Be the Next BootsnAll Travel Writer…
BootsnAll Travel Writer Platform
October, 2010 Update: Please welcome the next four writers for the BootsnAll Travel Writer program: WhyGo Canada, WhyGo Hawaii, WhyGo London, and WhyGo Thailand. Didn’t apply? Sign-up to get notified the next time we’re accepting applications, and check out our current travel writing opportunities
Is being a travel writer your dream job? We’re excited to launch Round 2 of the BootsnAll Travel Writer platform — a partnership with passionate travel writers to create expert-driven content on your favorite destinations and topics.
Current Opportunities:
- Destinations: Brazil, Canada, Hawaii, Ireland, London, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam
- Themes: Adventure travel, Business travel
How It Works:
- You get to focus on your passion — travel writing; BootsnAll covers the technical aspects.
- Weekly tasks: feature article writing, blog posts and social media interaction
- Time commitment: up to 10 hours/week
- Compensation: base pay of $100-500/month with profit sharing of 30-40%. The base pay is based on how much content is produced. Some destinations will require more content than others….that’s why the variance in base compensation.
- The “fine print”: Just like a guide book, your content will have a copyright and non-compete, but unlike traditional guide books, BootsnAll shares the profit (up to 40%) with each writer!
- If you love independent travel, fancy yourself to be an expert, and want to get paid to write about a destination you love, fill out the BootsnAll Travel Writer Platform application by Monday, August 16, 2010.
FAQ:
What if I’m interested in more than one location?
Just submit one application and then list several locations you’re interested in, but make sure to include your “favorite” location.
How much can I expect to get paid?
As a starting BootsnAll writer you will be paid according to the work that you do, which roughly covers feature articles, blog posts, social media participation and other marketing activities. After your BootsnAll site has become profitable, the profit sharing will be between 30-40%.
Couldn’t I just start a travel blog and make money on my own?
Yes, the Internet is full of travel blogs and guides. In fact, that is why we are starting this program. The web is full of a lot of crap… and writers and content producers are, in general, not perceived as a valuable part of the process. What makes the BootsnAll Travel Writer Platform unique is that it’s a partnership between an established travel company and writers. We leverage our network, technology, and processes so you can leverage your passion. Win, win!
What happens if I quit?
Your content stays with your site. We are not looking for people that “quit”. We are looking for a commitment of at least 3 years. It takes time to build the best site for your destination or theme on the web. Please don’t apply if you are looking for some short term writing contracts.
Can I write about my destination for other online and offline publications?
While we have no restrictions on what other sites you may write for about travel topics other than your BootsnAll destination, when it comes to travel information about that destination, we ask that you make the same commitment to us that we are making to you. We’re investing time and money into making your site the best we can, and we’ve chosen you as the person to do it. So we ask that you not write for competing travel publications.
What do we consider a competing travel publication?
That would be any website (or publication that publishes predominantly online) that specializes in the topic of travel. Writing about your destination for print travel publications and for non-competing websites (those not focusing on travel) may be okay, so long as writing for that outlet is a win-win for both you and your BootsnAll site, i.e., if it 1) positions you as an expert on the destination, 2) does not compete with the information on your BootsnAll site, and 3) helps promote your BootsnAll site as the source for the best information on that destination. It’s vital that any destination-specific writing you do outside of your site be in alignment with BootsnAll. We are giving you training, proprietary information and resources on how to build these sites as well as a chunk of the profits. We won’t compete with you, so we expect the same.
Can I still write about my destination on my personal blog?
The line here isn’t quite as black and white as that between writing about your destination for both BootsnAll and for another paid online publication (which we ask that you not do). While we understand that you may already have a blog that features content on your destination or theme, we don’t want “double-dipping” so to speak. We’re making a commitment to you, and we’d like you do the same for us — with your best material helping to build the best guide for your destination, so that you can reap the most rewards. In other words: we don’t want the destination material on your own blog to compete with the material you’ve posted on your BootsnAll site.
When do I get paid?
You will receive a monthly base pay via direct deposit/check on the 15th for the previous month’s production and profit.
What are your expectations?
We’re stoked to be offering this partnership to travel writers, so our expectation is that you will be too! We’re looking for passionate travel writers, so if you’re just looking to pick up a bit of freelancing and are only mildly interested in travel, the partnership won’t work.
