Testimonials
from Editors and CVBs:
Let Someone Else Promote You!

I often look at other travel writer’s websites to get ideas on how to improve my writer’s website.  And, I’m constantly amazed at how my peers undersell themselves and their talents.



It’s understandable that people have trouble self-promoting - it’s a common problem.  There’s an easier and highly effective way to promote yourself and your writing.  I recommend collecting testimonials from editors and Convention & Visitor’s Bureaus (CVBs), and then publishing them on your website.


It Starts With a Website

What?  You don’t have a website?



Many accomplished travel writers don’t even have a writer’s website - a staggering omission! I find this more surprising than writers underselling their talents. From my estimate, about 80% - 90% of travel writers out there don’t have a professional website. 

How can these writers convince a magazine editor of their credibility if they don’t have a website to show off their wares?

Why You Need a Writer's Website

The beauty of a professional writer’s website is that you can display a portfolio of your travel writing on one site, making it convenient for editors to check out your bona fides. 



In my opinion, having a writer’s website is no longer optional.  These days our customers—magazine editors and destination media reps—instinctively check every writer out online.

Despite this necessity, many writers tell me they are embarrassed to put their ‘stuff’ out there.  They feel like the places they’ve been published aren’t grand enough.  Or, they’re shy and don’t think their travel stories are worthy of public display.  Get over it!  



Your success as a freelancer depends on your ability to market yourself as shamelessly as common decency permits.  If you want your work to be taken seriously, you need a website.

My professional website has paid off in so many ways, especially when working with editors, CVBs and PR reps who don't know me and want to learn more. They can find a hefty portfolio and plenty of references on my website, www.roy-stevenson.com.

When you send a query letter to a new editor, where’s the first place they look for evidence of your work?  The Internet, of course.



When you ask media reps at a CVB to arrange complimentary travel assistance for you, where’s the first place they look to find out if you’re a real travel writer, or a wannabee?  Yep, the Internet.  



Providing a writer’s website for Editors and CVBs to learn more out about you is far superior to having random information floating out there in cyberspace.  



Have you ever tried researching a writer without a website, only to find a vague LinkedIn profiles, a lame Facebook page, and a bunch of other people with the same name?  Search results that don’t include a link to your website presents an incoherent view of you and your work.  



With a professional website, you can create an image of yourself and the writing services that you want editors and CVBs to read.  Random information about you will still be “out there”, but magazine editors and CVB media reps will feel relieved when they find a link to a concrete writer’s website.



Even if you’re new to the travel writing game, you can create a website with just a few bylines and build on it from there.  You’re ready to start a website once you have a handful of bylines.


How to Get Testimonials

When you apply for a job, your potential employer asks for a list of references.  They want to be able to contact people who know you and know your work.  For a freelance travel writer, posting testimonials on your website is a way to handle this need.



The single biggest gap on the writer’s websites I’ve reviewed, is the complete lack of references, or testimonials.

Testimonials are references from people who’ve met you and worked with you.  And, for those of you who have difficulty self-promoting, this is a legitimate way to get someone else to write glowing things about you.  



I’m sure you’ve read testimonials about other people and products.  They're interesting and add credibility to whatever you're offering.  


Think about this scenario: 

You’re going on a trip to Billings, Montana and you have requested assistance from the CVB to arrange comps for you.

The CVB representative has never met you.  So he or she is  trying to decide if you’re on the level - and that you’ll produce some great articles for their region. 

Do you think they’ll be interested in reading about what other CVBs say about you?  You bet they’ll be interested!  References from other CVBs may make or break their decision to host your trip.

How to Request Testimonials from CVBs

When you work with a CVB, their job is to show you the great things about their region, and your job is to show up, ask good questions and write articles about the place.

After you’ve done a press trip and delivered on your promise of published articles, it’s time to ask for a reference. 

On my website, I simply list the comments along with the CVB reps name, title and place.  Testimonials are self-explanatory so introductory comments aren't needed. 

Here’s a clip from my website:

You can also read the entire list of comments at this link:
www.roy-stevenson.com/roy-stevenson-cvb-comments

Here’s a sample email requesting an endorsement from a CVB media professional that you have worked with: 

You can use the above sample letter as a template and customize it for your style.  If it’s been a while since the press trip, it’s also good to remind them about the articles you produced for them, so add those details, too.

And don't forget to thank each person for taking the time to write the testimonial for you.

Gathering Testimonials from Magazine and Web Editors

Another section on your website that can open doors with a new editor is one with Testimonials from Editors.  The “Editor’s Comments” section on my website has sealed the deal for many of my query letters to new editors.

Here’s a clip from the page on my website:

In this section you want testimonials that show you work well with editors and that you have produced well-written articles. You also want to indicate that you meet deadlines and that your work needs little or no editing.  Basically, you want to show that you deliver quality copy and make the editor’s job easy.



To get these endorsements, send out a request letter to editors you’ve worked with, similar to the above letter to CVBs. But in this case, you’re requesting them to endorse your travel writing abilities.



Of course, you should only approach editors that you have worked with for two or more published articles, and who ‘know’ you and your work. 


Here’s the link to the ‘Editor’s Comments’ section on my writer’s website, to get a more complete idea of what editors might write about your work:
www.roy-stevenson.com/roy-stevenson-editors-testimonials

What Results Can You Expect?

Creating a professional writer’s website is your first step, after you’ve accumulated a few bylines.

Then, as your bylines grow and as you venture out on press trips and Fam Tours, and as your stories get published in print and online, you should add ‘CVB Comments’ and ‘Editors Comments’ sections to this website. 


I noticed that my acceptance rate picked up immediately after posting these two sections.  I don’t think it was a coincidence. 


I’ve also found that the testimonials posted on my website make it so much easier to arrange complimentary travel assistance for my self-guided press trips.  Media reps read these testimonials, and because you’re showing the name, title and organization that each testimonial came from, there’s an added degree of credibility.  


And you never know, some people might even call or email your references.  It’s a way to get some buzz going about you by simply posting a few testimonials from people who have been kind enough to write one.

Special Report:

How to Land Press Trips and Fam Tours

I've written a guide about how to land press trips.  It will tell you everything you want to know about how to get into the inner circle and get invited on regional, national and international press trips. 

Learn more here...

Related articles that will interest you:

Four Steps to Getting Invited on Press Trips
Business Basics for Travel Writers
Why You Need a Professional Website

Roy Stevenson is a professional travel writer and the author of www.PitchTravelWrite.com.  Over the past ten years, he’s had more than 1000 articles published in 200 magazines, trade and specialty journals, in-flights, on-boards, blogs and websites and has traveled on assignment around the U.S. and to dozens of international destinations.