Comments on: Travel Media Trips: Top 10 Do’s and Don’ts

By: Stephen Young

Stephen Young — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:54:41 +0000

Trisha, thanks for the awesome tips. I’m just back from a week New Orleans and every one of your suggestions was right on target. – Stephen Young / TravelGuyde.com

By: Trisha Miller

Trisha Miller — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:32:58 +0000

Wonderful! I hope you enjoy the trip – feel free to ask questions if you have any – I’d love to hear about it when you get back!

By: JoAnna

JoAnna — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:00:23 +0000

Thanks for the great suggestions Trisha! I’m getting ready to take my first press trip and can use all the advice I can find!

By: SarahQT

SarahQT — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:14:35 +0000

Wow! This was a great post to find. Thanks! Didn’t think about media trips. Guess I’ll start keeping my eye open for them. It would totally cool and a GREAT time! Come to think of it, I could use a break. A trip would be refreshing. I could stick my toes in the sand…

By: Traveling4MySoul

Traveling4MySoul — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:51:23 +0000

Wow! Superb information! Totally rocks! Never been on a media trip. I think I’d like to do so. Good thing I read this post. It probably would do me some good to re-read it. I think I’ll begin a search for media trips that I’d like to go on. It would be a great way to network with your peers. Guess I better replace my digital camera, it recently broke…bummer!

By: ZenTraveler

ZenTraveler — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:30:51 +0000

Thanks for the Dos and Dont’s of media trips. Many people are very focused on “getting something” or “achieving something” when they go on media trips. As Jon says, “…DO make friends.” You never know when you’ll need a helping hand and you can learn a lot from people. Who knows, you may be stuck with your writing and someone may have the answer for you.

By: Mark H.

Mark H. — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:36:12 +0000

Thanks for the Dos and Dont’s. I agree that it helps to do your homework about the destination. It’s like a job interview — research the company before the interview so research the destination for the media trip. This way you’ll know a little something about the place. I’d have to remind myself that I’m not on vacation – I do enjoy wearing Hawaiian shirts with brown sandals

By: Trisha

Trisha — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:43:51 +0000

Hi Maralyn

Thanks for dropping by the site! Your comments are right on – especially the part about the internet diluting the pay for writers but increasing the opportunities – so true. Another conundrum is that there are so many new and aspiring travel writers now that it also is making it more difficult for established writers to find paying writing opportunities, but on the other hand, every industry needs fresh blood to keep it moving forward and keep audiences interested (and buying).

Your insights certainly reflect your experience! Hopefully most writers will be able to adapt, survive, and even thrive in this new age.

By: Maralyn D. Hill

Maralyn D. Hill — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:54:19 +0000

Trisha,

As president of IFWTWA, your tips list is right on. Something I’d like to ad is publish. If your paying client falls through, publish to a blog, or http://www.ezinearticles.com or http://www.suite101.com or some site like that. There are many.

I don’t like to write for free, but it is important that I come through for the hosts that have invested in me. The internet has diluted the pay for writers, but has increased the outlets. Take advantage of that while you build your skills and people seek you out. It does happen, just takes time. Keep improving your skills.

Press trips used to be all inclusive. Times have changed and airlines certainly have. On occasion, one will be all inclusive, but frequently you need to come up with the air. When that happened the term media trip came about. For me personally, they are interchangeable. However, that is how some define the difference.

By: Trisha

Trisha — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:38:19 +0000

EXCELLENT addition to the list, Jon – and good advice. I have met some great people on media trips, but this last one to Cozumel was a particularly terrific group! I do plan to stay in touch with everyone, but Rod and I had such a great time hanging out with you that I just have a feeling we’ll be BFFs – at least I sincerely hope so!