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Travel Portland Seeks Writers

Apply to Travel Portland if you’d like to write stories that capture the complexity and diversity that makes Portland a city worth visiting.

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Editor’s note: The hiring process has ended for 2022–2023; we will update this page when these positions reopen.

Travel Portland is seeking writers to create intriguing and entertaining written and multimedia content for our website. We want to learn from and support creators who know and care about what’s going on in our vibrant neighborhoods and who want to share the stories of the people and businesses that make Portland a culturally rich destination.

Our Vision and Values

In keeping with our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, Travel Portland’s content vision helps visitors go beyond recreation and into reflection. Through our content, travelers better understand the city’s complex and diverse histories, politics, movements and cultures, while enjoying and supporting its vibrant and resilient communities.

The Travel Portland Content Team endeavors to continue learning and remain accountable to our values. Our content represents a diversity of stories, perspectives and voices. We seek collaboration from our creators and strive to cultivate a genuinely welcoming atmosphere in Portland. It’s our responsibility to create equitable opportunities within our community as we carry out our mission of generating travel demand through content.

FAQ

Are you accepting applications from writers outside of Portland?

We expect our writers to be local to Portland neighborhoods or the Portland region.

For the application, could we write a short sample of writing based on something around Portland, or should it only be published work?

Writing samples are accepted and can be uploaded via the application. We’re looking to understand your writing style, interests, and familiarity with creating written content for a general audience.

Are writers considered independent contractors, and if so, would all content belong to Travel Portland as work for hire?

All writers are considered independent contractors but retain the rights to their work.

Will my expenses be covered?

In addition to the compensation range, Travel Portland will also cover any expenses related to the production of written pieces, like the food at the restaurant you’re writing about or tickets to an event you’re covering.

Who is the Travel Portland target audience? 

Writers should aim to reach a general audience interested in traveling to Portland. They can be old, young, have families, be married or single just as long as they’re interested in experiencing the City of Roses.

If we provide photos and videos, are we expected to edit the content as well or is providing raw content enough?

We expect photos intended as supplemental assets for a published piece to be ready to publish, meaning no edits to the photos are necessary. For short-form video or audio submitted as supplemental assets to be used on our social media platforms, raw footage/content is acceptable.

Can we submit multiple pitches (i.e., music-related and lifestyle) or is each hired writer expected to stick to a specific topic?

Multiple pitches covering a variety of topics are welcome. Writers are expected to cover topics they are passionate about and interested in. We will never pigeonhole our writers or expect them to stick to only one subject or “beat.”

Would recorded interviews (audio only/ podcast style) also be acceptable as an additional media component to an article pitch?

Yes, definitely!

I’m personally not eating in public for the foreseeable future— Is that a deal breaker for coverage?

This is not a deal breaker. We have a wide variety of content needs outside of the food scene in Portland that we need help with, and these story needs can be an option for writers who cannot eat in public.

What’s the typical turnaround time for a piece after it’s assigned?

Your time is valuable so we’ll treat it as such! We expect a piece to be published within 4-6 weeks after it’s assigned. Our writers’ primary point of contact, Paola Santiago, will endeavor to get feedback and edits back to writers as quickly as possible, within as few rounds of editing as possible.

What day and time are monthly pitch meetings held?

Our monthly pitch meetings will be held at a time that is convenient for all contracted writers. If you miss a meeting or can’t attend, you can connect with your primary contact, Paola Santiago, and coordinate assignments through email, phone call, or virtual meeting.

Writer Responsibilities

  • Crafting copy that is original and well-researched.
  • Each month, pitching new content ideas or accepting assignments via monthly virtual meetings that further Travel Portland’s content objectives.
  • Submitting completed assignments in the requisite document format and on deadline.
  • Tailoring your writing style to meet the needs of our target audiences and our editorial guidelines.
  • Liaising with staff to ensure that your content attracts maximum reader engagement.

Compensation

  • $1,000 to $1,500 per 800-1,200 word article.
    • We will assign each writer one article per month during the three-month contract period.
      • Additional opportunities may be available, depending on editorial load and budget.
    • Creators who can supplement their stories with photos or videos will receive the upper range of compensation.
  • A renewable three-month contract.
  • Support and collaboration, including:
    • Editorial guidance and input from brief to publication
    • Quarterly networking opportunities with other creators
    • Promotion of published articles via social media and/or advertisement
    • Acknowledgment and celebration of writer’s accomplishments

Content Examples

These are the types of articles we’d like our new writers to help us produce more of:

Application Process and Schedule

  • Application announcement: Nov. 1, 2022
  • Info session: View the recorded session
  • Application reviews begin: Nov. 9, 2022
  • Application period closes: Nov. 30, 2022
  • 15-minute phone interviews for finalists: Rolling
  • Offers and contracts for work beginning January 2023: Dec. 15, 2022

APPLICATION PERIOD NOW CLOSED.

  1. Every application will be reviewed by our content team.
  2. Finalists will be emailed for a 15-minute interview via phone or Zoom.
  3. Application reviews begin Nov. 9, 2022. The application deadline is Nov. 30, 2022.
  4. Offers and contracts will be sent the week of Dec. 15. The contracts will be for work from Jan. 1–April 30, 2023.

Have questions? Email us at content@travelportland.com. Frequently asked questions will be added to the FAQ section as we receive them.

Watch Our Live Info Session

Want to learn more? Check out the recording below of our live info session, where we answer questions and go into more detail about the opportunity, compensation, and editorial process.

More About Travel Portland

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Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At Travel Portland, we hold ourselves accountable for making equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) more than just words. Learn about our commitment, strategic priorities, values and more.

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Content Equity at Travel Portland

Travel Portland’s content brings our organizational vision to life by centering equity, diversity and inclusion.

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Travel Portland Editorial Practices

Learn how Travel Portland determines the content of our articles and other editorial pieces, how your business can be represented on this site, and how Travel Portland works to drive traffic to local business websites.