What do I actually have to do?
It depends on the location or theme that you are writing for. We have an in depth content plan for each site, but in general, you’ll be writing features, blog posts, spending time within social media circles, and researching. Check out our WhyGo Italy travel guide for an example.
I’m not sure I should apply, should I?
If you can answer yes to all of the “5 Reasons to Apply” then it’ll probably be a great fit. Check out the video by our CEO Sean Keener on “Who this writing platform is a good fit for”. It doesn’t hurt to apply and at the very least, get a conversation going.
More questions from Writers:
Q: You say $100-500/month, depending on how much content is produced. I’m a little unclear about the production requirements. As a BootsnAll travel writer, what will I actually be required to do (ie. what’s the deliverable)?
A: You will have a writing plan, and your payment will depend on how much content you produce [from that plan]. If you write two pieces in one month, the payment will be at the bottom end of the scale.
Q: What style of writing/content are you looking for? Are you looking for guidebook style entries or more than that?
A: Yes and yes. Guidebook style (in the BootsnAll flavor). WhyGo Italy is a great example of an online travel guide writer, with a unique writing style.
Q: What are the biggest sites?
A few of our top trafficked sites are http://businesstravellogue.com, http://italylogue.com, http://amsterdamlogue.com, http://travelgearblog.com, and http://baliblog.com. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the biggest opportunities.
Q: What would I have to do to get in at the $500/mo rate?
A: Again, this will be about following your writing plan, and isn’t based on a case-by-case, personal basis.
Q: What is your stance on quality vs. quantity; who decides this?
A: Quality is way more important to BootsnAll. Who decides? The market ultimately. In the near term, we expect the writer to be the guard of quality, with guidance from BootsnAll.
Q: You say you’re looking for a three year commitment, but who’s to say you’re not going to break up with me? What’s the guarantee on your side that you can fund such a project for a long-term commitment? Are you thinking that the SEO/ad revenue will be work in a way that everyone really does win?
A: We have been in business for 12 years (the last nine years, profitability). There are no guarantees - I wish there were, but life just doesn’t have them. We see this platform as a way for us to share the love with the best content/creative people out there, while kicking arse in serving travelers. We are confident we can do this since we have been building the basics of this platform since late 2002 - when we launched BaliBlog.com. The monetization from across our travel network is set up so everyone wins. The key thing here is - what is a win for you? Some people will be stoked to make $6-12k/year from a project like this, while others wouldn’t. We know that the top-end should be much higher based on our experience, and we expect many of you to make full-time wages from this over time.
Q: What is your editorial policy on freebies? Everyone wants to argue about editorial neutrality — does BootsnAll have a policy?
A:Our policy: Go for it, but disclose it.
Q:What kind of editorial oversight/input will be coming from the BnA side? How much editorial freedom will writers have?
A: In the beginning, you will be given quite a bit of input as you follow your specific content plan. However, as time goes on, you’ll have much more writing freedom as you develop your personal style.
Q: Is 10 hours a week a requirement? How flexible are you (ie, sometimes a person isn’t working on tech projects and has loads of time to catch up on work that doesn’t pay so well, while other times, they can only get two posts a week done. Is there going to be a production schedule)?
A: This one really depends on the content plan. Overall, and I think our WhyGo Italy writer, Jessica, will agree - we are flexible. The biggest priority is that the writer hits the monthly targets for content (vs weekly). However, if a writer is happy with just $500/month long-term and doesn’t want to grow, then that is a not a good scenario either.
Just to be clear - here are BootsnAll’s Core Value/Beliefs:
· Comprehensive top independent travel resource
· Passion for/inspire independent travel
· Strong community/sharing
· Easy to use – Apple easy
· Honesty & unbiased content/information
· Accessible Experts
This is what we run our decisions by when we have a question - if you are into these values - it has the chance for being a good match.
Q: This looks amazing! I love it because it helps to give a travel writer a form of stability (the base pay and long-term work), as well as the ability to earn for the quality of work put in (the profit-sharing benefits). But I have to ask: why only five people?
A: We’re starting with five sites, but we’re also planning to expand the program in the future to include more writers and more sites. So even if your chosen location or travel theme isn’t on the list to start out with, we still encourage you to apply because it may be included in a future round of applications.
