How to Sell Travel Stories & Photojournalism Photos

Good journalism is only half the battle when trying to sell an article or photos to a magazine.

Travel writing and photography never go out of demand. Magazines and newspapers can't afford to send writers all over the globe, so they depend on freelancers to document their travels through photos or the written word. But the process to getting articles or photos of a journey published isn't simple. It varies based on the magazine, but many of them focus specifically on certain areas and types of travel. Knowing the magazine you want your piece to be published in, and understanding the protocol for contact are just as important as writing a quality article or producing a good picture.

Things You'll Need

• Self-addressed stamped envelope

Instructions

1. Prepare your materials. When submitting travel stories and photos to a magazine, make sure they are near completion. It's much easier to sell something when you know the exact details.

2. Choose your target. Sending an article and photos to hundreds of magazines isn't possible as nearly all publications require exclusive rights to a piece to publish it first. Contacting several magazines at once proves a waste of time and money. In the case of a travel piece, target travel magazines that have a history and reputation of accepting freelance submissions. Furthermore, make sure to target magazines your piece could fit in with. For example, "My Trip to Singapore" isn't a great fit for a travel magazine having to do with South America.

3. Craft a query letter. These letters, which summarize the contents of an article or photos, usually feature several different elements. A "hook" will lead off the letter. In the case of a travel story, a vignette from a particularly interesting situation you experienced is a good bet. Second, explain the physical contents of the material. If it's a series of photos, explain what they are, why you took them and the story they tell. For a written article, describe the topic, focus and length of the piece. Finally, use the last few paragraphs to explain your background and qualifications and thank the recipient of the letter for his time and consideration.

4. Add some previously published articles or photos. Some magazines will request a resume along with clips.

5. Send the letter. Many magazines require the inclusion of a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a return response, if the letter is sent through the mail.

6. Follow up. Magazines receive endless freelance submissions, and editors don't always get the time to read through pieces thoroughly. A follow-up email or phone call after several weeks could jog an editor's memory and get your piece more attention.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting travel stories and photos published for the first time can be challenging. In this case, target smaller magazines and websites instead of some of the larger outlets.

References

• Eurotrip: Travel Writing 101
• Online Graduate Programs: The Art of Travel Writing: 100 Tips, Tools and Resources to Get Paid and Published
• Writing World: Writing a Successful Query