Episode Description:
In this episode of Digital PR Explained, Britt Klontz chats with freelance travel writer Joni Sweet about the art of pitching irresistible destination stories and the importance of building strong relationships with travel PR professionals. Joni shares her meticulous research process, including how she uses keyword searches and meeting notes to find noteworthy destinations for upcoming features. She also offers valuable advice for PR professionals on crafting compelling pitches and maintaining long-lasting relationships with journalists.
Guest Bio:
Joni Sweet is a freelance writer who focuses on travel, health, and wellness. Her work has been published by TIME, National Geographic, Forbes, SELF, Health magazine, Lonely Planet, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and dozens of other publications. She travels often, but when she’s not on the road, you can find her at home in the Hudson Valley, practicing yoga, cooking vegetarian food, or biking. She recently began offering media training as a service. Check out her Substack to see what she’s working on!
Takeaways:
- Research Process: Joni explains how she uses keyword searches and notes from meetings with PR professionals to discover noteworthy destinations for upcoming travel features.
- Pitching Tips: Learn what makes a destination pitch irresistible to freelance writers and how to stand out in a competitive market.
- Relationship Building: The importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with journalists and travel writers for long-term PR success.
- Industry Trends: Joni discusses current trends in travel journalism, including the growing focus on solo travel and accessibility.
- Best Practices: Practical advice for PR professionals on preparing for meetings with writers at events like IMM and crafting effective pitches.
Resources:
- Joni’s Substack: Subscribe to Joni’s Substack to stay updated on her latest work and media training services.
- Joni’s Publications: Check out Joni’s work in TIME, National Geographic, Forbes, SELF, Health magazine, Lonely Planet, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and more.