Once
I had my destination, I was off and running. You can use these same steps
for whichever town you choose to visit. And since it was so easy (and rewarding)
I suggest you do...
1. CONTACT
THE TOURISM OFFICE -- Check out www.towd.com. This site links you to
any tourism office around the world. I went to Yorktown's site and found
the name for the town's head of tourism. I sent her an email, and she immediately
responded with contact names for the historical centers plus suggestions
of things to do during my visit.
2. RESEARCH
WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE PLACE -- I went to www.newspaperlinks.com
to see what papers in the Mid-Atlantic region had to say about Yorktown.
While I did
uncover a few articles from local papers in Virginia, I was surprised not
to find anything in the New York Times, Baltimore Sun or Washington Post.
It made me realize the town truly is a well-kept secret, so who better
to expose it than me!
3. SET UP
AND CONDUCT INTERVIEWS -- They can give your article great credibility.
I tried to arrange as many as possible beforehand so I didn't miss anyone.
I talked to a nationally renowned local artist and the owner of a guest
cottage. They offered great insight and also gave me suggestions for other
places to check out in town. In fact, one of my interviewees even offered
to drive me around to some of Yorktown's lesser known sites - places I
probably wouldn't have discovered on my own in a single day trip.
I should also
mention that I reread Rose Burke's guide to interviewing before I left.
This guide
was invaluable for getting insight from both locals and experts. As an
attendee at the last Ultimate Travel Writing Workshop in Paris this past
May, I was gifted a copy of Rose's guide, but Jen Stevens has guidelines
for interviewing in her course too: Passport to Romance.
4. ARRANGE
FOR MEDIA PASSES -- This is much easier than you think. Just tell people
you're a freelance travel writer in town researching an article. Ask if
there's a reduced press rate. I used the contacts the tourism office provided
me and was instantly supplied with free passes and media kits for the town's
top attractions.
5. GET FREE
LUNCH -- I wasn't trying to get free lunch but it just happened. I
told the manager at the restaurant where I wanted to eat that I was a freelance
travel writer working on an article. I started asking a few questions and
taking notes. When she asked for credentials, I whipped out my ITWPA badge.
Suddenly I was whisked to a corner table enjoying a fabulous free lunch
with the most amazing dessert sampler imaginable.
Freelance travel
writer Steenie Harvey would have been proud!
After
reading about Lori's trip to Belize, I was inspired to do something of
the same. However, without the money or freedom to hop on a plane and
travel around the world I had to come up with another plan.
