Inviting Fiona on a press trip is a long-lasting investment in your destination, product, tour or activity. As a travel writer and digital travel editor, press trips are an essential part of writing and publishing travel stories. Please contact Fiona to discuss a press trip invitation or other collaboration opportunities.
Why invite Fiona Harper on a Press Trip?
After 16+ years as a freelance travel writer and digital travel editor, Fiona has a long standing reputation for delivering results. She regularly participates in press trips which generate editorial coverage in print and digital publications around the globe. By inviting Fiona on a Press Trip your destination, product or activity will receive unbiased editorial coverage in the countless outlets that Fiona contributes to. Depending on the itinerary, activities and opportunities for hunting down story angles, Fiona will aim to secure multiple editorial commissions from each press trip, writing exclusive content for each publication, with a unique focus or angle.
Additionally, as a seasoned social media devotee and skilled photographer Fiona posts images to her social media accounts both during and after a press trip – the more terrific the photo opportunities the better the social media love!
View Where I am Published and Brands I’ve Worked With for examples of how successful Press Trip collaboration has achieved editorial coverage.
Fiona is a member of the Australian Society of Authors, the Queensland Writers Centre and adheres to an industry-wide code of ethics.
What is a Press Trip?
Press Trips and site inspections are commonly offered to established travel journalists and travel writers as a means of carrying out destination and tourism product research. Accepting transport, accommodation and other travel-related services or products offered by suppliers are an integral part of working as a freelance travel writer.
It is common practice for providers of travel and travel-related goods and services to offer their products to travel journalists either free of charge or at a subsidised media rate for the purposes of gaining editorial exposure.
It’s a business partnership that works both ways.
When I am invited to a experience a destination, I will only accept an invitation that is appropriate to outlets where I am published. My entire focus when participating in a famil or press trip, is to gain maximum research opportunities in order to secure editorial exposure in media outlets.
From the perspective of a travel journalist, hosting does not mean hiring. As a journalist Fiona retains her independence and integrity. Hosting Fiona means fair representation of the destination or product experienced and meaningful acknowledgement of the support provided.
Essentially, if Fiona loves the product you’re offering she’ll shout it from the rooftops at every appropriate opportunity. Along with publishing travel articles in conventional media, she publishes articles and images from famils on Travel Boating Lifestyle. With a strong, active presence on social media, Fiona will also post updates and images across social media both whilst in-situ and exponentially after the famil is completed.
Return on Investment from a Press Trip
Past Press Trips that Fiona Harper has participated in have resulted in maximum editorial exposure in print and digital publications across the globe. View Published Clips page and Travel Boating Lifestyle to see a small sample of published clips resulting from Press Trips. There is no set formula to the number of articles that will be produced or the time frame that articles will appear in. The publishing world is ever-changing, and final say always rests with the commissioning Editor or Publisher. However, as an indication, comprehensive successful Press Trips will generally result in a minimum of two feature articles, often more. Additionally, suitable products experienced on a Press Trip will usually be included in ‘listicle’ articles exponentially.
A successful Press Trip may well be enjoying editorial coverage and reaping extensive rewards for many years afterwards.
Guidelines for hosting travel media
To ensure that an investment in Press Trips result in fair and reasonable coverage, a provider of travel or travel-related services needs to understand the publication or program for whom support is being provided, and the individual being hosted.
For the best outcome, it is requested that the hosting organisation provides the following:
* A detailed itinerary, specifying all travel, accommodation and activity arrangements including contact details, well in advance of departure
* Clear advice on what is included/not included in the travel arrangements
* Confirmed air travel on all sectors from home base in Cairns Queensland
* Confirmed accommodation
* Professional meet-and-greet services on arrival at the destination’s airport
* Itineraries developed for mutual benefit to gain maximum editorial exposure
* Enough free time for independent explorations to research additional story angles. Time to observe and absorb the destination and see it from a local’s perspective is crucial for story development.
From the perspective of travel suppliers, provision of free-of-charge or subsidised travel products or services is an investment in promotion, and the result must (within reason) reflect this investment. The product provider is acknowledged in a meaningful and realistic way wherever possible, and the product or service provided is always represented fairly and honestly.
Inviting Fiona on a press trip is a long-lasting investment in your destination or product. Please contact Fiona to discuss collaboration and press trip opportunities