What Editors Want Podcast (James Durston)

In this podcast episode James talks to Philipp Meier, a former accountant from Switzerland who moved to Thailand a few years ago to chase his dream of being a travel writer. After years of writing for small publications for free, Philipp recently broke through to some better known publications such as CNN Travel, Nat Geo Traveller, and South China Morning Post. James and Philipp discuss his journey, examine what he did that finally saw him win commissions at big name titles, and discuss some of the dos and don’ts if you’re a wannabe travel writer pitching to editors.

More tips at https://travelwriteearn.com/.

I discuss the pros and cons of 'niching down' as a travel writer. Freelance travel journalist and author Lottie Gross, who runs the Talking Travel Writing newsletter, describes how falling into the niche of dog-friendly travel has opened up opportunities and marked her as an 'expert' in this under-served market.

Travel writing career tips: https://www.skool.com/mediamatrix/about

These podcasts are available on Substack, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and you can watch the interview on YouTube.

Travel Writing: Niche vs. Generalist - Insider Insights with Lottie Gross

Experienced travel writer Lottie Gross shares her journey from generalist to dog-friendly travel writing specialist, offering valuable insights for aspiring travel writers.

* How Lottie accidentally discovered her niche in dog-friendly travel* Pros and cons of specializing vs. being a generalist* Why building experience first can help generalist writers* The competitive landscape of travel writing* Benefits of finding a unique niche in travel writing

Main Takeaways:

🔑 Starting as a generalist can help you build a broad portfolio 🐶 Finding an underserved niche can create unique opportunities 💰 Diversifying income streams is crucial for freelance writers 🌍 Specialization can lead to becoming an industry expert

About Lottie: Award-winning travel writer, author of dog-friendly travel books, and co-founder of the Travel Writing Substack.

Lucy Bryson jetted out of Manchester, UK, many years ago and headed to Brazil, without knowing the language and with little in the way of travel writing experience. But now, even as a single mother, she has carved a niche as a travel writer specialising in Portugal and Brazil with bylines in BBC Travel, AFAR, Wanderlust, Vice, Time Out, Fodor's Travel, Atlas Obscura, DK Eyewitness Guides, easyJet Traveller, USA Today, and Rough Guides, among others.

Travel writing career tips: https://www.skool.com/mediamatrix/about

Daily calls for pitches from editorsWeekly story idea and pitch reviewsCourses and resources to build your travel writing career

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You can also watch this interview on YouTube:

Key Insights for Aspiring Travel Writers: Career Path and Language Skills

* [00:01-02:20] Started from scratch in Brazil, learned Portuguese without prior knowledge

* Developed language skills through immersion and Brazilian locals' patience

* Initially worked in local newspapers and magazine journalism

Breaking into Travel Writing

* [03:31-05:04] Transitioned from general journalism to travel writing in Brazil

* Began with guidebook work (Footprint Guide to South Brazil, Rough Guides)

* Lower living expenses initially helped support career transition

Income Strategies

* [15:02-17:19] Multiple income streams:

* Freelance pitching

* Copywriting

* PR work

* Branded content

* "Less glamorous" work like shore excursion descriptions and listicles

* Anchor clients often found her through LinkedIn and Instagram

Pitch and Publication Tips

* [27:45-29:20] Cold pitching challenges:

* Low commission rates (estimated 40% success)

* Pitch ideas can become outdated

* Benefit from editor connections

[25:33-26:44] Publication Challenges

* Some publications pay poorly

* Occasional commissioned pieces get spiked

* Persistence is key

Advice for Success

* [19:34-20:06] Key strategies:

* Meet deadlines consistently

* Deliver clean copy

* Be reliable and adaptable

* Build relationships with editors

Current Work and Aspirations

* [29:48-34:48] Currently writing for Afar

* Interested in pitching stories about:

* Madeira's landscape influencing cuisine

* Female chefs in Portugal

* Aims to be published in Guardian Travel and Condé Nast Traveler

Lucy's advice will help aspiring travel writers understand the practical journey of becoming a successful travel writer.

Chuck Thompson was editorial director at CNNGo as it grew from a brand new lifestyle content experiment into one of the world's most popular travel websites. He achieved this by injecting 'voice' into the content and enlisting and/or training writers to did the same with their stories. Here's what that means, and how writers can use voice to inject personality into their writing.

