I used to have a little blurb on my “about” page that read something like this:
Freelance technical writing pays my bills. In between gigs, I submit stories to travel, culture and outdoors publications in hopes that one day, Conde Nast will call.
Today was that day. This morning, at about 9am, Conde Nast called.
This is a story of Web 2.0. If you don’t get what technology can do for you, pay attention, because this is a really good example.
About three or four months ago I caved and signed on to Twitter. (What’s Twitter?) I didn’t get it right away, but a bunch of my imaginary Internet friends were talking about how great it is and I figured I’d try it out. After the first few weeks of reading what people were having for breakfast and what they saw on TV three minutes ago, I trimmed my followers down to people I know, would like to know, or those who work in or are all hopped up about travel. A HA! All of a sudden, it was like having a live news feed of (mostly) travel related goodness from people who shared my priorities. Nice. (I’m way behind on dealing with new followers. Sorry and thanks.)
One of the guys I “know” from Twitter mentioned how he had a Gnomedex pass he couldn’t use and was willing to let go for half price. I thought Gnomedex sounded cool (it was) and, hey, it was here in Seattle. The guy, Elliot Ng, one of the founders of Uptake, a travel search engine, said he’d be happy to let me buy the pass and would I write a post for their blog? You betcha. I’d be delighted.
So there I was at Gnomedex, writing about it on Twitter, and all my travel contacts were seeing that stuff. Including Wendy Perrin from Conde Nast. She seemed to think I had a lot of interesting and exciting things to say, which is no small compliment when you consider that Twitter restrains you to a 140 character format. She liked my coverage so much that she passed my name along to the PR person for an upcoming Conde Nast hosted event.
That’s when the phone rang. “Wendy loved your writing about that tech conference you attended,” said the nice gal from Conde Nast. We were wondering if you’d be interested in coming to New York and writing about the World Savers Conference for our site?” The WSC is a Conde Nast sponsored event that recognizes good work being done by travel organizations – superior environmental groups, cultural groups, that sort of thing.
Whoa. Conde Nast is on the phone asking me if they can fly me to NYC, put me up in midtown, send me to a super cool travel event, and hey, would I write about it for them? Whoa. Also this: Um, yes please.
I’m a little bit dizzy with the wonderfulness of it. And I’m feeling like giving the Internet a great big hug because wow, it does an incredible job of connecting the dots. Watch this space and, um, Conde Nast Traveler (heh, I’m cracking up a little bit as I write that) for Nerd’s Eye View updates from the World Savers Conference in midtown Manhattan.
Sidenotes: I’d just scheduled the travelbloggers meetup for that exact same day. Luckily, the generous and bloggy Debbie of Delicious Baby is going to step in. You should still email me for an eVite – not only because the nice folks at Holt have given me a few copies of some travel lit to give away in a drawing – but because travelbloggers? They’re good people. You should meet them.
Also, it’s not too late to get a freebie for the Adventure Travel Show this weekend. Email me if you want the link/code for that, too.
I couldn’t be more delighted for you! Congratulations.
Great news, Pam! One thing does seem to lead…eventually…to another in this random web universe. Have a blast! I’ll be tuning in. 🙂
Congratulations and have a great time in NYC.
WOW! WOW! WOW!
Thrilled, but not surprised. It was only a matter of time before this happened. Congratulations and you deserve this, P-Nerd!
(Wendy Perrin!’Been reading her for what seems like years!)
That is amazing, congratulations!!
WOW! OMG! Congrats! I can’t think of a better person to get this!
What date will you be there? We are flying into NYC at the end of October to meet the disadvantaged school kids that will be traveling with us through the non profit Reach the World!
Odds are probably against it, but it would be funny if we were in NYC at the same time. 😉
This part of the internet in Sweden ( & I bet everywhere else as well) sends big cyberhugs back to you!! Bask in this glory. 😉
Congratulations Pam!! How exciting! Will definitely be following your coverage
Cheers
Wonderful news, and well-deserved. Congratulations! I have resisted Twitter mightily. I may have to rethink!
Condé Nast! No small potatoes that!
You deserve every little bit of praise and paid travel that comes your way. What a great story. Glad it happened to you.
Woo-hoo! That is most excellent news. I’ve also been resisting Twitter for a while — oh c’mon, *another* Pavlovian techno-time-waster?? — but this lil’ success story just may make me a convert. Congrats!!
Wow Pam! That’s an excellent opportunity you gained with talent ans twitter! I’ve been contemplating twitter as well but it just seems like another time suck. You’ve really proved a convincing case here. Thanks for sharing the info.
