When should travel writers write for free? | Unpaid vs paid travel writing

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James talks to Philipp Meier, a former accountant from Switzerland who moved to Thailand a few years ago to chase his dream of being a travel writer. After years of writing for small publications for free, Philipp recently broke through to some better known publications such as CNN Travel, Nat Geo Traveller, and South China Morning Post. James and Philipp discuss his journey, examine what he did that finally saw him win commissions at big name titles, and discuss some of the dos and don’ts if you’re a wannabe travel writer pitching to editors.
🌍 How Phillip Mayer Transformed from Struggling Travel Writer to Published Journalist
*Starting Out: Writing for Free* [02:32 - 03:49]
Phillip initially wrote for free to get his name out
Recommends writing for free only for the first 2-3 articles
Crucial to know when to stop working without compensation
Goal: Transition from free work to paid commissions
*Breakthrough Strategy* [04:26 - 05:45]
Persistent pitching (took 2-3 years to get first CNN Travel response)
Worked with mentor Jason Durston for coaching [00:42 - 02:32]
Focused on stories with broad appeal, not niche topics [12:08 - 14:10]
Travels first, then pitches stories based on experiences [17:16 - 19:24]
*Successful Pitching Tips* [14:10 - 16:13]
Research publications thoroughly
Pitch stories with wide audience interest
Create compelling headlines
Don't just pitch to one editor
Be open to simultaneous pitching
*Publications Achieved* [01:14 - 01:50]
CNN Travel
National Geographic Traveler
South China Morning Post
Culture Trip
*Income and Work Model* [10:12 - 11:30]
Currently earns money through copywriting [20:25 - 21:13]
Travel writing commissions range $250-$400 per piece
Some publications also pay for accompanying photos
Long-term goal: Make travel writing primary income [28:09 - 29:22]
*CNN Travel Success Story* [21:46 - 26:43]
Unique story about a Thai boxer turned chef
Pitched to multiple publications
Accepted by CNN Travel for their "Living the Dream" series
**Key Takeaway**: Persistence, continuous learning, and adapting your approach are crucial to breaking into travel writing.