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2009 in Review - My Favorite Travels.com Articles
2009 in Review - My Favorite Travels.com Articles
Posted by Anna R | December 14, 2009 | Comments (1)
As 2009 comes to a close, we asked the editorial team to tell us which of your articles and videos from the past year inspired them.
It was super-difficult for me to pick my favorites on Travels.com, because we’ve had such a range of good articles since we launched earlier this year. I ended up choosing three that illustrate what I consider the gold standard … and also included tips on how you can follow these writers’ leads in the new year.
Best Pizza in the USA
Who Wrote It:
What I Like About It:
Subjective titles like these sometimes fall flat because the writer doesn’t go far enough to explain why his/her choices are the best. The writer in this case included great research, pulled a quote from a respected pizza blog (I feel ridiculous writing the phrase “respected pizza blog," P.S.), and sprinkled in enough inside information (how to get a table, the price range, the owners’ names) to give the choices the necessary authority and credibility.
The list resounded with readers, too – when we featured this article on Yahoo! Shine, it received a whopping 84 comments.
How You Can Copy It:
Cite your research. There’s no reason you can’t include a reference to an outside list like this one from the GQ food and wine critic, or even a quotation from a credible blog. It’s an extra step, but not a huge one, especially if you are using the list as a resource or reference… and it instantly adds a veneer of trustworthiness to your article.
Cover a wide range of information. The writer included pizza places from every part of the United States, and made sure every style of pizza was represented, from thin crust to deep-dish. Giving a range of options makes the list more well-rounded and thus a more entertaining read.
Include more options when needed. As a former freelancer, I know how hard it is to strike that balance between quality and quantity. But including four places instead of three brought this list from good to great. Every list you write won’t necessarily need you to go the extra mile, but for an article you know will benefit, going above the minimum will make the piece something you can truly be proud of (and will get the attention of editors looking for writers for special projects, too).
How to Sleep in an Airport
Who Wrote It:
What I Like About It:
I’ve never slept in an airport before, but like the best how-to articles, this piece makes bedding down at the gate something I could do with confidence in the future. The information is useful and relevant, the voice is trustworthy and authoritative, and the list includes ideas I might not have thought of on my own, like tying the straps of my luggage to an anchored chair for protection.
How You Can Copy It:
Include surprising, unconventional points. I didn’t know that some airports have beds where travelers can sleep, nor did I know that some airports will set up cots that anyone can use. That kind of insider information will be invaluable if I ever find myself stuck at an airport overnight.
Start each step with an actionable verb. This article illustrates why this is a requirement of the How To format. Each step’s first sentence – “Confirm your flight details,” “Inquire about sleeping facilities at the airport,” “Hide your valuables” – sums up the step and can stand on its own. This approach makes the article significantly more skimmable (an unfortunate consideration with online content).
Maintain an authoritative, professional tone. Even if some of the information borders on pedestrian – such as Step 6, “Change into the most comfortable clothes you have, wash your face and brush your teeth. Remove your shoes and roll up some clothes to use as a pillow.” – the rest of the article’s useful advice elevates this information to professional.
Fun Facts for Kids About Mexico
Who Wrote It:
What I Like About It:
This was a vague title for Travels, no doubt about it, and this could have gone the way of many fact sheets and become a collection of facts unrelated to travel. In this case, the writer understood that the title’s subtext was “Fun Facts for Kids Going to Mexico” and wrote a well-researched, compelling article full of great information for kids and adults.
I love little above-and-beyond touches like the pronunciation guide (“"xocoatl" (so-koh-attel)”) and the mini-language lesson at the end. (“Like many Spanish words, the name of the hat contains a clue to its function, hence, a "sombrero" is designed to give the wearer some "sombra"--shade. And a vaquero? He herds "vacas"--cows.)
How You Can Copy It:
Focus your facts around travel. This article contains a lot of essential information about Mexican culture, but it’s all information that’s relevant to a person traveling with kids. From the best things to eat (hot chocolate and popsicles), to what to do and see (buy lucha libre masks, catch the butterfly migration), this article not only gives a peek into Mexican culture for the armchair traveler, but also makes me want to go there.
Make your bio as professional as possible. I know I can trust the writer’s information about Mexico because they have been a successful travel writer for more than 25 years, and have written two guidebooks. (Note: A step further would be that they could include information specific to travel in Mexico, if relevant.)
Set up your main points in your introduction. The first few sentences set up the rest of the article, while the last sentence puts the information into perspective. (“Even an ordinary event--like eating a Popsicle--can be an eye-opening experience, while a special occasion--a fiesta with a spectacular fireworks display--can create unique memories for the whole family.”)
NB429
Dec 15, 11:43 AM
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