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Joining a travel writers' association?

After spending years and years in the corporate communications sector as a photographer, this year was my first year of going solo in the travel industry - writing and shooting about travel destinations and technology. Virtually everything I've written or shot has been for online publication, but I plan to start marketing to print publications in 2011. My question is, are there specific writers' groups/organizations that would make sense to join? My main motive for joining would be to help market my work to new publications, so I'm wondering if association membership carries any weight with various travel pubs?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Beverly Burmeier on December 6, 2010 at 11:07am

[It seems to me that writers who live in cities where there is a branch of SATW get more from their fees than the rural-based or ex-urban members do. So why should all members pay the same amount since all members don't have the same access to events and benefits? The rural or less centrally-situated writer is subsidizing the city-based writer. ]

Alan, I'm thowing a bouquet of roses your way for this observation. This is true not only for SATW but for many other organizations (including ASJA, of which I'm a member).

Permalink Reply by Marcia Frost on December 2, 2010 at 6:32pm

I think there are wonderful travel organizations named here (especially IFWTWA), but it's a matter of dollars and cents for me. I'm building a (freelance writing) business and I need to cut corners. That means that memberships are luxuries I can't afford now. I am happy to say I have no shortage of assignments or trip offers so I can't see it as a necessary expense. I do, however, see the advantage of networking through them and maybe getting better paying assignments. I hope to belong to a a few of those mentioned someday.

I also want to bring up the International Travel Writers Alliance (http://www.itwalliance.com). It is totally free and has some wonderful benefits. I strongly recommend all travel writers join -- whether or not you belong to other organizations.

Marcia

Permalink Reply by Doug Bardwell on December 3, 2010 at 7:35am

Thanks everyone for your comments - both pro and con. I'm getting the feeling that success in marketing of my work still falls mainly on me, not my association with any specific group. Nevertheless, after looking at all these organizations, a number of them seem to offer a plethora of side benefits which could be very advantageous. I appreciate all your input.
Doug

Permalink Reply by Hal Peat on December 3, 2010 at 8:20am

I believe SATW isn't just the pre-eminent travel writer's organization but also one which has made a rational and calculated strategic decision in terms of what criteria it looks for in judging membership. For some, that may seem either a bar too high that they haven't met yet, for others however it's probably an issue to do with their own perceived paradigm shift about media and the present and future of travel media - meaning, they don't consider themselves travel writers, or at least not mainly as travel writers, and the future to them is exclusively in the virtual world. Which is fine by me, because that's the opposite of where I'm coming from - and not how I view the present or future, so a place like SATW feels like a safer place of like-minded individuals with some commonalities as far as background and where and what they contribute to.

Permalink Reply by Fran Severn on December 18, 2010 at 9:17pm

I'll answer from the other side of the fence. I was the PR Director of the Maryland Office of Tourism 1988-1993. (Before Mindi and Connie, for those who know those great ladies.) I organized, ran, and accompanied as many as 15 trips a year with writers. With few exceptions, I saw no difference in the quality, professionalism, or production/placement from members of the organizations and those who weren't. Those who hustle, hustle and get their articles placed. The prima donnas and freeloaders don't. There were as many losers in the two 'big' groups (IFWTWA and SATW) as there were producers.

(And don't think that the DMOs/PR agencies don't keep a detailed list and call each other after trips. Good and bad names are well known! That, more than anything else -- including placement of stories -- often determines whether you get on a trip. There are too many good writers out there for anyone to put up with jerks.)

I'm back in the trenches now, writing and going on trips as a participant. I see the same thing. The good writers hustle and see results. They get assignments because they have good pitches, good credits, and good reputations. I have never dealt with an editor who gave or refused as assignment based on membership in one of the 'guilds.'

I'm a member of IFWTWA because I've gotten to know a lot of the members over the years. I enjoy their company and network with them, but I also network with writers I've met on trips who are 'independent.' I find that they are of equal value.

When I was with MD OTD, the best 'out of town' group I worked with was the Midwest Travel Writers. They held one of their mass press trips in MD and the Chesapeake Region. A fantastic bunch of people; I would strongly suggest you check them out.

Media Bistro is also a good site to check out. Among other things, if you are an 'AdvantGuild' member (it's something like $60/year), you can get group health insurance. It also opens an enormous library of on-line tutorials; detailed 'how-to' pitch case studies for specific publications; on-line resume posting, and a lot of other goodies. Frankly, it provides more in the way of development, tips, and value than either of the guilds.

I qualify for SATW, but I find the 'sorority sister' requirement -- after qualifying, you must still be recommended by existing members -- offensive, especially considering some of the characters/members/officials I've encountered. By the time you qualify, you've proven yourself as a productive professional, and you have to continue to produce to maintain your membership. This is appropriate. Being further evaluated as whether you are 'worthy' of being admitted to their rarefied presence seems arrogant and artificially exclusive. I know that am not the only writer who is turned off by that 'requirement.'

At any rate, welcome to the club. And good luck! (For all of us.)

Permalink Reply by Doug Bardwell on December 19, 2010 at 11:50pm

Hi Fran,

Thanks so much for your input, I was hoping to hear from someone on the editorial side. I decided to join the International Travel Writers Alliance and MediaBistro for starters. After the first of the year, I will probably talk with SATW or Midwest Travel Writers. I've got over a hundred articles published online this year, so I'm assuming I fulfill their requirements. Thanks again for some great, thought-provoking comments.