Wow, Pam! That’s fantastic. How exciting!!! 🙂
Congrats!
My mantra is “If you dream it, it can happen.”
Congrats on this dreamy event in your life!
WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! Congratulations!
The “Law of Unexpected Consequences” strikes again. Congratulations!
Congrats, Pam! Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving writer. So there, National Geographic!
Pam,
I am so happy for you! As Toddie said, there is no one who deserves it more. If you have some free time when you are in New York, I would love to see you.
Suzanne
So what do Conde Naste propose to pay you for your article?
Or not. . .
You might want to consult with professional writers about copyright issues etc.
Way to go, Pam!
Wow! Pam, you’ve worked hard and you deserve this New York gig. I am so happy for you.
This is FANTASTIC! Can I be your roadie? I can carry all your notebooks and open cab doors for ya.
Enjoy the Big Apple, Pam!
Well, happy Friday to you! That is fantastic.
I’m so excited for you. Congratulations.
Look out New York. Here she comes.
The cream rises to the top! Remember the little people…
@WhoCares: I’m unlikely to completely disclose the final terms of the contract because they’re between me and CN Traveler, but thanks for your concern and advice.
@Everyone else: If it was up to me, you could all come with me.
This is the happiest post I’ve read in quite a while. I’m grinning! Congrats, Pam, you deserve it.
Best Gnomedex Success Story EVER! 😀
Congratulations!!!!!
I just saw Chris Pirillo’s tweet about you and stopped by to say Congratulations. Impressive accomplishment and a great story about how to use Twitter!
That is awesome. Congratulations, Pam!
Congratulations and continued success!
Congrats Pam, I’ll be ‘following’ you there…
The needle is shifting and the world is starting to “get it” about Web 2.0/social media. It’s just meeting people, but in a new way, and if you’re solid then good things happen.
Opportunity meets preparation, and all that.
Congrats, Pam!
congrats, pam! awesome news!!
That’s awesome, Pam! I keep floundering back and forth between whether Twitter is worthwhile or a waste of time. I think I’ll stick with it a bit longer. 🙂
Hooray for the Internet!
Congrats, Pam!
Pam! I was working with Wendy on the NYC Travel 2.0 Tweetup we’re having next week 9/16 and she talked about the World Savers Congress. I asked if I could go too and got accepted! Except since I’m paying my own way and will be staying at a 2* hotel by the Newark Airport, just between us girls. Queen Rania doesn’t need to know about my frugal travel arrangements. 😉 Looking forward 2 seeing u there!
Brilliant. Can you hear me cheering from New Zealand….
This reminds me of that line in that Kevin Costner baseball movie – ‘if you build it, they will come.’
well, you dreamed it and it’s happening!!!
Congratulations, Pam! Love it when someone puts the dream out there and it comes true!
Yippe – nice goin’ gal. But, wait… we’ll miss you at the meetup 🙁
No one ever had a doubt you’d get there one day, Pam.
Am I wrong to take away the lesson, “When courting Conde Nast, be sure to mention robots”? 🙂
P.S. Did you take the background photo on your Twitter page?
@poet… the robot pitch. it’s the new thing. and yes, that photo is mine, it’s an exterior wall in Hanoi’s old quarter.
That is soooooooo beyond exciting!!!! Congrats! And think, we can say we knew you “way back when.” 😉
Love it! Many congrats!
I’m quite new to blogging myself, but it’s already evident to me that there are far more possibilities than I ever dreamed. I’ve become so frustrated with my print clients and the lack of good work in our local markets for freelancers…that was the reason I decided to explore the idea of blogging. Stories like yours are encouraging and exciting.
Think I’ll stick with it for a while!
Have a great time in NYC.
Congratulations Pam! Terrific news!
Sorry I’m late to the party, but congrats! Can’t wait to hear about it.
I love this story! Not that you need any more accolades this week, but I just passed on the diamond award if you’re interested.
Congrats again!
Way to go Pam! If you want any local knowledge about a decent place to eat (not that there is a shortage here) or anything else don’t hesitate to drop me a line. It’s supposed to be gorgeous weather wise this week so when you aren’t twittering and schmoozing hope you get a little time to wander the city. Enjoy!
Just read about this on a “twitter” discussion at travelwriters.com. Congratulations Pam, well deserved.
Hi Pam,
I’d just signed up on twitter when your posts from the wsc started coming through. It was fascinating.
Congrats! What incredible news for you! Bravo!