One of my forum friends asked me how she can write for travel magazines. She has a nice travel blog and I urged her to try writing for prints. To give her a more detailed tips and how-to’s on publishing stories, I’ve decided to write this.
I am not a travel writer superstar, yet I am sharing this based on my experience and what I did and will do as I enjoy my life as a travel writer.
1. Read. Read. Read.
A lovely line from John O’Hara goes..”Becoming the reader is the essence of becoming a writer.”
And this is very important when it comes to magazine writing. If you visit their websites with their submission guidelines, they always stress to take your time reading their previous issues. Read the magazines, visit their sites and take some time reading their posts and articles.
Like the rest of what we see in this crazy world, not all magazines are created equal. Magazines have their own style and tone. With some catering for specific market. With travel magazines — some are for budget travelers while there are that focus on business travelers. It is now your tasks to drive your article to these margins.
2. Travel. Live.
Travel writing may seem very indulging but the competition is very rigid. To stand-out, you have to be a traveler yourself. How can you influence people to pack and take a trip if you have never been there? How can you inspire people to take a different look at our heritage churches if you yourself didn’t have that experience?
Or better yet, be a local.
I have been calling Iloilo home ever since I came here almost a decade ago to study at UP Visayas. If you have time to review my portfolio, most of my articles revolves around Iloilo and the rest of Western Visayas. Use your local knowledge to sell stories for both the magazine and for the readers.
Editors want writers who know a specific destination like the back of their hand and if you have called a place home, use it to land a writing job.
3. Blog
Like other writing jobs, you have to prove that you can really write. Those who have travel blogs can monetize it by writing for magazines. There is a discussion if travel writers should have blogs but I believe in blogging.
One of Mabuhay Magazine’s associate editors read my blog post about Ozamis Fort and she asked me to write about Ozamis for the magazine’s February 2011 issue. Let us say, my travel writing career formally started from then on.
My blog is a portfolio as a freelance writer. If you have a blog, use it when looking for writing jobs. Link blog posts to your inquiries and applications. If you want to start your career as a writer, then it is time to get serious with blogging.
4. Know the editors. Build relationships.
As you read issues of magazines and visit their sites, also check their editors with their contact information. Look for those reads looking for submissions. I read about Mabuhay Magazine’s call for local contributors at a hotel lobby while we were in Bacolod. And I read about how to become a local guide for Smile Magazine while on a flight from Manila to Iloilo.
Take note of these editors or writing opportunities. You can create a list if you like ( I did this by the way). You can use social media if you like. Be a fan in their Facebook pages or follow them in Twitter. You will get inside access to writing assignments.
5. Pitch your stories.
This is the hardest part when it comes to making it to publications. A pitch is a story proposal. Your pitch should contain the topic that you wish to write and basically why the editors should commission you a work.
Personally, this is mind-blowing for me. Why? You have to be unique and you must present a different angle for a destination. It must be fresh and must never been written. It doesn’t have to be a new or unheard destinations but the angle is very important. You have to be serious and give your all when pitching.
If you wish to pitch about Boracay Island, you must think of an angle that is new yet interesting and goes well with the magazine’s target market. An angle that anyone, even those who have been to the island countless times will care to read.
6. Get back to the editor.
In the world of writing, “no guts, no glory” applies. There are some editors who will tell you to get back to them or get in touch to remind them about your pitch. They are busy people yet they won’t let a good story pass by. So follow up without being needy. It’s a win-win situation. You need them to get you published and they need your unique article.
Getting published adds credibility as a writer but keep in mind that it doesn’t make you less of a writer if you are not published. Let’s face it, nothing feels good to see your name and your article in that glossy paper. I hope this little tips can start your career for magazines.
Thank you!
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