Relationships with editors, print or digital, are among the most important ones for any travel writer. Nurture these relationships and give editors extra confidence in working with you on current (and follow-up!) gigs by following these six proven tips.
- Learn the publications: When you’re first pitching ideas to a new market, print or digital, put in the time to understand the publication. You’ll want to be able to speak with authority about the magazine or site, but listen to editor feedback, too. Editors are invested in their publications, and appreciate writers who make the effort to understand them. Show you’ve invested time in learning about a title’s specific sections, recent issues, editorial angles and target markets. Editors can tell the difference between a surface-level understanding and a deeper knowledge of their publication.
- Nail your ‘why now’ proposition – Editors have specific content slots to fill in each issue, and a lingering question for each story proposition: “Of all the cool travel story ideas I could potentially focus on in this section, why should I choose this one, now? Give editors a solid, clever time hook answering why:” “Because 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service, and unique events await at parks across the country.” Show editors how your time pegs will benefit their readers. “Beat next year’s crowds and make 2015 your year for checking out U.S. National Parks.”
- Match your assigned specs. If the piece calls for 800 words, don’t deliver 1,250. Avoid changing your piece from a roundup to a road trip. Don’t make any structural changes to your contracted gig without checking with the editor first. It’s great to suggest additional content sidebars, but make sure you have buy-in from your editors before doing additional work. Editors often need to stick to section content guidelines themselves, so it’s better to reach out to your editors before going rogue.
- Be super-responsive: Be quick to respond to editors if they reach out. Reply to editorial queries straightaway, and leave contact info if you’re out traveling. If you’re on the road, set aside time to loop back with editors about any questions. When you have questions yourself, combine them in one email rather than shooting off standalone questions from the hip. Return paperwork promptly – W-9s, receipts for expenses, etc. – and give your editors time they may need to process your payroll, so you get your money on time, too.
- Offer photos and video. While magazines may have separate photo departments or use image banks like Getty or Corbis, offering photos and video can be beneficial for editors. Visuals help verify information and provide editors further options for print layouts, online slideshows or sharing on social media. Editors might not have a “need” for your images, but they’ll appreciate and remember your diligence. Video is only becoming more prevalent, so keep that in your bag of offerings too. And rest assured your photos and videos need not go unused, since they’ll often come in handy on your own site.
- Deliver 48 hours before deadline: Whether it’s your first gig with an editor or a well-established working relationship, deliver your copy two days in advance. You’ll leave a great impression on your editors and give them one less thing to have to worry about on their deadlines
By following these tips, you’ll help make an editor’s job easier and create a strong lasting impression.
What are some of your best practices for working with editors?