The story behind the story: how is everyone getting their commissions?
This month, we're asking other freelance writers to divulge how they got their commissions and trips
Ever wondered how your colleagues get their coolest commissions? I do. All the time. When I see people going on exceptionally cool trips — that Antarctic cruise, the £1k-per-night safari — I always wonder how they got there. What did they pitch? And who? And how did they even find out about the press trip or story idea?
Well, wonder no more. We’ve asked four freelancers to share the stories behind their coolest commissions. From that dream Antarctic cruise to a writer who never takes press trips and always funds their own travels, this month we’ll shed light on how other writers are getting their ideas — and the commissions and trips that go along with them.
How this writer went to Canada for their first national paper commission
I’m Matt Dennis. I’m a travel journalist, though I wasn’t always. Just under two years ago, I was a Partnership Manager for a training company with a secure, well-paid job. I decided I wanted to do something entirely different, something that would make me spring out of bed in the morning, never really knowing where the day or future plans would lead. Now, I write every day. Sometimes for commissions, sometimes for my socials and blog. Travel writing is my primary source of income.
What’s the story we’re talking about here?
The piece was for the i paper, titled I lost the use of my leg in the 90s — returning to skiing was life-changing.
This was my first article commissioned by a national newspaper, and it completely changed the trajectory of my career.
Where did the idea come from?
The idea came from a press trip invitation, but I had to create the opportunity for that invitation myself through networking.
I should explain that I have a paralysed leg, I’ve had one for over 30 of my 50 years. Differences and niches are invaluable in travel writing, and this really helped me at the beginning to have a unique voice.
In my first six months of working, I was floundering. The Talking Travel Writing 101 course gave me my first real view of industry structure, and through it I managed to get an invite to a networking event through TravMedia.
Living in the deep southwest UK, I booked the cheapest hotel I could find in London and headed up to the smoke. I was nervous. I knew virtually nobody in the industry and would be walking into a room of strangers. I also get quite negatively self-reflective in social situations, so I was pushing my boundaries to the limits.
It was here I met representatives from Destination Vancouver and Visit Whistler, along with their PR rep in the UK. They were planning a trip to promote British Columbia’s involvement with the Invictus Games. And there I was, a budding writer, walking on crutches, talking about accessible travel! It could not have been scripted. Our conversation progressed and cards were exchanged, though nothing was directly set up (largely due to my inexperience at the time).
Three days later, I opened my emails to find a provisional invite to the press trip. It was an emotional moment, my first invite to my first press trip, and one where I would get the opportunity to ski for the first time since I was ill. The story was there, waiting for me to write it. All I needed was a top-tier publication to secure my place.
How did you pitch it?
I constructed various angles, some focusing more on the Invictus Games, some on accessible winter sports, and some on the personal experience angle.
This was the pitch that landed with the i paper:
Whistler’s Adaptive Sports Revolution
In the wake of the hugely successful Paralympics in Paris (estimated to have drawn 18 million viewers in the UK alone), Whistler prepares to host the world’s first Winter Invictus Games in Feb 2025. This article will focus on, not only the fantastic sporting offer that Whistler has, but also how Canada is breaking new ground in accessible winter sports tourism.
Readers will be able to experience how athletes with a range of disabilities, including missing limbs, are able to ski and snowboard and how extreme sports such as the hair-raising skeleton bob are being adapted using state of the art equipment and programs.
Included in the article will be interviews with Invictus athletes and the impact that winter sport has had on them. I will also be interviewing resort managers and First Nation representatives on the future of Canadian winter tourism.
This will also be somewhat of a personal journey. It will be the first time on the slopes in the 30 years since I lost the use of a limb. I’m sure it will prove emotional.
As a footnote, the latest stats show that 49% of UK citizens will experience mobility issues after the age of 60. Showing what can be achieved whatever your challenges to help us all to live a more full and varied life.
How many times did you pitch this before it landed?
I sent 15 pitches across different angles to multiple publications. I received four outright rejections and countless ghosted emails. One pitch was accepted, but it wasn’t from a tier-one publication, which I needed to secure my place on the trip. I noticed that a couple of editors hadn’t responded, so I chased them. Finally, with one day to go before the PR had to look elsewhere, my inbox pinged with an email from Sophie Lam of the i paper. It was a commission, and I collapsed in relief and joy.
How did you do your research? What was involved on the ground?
I did significant pre-trip reading on the Invictus Games, accessible winter sports programs in Canada, and the Paralympics in Paris to understand the broader context. I researched Whistler’s adaptive sports facilities and programs, as well as statistics on mobility issues in the UK to frame why this story mattered to readers.
On the ground, I interviewed Invictus athletes about the impact winter sport had on them. I also spoke with resort managers and First Nations representatives about the future of Canadian winter tourism. The personal experience element, returning to skiing for the first time in 30 years, was obviously central to the piece and required no additional arrangement beyond participating in the adaptive sports programs offered.
What did you get paid?
The rate offered for the piece was £200 for 800 words. No additional expenses were paid by the publication, as the trip itself (flights, accommodation, activities) was covered by the press trip. I also requested and got the night before the flight included by the PR company. As I live so far away from Heathrow, it’s always worth asking the question.
Did you get any other commissions from the trip?
Yes! I was determined there was more in this trip than just the press story, so I pushed on and successfully landed two additional pieces:
Travel Weekly — focusing on accessible winter sports
Adventure.com — a piece that looked at the First Nations’ involvement in the Invictus Games
I left for Canada on my first press trip with three commissions in hand.
Was it worth it financially?
Financially, it was immensely helpful at the time, though the real value went far beyond the immediate payment.
Looking purely at the numbers for the i piece: £200 for 800 words, plus the time spent pitching (multiple versions to multiple editors over several days), researching, travelling (five days in Canada), interviewing on the ground, and writing. As a day rate, it wasn’t spectacular.
But the impact this had on my career was invaluable. It was my first nationally commissioned piece. Every future pitch I sent could include a byline from a national newspaper. That credibility helped to open doors that may otherwise have remained closed.
The fact that I landed three commissions from one trip significantly improved the financial equation, and it gave me the confidence to believe I could actually make this career work. That mindset shift is, most likely, the reason I’m still here now, writing this from a small café in Rabat, Morocco.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. Not just for the money, but for proving to myself that networking, persistence, and constantly stepping out of my comfort zone could transform my career and my life.
Post of the week
Lottie posted this reminder that it ain’t all glam in this job.
Who to follow
Penny Walker is moving from The Telegraph to Hello! Magazine. Follow her on Instagram here.
Industry must-reads
The Press Gazette has an interesting rundown of all the copyright rulings involving AI and publishers. The inaugural Sherborne Prize for Travel Writing has announced their shortlist. BBC Travel has this interesting piece on why we need to retire phrases like “Venice of the east”.
Want more travel writing tips to get your teeth into? Check out Meera Dattani’s webinar series on travel writing here — new webinars are coming, too, so keep an eye out here for announcements. Our online course has tonnes of tips and advice, too; head to our shop here.
Wow this is so inspiring. I’m only just exploring the idea of travel writing and kind of feel a bit lost on what to pitch tbh. I’m heading to Bosnia soon so thought it would be a good opp 😅
This was such a grounding look behind the curtain. Matt’s story is a great reminder that persistence, niche perspective, and real networking matter more than glamour. Really helpful to see the full path, not just the highlight reel.