your memory

and

Help you to decide what to put in or leave out

Choose the best, the most original

Images will sell your words.

Ready to start?

Spend time on the 1st paragraph, it must grab attention straightaway

Keep your second best anecdote for the end

In the middle:

Vary the pace, highs and lows, anecdotes and facts

Paint a picture:

Include the senses

Avoid clichés

Be original

Sail Away ©Solange Hando

When all is done

Double check, click send

Now you're on your way

Would you like to read more?

Check out

Be a Travel Writer

Just 100 pages on the road to success

Good luck

and

Happy travels

Travel Writing? Three Easy Steps to Perfect Pitch

Taxi Ride Cuba Style ©Solange Hando

LESS IS MORE

What do editors want?

Original ideas

How do you do that?

Focus

Exotic or at home, the tighter the angle the more unique it's likely to be

It also means you can sell several features on a single destination

Examples:

Cuban taxis or London cabs

Free attractions in Paris

A day on the river

Quirky hotel / restaurant

Climbing Ben Nevis, 3 generations to the top

What about the city breaks, the best beaches, the paradise islands, the walking holidays?

Fine but you will have to make it pretty special to compete with staff writers

 Fit for Purpose ©Solange Hando

MAKE IT FIT

Just like these monks sheltering from the sun

Now what's your purpose?

Sell your work?

How?

Right idea, right market

What sort of readers would this appeal to?

Consider budget, age, interest, social status

Find the perfect fit

Before you pitch

But sometimes...

You might need to think laterally

Example: 

Chinese embroidery

No luck with obvious markets?

Favourite design?

Cats, sold to Cat magazine

Tenerife, Shepherd's Leap ©Solange Hando

PERFECT PITCH

This shepherd says it all

Check before you jump

One chance, no room for error

Top tips

Spend time on your query

Check correct editor's name, contact by email

Get straight to the point

Grab the editor's attention

Keep it brief

Offer images

Show you are familiar with the publication

Use similar style and term of address

Would you like to read more?

Be a Travel Writer

 'Succeed in the best job in the world' (endorsed by Hilary Bradt)

Travel Writing? Take Photos, Sell Stories

Take Pictures, Sell Features ©Solange Hando

What images do editors want?

Original

Colourful

Telling a story

No need for sophisticated equipment,

 Just be ready and capture the moment

Getting up Close, Taking Photos ©Solange Hando

What else should you aim for?

Variety

Close ups and distance

People and scenery

Action shots

Landmarks? Take the usual view and an unusual angle

The more, the better, you never know what you will need

Think multiple markets and multiple sales

Sweet Tooth in Kathmandu ©Solange Hando

Have you seen this anywhere?

Probably not

Original, colourful and a cheeky monkey

Be prepared

Look around

The unexpected is always best

Ladakh Scenery, India ©Solange Hando

Scenery?

Great

But most magazines like to add a semblance of life

Could be

a human being, cattle, sheep, a bicycle, a rucksack, a book on a bench

Top Tips 

Don't be so obsessed with the camera you'll miss what's going on right behind you

Have pictures of yourself on location, someone will ask you for that

Make sure the images you send match your chosen market, just as the words should do

Would you like to know more?

Here's everything you need to Be a Travel Writer 

Love Travel, Sell Stories? Top Tips, Perfect Fit

Flying High over Everest ©Solange Hando

Want to be a travel writer?

The sky's the limit

But before you write your story, choose your market

Imagine the readers

Is this a suitable age group?

The right destination for them, their interests, budget?

An editor might love your story but if it's not right for the readers, they can't take it

Editors know best, their jobs depend on it.

Market in Guatemala, Make it Fit ©Solange Hando

Right market?

Check the format:

Word count

Paragraphs, long or short

Subtitles breaking up the copy

Length of sentences

Choice of words

Is there a fact box?

Bhutanese Steps, Just Right for the Job? ©Solange Hando

Now check the details

1st or 3rd person

Does the writer address the readers?

Is the tone formal or chatty?

Any dialogue?

 Any reference to local characters or travelling companions?

Quotes or anecdotes?

Humour?

Is atmosphere important or is it mostly facts?

And the finer points

Distance, weights, metric or imperial?

Numbers, letters or figures?

Contractions, isn't or is not?

Would you like to know more?

