3/25 - Deb Berry Summary, Joseph Callahan (Kate Monohan)

Speaker Deb Berry
Notes by Joe Callahan
Discussion Leader: Amy Lockmiller

Deb Berry provided the class with an overview of what it’s like to be a free lancing travel writer, with two kids and an inconsistent income. Deb talked about how Lake Winnipesaukee is different in the winter and the summer, how Kansas is an underrated tourist destination, and why travel writing can be a hassle sometimes. However the key points of her presentation were clear: free lancing is becoming more and difficult. Our discussion focused on the main challenges facing a free lancing writer, specifically a free lancing travel writer.

The first point of discussion Mary brought up was about trusting major corporations who own magazines. Can we trust that a major corporation, such as Disney, will print fair and accurate stories? The consensus among the class was that it depends. One student thought it would be up to the reader to make the decision to trust the publication or not. Another student said that readers would just blindly follow the publication, not questioning where the material came from. Major corporations and the pressure they put on writers was a common topic in the take-away cards, which are summarized in the final paragraphs.

Mary then asked the question: Would it damage Deb’s credibility if she wrote about the ‘behind the scenes’ of her travel reporting on her blog? This question seemed to have an obvious answer. Only two students answered, both thought it would damage her credibility and be a detriment to her career as a freelancer.

The third question dealt with whether it was ethical to promote the names of the lodges, hotels and spas that Deb stays in. Obviously, it is necessary to give the name of a hotel or spa if the reporter is writing a review. But is it necessary when Deb writes for the New Hampshire guidebook? Should she give the names of each restaurant she went to? Or should she just describe the type of activities available to tourists in the state?

One student brought up a great point about the main difference between the summer and winter Lake Winnipesaukee stories. He said the winter story was the better of the two because it did not name names; it simply described the activities and destinations in the area. A review can name names, but a publication such as a guidebook may just be free advertising for a local company.

The fourth question garnered the most responses. Mary asked whether it was acceptable for the magazine to dictate what Deb could and could not wear on television. The overwhelming consensus was that it is a very necessary part of the job. One student pointed out that image is everything when it comes to credibility. The magazine doesn’t want someone representing them to go on television and distort their image. Another student pointed out that it was important to note that Deb was on television representing the magazine, not Deb Berry the person.

Not only is the magazine’s credibility affected by Deb appearing on television, its business is affected as well. If Deb were to wear a black shirt and dark makeup, one student said, then it would negatively affect the magazine’s business. Readers would view the magazine in a negative light. And in the journalism business, credibility is vital to any publication’s relationship with readers.

The last two questions were similar, both focused on whether it was realistic to free lance during a time when newspapers are suffering financially. The first of the two questions dealt with whether it is realistic for Deb to continue to pay for her family during her trips if she didn’t have a spouse with a steady income. Because pay for free lancers is not good, one student said, Deb couldn’t pay for her kids on her inconsistent income alone. Free lancers need another source of income. A second job and a spouse’s income were two solutions brought up in our discussion.

The final question specifically dealt with the business-side of free lancers. Should newspapers and publications continue to pay free lancers for their stories? One student brought up a great point that free lancers will become “one man bands” and potentially could make more money that way. Two students brought up similar points that newspapers and magazines may turn to free lancers to save money. As reporting jobs continue to disappear, publications may decide it’s best to cut reporting jobs and increase the number of free lancer stories they publish.

One student brought up a point that may be the most realistic future for free lancers. Reporters and writers may stay away from free lancing because it demands a lot of time and travel. Also, it isn’t worth the little money free lancers earn per story, or per word. Free lancing may soon become extinct because newspapers and magazines simply can’t afford to continue to pay them.

The take-away cards covered a lot of topics from Deb’s presentation. There were three common points among the cards; conflict of interest, money/time and how they affect free lancing/travel writing, and the ethics of writing among corporate influence.

The most common of the three points dealt with conflict of interest. Steven said that it’s tough to remain objective after staying in a place that pampered you for the night. Chase also wrote about conflict of interest. He said there is a heightened potential for conflict of interest when television appearances serve as free advertising for the magazine and magazine articles serve as free promotion for the destinations. I wrote travel writers must be careful not to get caught up in all of the “freebies.” It could lead to biased reporting.

Alex and Mike both wrote about expenses and time and how they affect free lance writing, specifically travel writing. Mike said writers are forced to stay at places that will pay for their expenses because money is tight. Alex said if writers were given more time to write the articles and more money to travel, then more writers could break into the free lancing business.

There were two sides to the ethics topic; some students thought Deb handled her ethics well and some students thought she did not. One student wrote Deb maintained her ethics in an economy where thinking of your own personal gain is becoming more common. Scott wrote it is important to not obsess over the demands of a corporation. Amy thought Deb’s “it is what it is” attitude about corporate pressure was surprising. Amy wonders if this is a reality aspiring writers will have to face upon entering the business.

Free lance writing, specifically travel writing, is a popular “dream job” for many journalists. Deb said she receives many emails from people who “would love to go to Florida and write about the hotels and restaurants there.” However, a publication can’t afford to take the chance on a writer with no credentials. This fact alone paints a troubling picture for the future of free lance writing.


Mike Northup – In an ideal world, the publisher would pay for all travel expenses, but since most can’t even afford to repay for mileage, then you are forced, as a writer, to find places that will subsidize your expenses.

Alexandra Sanders- It seems like not many people who have families or no second job are able to travel write. Ideally, pay and time would be better so more writers have the opportunity to break into this aspect of the business.

Chase Carnot- Television appearances are free advertising for the magazine. And the magazine stories are free promotion for the destinations. And corporate pressure is added under the guise of synergy. There’s a lot of potential for conflict of interest.

Stephen Ortiz- Travel journalism is tough – you’re pressured into writing about a place that just pampered you for a night, but still remaining objective.

Scott Powell – I thought Deb’s advice on not getting obsessed about the demands of a corporation, was good. It is important to not take criticism personal, rather use it to make your writing better. But what does that say about the advice from the Freedman reading suggesting to take chances and stand up for what you believe in- Stand your ground.
No name- It’s nice to see a journalist doing her own thing in today’s economy/world, yet still maintaining her ethics.

Amy Lockmiller- I was surprised about her “it is what it is” attitude about corporate sponsorship and corporate pressure. Is this a reality that we are just going to have to deal with?

Joe Callahan- Show imitative as a free lancer, but be ready to compromise. And credibility is just as key in free lancing as it is in newspaper reporting.

Shane Goodrich- Freelance writing can be an exciting career allowing a journalist to write about a variety of topics but allows no steady pay-check. Connections are very important.

Alyssa Carroll- It’s nice to see the flexibility of freelance writing, and to see how it can adapt with your lifestyle.

Emily Abbate- I was very surprised to hear that her average freelance piece only runs at about 350 words tops. The pieces I write are generally 1600 words!!

Rowan McInnes- I think its cool how Ms. Berry can involve her own family in her work by taking them with her to all the different pieces she writes about.