Press Credentials for a travel freelancer - how do I get them?

[Susan Decoteau-Ferrier]

I have been a freelance writer for over 8 years. After a 2 year hiatus  and a move to an new state a year and a half ago, I am starting over. I have decided to focus on travel writing which includes local and hopefully far off places. I could use some advice about press credentials.
How do you acquire them especially if you are predominantly blogging (for now anyway)? How important is it to have them? What doors do they open for a writer?
These may seem like silly questions since I have been a freelance writer for years but in the city I lived in before, I started out at a small newspaper, people got to know me and I just started to be invited to show openings, galas, business openings  and things like that.
I never really traveled this path. I feel like a guppy in an extremely large lagoon. A few examples of where I think credentials might be helpful include entrance to the upcoming county fair (I live in rural MD), tours of cruise ships that sail out of local ports (Baltimore).
Any input would be appreciated.
Susan

[Maria de los Angeles]

Hi Susan,

 

It's great to have credentials, but I'm not sure they're absolutely essential for particular kinds of writing gigs or press passes to some events and trips.

 

  If a blog is becoming your online, self-published magazine/publication, then many PR people will be interested mainly in website numbers, traffic and social influence and will not give a hoot about credentials.  Keep that in mind.

 

Social media influence and "following" is kind of a big deal, too. I've gotten press passes for some very classy events based on my Twitter and Facebook presence alone, let alone a blog.

Also, two years is not that long of a time.  When I started travel writing again, it had been almost ten years since I had written for print and my clips were pretty outdated. Boy, I was really starting over.

Like one commenter said above, contact the people you used to work with.  Develop those relationships again.

 

If your blog is your only outlet, I think you need to develop that.  Maybe see if there is a local website with a regional travel forum you could work for as a moderator if you have particular expertise.  Or start a forum on your own blog!

Also, build your audience by creating trust. 

I find that most PR companies and events are more than happy to give me press passes, but I've been blogging for six years.  And don't lose hope ... every single newspaper or magazine writing assignment I've gotten in the last six years has been because of my blog.  It's a great way to showcase your work.

Also, if you have a great idea that really fits with your audience, pitch it to a CVB, PR company, property, etc;  I have done this many times, no travel credentials required. My whole Trail of the Pirates trip in Florida was completely, 100% supported and I had not been traveling writing in a long time. I could not have gotten that support without the blog.

I would like to have those official credentials eventually but I'm doing very well as is considering I only started travel writing again about two years ago.  And right now, I'm happy to just write about Florida although the Caribbean is in my immediate future.  (And was my area of expertise in the past.)

You would not believe the pitches I get all the time ... I think the blogging really works but you have to think like an editor and present a consistent product.

 

Anyway, I hope this helps. It has been my experience, anyway. I teach blogging for newbies but have never had to encourage another travel writer. Good luck and keep at it!

[Susan Decoteau-Ferrier]

Maria,

 

Thank you for the encouragement and all the great information. I am mostly blogging right now but have had a few assignments writing travel related articles for a print and online publication. Additionally, I was recently asked to work as a contributor for a book on starting your own travel business. I accepted that assignment which was not a lot of pay but I'm hoping it will add to my credibility. It also helped build my confidence that I am qualified to write a book should I choose to do so.

I am concentrating on my local area however my goal is to do more traveling abroad. I went to Egypt earlier this year on my own and my husband and I are going to Rome, Greece and Turkey in a few months. I would like to be getting paid for these trips but so far that is not happening. I probably just need to do more pitching.

Is there a secret to getting your blog hits, FB, Twitter and other social networking numbers up quickly? It seems like that could be a full-time job alone.

I would love to talk to you more about all this as it looks like you have managed to do quite a bit in a relatively short time and have traveled (no pun intended) a similar path.

Thank you again.

 

Susan Decoteau-Ferrier
Freelance Travel Writer / Blogger / Photographer

Blog: GypsyTales01.wordpress.com
FB: http://on.fb.me/kRI507
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @Gypsy_Tale