Notes from a First-Time Attendee: What I Learned at NATJA
Two weeks ago, I attended my first NATJA Conference, which was held in Anaheim, California (a perk I shouldn’t forget to mention) and included over 100 travel writers and travel industry publicists. While I went primarily to get my feet wet, I also went to help Tim, who gave an awesome keynote speech about the future of digital travel writing. Over the course of three days, I learned a lot, especially in terms of how this business actually works. So in the spirit of this blog, here are the top 10 things I learned during my days in California:
- If you’re anticipating a rousing series of day-long panels and break-out sessions, you might be in for a surprise: panels can be few and far between at NATJA. The emphasis here is on networking, a word that makes many people new to any profession shudder. My advice? Work up your 50-words-or-less bio about who you are and what you write before you get there—you’ll be repeating it more than your own name by the end of the conference.
Helen Hernandez, NATJA CEO, Welcoming Attendees to the Conference
- Now, once you’ve introduced and attempted to legitimize yourself in the face of a room full of writers who are likely more accomplished than you are, I’d suggest quieting the “imposter syndrome.” It’s not helpful and it will just make you nervous (yes, I’m speaking from personal experience here). Put a smile on and sit with people you don’t know—it’ll force you to speak up and get yourself known. You might even find yourself next to the editor of a blog you’d love to work with.
- If you’ve got a blog or are thinking of starting one, here’s a tip from one of my favorite panels, led by Jennifer Miner, Gary Ardnt, and our own Tim Leffel: be helpful (thanks, Jennifer) and “get personal” (thanks, Gary). And, last but not least, rely on SEO keywords to increase traffic when you start a blog, because no one—yes, gulp, I know this is hard to hear—knows or cares who you are when you start!
- Brush up on your knowledge of digital media before you go. You’ll want to at least look savvy before you attend a conference where many of the attendees make their living off the internet. Don’t be afraid to jump head-first into social media networking (thanks, Tim!). Make sure you revise your page on LinkedIn, Facebook, and any other social media sites you use before you go.
- If you are lucky enough to secure a spot on a press-trip or FAM (after a panicked Wikipedia.org search, I discovered that this oft-used term means “familiarization trip,” or free trip sponsored by a supplier or group of suppliers to familiarize the agents with their destination and services), you have to tell publishers that the trip you’re writing about was paid for.
Riding Surreys on our Guided Tour of Huntington Beach
- As I’ve mentioned, the heart of the NATJA conference is on networking.This also includes press trips around the area, most likely sponsored by the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (known among travel writers as the CVBs) and aimed at fostering positive reviews about the location and its services. While you’ll hear a lot of fluff about why tourists should visit particular places, go on the NATJA press trips—they’re fun and a great way to debunk the whole publicist-writer-publisher relationship.
- Print some business cards if you don’t have them—you will get a million of them, and you’ll want to return the favor. (You can design and order your own online). When you get home, you’ll have a bunch of new contacts to connect with and keep up with! I’ve already “linked in” with a whole bunch of cool people.
- Even if you’re exhausted by the last day, go to the Marketplace. This is the place where the CVB reps and publicists set up their tables and wait for the writers to come to them. Craft up a story about why you’d be a good fit to write about the place they represent, or offer to email them later to work on pitching a story. Usually, you’ll need to find a place to publish you before you’ll secure a spot on a free trip, but even still: it’s worth the chatting. (Plus, who doesn’t love all those free pens and totebags at the tables?)
Arriving at Our Behind-the-Scenes Tour and Banquet at Disneyland
- I also learned that the art of negotiating pay is not exactly welcomed in the travel writing industry. Don’t ever ask for more money on an article, because here’s an example of what you’ll probably hear (thanks, Spud Hilton, travel editor at the San Francisco Chronicle): “I just checked my job description and nowhere does it say I have to make it easier for you to vacation for a living.”
- And lastly, while this isn’t a surprising one, allow yourself time to soak up the experience. There is nothing like being surrounded by immensely creative, interesting people for an entire week, and there’s nothing better than starting to see yourself as a contributing member to the field. Enjoy the free drinks, gorge yourself at the buffets, and, above all, have some fun. And trust me–you’ll come home with a whole set of new ideas and very itchy feet.
