The Write Way to Travel

Issue #70
The Write Way to Travel
Edited by Lori Appling in Bethany Beach, DE
June 17, 2005

"You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere." -- Lee Iacocca

Today:

• How to Land Repeat Assignments: Three Steps to Solidifying a Client
• Bonus: How to Ensure You Get That First Assignment
• Make Money Writing (and Save the World While You're at It)
• Stand out from the Crowd: 5 More Ways to Promote Yourself
• This Week's Featured Travel Publication: EnRoute
• More Opportunities and Resources for Writers

Dear Reader,

When it comes to promoting yourself and landing repeat assignments, there's no substitute for simply being good at what you do and being easy to work with. Here's what I mean…

I met a guy last month who convinced me to give him a shot at writing some marketing copy for me. He didn't take me out for coffee, send me gifts in the mail, or hand me a fancy business card.

What he did do, however, was submit an outstanding first draft of the assignment I gave him, beat his deadline by a full three days, and offer to help with anything else I had on my plate.

The result? I immediately gave him another project. In fact, in the five weeks since I met him I've given him over 13 writing projects, for which he'll bill me over $6,000. $6,000 in five weeks from one client is nothing to laugh at. And it's all because he's easy to work with… he's fast… and he writes well. He knows what he's doing.

So write this down, because the same goes for you as a travel writer…

HOW TO LAND REPEAT ASSIGNMENTS:

STEP 1: Write Well, Choosing Your Words With Care.

Before you send anything to an editor for the first time, be sure you review your lessons on travel writing. If you own Jennifer Stevens' home-study guide, The Ultimate Travel Writer's Course (www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/tw4) review her seven templates for good travel articles (lesson # 7), her advice on writing better descriptions and choosing the right words (lesson #13), and her fundamentals of good writing, which you should use as a checklist before you submit a first draft to an editor (lesson #14).

You'll also find some good information archived on our website in the e-letter archives at www.thetravelwriterslife.com. Look at issue #2 on finding the right words, issue #4 on writing better descriptions, issue #23 on writing the best leads, issue #26 on uncovering the best story ideas, and issue #69 on making sure those ideas are good enough for publishing.

STEP 2: Beat Your Deadlines.

Don't wait until the last minute. Don't procrastinate. And do your research. It's easy to stand out from the crowd if your stories are always on time, well-researched, and accurate. (You'd be surprised at how many writers don’t deliver that.)

In The Ultimate Travel Writer's Course, review lesson #10 on honing your observation skills, lesson #11 on research tips and tools, and lesson #17 on getting information to come to you.

In our e-letter archives, see issue #33 on procrastination, issue #11 on research, issue #39 on the 18 must-have links every travel writer should know about, and issue #50 on making your research more efficient.

STEP 3: Be Easy to Work With.

It sounds simple enough, yet most writers have no idea how high-maintenance they are.

In The Ultimate Travel Writer's Course, review lesson #18 on how to make editors love you and lesson #22 on writing the power letters that will sell your stories.

In our e-letter archives, see issue #19 for an editor's view on working with travel writers and #60 on 11 ways to kill an editor.

BONUS: HOW TO ENSURE YOU GET THAT FIRST ASSIGNMENT

Sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know. The guy I mentioned above was, in fact, recommended to me by one of my other copywriters. That's why I gave him that first assignment to begin with. My usual copywriter was too busy and so suggested I use this guy in her place.

Networking is always a help in this business. I know Jennifer Stevens has passed along several writing gigs she was too busy to take on to students she met at our workshops.

That's why we're hosting a cocktail party for writers and editors this July 23rd in New York City -- to help you "get into the loop."

This is your chance to rub elbows with fellow writers and editors. I assure you: You'll get as much out of the contacts you make at the cocktail as you will from the content of the presentations.

And since we've invited more speakers than ever before to our New York workshop, scheduled for July 21-24, this is going to be, hands down, your best opportunity to mingle and connect.

Not only that, but it's your last chance to do so this year. We won't be putting another one of these workshops on until 2006.

