Laurie McAndish King May 18th, 2007
From Jeanne > Gayle > Itinerants (4/24/07)
Here’s the protocol for getting stories assigned, filed, photographed and paid. At the end is a recap of the format for the actual story itself.
1. Assigning: Travel Editor Jeanne Cooper (jcooper@sfchronicle.com, 415-777-8022) will coordinate which hotels get covered, along with the Pink’s Destinations feature and Travel’s “California & the West” centerpiece, so pitches should be made to her. Regions (within a 4-hour drive) and average rates (up to $400 a night, but normally in the $100-$300 range) should vary week to week. She will assign the story to a specific publication date and enter it on 96 Hours and Travel budgets.
2. Filing: Using the “short intro+ numbered highlights + vitals box” format (below), writers should email a Word version of the story to Jeanne 2 weeks in advance of publication. She will put it into CCI, do a source edit and alert 96 Hours Editor Simar Khanna that it’s in Copy Editor.
3. Photos: Based on what the writer singled out in the highlights portion of the story, and with information from the vitals box, Jeanne will put in a photo assignment. Choice of photos once taken or received will be up to Simar and photo editor.
4. Getting paid: At the time writers file their story, they need to fax or hand-deliver Jeanne a copy of their hotel receipt (the credit card # may be blacked out), which she will keep on file. After the story has been published, non-staff freelancers should e-mail Deputy Travel Editor Christine Delsol at travel@sfchronicle.com with their name, Social Security number, home address, hotel name, date of publication and page number, and the amount of $300; put “Attn Christine Delsol: 96 Hours Invoice” on the subject line.
STORY FORMAT
A one-paragraph introduction on why to go there, what makes the place stand out, and the general style, followed by a set list of highlights and a box with vitals: Name, address, phone(s), Web site, number of rooms (include number of wheelchair-access rooms in parens), and typical rates for double rooms (give weekend and weekday rates if there’s a big disparity; also check hotel Web site to see if online rates are significantly less – if so, those should be noted). Please note if there are regularly two-night (or greater) minimum stays and/or no-children policies.
The standard highlight categories are:
1. COMFORT ZONE: Was the stay comfortable?
Quality of the bed (mattress and linens), room furniture, noise, lighting, size of room, room temperature
2. BATH AND BEYOND: What was the bathroom like?
description, quality of toiletries and towels, are robes offered?
3. GROUNDS FOR APPROVAL: How were the grounds/facilities?
Is there a spa, garden, exercise room, on-site restaurant?
4. GEARED UP: What gizmos are available?
Electronics TV, alarm clock, CD player, ipod. Wi-Fi? Mini bar?
5. IN THE VICINITY: What’s there to do nearby?
6. GOOD TO KNOW: Best seasons to visit, dates to avoid, are pets allowed? Good for kids?
7. HIGHS AND LOWS: What was best/worst part of stay, in a way that sums up the trip for the reader?
To help answer those questions, use the hotel/property check list:
1. Size of room
2. How are the grounds?
3. What’s the property’s main selling point?
4. What’s the general style? Modern? Romantic? Victorian?
5. When was the last time the place was renovated? Does it need renovation?
6. What is the bathroom like? Enough counter space? Shower/tub?
7. Toiletries: What brands are used? What quantity is offered? Are there any extras?
8. Linens: How is the quality?
9. Was the room noisy?
10 What electronics are offered? Is there an iPod plug, Wi-Fi?
11. Is the place clean? Spots on the carpet? Odor?
12. How was the quality of the bed?
13. Is breakfast included in the rate?
14. Is there room service?
15. Is parking free? If not, how much?
16. How’s the mini bar? Are you allowed to remove items from the minibar and put in your own item?
17. How’s the bed?
18. Is there a reading light by the bed?
19. Check in/Check out time?
20. Are there restrictions on the stay, such as 2-night minimum?
21. Did the hotel offer any goodies – gift basket? fruit in room? glass of wine at check in?