Part II
Generating Great
Ideas for Articles





         Like to write? Want to pay for your vacations? The advice below from a seasoned writer can point you in the right direction.

Where Have You Been?
  
 
       Think back to places you have visited in the past. Which locations impressed you most and what was it about these locations that you liked? You don't need to make a fresh trip to a location every time you want to write an article about it. If there are locations you visited in the past which you would like to write about, consider whether you already have adequate information for your article. However, chances are that if you weren't thinking in terms of writing an article at the time you visited, you won't now have enough details. But don't despair.

         You can contact (phone, e-mail, postal) the tourist office of the destination and ask for any information you're lacking. If you traveled with a tour company, that company should also be able to provide you with, for example, accurate spellings of place names, hotels and restaurants, contact details, etc. The airline that flew you there should be able to provide you with an up-to-date timetable and fare information.

Read Widely
         Reading widely will help you develop or fine-tune ideas for stories. When reading for article ideas don't just read travel stories. News stories, articles in trade magazines, and reviews can also be a rich source of article ideas.

Use the Internet
         Search engines such as Google will cough up articles previously published by magazines and books. Also check out the "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature" at a major library. Although names and places might be outdated; spellings, distances, and other vital statistics will not have changed.

         Brochures are also an excellent source of ideas for articles. Brochures have the additional advantage that they contain a lot of the background information you'll need if you ultimately write a story about that destination.

         Request further information when you find interesting destinations and trips in brochures. Many companies, particularly adventure travel companies, provide free "trip dossiers." These dossiers set out further details and itineraries of trips including place names, trip highlights, distances traveled, altitudes reached, temperatures, what you need to bring, etc. They, in fact, provide much of the factual information you'll need should you decide to write an article on the trip.

Other Media
         Television and radio travel programs can also be an excellent source of article ideas. As with newspapers and magazines, it's not just the travel programs that will give you ideas

         A history program might give you ideas for a story on staying in the finest Scottish castles. A science program discussing how ancient civilizations of South American Indians built observatories to tell the time and seasons might give you an idea for a story on exploring the lost sites of these civilizations. A nature program might reveal the best locations to observe wildlife and find rare flowers. A cookery
program might inspire any number of articles linking destinations around the world with fine dining and specific local delicacies.

Trade Shows and Exhibitions
         Make a point of visiting trade shows and exhibitions. These are excellent sources of ideas for articles. Just walking around these shows will open your eyes to more subject and destination possibilities than you ever imagined existed.

         Visiting trade shows will also help maximize your chances of being invited on press trips. Destinations and tour operators are exhibiting at these shows for one reason and one reason only: to attract visitors to their destinations and tours. For that they need publicity, and many show exhibitors will therefore be prime candidates to host press trips.

         Many trade shows have special conference rooms and visiting days for members of the press, when the public is not admitted. Attend shows on these days if you can. These "press days" tend to be less crowded than normal days. You will have a better chance of speaking to representatives of locations you're interested in. Furthermore, representatives of manufacturers, tourist boards, and travel companies are more likely to be on the lookout for writers on these days, and this will increase your chances of being invited on press trips.

John Longford is a freelance travel writer and has produced a course on how to break into the profession: http://www.FreelanceTravelWriter.com .


           


           

Tommy Thompson

Kerry Kolb

Jon Saban

Jake Nelson