Unlocking Hidden Adventures: How I Trade Freelance Clips for Unforgettable Real-World Experiences
Early in my freelance career, I was so focused on decent paychecks and I thought that was as good as it could get. I had two main goals: to get bylines so that everyone could read my work, and to have financial security. I’ve been freelancing for a long time but it wasn’t until late last year that I realized I could use my writing to unlock real-world experiences. I discovered a freelance perk most writers don’t know about – media inquiries. Best of all? If you do land an article assignment based on your experience, the magazine will likely pay you for your writing after you’ve received free experiences!
What Are Media Inquiries?
Also referred to as media comps, a media inquiry is when a freelance writer requests a free service, product, event pass, or travel experiences from brands, organizations, or PR firms in exchange for potential media coverage. In a nutshell, it’s receiving free access to an experience. This coverage could be an article that features the brand, a link back to them on your blog or popular website, or pitching a story to an editor that ties into the experience.
