Edited by Lori Appling in Washington D.C.
"When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn't be a door foranyone else." -- Joseph Campbell
Today:
- $.75 per Photo per Month: One Reader's Experience with Online Stock Agencies
- Seven Quick Tips for Jumpstarting Your New Photography Career
- Invest an Hour to Take Control of Your Life - and Get the WealthYou Deserve
- This Week's Featured Travel Publication: Caribbean Travel and Life
- More Opportunities and Resources for Writers
* Highly Recommended*
The Ultimate Holiday Photo Guide: 83 Quick Tips for Taking the Best Holiday Photographs Ever
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Opportunities like this only come once a year. Don't wait and let another holiday pass by with only average snapshots to show for it.
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Dear Reader,
A couple weeks ago, we featured an article about online stock agencies and how, exactly, you can get started selling your pictures online (see issue #89 in our eletter archives at www.thetravelwriterslife.com).
This week, fellow reader Shelly Perry wrote in to say she agrees - online stock agencies can be lucrative. Shelly receives, on average, $.75 per photo per month from istockphoto.com. I didn't count all the pictures in her portfolio there, but let's say she had 100 photos on file. 100 photographs times $.75 each comes to $75 a month in royalties -- that's nearly $1000 a year.
Now, granted, that's not an exorbitant amount. But over time it could add up to much more. Turn Your Pictures into Cash author, B. Howard, said he's accumulated over the years 8,000 images with his stock agency. 8000 images times $.75 a piece per month comes to $6,000 a month in passive income.
Now, that's nothing to laugh at.
And here's something else...
Take a look at the pictures on Shelly's website: www.sperryphotography.com and tell me what you see.
You see people. All the pictures that are selling the most for Shelly are those with people in them (something B. Howard's been preaching to us from the start).
Shelly's not the only one who wrote in recently about a success. Kerry Stowell, an attendee at our recent Washington, D.C. Photo Workshop told us about her pictures appearing on NBC's nightly weather -- I mentioned that last week.
We asked her for some advice for other newcomers, and she offered up these great tips:
SEVEN QUICK TIPS FOR JUMPSTARTING YOUR NEW PHOTOGRAPHY CAREER
By Freelance Photographer and AWAI Live Workshop Alum, Kerry Stowell in Washington, D.C.
TIP #1: Stay close to home
It really is best to stick near home in the beginning. First of all, you know where to look for interest, and second... you know what your light patterns are at each time of the day. For instance, I know I can't get a decent shot of a certain historic building in DC until after midday, since the placement of the sun is head-on in the morning.
TIP #2: Take a lot of pictures
In photo class, they told us to take 2-4 or more of the same subject. They were correct. Each time you snap a photo... it is different... and you start to learn just what it is that makes it work. Taking many different subjects will not do this for you.
TIP #3: Use the 2005 Photographer's Market book as a resource.
TIP #4: Don't wait until you get an assignment. Take pictures on a regular basis.
Do not wait to be asked for a particular subject. Start to develop your own photo library resource so that you can respond to a request quickly. The photos for NBC had been taken almost 2 weeks before the request.
TIP #5: Go to every event you can
Pie-eating contests... political gatherings... etc. If you are a political enthusiast... start your political photography now.... Take pix of new candidates and offer to take more for free, if necessary.
TIP #6: Photograph people
Up to now, I've been shooting mostly landscapes. But I need to start photographing those special moments when people reveal themselves in a gesture or expression. I understand now how important this is.
TIP #7: Identify yourself upfront and be prepared to answer questions
One word of caution, especially in D.C. Since 9/11, people get very nervous when they see you pointing a black thing that looks like it is some kind of weapon. Be aware of this and, if need be, ask permission and wear an identification card around your neck. Bring business cards and model releases when you're planning to shoot in public.Copyright, KHS 2005
If you have good news to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com. I'd love to feature you in an upcoming issue.
But don't leave without reading today's article from B. Howard. We've had several students write us in the past about this very same approach to breaking into the business that he talks about below. It's quick and easy, and once you have a track record, many more doors will open.
