Today’s show focuses on one”Ask Alexa” question about media trips and media rates. I also share a re-broadcast of my most popular podcast episode. It has received more than twice the amount of listens than any other show. Any guesses?
This is a Q&A episode that is aired once monthly. If you have a question you’d like answered on an upcoming episode, simply head to http://breakintotravelwriting.com/ask-alexa/ to submit your question. I need the Q in the Q&A to continue this segment!
Today’s episode focuses on one travel blogger question about working with PR when you have a new blog and low web traffic.
Click here to listen to the podcast now!
Ask Alexa Question: From Joan with joanmatsuitravelwriter.com
Hi Alexa, I launched my blog and website earlier this year and while it’s not perfect yet in terms of optimization and monetization, I’m proud I designed it without too much knowledge about website development.
Since 2015, I’ve had approximately 18 comped visits at some really beautiful resorts within an hour travel time from my home. Most of the owners/management/PR departments have welcomed me with open arms. However, in the last two weeks, the CEO of one PR agency that represents a well-known spa destination, told me I need to have a story assignment from a publication I write for in order to get a comped visit. My website stats are low at this point and my guess is she doesn’t think she’ll get enough exposure if I only post stories afterward to my blog. How often did you run into this roadblock when you were relatively new to travel writing? Were you blogging and contributing stories to magazines or other publications?
Thanks so much for your incredible podcasts and sharing your knowledge. Click here for the full episode and my answer to Joan’s question.
Also on this episode….
My Most Popular Podcast! BITW 009: How to Connect and Work with Oahu Travel Marketing Reps with Miwa Ogletree
Episode Nine with Miwa Ogletree is by far my most listened to podcast. Miwa is an Oahu travel PR and marketing expert and has worked in the Hawaii Travel Industry for over 12 years and she assists companies in the Travel Industry such as Oahu Ghost Tours, Waikiki Beach Services, Fourever Fab Show, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Hilo Hattie, Special Events Hawaii, Cirque Hawaii, IHOP Hawaii restaurants, Diamond Bakery, GO! Airlines, Aloha Live Show and Special Events Hawaii.
Join us to hear what Miwa Ogletree has to say on 9th episode of Break Into Travel Writing.
The Finer Details of This Show Include:
- The process of a travel writer request in Oahu.
- Learn what a business and travel marketing rep really wants from a travel writer.
- The two 2nd languages you should learn if you want to work in Hawaii.
- How to connect with Miwa and other marketing reps. Direct isn’t always the right avenue.
- Always keep in mind the culture of Hawaii when approaching business owners as well as marketing and PR reps.
- Learn if you should or shouldn’t let the marketing rep or client proof your article before you publish.
- Expectations of coverage from travel writers.
- How to use a marketing rep to your advantage to write the best story.
- Always ask what makes a business different from it’s competition.
- Why when you ask politely you almost always get extras or freebies.
- Why you always need to double check photos when using stock photography.
- The #1 thing that will impress Miwa and any other marketing rep.
Episode Resources
Ask Alexa form to ask a a question
Aspiring Travel Writer Facebook Group
Travel Writer’s Academy
BITW 009: How to Connect and Work with Oahu Travel Marketing Reps with Miwa Ogletree
Instagram Course
Episode 96
Viking River Cruise
Writer’s Market Deluxe Edition 2017: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published
Viking River Cruise
Connect with Break Into Travel Writing
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
The Aspiring Travel Writer Facebook Group
That is it for today! Thank you to Jaime & Gary for today’s awesome questions! If you have a question about travel blogging, writing, photography or SEO, Web or Social Media for travel blogging that you would like answered on my Podcast, simply submit your question to bitw/askalexa and I’ll answer it on an upcoming episode.
Tweetables:
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!)
Today’s podcast is sponsored by The Travel Writer’s Academy. By Joining the “Travel Writers Academy” you will learn everything you need to take your travel blogging career to the next level! Joining the academy guarantees your will travel more and connect with the right people so you can start taking media trips and travel to places you are only dreaming of right now! If you want to travel more and get media trips head to http://breakintotravelwriting.com/travel-writers-academy/
Join the Travel Writer’s Academy >> http://breakintotravelwriting.com/travel-writers-academy/
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS
Hi Alexa, I sent an email to you earlier today while I was on the road, but again, thank you for answering my question on Ask Alexa. I listen to your weekly podcasts while I’m driving to and from home and destinations. Your episodes are always jam packed with information and resources. I didn’t go into too much detail about my life and career prior to travel writing, but I was a freelance feature writer for a regional and community newspaper family and a monthly regional magazine. I was very content interviewing and writing about community news, but I also couldn’t resist an invitation to attend a press tour at a new resort. Several months later, I was back at the same resort for a grand opening event. And so the story goes…Joan Mead-Matsui caught the travel writing bug.
You asked your listeners to comment about your rebroadcast today. Why was this podcast your most popular? I believe the episode was enlightening and straightforward but Miwa also presented her criteria politely and with a very gentle tone.