Kristin
Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in attending next year, keep checking the NATJA website for the conference location and date announcement!
About Author
Kristin
Kristin Winet is an award-winning writer, photographer, and teacher. She has contributed to Afar, Roads & Kingdoms, Atlas Obscura, Perceptive Travel, and other quality publications. See more at KristinWinet.com.
Comments
Great wrap-up Kristin and I’m glad it was such an effective crash course on how things work. It probably saved you a lot of future uncertainty and hassles. On #9, that depends greatly on the publication and the editor. I’ve negotiated a few times, but from a position of strength—they contacted ME to do the story. The more complicated and time-consuming the assignment, the more room you have to negotiate. And of course always try to get more from a book contract. The advance will likely be the only money you ever see.
For many pubs though, including my Perceptive Travel one, the rate is the rate. The only way to truly control what you’re earning is to run your own show and keep the profits.
Thanks for the clarification, Tim! And yes, you’re right: it was indeed an effective crash course–and a lot of fun, too.
It’s good to know that negotiation should be based on a perceived position of strength/time commitment. At this point in my career, I’m thrilled to take take small change over nothing! (Even though I’ve heard so many writers say not to give away our writing for free, it seems like a near inevitable these days, especially with digital publishing.) What does everyone else think about this?
Thank you for this informative post–so kind of you to share your insider’s knowledge. Your post makes me definitely want to attend the event next year. Do you plan to make it an annual trip? Also, you mentioned the FAM trips. I have been (insanely lucky!) to have been invited to two of these…should these be added to my resume, and if so, is there a recommended way to word these experiences? Thanks again!
Wow, Shawndra, that’s an excellent question. I’m actually not sure if FAM trips should be added to the resume. Any insight on this, Tim?
As for the conference, yes, I absolutely hope to make it an annual event! It can be expensive if you’re not a member of NATJA, though, so I’d suggest becoming a member if you’re not already. I’m considering joining as well–the benefits seem to outweigh the high initial costs.
Shawndra, I can’t imagine any good reason to put a FAM trip on your resume. All that matters to a potential employer is the work you’ve produced, not how your trip got financed. It’s not an accomplishment.
Thanks for sharing! This is great information. I’m working on breaking into travel writing myself, so the info is timely.
I don’t know who you wrote this for but you hleepd a brother out.
Hi Lidia,
I wrote this for anybody who might be interested in hearing about the NATJA conference experience. We thought it’d be helpful to have a first-time attendee write from that perspective in order to offer insight to anyone who might be interested in attending next year.
Kristin
Thank you kindly for the “insider’s view” of the NATJA. At last, I have finally found my voice and presently working on entering the travel writing field myself. Coming from a family of creatives, it tool me awhile to find my niche. Next year’s conference is on my list. Thank you again.
Just slightly shocked that a travel editor of a major newspaper (Spud Hilton, San Francisco Chronicle) would give such snarky “advice” as never to negotiate for a higher rate. I am a professional and would expect to be paid as such, if at all possible; and if not, at least spare me the attitude that somehow a publication is doing me a favor. I know newspapers pay piss-poor – I’ve written for plenty of them – but to come out and say that he doesn’t have to “make it easier for you to vacation for a living” is quite possibly one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard from an editor. Instructing freelancers not to negotiate is an insult to pro writers and shows an alarming lack of understanding about how professional freelancers work. I certainly hope Hilton is never invited back. I’ve passed on this info to other pro writers who were similarly disgusted at this ignorant and insulting statement.
Jess, he wasn’t there to invite 100 more queries a week on top of what he already gets. He was there to give honest advice.
It’s a buyer’s market with so many freelancers competing for so few spots at surviving print pubs—especially newspapers. Pay has nowhere to go but down at newspapers—that’s just the business reality. You have zero leverage to negotiate against that unless you’re a name book author who will bring in lots of extra readers somehow. It’s a “take or leave it” situation and nobody will notice if you leave it. Not a fun thing to hear, but it’s true.