Only 100 pages on the road to success

Be a Travel Writer

Like to Be a Travel Writer? Dream Job, Free Trips?

Nepal, Annapurna from Pokhara ©Solange Hando

Here's how it works

Decide where to go, find a suitable publication

Right readership, age group, budget, high circulation a bonus

Pitch to editor

Commission? Brilliant

Move to the next step.

Tobago, Dream Destination ©Solange Hando

Approach the relevant Tourist Board or their PR

Explain what you need, why, and ask if they can help

You might be invited on a group visit or offered an individual trip

How long?

Usually 2 to 4 nights depending on distance/flights

If not:

It's time for DIY

Approach hotels, airlines, railways etc. or tour operators

Before you commit:

Check exactly what is offered

and

Make sure the publication can credit your hosts

Ready to go?

Time to Write, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire

Do

Remember this is a business trip, not a holiday, expect to work hard

On a group visit be prepared to compromise

Act professional at all times

Thank your hosts and send a copy of your article in due course

Keep in touch with PR, editors, writers you met

Don't

Ask for hospitality in the high season

Complain non-stop on a trip if you want to be asked again

Gossip about editors, they may hear about it

Chase commissions during a trip, any editor on a trip has work to do

Press Trip in Haute-Provence, France ©Solange Hando

Hard work? Sure

but 

Have fun

and 

Your hosts will be delighted

Now, would you like to find out more and follow your dream?

Here's everything you need to know to be a travel writer 

Good luck and enjoy

Like to Be a Travel Writer?

Over the Rainbow ©Solange Hando

Dreams can come true
and
I can help you

Here are my top tips

for a 

a winning style
to please editors and sell your work 

DO

Include details which paint a picture but be selective

'the child... with a runny nose'

Be specific so readers can see, trees, flowers, birds

 an oak, a pine tree, cowslip or bluebells?

Remember the senses

all five of them, that's how we experience the world

Show rather than tell

'there was a narrow gap in the rocks': he could barely squeeze through...

Choose action verbs rather than static

'she wore a sari': her sari fluttered in the breeze

DON'T

Use the passive voice when the active will do

'she was chased by the dog', the dog chased her, barking...

Don't use vague qualifiers

'it was quite difficult': was it or wasn't it? make up your mind

Vague adjectives

'beautiful scenery': I can't see that, can you?

Clichés

'snow white, black as coal': try to be original

Don't pad with trivia to reach the word count

if you need to add anything, make it relevant

Avoid foreign or difficult words

give your readers an easy ride and they'll stay with you

Would you like to know more?

Just 100 pages and all the tips you need to succeed

Be a Travel Writer 

Enjoy and I'll see you on the road...

 On the road? It's ok, not a lion in sight ©Solange Hando

Love Travel, Love Writing, How to Sell? Spread your Wings...

 Up and Away ©Solange Hando

Is the market shrinking in your corner of the world?

Think global

Over 80 countries use English as their official language

Check them out on the web

See what they publish

Lifestyle, in-flight magazines and more

Are glossy travel magazines just for famous writers?

Big names sell copies but no editor will turn down a brilliant idea

So if you have a riveting story to share, with images, go for it

Pitch before you write

Get off the destination track 

Most publications include travel of one kind or another

Choose a specific angle to increase your chances:

Interview, history, festival, hotel review, local transport, market, temple, visiting a school

Wherever you go, there's always a winning story

The tighter the focus, the better

Like to hop on? Cuba ©Solange Hando

Explore every niche

Look out for specialist publications

 Spa, honeymoons, health, outdoor activities, property
Heritage, hobbies, food and wine

                          

Families, seniors, singles, business, disabled, students

Vintage travel, railway magazines, cruising, canal boats

All have scope for a travel-related piece

Study general interest magazines

Top of the list, women's weeklies which need a lot of copy to fill their pages

Be sure to write for the readers

Add newspapers, county magazines, trade publications.

I could be tempted to throw in a few names but the publishing world is always changing, in with the new, out with the old at a moment's notice.

Got an idea?

Great but it's like the stock exchange 

Check the current market then go for it 

but remember to spread your wings in all directions and think small as well as big.

Would you like to know more?

We can help you 

Be a Travel Writer

Love Travel, Want to Write? Pitch and Sell

Ladakh ©Solange Hando

Pitch is Best

Why?

