3 Things I'm Determined To Do This Year
3 Things I'm Determined To Do This Year
And the first call for pitches of the year!
Hiya from Svalbard!
It’s total darkness 24/7 here, and the Real Feel is -25F. While it might sound like some form of torture, it’s stunningly still, and I’m endlessly fascinated by the world’s northernmost town.
I’m not one for personal New Year’s resolutions (too much pressure), but I like to challenge myself to a few professional ones.
This Year’s Journalism Goals
In no particular order…
Write more print articles. Flipping through a glossy magazine and seeing your name is the ultimate journalist high. But with the prestige (and the higher rate) comes more edits and time spent on one piece. And writers aren’t paid until the magazine comes out months later. Regardless, I’d like to see my name in bold a bit more.
Ask for more money. Checking for wiggle room on a rate isn’t annoying; it’s advocating for yourself. There’s no doubt rates are too low, so asking for higher pay has become a necessity. But the majority of writers, including myself, have been ghosted by editors after asking for more money. The worst they can say is no (hopefully).
Write for Vogue. Every year, I pick one legacy pub I want to break into. Last year, it was Vogue; this year, it’s still Vogue. So PR, if you’ve got a pitch that’s perfect for Vogue, send it my way!
*If you have resolutions of your own, upgrade to paid to get in-depth tips and join our next Ask Me Anything session!*
The Next Ask Me Anything For Paid Subscribers
Our next AMA will be Monday, January 15 at 12:00 noon EST.
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Calling All Travel Agents!
Looking to step up your services and areas of expertise this year?
This year, I’m branching out my consulting services to luxury travel agents. After almost six years of full-time travel and visiting nearly 100 hotels per year, my brain is here for the picking.
If you, a colleague or someone you know is interested in working together this year for the most up-to-date offerings in countries around the world, travel advice or content writing help, please reach out to me at klockhart14@gmail.com
Call For Pitches
Food&Wine - by January 12
Looking for high-end hotels in Boston, San Diego and Seattle
Looking for recommendations for the best restaurants in Boston, San Diego, Seattle
Thrillist - ongoing
Looking to interview celebrities about travel must-haves and tips
No celebrity chefs at this time
Please email klockhart14@gmail ASAP to be included.
Favorite Recent Stories
Travel + Leisure: I Stayed at 60 Hotels This Year — This Is the One I Can't Stop Thinking About
CEO Magazine: Explore the wonders of the far flung Faroe Islands
Hotels Above Par: The Best Affordable Boutique Hotels Across Southeast Asia
Robb Report: A Beloved Maldives Island has Reopened as Six Senses Kanuhura: Here’s a Look Inside
When you share coverage I’ve written on social media, please tag me on: LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. Don’t forget to connect with me there too!
Upcoming Travels
January - Portugal
February - Portugal
March - Portugal
April - UK
If you’d like to work together while I’m in any of these locations, please send me an email at klockhart14@gmail.com
1:1 Sessions
PR folks tell me these private consulting sessions are endlessly useful.
We get to build a relationship while talking about everything from new industry trends to who to pitch to how to get your emails opened to tough clients.
Please get in touch if you’d like to organize a session to ask any and all questions.
Please Share This Newsletter With Your Colleagues
I’m always looking to grow and develop my network of travel and food publicists and friends. If you find my newsletter helpful, or if you know someone who might, please share it with them. Thanks!
Other journalist newsletters you should subscribe to: Follow my friends and colleagues so you can stay up-to-date on their pitching needs too: Jill Schildhouse, Alice Dubin, Aly Walansky, Cassandra Brooklyn, Jacqueline Kehoe, Chris Dong, Ali Wunderman and Elen Turner.