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Issue #318: The Biggest Problem with Roundup Travel Stories - and How to Fix It August 17, 2020 |
| Greetings Fellow Travel Writers! . . . and WELCOME all new subscribers. Thanks for joining us.
Editorial: The Best & Worst about Travel Writing Workshops
“Beware The Bearers of False Gifts and Broken Promises”
So goes the famous saying. And boy, does this phrase ever apply to travel writing courses! Many unwary novices have been lured to hyped up, half-baked travel writing courses that deliver little in return. Workshops are a great way to find out if you have the aptitude and attributes necessary to break into travel writing. What better way to find out if you have the chops to enter this competitive and exciting field than by taking a workshop to learn about the industry? But beware: there are jazzy-looking, overpriced workshops out there that might give you an overview of travel writing and its perks, but they never quite get around to teaching you the nuts-and-bolts of how to sell and write publishable travel articles. And they certainly don’t show aspiring travel writers how to reap the complimentary travel benefits so many of us enjoy. Some of these workshops funnel their attendees into buying expensive “how to” manuals. Or they entice you to join a worthless “travel writing association” to receive unnecessary credentials like press passes. Sometimes they offer enticing vanity “coffee club” memberships that only deliver mutual ego-stroking for posting free articles on someone else’s travel website. By the way, getting published on websites is easy. You don’t need to take an expensive travel writing course to do this. We have an eBook for less than $8 that will tell you how to get published on websites, along with a list of 50 websites. I promise you that some of the travel websites listed there will publish your travel stories, with very little effort on your part.
The good news is there are legitimate travel writing courses out there. Most travel writing courses and instructors are on the level. They’re taught by dedicated, well-published journalists with impressive bylines who sincerely want to teach you how to write good stories, get them published and reap those wonderful travel benefits. As for the not-so-helpful travel writing lite courses. Let the buyer beware! Here are the seven criteria to look for when you’re deciding whether to plunk down your hard earned money on a travel writing workshop. This Week's Featured PostThe Biggest Problem with Roundup Travel Stories - and How to Fix ItI’m often asked, “What are the best travel stories to write?”By far, my favorite travel articles are roundup pieces. These are high-level descriptions—or “roundups”—of what a city or destination has to offer. They have enough variety to offer something of interest for everyone. Round up stories are written in a similar way to travel guides. You need to cover the most important attractions, but you don’t go into great detail about any of them. In this article you’ll find a comprehensive definition of roundup travel stories along with some great examples. Plus, I share the number one problem with writing roundup stories. You’ll get five effective ways to deal with this problem and write successful roundup articles. If you’re planning to write a roundup travel story, you’ll want to read this article first . . .
GROUP COACHING MASTERMIND - Coming September 1stAre you tired of talking, thinking, and dreaming of breaking into travel writing?Are you ready to start writing? Many of you have asked when we’re going to offer group coaching. So, we're working on it. We’re planning to make it affordable, fun, and helpful and productive for you. Everything will be done online with video training, a community of like-minded writers helping each other, a robust focus on the craft of writing and the art of selling, and lots of other resources at your fingertips. Here are a few of the things we’ll be offering through our Group Coaching Mastermind program: A group coaching place where . . . - you’ll get helpful critiques of your story ideas A safe and helpful community where . . . - you can ask questions and get the answers you need A mentoring and resource place where . . . - you'll receive marketing tips about selling your travel stories You’ll get a writing community, group coaching and resources and content so you can succeed in travel writing - and have fun with other travel writers while you’re doing it. Registration will open in August. Get your name on the interest and you’ll be the first to hear when it opens. This Group coaching program will be limited to the first 35 registrants.
Upcoming PostsAug 24: Six Guidelines For Higher Paying Travel AssignmentsAug 31: Travel Writing About Festivals & Special Events: What Sells & What Doesn’t Sep 7: Do Travel Writing Awards Help You Sell More Stories?
PitchTravelWrite.com Success StoriesRey Waters
“I enrolled in a travel writer’s course and published my first article in Travel Post Monthly.
It was not long after, that I discovered Roy Stevenson’s travel writing books.
His first book that I read was Get Published Now. It had a section that mentioned getting started in your own back yard. At the time we were living in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. My wife and I walked a two-mile hiking trail around a lake every day for our exercise. During these walks we met all types of very interesting people. I pitched a story idea to our local newspaper and I guess you can say the rest is history." Here’s Rey Waters’ remarkable and expanding travel writing success story, so far!
Pitch Travel Write: Most Requested Links about Business Basics for Freelance Travel WritersWhen you decide to become a travel writer, you need to make a decision: is it a hobby or is it a business? Some people approach travel writing as a hobby and that’s fine. But, if you plan to earn income from your travel writing, you need to think of it as a business. It helps to know a few business basics. What are the business basics you need to consider? Here are 21 of our PitchTravelWrite posts to cover all the business basics you’ll need to know:
Inspirational Travel Quote
RESOURCES FOR TRAVEL WRITERSFeatured Book: ROCK STAR TRAVEL WRITERS
Have you ever wondered how travel writers get their stories published in the top shelf travel magazines?
Our NEWEST book, Rock Star Travel Writers, reveals through a series of in-depth interviews the insider tips, tricks, and secrets that 10 leading travel journalists use to land assignments in the most prominent travel glossies, and be well paid for their efforts. I wish I had this information when I started out on my travel writing journey! If I’d known, early in my career, what the successful travel writers were doing to get published in top flight magazines, this knowledge would have sped up my entry into this competitive field. This stellar lineup of highly respected travel journalists offers excellent practical advice and encouragement to help you move up the travel writing food chain. See how Kimberley Lovato, Bill Fink, Mark Andrews, Irene Levine, Nick O’Connell, Allen Cox, Keith Lyons, James Ullrich, Pam & Gary
Baker, Jessica Pickett, Chuck Warren, & Sandy Bornstein get their travel stories consistently published.
Live WorkshopsPeople have been asking when our 2021 workshops in the U.S. are scheduled. They're scheduled in June, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana.Here are the 2021 dates: We have had a lot of interest for these workshops already. You can sign up for our no-obligation interest list for these workshops and receive our substantial early bird discounts when we open registration: GET ON THE 2021 LIVE WORKSHOP NO-OBLIGATION INTEREST LIST HERE Did You Know . . .Our Complete Marketing Master Class for Travel Writers is ranked #1 on TravelWritersExchange.com’s Top Ten Travel Writing Workshops.You can access the list of the top ten travel writing workshops at the link below . . .
At Your ServiceCoaching
and
Consulting email: pitchtravelwrite@gmail.com
If you know someone who will enjoy this newsletter, PitchTravelWrite.com, is our information-packed website for travel writers. This e-zine, a series of travel writing books and reference guides, coaching programs, and our workshops all work together to give you guidance in this field. Our aim is to provide you with practical, nitty gritty information to help you gain entry the travel writing realm and all the enjoyment that comes with it, too.
You can see the entire list by visiting their website - click on the graphic to view the list now.
Friend me on FacebookMy Facebook page is about freelance travel writing. I frequently post about:• links to other well produced travel websites and blogs • links to my travel articles • magazine cover stories and back stories • links to resource pages • links to coaching and mentoring resources . . .and plenty of other useful information to get you up to speed Link to Roy's Personal Facebook page That's all for now. Until next week - just keep pitching! Roy Roy Stevenson |
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