I'll talk more in the coming weeks about how you can hob-knob with the pros and make the most out of networking events like this. But until then, you'd do you well to reserve your seat in New York fast. We're already half full (or half empty for you optimists who think you'll get a seat even if you wait until the eleventh hour).

We have guest speakers flying in from all over the country. (One experienced travel writer contributes regularly to Mad Magazine. He'll be on hand to talk about how you add personality to your articles and how you know whether your story is funny or… well, not funny.)

Don't miss this! For all the details (and specifics on how you can save $300 or more) visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/workshop or call Agora Travel toll-free at 1-800-926-6575 (email: info@agoratravel.com).

In the meantime, I've asked Roberta Beach Jacobson for some more advice on how you can promote yourself as a writer. Roberta is the master of landing first (and repeat) assignments. She'll tell you how she does it (as well as how some of her fellow writers do it) below.

And don't forget to keep me up-to-speed on your travel-writing success. If you have a story to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com.

Have a great weekend,

-- Lori

Lori Appling
Director, AWAI's Travel Writer Program

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

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD: 5 MORE WAYS TO PROMOTE YOURSELF

by freelance travel writer and editor, Roberta Beach Jacobson, in Karpathos, Greece

Do we writers grab every opportunity to promote ourselves?

Of course, we make certain our queries and submissions are neatly and correctly prepared and editors' names correctly spelled. But do we point ourselves in the direction of success?

Some of us have designed address labels on our computers and others carry professional business cards to hand out to potential clients. We also remember to insert a "signature" containing our contact information at the bottom of each email we send to an editor. Nobody should ever roam the streets blindly finding search of us.

Many of us have established websites to show off our clips. I have one (see http://www.travelwriters.com/Roberta). You should consider this too.

I also place ads containing a summary of my travel-related needs, so PR folks can contact me with the goods (a.k.a. freebies and perks).

The company I use, Travel Publicity Leads, offers free ads. I simply specify what I want -- brochures about France, tickets to San Francisco museums, invitations to river boat excursions, press kits about country inns in a particular state, etc. -- and wait for people to contact me. You can do the same here: www.travelpublicityleads.com.

I update my profile on this free service every 18 months so that my requests are current. I know I only want to cover Europe, but sometimes I am focusing on trade fairs and other times railways or some other aspect. You get the print newsletter containing your ad, and it's fun to see what others in the biz are up to.

So how about yet another step, doing something so editors or publishers will really take notice of our name and remember you the next time around?

You might try small reminders. Check your desk drawers, and chances are you'll find a variety of colorful pencils or ballpoint pens advertising banks, restaurants, hotels, and sports teams. This is only the start of the promotional pitching going on all around us every day. Look at how the corporate world promotes various logos on key chains, t-shirts, hats, coasters, magnets, bumper stickers, and posters.

I'm not suggesting we run out and have our names painted on a race car, but we freelancers could take some lessons from these corporate giants. Although our budgets are considerably smaller, we do have a product to promote to the world -- our writing.

SOME IDEAS THAT WORKED

Lori said above that the freelancer she hired recently let his high-quality work speak for itself. And yours should, too. But there are a few other things you can do so you stand out in an editor's mind.

One journalist I know paid to have a logo designed to her specs. Editors remembered her years later because of her eye-catching business stationery and matching cards. Her initial idea, done on the cheap by a graphics artist student, continues to open door after door.

Another freelancer opted to include a paper bookmark with each query he sent. I imagine that simply having a shot of color in an envelope -- a red or purple bookmark -- does, indeed, catch an editor's attention when on his desk is a sea of white papers. This writer made the bookmarks on his own computer and kept his costs to a minimum.

Pocket calendars are a fairly easy way for writers or photographers to get their names circulated, too. Shop around and compare prices from various print shops. You can even have these made for you at Wal-Mart or Kinkos.

Always send editors several calendars at once, so your planned advertising campaign doesn't just end up adorning the magazine's mailroom wall!

I once ordered royal blue mouse pads printed with my website address. They went out (selectively) to editors along with queries or manuscripts. A few editors called to compliment me on the idea.

