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One: A major airlines offered to comp my flights for my upcoming trip. We talked for a little while about how that would work. The airlines would provide free flights if I agreed to give them an exclusive listing as the carrier. I said I could not do that. They countered with a suggestion that I give them top billing. I said no again. What I actually said is this: Wow, I really want to lie to you about this because I’d love to not have to pay for my tickets, but I can’t do it. I paid for my plane tickets.<\/p>\n Two: A hotel chain offered me many nights stay in return for a guaranteed listing. I said no. I said that while I felt that their properties were actually a great match for my audience, I wasn’t comfortable committing to any kind of guarantee. Furthermore, the final editorial call isn’t mine and as such, I don’t have the authority to make the guarantee. They still expressed interest in having me as their guest.<\/p>\n Three: An activities organization released my name and contact info to their partners. I’ve been awash in invitations to go snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, more. One tour provider contacted me to see if I was interested in a specific activity. I said that I did not think we had the time but that I really liked the idea. I had two questions: how far in advance must I confirm if we can make the activity and would our participation be comped?<\/p>\n The provider responded with this:<\/p>\n I have to ask you, why are you asking for comps? I was a legitimate journalist for many years and never once asked for anything for free. Please let me know your reason for doing this and how you can do anything with integrity having received freebies??<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Travel writers have a tricky line to walk when it comes to the land of freebies. Smaller publications often don’t have the budget to give expense accounts to their writers, larger publishers may not provide it out of choice. I rarely meet a travel writer who doesn’t have a “day job.” I don’t know enough about the market to know who gives you a lush expense account and who doesn’t. I do know that the most I’ve been paid for an article is 750.00 and the least, 25.00 and that I’ve never had an expense account. I also know that the prestige of the publication doesn’t immediately translate to equally prestigious pay for writers. Finally, I know that a huge percentage of my pay for the trip I’m making is coming off my bottom line. I am very excited to make this trip, but I will make very little money on it.<\/p>\n I’ve written bad reviews and been blasted for them – often anonymously. I sometimes fear that I am biting the hand that feeds me when I do write criticism, but what’s the point in doing otherwise? The show was okay but I couldn’t recommend it, I liked that tour, but the guide was stiff and scripted, that no stink outdoor gear I tested smelled mighty funny after I’d been in it for a few days, the recipes in that cookbook weren’t things I’d want to cook at home. I hated that movie\/book so much I couldn’t sit through it. These are all things I’ve written after receiving comps. I’ve loved things, too, that hotel was truly incredible, that meal was to die for, I take that gear with me every where I go.<\/p>\n I’ve always thought of comps as a necessary evil. Plainly put, I could not do the work I do without leaning on the generosity of providers. PR agencies thrive on this. They contact me and want me to write about their calorie counter (no), their makeup company sponsored event (no), their stuff that’s supposed to protect your archived DVDs with all those photos from Italy on them (yes). I sort for relevance and personal interest, and then I say what I think. Taking comps gives me access to things I wouldn’t otherwise be able to experience, but I don’t think it immediately means I’m a shill.<\/p>\n I wish the provider had said, “I can’t comp you, but do try to join or give us a call if you just want to hear about what we do.”<\/p>\n How’s my integrity? What do you think?<\/p>\n Related<\/strong><\/p>\n shill: a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty. One: A major airlines offered to comp my flights for my upcoming trip. We talked for a little while about how that would work. The airlines would provide free flights if I agreed to give … <\/p>\n
\nshill<\/strong>: a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.<\/p>\n\n