zeimer marin scuba_may15

Gil ZeimerGil Zeimer

Travel WriterTravel Writer

•• BackgroundBackground

• Samples• Samples

• • Travel Writing TipsTravel Writing Tips

• Q & A & Offer• Q & A & Offer

Where I’ve Worked On StaffWhere I’ve Worked On Staff

Who I’ve Worked With RecentlyWho I’ve Worked With Recently

What I WriteWhat I Write

• Ads & animated banners • Packaging

• Annual Reports • Postcards

• Blogs • Promotions

• Brochures • Radio scripts

• Catalogs • Sales films

• Direct response packages • TV scripts

• Newsletters • Web sites

Sitmar Cruises: Shore BrochuresSitmar Cruises: Shore Brochures

Westin St. Francis Westin St. Francis Hotel: Ads Hotel: Ads

Westin San Westin San Francisco Airport Francisco Airport Hotel: Ads & Hotel: Ads & Radio Scripts Radio Scripts

Editorial Writing:

My First Article,

ADWEEK, 1989

$1,000 for “Ad Man Angst”

Scuba Times Article: Scuba Times Article: 1994 – Australia1994 – Australia

Adventure Journal: 1998 - MauiAdventure Journal: 1998 - Maui

Adventure Journal: 1998 - MauiAdventure Journal: 1998 - Maui

Why I Write Travel StoriesWhy I Write Travel Stories

1) To share my experiences, good (Kosrae, Baja, Hawaii) and bad (Australia, Belize, Florida)

2) To mark a place in time for my travel memories

3) To inform others of something interesting or unique(Zermatt, et.al.)

4) To make some money for my efforts

5) To write-off my travel costs as a tax deduction!

Red Sail Sports: 2002 - 4 WebsitesRed Sail Sports: 2002 - 4 Websites

Budget: $6,000

Red Sail Sports: Red Sail Sports: 2002 - Barter, 2002 - Barter, Then BucksThen Bucks

Red Sail Sports: eNewslettersRed Sail Sports: eNewsletters

NCUPS Newsletter: 1996-Disney WorldNCUPS Newsletter: 1996-Disney World

Dive Travel: 1996 – Dive BuddyDive Travel: 1996 – Dive Buddy

Dive Travel: 1996 – ProposalDive Travel: 1996 – Proposal

Dive Travel: 1997 – Waiting to InhaleDive Travel: 1997 – Waiting to Inhale

Dive Travel: 1997 – BajaDive Travel: 1997 – Baja

Dive Travel: 1997 – Family PlanningDive Travel: 1997 – Family Planning

Alert Diver: 2001 – The Sun Also BurnsAlert Diver: 2001 – The Sun Also Burns

Alert Diver: 2001 – The Sun Also BurnsAlert Diver: 2001 – The Sun Also Burns

Alert Diver: 2001 – Low AnxietyAlert Diver: 2001 – Low Anxiety

Alert Diver: 2001 – Low AnxietyAlert Diver: 2001 – Low Anxiety

Alert Diver: 2002 – To Dive or NotAlert Diver: 2002 – To Dive or Not

Alert Diver: 2002 – Equipment UpgradeAlert Diver: 2002 – Equipment Upgrade

Vagablond: 2005Vagablond: 2005

Vagablond: 2005Vagablond: 2005

Vagablond: 2005Vagablond: 2005

Vagablond: 2006Vagablond: 2006

Vagablond: 2006Vagablond: 2006

Vagablond: 2006Vagablond: 2006

Canyonlands Website: RetweetCanyonlands Website: Retweet

Vagablond: Since 2006Vagablond: Since 2006

2007: SEO for “Travel Copywriting” 2007: SEO for “Travel Copywriting”

All Nippon Airways: eNewsletters All Nippon Airways: eNewsletters

$4,000

Hilton Hotels: AdsHilton Hotels: Ads

Monterey Marriott Hotel: AdsMonterey Marriott Hotel: Ads

Kosrae: Kosrae: LA Times LA Times Online, Online, 8/21/098/21/09

Kosrae: SF Chronicle, 9/13/09Kosrae: SF Chronicle, 9/13/09

$0 fee, but a priceless promotion$0 fee, but a priceless promotion

Kosrae: Dive Pacific Magazine 2010, NZKosrae: Dive Pacific Magazine 2010, NZ

Kosrae: Dive Pacific Magazine, NZKosrae: Dive Pacific Magazine, NZ

Kosrae: Dive Pacific Magazine, NZKosrae: Dive Pacific Magazine, NZ

Kosrae: Asian Diver, NZ + Diver’s Chapbook Kosrae: Asian Diver, NZ + Diver’s Chapbook

Dive Pacific: Manta Ray Article, 2009Dive Pacific: Manta Ray Article, 2009

Dive Pacific: 2008 – Dive Pacific: 2008 – “Heavy Breathing on Half Dome”“Heavy Breathing on Half Dome”

Scuba Breathing on Land:Scuba Breathing on Land: “Heavy Breathing on Half Dome” “Heavy Breathing on Half Dome”

Climbing Half Dome’s CablesClimbing Half Dome’s Cables

VisitSFBayArea – Yosemite, 2013VisitSFBayArea – Yosemite, 2013

Visitor Guide Travel WritingVisitor Guide Travel Writing

1)Southland Chicago, Illinois

2)Dinosaurland, Utah

3)Muskegon, Michigan

4)Oxnard, California (Channel Islands/Ken Howard photos

5)Irvine, California

6)Medina County, Ohio

In 2013, approximately 20% of income will be from travel writing.

Gil’s Top Ten Travel Writing TipsGil’s Top Ten Travel Writing Tips

1) Be tough-skinned: Write yourself a rejection letter

2) Be creative: Have the chutzpah to think outside the box with unusual stories to get published

3) Be prolific: The more you write, the better your odds of getting published

4) Be aware: Know your editors’ likes and dislikes

5) Be friendly: Cultivate relationships with diving publications and website editors

Gil’s Top Ten Travel Writing TipsGil’s Top Ten Travel Writing Tips

6) Be adventurous: Write for different media – blogs, websites, newspapers, magazines, radio and interviews

7) Be flexible: If you can’t get paid, barter!

8) Be opportunistic: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade

9) Be different: Don’t write about the same old thing

10) Be funny: Humorous diving articles are rare so they stand out

www.zeimer.com www.zeimer.com

My Offer: Help with your travel article

Questions?