It saves you time for you don't know what an editor has in the pipeline

It saves editors time, they're more likely to read a pitch than a whole attachment

Pitch well and you should sell every article you write

Pitch to Sell

Brief and Brilliant

Got an idea? Choose the right market, consider the readers age, budget, interests

Show, don't tell the editor you are familiar with the publication

Write your pitch in a similar style

Go straight to the point

Keep it brief

Editors want your ideas, not your life story

Finer Points

Email, don't call 

Keep your subject line precise and clear

If you try to be clever, it may look like spam

Contact the correct editor, if unsure, phone the switchboard

Make sure you have the correct spelling

Address editors as they would address their readers 

Always offer images

Finally

Don't mention payment at this stage, wait until your idea is accepted

Don't ask for guidelines

Why not?

Either they're on the web and you should have checked

If not, study the magazine and you'll have the answers

Would you like to read more?

Check this out
Ten steps is all it takes on your way to success

Be a Travel Writer

Good luck

and see you on the road...

Love Travel, Want to Write and Get Paid, could you do it?

On Top of the World, the Everest Range ©Solange Hando

Absolutely

Here's my top tip for all travel writers:

Think small, earn big

What does it mean?

Forget the big picture

Focus

Why?

The tighter the angle, the more original your feature will be

The more original, the easier to sell

and best of all

Multiple angles mean multiple sales from a single trip

How?

Think of an activity: bird watching, painting, hiking, yoga

Think of a local journey, boat, train, bus

Think festivals / culture /museums / castles

Check out wedding / honeymoon venues

Review a hotel

Write about food and wine

Imagine a city break, 48 hours in...

Attractions: for families, seniors, couples

Body and soul: spa, massage, inspiring location

Natural world: parks and reserves, wildlife, eco-friendly farms and lodges

'These are just a few of my favourite things'

Each one worth 1000 words

but

to make the most of your trip:

do some research before you go

You might not follow every single idea 

but the more you have, the better

More angles, more features

More cash for your next trip

 Want to know more?

Check this out

Be a Travel Writer

Only 100 pages to follow your dream

Come and join us

Fancy the ride? Cuba in the Wild ©Solange Hando

Want to Be a Travel Writer? One Year on...

Want to be a Travel Writer?

This little book will show you how

Don't take my word for it

See what the readers say

'A fantastic starting point for any keen travel writer'

'As good as it gets, best guide on the subject you're likely to find'

'Grabs your attention from the off and holds it'

'Packed full of really essential tips and advice'

'Brilliant. I had ideas entering my head at the early stages '

One year on, these are just a few of 45 reviews on Amazon,..

5 star: 42

4 star: 3

So if you love travel and have a story to tell, why not give it a go?

It could change your life

Love Travel, Want to Write, Can you Do it?

Paro Airport ©Solange Hando

Best job in the world
Travel writing...
 Are you kidding?

Absolutely not

But competition's growing, market's shrinking...

Is that really true?

 I don't think so

There are plenty of how to books out there keen to 'dispel the myth', 'tell it as it is' but I'm in the business of encouraging writers, not scaring them off.

Sure, there's more to it than setting off with laptop and camera in tow: there's work to do, determination to maintain and dreams to keep alive.

But like any other job, the harder you work, the greater the rewards but if you want to make money, you need to market your work.

Sell, sell, sell...

But where?

All over the world, just check it out on the web, loads of markets, everything you could want and more, at your fingertips.
Research, pitch, click and off you go.
Print or on line, there's no limit to what you can do.

Did you know that over 80 countries use English as their official language?

Or that 99% of in-flight magazines publish travel articles in English?

There is room for everyone but the easy way to start is to look beyond the obvious.
Glossy travel mag. attract big names, that's where the competition is harder to beat.

Think:

Weekly magazines ( for women/men)

Health and Lifestyle

Property

Special interests /Hobbies / Sports

Trade publications
Smaller airlines

Regional magazines

Seniors, parents and so on...

Travel is about places and people.
  Thousands of publications all over the world are looking for stories like yours.

Are you prepared to give it a go?

Help is at hand

Motivation, encouragement and loads of practical tips.
Just 100 pages between you and success.

Enjoy and see you on the road