Some Travmedia Feedback

For me, at least, Travmedia remains the most reliable bet when I have a media request that could use PR suggestions and isn’t so atrociously last-minute that I forget to even apply deodorant. So I’d always advise signing up — or asking me to add you to my ‘Not on Travmedia’ mail-out list, to which I remember to send requests roughly 47% of the time.

When writing the requests, I always try and make sensible assumptions about what is likely to ensue, and try to avoid a scenario wherein everyone pitches the same theme or place. That’s partly to help you, and mostly, of course, to help selfish old me.

Finally, I consider suggestions chronologically, as they arrive. That, if nothing else, rewards enthusiasm. It also gives bigger agencies an advantage — as one-person bands might, sod’s law, be off sick or stuck in a six-hour meeting — which I dislike in terms of an unlevel playing field, but, hey: I can’t think of a fairer way to about it

Anyway, so, last week I issued an alert for autumnal hiking tours. I specified no UK suggestions, and also that pitches had to involve a pre-established, multi-day, hiking-themed itinerary. I suggested not just plugging autumn colours. And the (many) responses were interesting.

The first one which came in suggested, ah, Edinburgh — very much a UK suggestion. Some blame for this might lie with me, as my chronological-reading approach does encourage panicked haste. But still: more care needed. Others were clearly recent press releases given a half-hearted adaptation for my alert. Not a good look. A good few failed to provide a multi-day hiking itinerary.

Most were really good, though. As-requested, and nicely presented. Laden with good hooks — new flights, anniversaries — or terrifically inventive. Particular kudos to Sophia from Black Diamond, Laura from Peers and Rachael from KBC for theirs.

The moral of the story? It decidedly is worth careful reading my (or others’) alerts — the worst thing is to end up appearing careless or casual. How much time to invest is always a trade off, rather like pitching for new business; what I’d suggest is that you either go all in or (in lieu of a may-as-well-try effort) refrain altogether and wait for a better opportunity.