I hope you have a great weekend,
-- Lori
Lori Appling
Director, AWAI's Travel Division
P.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter weekly at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/eletter
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QUICK AND EASY CREDIBILITY - YET ANOTHER (SUPER FAST) WAY TO ESTABLISH A TRACK RECORD
By Freelance Travel Writer and Photographer B. Howard, in Cleveland, TN
In "The #1 Easiest and Fastest Way to Get a By-line and a Check: Writing Short Articles," Jen Stevens teaches that the short article - the "postcard" - pitched to your local newspaper, really will get you into print fast. (See issue #45 in the eletter archives at www.thetravelwriterslife.com.)
And I fully concur. It was the way I broke into publication many years ago.
There is, however, an even better way, not only to break into publication, but to build an on-going relationship with that local newspaper and collect a portfolio of articles you can sell again and again.
I'm talking about writing a weekly travel column.
Let me explain... Many years ago, I noticed my local newspaper rarely, if ever, published travel articles. It's a small daily newspaper with a well-received Sunday edition that has an eight-page Lifestyles section, but no travel.
So, gathering up my courage, I boldly walked in the front door and asked to talk to the editor-in-chief. I had to wait a few minutes but, yes, I did get in to see the great man. I told him of my observations - no travel section - and offered to write one for him.
He looked me in the eye, sighed, and asked, "You think you can handle a weekly deadline?" I told him I could. His next question was, "Where will your ideas come from?" Now that one wasn't so easy.
After thinking about it for a moment, I told him I would draw on my own experience and supplement that by alternating it with local attractions and destinations - my point being that most people take their local attractions for granted and never visit them. He sighed again and said, "Okay. Let's give it a try. I can't pay you very much. Can you have the first piece ready by tomorrow evening?"
I could and I did.
I wrote that column for more than two years. I don't think any single piece ran to more than 800 words. And the editor was right; he didn't pay very much - just $25 per article and that included a photograph - but it more than paid off in experience and perks.
My articles ran in the Lifestyles section under Travel with my by-line and a picture of me at the top. I had my own business cards and press credentials from the newspaper. My queries to other publications were well-received because of the "Columnist" credit. When I traveled, attractions, hotels and restaurants were only too pleased to comp me. The articles I wrote were often sold several times over.
Ultimately, the writing practice and discipline of having to meet a weekly deadline made me a better writer. All-in-all, it was a very gratifying time in my writing career. Among the plusses: you can generally pick your own topics; you can write about the things that appeal to you. Perhaps the only downside is you have to keep coming up with new and fresh ideas, but that can also be a benefit... it forces you to become creative.
Most importantly, when you write, be yourself. Write the articles in your own voice. Tell it as you see it. Describe it as you would to your own best friend. Above all... have fun with it!
So check out your local newspaper - perhaps up to within 50 miles of your home - and give it a shot. You may surprise yourself, and in the process you'll be establishing your credentials as a bonafide travel writer!
[EDITOR'S NOTE: You can hear B. Howard and four other savvy travelers in a live 60-minute teleseminar on December 13, 2005 - learn their secret strategies for consistently funding and profiting from their vacations... the "triple-barrel approach" to a six-figure income as a traveler...earning $12,600 on a four-day trip... turning simple souvenir shopping into a lucrative import-export business... and more. Sign up today and you'll receive $500 off our next live workshop: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/call ]
* Highly Recommended*
This just in...
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THE AWAI FORUM FOR TRAVEL WRITERS -- You'll find this excellent online resource at: www.thetravelwriterslife.com/forums . It's a place to get answers to your questions, discuss your story ideas, find readers to review your articles, and stay connected to a community of writers.
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF WRITING -- Learn how to find the best story ideas and places to publish them...how and when to follow up with an editor...what you need to know about buying rights, contracts, and agreements...how to use syndication to increase your exposure and boost your earnings...and more. You'll find "The Business of Writing Guide: A Practical Guide for Travel Writers (and Other Freelancers) Ready to Turn Words into Profits" here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/biz/website
TAX SAVINGS EVERY FREELANCER SHOULD TAKE -- Find out where you can save... what the IRS really needs to know... how to make the most of those deductions for travel, meals, entertainment, home office, and more including practical worksheets you can use to make sure you're paying as little as possible to Uncle Sam. You'll find "The Writer's Tax Guide: A Money-Saving Manual for Travel Writers and Other Freelancers" here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tax/website
The Write Way to Travel is a FREE weekly newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Institute, available to AWAI students and friends.
© 2004 American Writers & Artists Institute
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