A word of caution: Whatever token item you decide best promotes your work, be it a pen or a bumper sticker, keep your initial costs low. Start out with a hundred or two to test your idea. If you like the results, you can easily reorder more later.

Your personal publicity campaign can't take the place of good work and meeting deadlines, but it might just attract the extra attention that spells the difference between success and failure.

[Roberta's travel articles have been published in Travel Smart, Transitions Abroad, The Educated Traveler, International Living, The Athens News, The International Railway Traveler and JustSayGo.com, among others. She has contributed to travel books by Lonely Planet, Survival Books, and Travelers' Tales.]

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED TRAVEL PUBLICATION

EnRoute, the in-flight magazine for Air Canada, recently reinvented itself to focus more than ever on the travel lifestyle of its readers. Most articles are travel-themed, but they focus on travel through a variety of means—from wine to science to pop culture. Stories should be conversational, carry a unique angle, and writers should not be afraid for their opinions to come through. Send your queries to info@enroutemag.net with "Query" somewhere in your subject line. Read the full guidelines at http://www.enroutemag.com/e/writers

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:

RETIRE OVERSEAS! Live better...for less, travel farther, have more fun, and maybe make a lot of money...when you expand your world beyond U.S. shores. Read International Living's FREE daily e-letter.
http://www.agoraimages.com/opt/tw/

More By-lines ... More Vacations ... More Money -- I haven't paid for a hotel room in FL for more than 10 years. I've sold 600 articles, 13 guidebooks, and 3,000 photographs. But it took me years to build my career. You, on the other hand, don't have to wait. I'd like to show you, personally, exactly what I do... I'll call you, review your articles, and let you in on the secrets I use to land the best assignments and the most rewarding travel deals: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/coaching

LIVING ON MEXICO TIME: You'd be amazed if we told you all Mexico has to offer...from a laid-back, down-to-earth lifestyle to luxury resort-style mansion living...
And that's just what we'd like to do. We'd like to present you with an almost unbelievable chance to gain direct access to Mexico's most timely and attractive lifestyle and investment opportunities right now. Find out more here: http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/MPI/WMPIF2TW

CAN YOU WRITE A SIMPLE LETTER? If yes, you could be in big demand, earning big money, writing just a few hours a day from anywhere in the world you choose to be. Here's how you can learn the secrets of this little-known, lucrative business:
http://www.thewriterslife.com/ph/tw89

RETIRE…AND GET PAID TO TRAVEL -- Get the Details and Your Free report at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/tw4

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/tw4

TWO FREE ISSUES -- AWAI students and ITWPA members are entitled to two free issues of Writer's Digest magazine at:
https://secure.palmcoastd.com/pcd/document?ikey=0768PIW08

25% OFF WRITER'S MARKET -- AWAI students and ITWPA members receive a 25% discount to the Writer's Market web site at www.WritersMarket.com. When signing up, just use the coupon code WM04G1 to receive $7.50 off the annual $29.99 subscription rate. The 2004 Writer's Market Book can be purchased for $29.99 at:
http://www.writersdigest.com/store/booksdisplay.asp?id=10851

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.

BIG BUCKS FOR SNAPSHOTS
Photos can be a remarkably strong sales tool when you're approaching an editor with a story. They can significantly increase your chances of getting published (and earning extra income) -- that is, if you know how to take the kinds of photos editors like. Find out the simplest and best camera to take with you (you don't want to be lugging a trunk full of equipment)... how to use time of day... create a mood... how to photograph people versus landscapes and wildlife... and more. You'll find Big Bucks for Snapshots: 53 Can't Miss Techniques for Becoming a Money-Making Freelance Photographer here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/photos/tw4

NOTE: Big Bucks for Snap Shots comes free when you enroll in Passport to Romance: The Ultimate Travel Writer's Course at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/tw4

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/tw4

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

To ADVERTISE in The Write Way to Travel or to send comments, news, research, or story ideas, e-mail Lori Appling at lappling@awaionline.com.

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