tl;dr Map Happy’s focus is on how to travel, and centers around the process of travel.
Read more about:
Please note we try to respond to all pitches within the week.
Last updated: October 2023
Thank you for the interest! The best way for you to get a sense of our tone is to read our site.
Please also check to see if we’ve already covered the idea you’re about to pitch—the top reason we turn down pitches is because we’ve published similar pieces in the past (the search function is exceptionally good for this!).
The only exception to this if you have a completely fresh take on a previously published piece, or are there significant new pieces of information since last publication.
Our focus is on in-depth, original work (quality over quantity; this is especially important as we only publish 4-8 times a month!).
Map Happy’s focus is on how to travel, and centers around the process of travel. Therefore, typical story ideas that highlight aspects of a certain place aren’t a great fit for us.
Please submit pitches only, not entire pre-written articles. Once the pitch is approved, we will work with you to develop the piece.
PITCHING FORMAT
Pitches are accepted on a rolling basis. For the best chance of acceptance, please submit 2-4 story ideas.
Please include in the pitch
- A working headline (hed): This will give us a sense of the story’s tone and angle.
- A brief description: What will the story cover, how will it be framed, and what questions are you hoping to answer? a few sentences on what inspired the piece (a trend? a study?) and how you are conceptualizing it is important. (This paragraph length is perfect.)
If we have never worked together before
Please include a line or two about who you are, and 1-2 links to previously published works (not portfolio).
STORY TOPICS
Looking for stories on
adventure, outdoor, hotels, cruising, road tripping, family travel, travel health
Commonly accepted | Rarely accepted |
|
|
Country/state guides are only accepted if you have been to the destination for a substantive amount of time and have been around multiple regions and/or in collaboration with a tourism board. Please see this example: https://maphappy.org/the-essential-portugal-travel-guide/
OTHER POLICIES
Rates
Standard rates are noted as a reference point below; accordingly, all rates are subject to editor discretion and negotiation.
$200+; Kill fee: 40% (rate negotiated when we approve)
If you help us negotiate a campaign with a brand or organization (usually the marketing managers alongside the PR person) you will receive 10% of the campaign fee as a finder’s fee.
Payment
Payment is usually only issued after publication, usually within one to two months.
(The invoice must meet the payroll deadline, by the 15th of each month, or it will be rolled over to the following pay period for a net 45 schedule. Sometimes payments are issued earlier, but not always.)
Syndication
Contributing to us gives us the full rights to have another publication syndicate your work. In the past, we have had partnerships with Quartz, Insider and others, allowing your byline to be featured in other places.
This depends on our relationship with the publication; if so, you will be contacted in advance/after.
Please note we have been moving away from this as of late, but remains a potential opportunity for exposure in the future.