You can also watch this interview on YouTube:

Travel Writing Insights: Finding Your Voice with Chuck Thompson

What is "Voice" in Travel Writing? [00:13:22 - 00:16:44] Chuck Thompson defines voice as the personality you bring to your writing. Key takeaways include: Write as if you're talking to friends, not your grandparents Think of it like your "pub talk" - a slightly cleaned-up version of how you naturally communicate Voice is about being authentic while still maintaining professionalism

The Evolution of Travel Writing [00:05:31 - 00:07:45] Thompson highlights two major types of travel writing: Narrative/Experiential Writing Traditional style of describing exotic destinations Sharing personal experiences and observations Less common in modern media

Service Journalism Practical information for travelers How to book flights, find hotels, discover local cuisine More prevalent in digital media

Developing Your Writing Voice [00:18:29 - 00:20:08] Tips for Emerging Travel Writers: Read widely and absorb different writing styles Don't simply imitate other writers Find your unique perspective Be willing to adapt to publication styles Use opinions to engage readers

Practical Advice [00:22:54 - 00:25:12] Most travel writing ends up being service-oriented Publications care more about their brand voice than your personal style Be prepared to edit and adjust your writing to fit different platforms

Unique Approach at CNN Go [00:09:51 - 00:11:42] Thompson pioneered a more conversational, irreverent style of travel writing at CNN Go, focusing on: Personality-driven content Engaging, sometimes provocative perspectives Creating dialogue with readers

Final Insight [00:22:20 - 00:22:54] Voice isn't about being outrageous—it's about being authentic, engaging, and providing value to your readers while showing your unique personality. Pro Tip: Think of voice as simply "personality on the page" - how would you naturally tell a story to your friends?

Chuck Thompson: https://chuckthompson.com/

Matt Barker, CEO at Horizon Guides, talks about the 'enshitification' of the travel content world - how for the past 10 years every brand and company has tried to become a media company and publisher on the side, with disastrous results. His company Horizon Guides uses specialist writers and niche topics to offset this, trying to expose people to unsung places and experiences, rather than the tired and over-subscribed ones.

Travel writing career tips: https://www.skool.com/mediamatrix/about

Daily calls for pitches from editors Weekly story idea and pitch reviews Courses and resources to build your travel writing career

You can also watch this interview on YouTube:

Also covered:

Trying to stand out by being blisteringly honestThe niche benefits of being a small publisherThe commissioning policyWhen and how to use ChatGPT in travel writingHow Google's algorithm affects travel publishingHow 'information gain' can help with SEOWriters and the need to create a 'knowledge graph' with GoogleUsing email lists to offset Google's changesUsing intuition, not playing the SEO gameOne project that didn't quite die

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Keywords: travel writing, travel blogging, travel content creation, demand generation, niche travel, honest travel reviews

Want to stand out as a travel writer? This video explores unconventional content creation and the power of honest reviews in the travel industry. Our guest, Matt Barker, founder of Horizon Guides, shares his journey from marketing to travel writing and the challenges of today's travel media landscape.

Key Points:

The "enshitification" of travel media: Most travel content focuses on marketing destinations, neglecting the downsides. (10:00)

Horizon Guides' approach: They focus on niche experiences and lesser-known destinations, providing honest reviews with a focus on reality. (5:24)

Demand generation vs. demand capture: Creating content that sparks interest in unexplored places, not just catering to pre-existing trends. (6:35)

Using email sequences to nurture leads: Capture website visitors and slowly introduce them to alternative travel options. (11:30)

The importance of writer experience: Google prioritizes content with authority and verifiable expertise. (24:59)

AI writing assistants as tools, not replacements: AI can help research existing content, but human writers craft unique and insightful perspectives. (17:44)

Is churning out generic travel content leaving you uninspired? Learn from Matt's innovative approach and discover how to create content that resonates with travelers seeking authentic experiences.

I sit across Zoom with 'Chez' Chesak, a travel writer, veteran of the travel industry, Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and recently elected President of the Society of American Travel Writers.

Also available on YouTube (below), Apple Podcasts and Spotify:

Topics of discussion include:

(01:51) - How Chez still pitches like the rest of us (when he has time) and his disappointment with some of the feedback he gets from editors (03:52)- His aims with the associations he runs, and how he hopes to build communities that collaborate to form a kind of symbiotic, harmonious ecosystem of travel industry stakeholders (11:00) - What introverts can do to get over the intimidating aspects of networking and event-going (17:05) - How the blogging world offers an alternative way to get your stories out there (19:09) - The costs, time and financial, of attending networking events, and to make sure you get what you can out of them (23:19) - The red flags to look out for in badly run associations (32:49) - How influencers represent a new challenge for associations and brands alike Further reading:

Chez's personal website: https://chezconnects.com/Outdoor Writers Association of America: http://www.owaa.org/Society of American Travel Writers: https://satw.org/

For the first podcast on What Editors Want I spoke with travel photographer and writer Lola Akinmade, who has one of the most impressive resumes in the business. She explains how she got into the big publications, what qualities she thinks helped her succeed, how she gets commissioned for 60% of the pitches she makes, as well as one shamefully embarrass…