BITW 010: How to Book a Hotel Media Visit with Rana Kay from the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Welcome to the Break Into Travel Writing Podcast

In this episode Rana shares the best time of year to ask for a hotel media visit, the do’s and don’ts during a media visit and some great advice for travel writers who are just starting out. She also shares where she posts her press trips and what Linkedin groups she suggests travel writers belong to. Join us to hear what Rana has to say on 10th episode of Break Into Travel Writing.

To subscribe to the podcast, please use the links below:
Click Here to Subscribe via iTunes
Click Here to Subscribe via RSS (non-iTunes feed)

If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunes as well as Stitcher Radio. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thank YOU!

BITW 010: How to Book a Hotel Media Visit with Rana Kay from the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Rana in the Oia area of Santorini, Greece

Rana Kay is Director of Public Relations at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego and for six years has been responsible for public relations strategy and execution, media relations and participation in brand development for the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. She has worked with media for Hard Rock Hotel San Diego features in top-tier outlets including “People Magazine,” CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews.com, “Travel + Leisure,” “OK!,” USA Today and the Los Angeles Times, as well as on a T.V. series including CW’s “For Better or Worse,” E!’s “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and A&E’s “Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels.”

The Finer Details of This Show Include:

Hard Rock International has the largest Rock n’ Roll collection in the world.
The difference between a media rate and a comp hotel stay.
The best time of year to ask for a media visit.
What is too much to ask for when requesting a media visit at a hotel.
Why writing about their Corporate Meetings space is a quick in with Rana.
Rana and I are fellow alumni from San Diego State University.
The Do’s and Don’ts during a media visit.
And loads more!

Rana also shares her insights on how to start a relationship with a Hotel Marketing rep and what they are looking for in coverage from a writer. Some of the main points we discuss are:

Expectations of coverage from travel writers.
Be aware of where you are in the travel writing process.
What time frame is appropriate to deliver your story after a media visit.
Her favorite travel groups in Linkedin.
Rana’s tips to break into travel writing.

Be sure to listen to hear what Rana has to say about how having strong Twitter followers and showing the list of your influential followers can help you land a media visit. There’s plenty more Rana shares on today’s show on that same subject – and she offers great insights! One of my favorites is “PR want to connect with Journalists. You might be the next big writer and establishing a relationship early is important!” Be sure to listen to hear her bonus tips for connecting with restaurant managers and how to create relationships with marketing reps even when you are brand new at travel writing. Have a listen to get the inside scoop, and then join me in thanking Rana for being here! And thank you as well.

Episode Resources
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Nobu San Diego
PRSA
How to Set Up Local Media Trips blog post
Roland’s Visit to The Hotel Del Coronado
Roland’s Visit to the Whaley House in Old Town
Todd’s Article about Legacy Brewing in Oceanside

Connect with Rana on Social Media:
Connect with Rana on Facebook
Connect with Rana on Linkedin

Connect with the Hard Rock San Diego on Social Media:
Connect with the Hard Rock San Diego on Facebook
Connect with the Hard Rock San Diego on Instagram
Connect with the Hard Rock San Diego on Twitter

Connect with Break Into Travel Writing
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
The Aspiring Travel Writer, the Facebook group

Would You Help Spread the Word About the Podcast? I’d be forever grateful if you helped share the podcast.

Click here for a pre-populated tweet to help spread the word to your friends on Twitter.
Feedback on the Podcast If you have any suggestions for upcoming shows or a question for an upcoming episode, leave a comment below. If you enjoyed this podcast, I’d be extremely grateful if you would take a second and leave me a review and rating over on iTunes. Your taking a minute to do this allows me to help more people with this podcast, so I really appreciate it (once on that page, simply click on the “View in iTunes” button to leave your review — thanks very much!)