Course Topic: Writing for Trailer Life Publications (6/97)
Instructor: Bob Livingston
The rules are different if one wants to submit an article to either Motorhome Magazine, or Trailer Life or the Good Sam magazine, Highways. All of these publications want free-lance articles, but while the first two want 8-10 articles each month, Highways only needs 3-4. Motorhome does not want pictures of RVs except motorhomes in its pictures; the others will take 5th wheels, etc. From this point on, they are very similar. They all want:
1. Travel articles. Great Campgrounds. They would like to find a getaway place, where, for example, the fishing is superb, near an attraction where tourists would be likely to visit, that no one has seen before, and which larger rigs would be able to utilize. They realize this is an impossible ideal, but set it as a goal. It is important that the reader see the place through the eyes of the writer. It is a good idea to write in the 1st person. They want the writer to be involved and enthusiastic about the area. They will sometimes accept Canadian or Mexican places, but prefer US destinations.
The lead sentence should attract the reader, but you are warned not to over describe. When describing a place, remember that RV access into the campground as well as into sites is important. (If the readers cannot use the campground, the magazine cannot use the article). Directions to the area should be specific, as should be the access road conditions, gravel, paved, etc. Some history of the area, why a campground was built here in the first place, is an added bonus. Photographs of the campground should feature the campers, the activities and the campground in general.
2. Activity Articles. These should be in line with the reader's interest. Surveys show that the Motorhome and Trailer Life audiences are both 60ish, affluent and spend a lot of time on the road. They like sightseeing, fishing and boating, and social events. Highways readers enjoy travel and social events, and currently this magazine is the number 1 reason people join the Good Sam Club. Activities which such an audience will enjoy do not, according to Bob Livingston, editor for Motorhome, include white water kayaking and skydiving. Bungee jumping is probably also out!
3. Personalities found on the road. Not the rock star whose bus turns up unexpectedly one evening, but a local "crazy", or one with a strong RV connection. Bob's example was the man who travels around the country tuning pianos. He drives into a town, camps in the local park with a large sign on his trailer, and goes to work.!
4. RV Maintenance and Do-it-yourself articles. Many of these are done "in-house", but they are always looking for something new. While the above 3 topics will require color photos, for these black and white is the best. Ample illustrations must accompany these articles.
The rates for this free lance work range from $400-$600 for a major travel article to $75 for a spot photo. While it was not specifically discussed, we would assume that a free lance writer for these publications would be well advised to contact the magazine first, with regards to topic and length.
Tomorrow looks like another very busy day. Stay tuned!
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