BITW 062: How to Become a Full Time Journalist with Mike Dunphy

My guest today is a full time freelance writer, editor and teacher who spent 10 years living in Europe and Turkey. He currently lives in New York City and is a freelance writer and editor at Fodor’s and Travel Weekly. He is also an instructor at Gotham Writers Workshop. He has contributed to USA Today’s travel publication RoadWarriorVoices, and his articles and essays have appeared in the Huffington Post, PBS: Next Avenue, American Way, Travel and Leisure, Time Out, Beer Advocate, Hotel Scoop, NewYork.com and many others.

Mike at Mt. Snowdon in North Wales

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The Finer Details of Episode 62 with Mike Dunphy!

In today’s episode, Mike Dunphy shares tips about networking, media trips and what it’s like to be an editor at Fodor’s. Mike also explains why hustle is more important talent when it comes to becoming a successful travel journalist. In this episode we also discuss:

Why teaching English is a great way to travel long term.
Why you need to be a jack of all trades if your goal is to be a full time journalist.
Why you need to diversify as a writer to make a living.
How to find freelance writing gigs.
Why you can’t be a pain in the ass.
Always remember please and thank you.
Why social media marketing is the key to finding new work.
Why Linkedin is a good place to connect with editors.
Why a rejection letter is a good sign.
The steps to pitch a new publication.
It’s all about who you know.
How to follow the flow of networking.
Why you must put in the time to schmooze.
Tips for schmoozing at a Travel Massive event.
Why cold pitching no longer works.
Why ‘the story’ is rarely on the itinerary for media trips.
Always look for the story that hasn’t been told. [Click to Tweet]
Why you should build in time during a media trip to explore.
The battle between media and PR and being able to find the story.
Mike’s writing process.
Why if you write what is interesting to you, you will write with more passion.
Why Mike doesn’t take notes.
Why media trips aren’t organized with the writer in mind.
How to negotiate extra time before or after a media trip.
Why your job is to make the editors job easier.
What it takes to become a Fodor’s guide book writer.
Why it’s more important to hustle than have talent. [Click to Tweet]
Why travel writing is not about great literature.
Travel writing requires hustle, attention, professionalism and care!
Why travel writing should be simple, fun and direct!
Benefits of taking an article writing course.
Why you must put pen to paper if you want to be a travel writer. [Click to Tweet]

Episode Resources
Ask Alexa
February Instagram Challenge
Top 6 Must-Do Tips for Using Instagram Hashtags
Tefl.com
Media Bistro
Custom Content Council (CCC)
Dejour Magazine
Fodors
USA Today’s travel publication RoadWarriorVoices
Huffington Post
Travel and Leisure
Atlantis
Mike’s Gotham Writers Workshops

Connect With Mike
Mike’s Blog
Mike Dunphy on Twitter
Mike Dunphy on Linkedin

Connect with Alexa, Break Into Travel Writing & My Travel Blog
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
52perfectdays.com
The Aspiring Travel Writer, the Facebook group

Hope you enjoyed this episode and please join me in thanking Rob for sharing such awesome information and actionable tips! Interested in hearing the full podcast? Click here to listen now!

Tweetables:

Why it’s more important to hustle than have talent via @MikeDDunphy of @writetotravel podcast http://bit.ly/21aYn1b [Click to Tweet]
You must put pen to paper if you want to be a travel writer via @MikeDDunphy on @writetotravel podcast http://bit.ly/21aYn1b [Click to Tweet]
Great interview with @MikeDDunphy on Episode 62 of @writetotravel podcast http://bit.ly/21aYn1b [Click to Tweet]
Always look for the story that hasn’t been told via @MikeDDunphy on @writetotravel podcast http://bit.ly/1ToDay5 [Click to Tweet]

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