Press and Blogs

Press

Beyond publishing a book, writing articles—including online—for travel press (or other media) can bring in some income.

Topics

Success starts with choosing the right topics, focusing first on what you know best or feel most strongly about, not necessarily at the other end of the world or in a challenging context. It can also be useful to specialise based on your interests and start close to home, at lower cost, to test your skills, gauge reactions, and seek advice while critically observing what others are doing. There’s no need to make it too long either; three or four pages (1,500 characters per page) should be enough to pitch to a media outlet initially.

Features

If you’re travelling with the idea of writing a feature, prepare your topic thoroughly, both in terms of execution and potential media outlets. Research, plan a schedule, and make the most of your trip by exploring multiple angles.

For example, cycling across a country can lead to articles and photos highlighting the mode of transport, the people and cultures encountered, a specific community and its customs, wildlife and flora, landscapes, architecture, and more. Don’t forget to gather practical information on the ground—this will save you time and avoid lengthy research when you’re later asked for a practical guide to the country. This approach will increase your chances of finding media outlets interested in your work upon your return, especially if you’ve already discussed your plans with a few. But beware: trends (and plagiarism) exist here too, and arriving too late with a tired, overdone story will close many doors.

Style

For many features that require photos, the image is often the most important element, with the text frequently edited to match the magazine’s style. That said, knowing that style is an advantage you’d be wrong to overlook.

A handy tip that often pays off: when pitching a feature to a publication, try to present it in a layout and format similar to how it would appear if published. Not only will you have a roughly calibrated piece, but you’ll also give your feature more impact (and downplay its weaknesses), often surprising your contact, who may view it less critically.

Who for?

Media outlets, especially travel press, are highly sought after. Only quality work or a scoop generally stands a chance of being accepted and earning money. But don’t forget that each outlet already has its own journalists or freelancers and often works with photo agencies.

Avoid fixating on high-circulation national press. While they occasionally look for "amateur" articles, there are also many local, associative, thematic, private, public, or low-circulation publications that—even if not travel-focused—might be interested in your work. This is also a great way to gain experience before aiming higher.

Regional media can be a good stepping stone for publishing stories or photos. Though demand is rarely explicit (it’s up to you to create it), it exists because this press occasionally likes to inspire readers with travel articles on exotic or lesser-known destinations. Keep it simple but not simplistic, descriptive (not necessarily first-hand), and avoid shocking content in both text and images. Titles with primarily urban readerships are generally harder to crack than those focused on rural areas, and living in the region can sometimes be an advantage. Also, note that a newspaper often has multiple local editions.

Lastly, don’t overlook virtual newspapers or online versions of media outlets—it would be a mistake not to approach them.

Payment

Financially, keep expectations realistic! Unless you’re already established, don’t expect to be paid upfront—in fact, quite the opposite. Payment is far from guaranteed, and sometimes the only reward is seeing your work published, which can be a first step toward better opportunities.

In any case, don’t assume that the more well-known the publication, the higher the pay. Sometimes it’s the opposite (though they rarely advertise it!). Not all outlets follow the average rate of 45 € per page (1,500 characters), and it’s common to be offered a barter deal or free advertising in exchange for your work if you have a book to sell.

Don’t expect to land numerous, well-paid contracts easily and regularly—reality is often quite different. Patience is key, sometimes a lot of it, as there can be long gaps between successes. That’s why it’s important to plan your finances or at least find a sympathetic banker. All the more reason to start small, cautiously, and not necessarily in sensational or far-flung topics.

Keep going...

Despite this, nothing stops you from creating an action plan and contacting a wide range of outlets. Use your imagination to find opportunities. Pick up the phone, send faxes, use the internet, and send personalised mailings outlining your topic, including an excerpt and occasionally a representative visual. If people don’t know you, briefly introduce yourself and include a press kit of your published work. And of course, follow up—persuasion can take time and energy.

Once you’ve placed a few pieces, maintain those relationships and regularly pitch new ideas. A media outlet that trusted you once will be more likely to do so again (assuming the first result was satisfactory). And if you can’t meet a request, always refer them to others in your network—you’ll benefit in the long run.

As for your status, unless you become a salaried employee (increasingly rare), you’ll most likely be considered a freelancer, with all the freedom but also the financial constraints that entails. Once your freelance work earns you around the minimum wage, you can then qualify for journalist status.

Communication

See the detailed article

All of this will require promoting your work—and perhaps even yourself—to professionals. Some advice that applies to both books and any other travel project...