BATW GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

General members are professional WORKING travel writers, photographers, and broadcasters WHO ARE PUBLISHED. BATW provides members with professional development and networking opportunities, access to fascinating venues and press trips, and the opportunity to meet and form lasting friendships with other working travel journalists.

Here are the benefits of BATW membership:

 

BATW provides members with professional development and networking opportunities, access to newsworthy venues and press trips, and the opportunity to collaborate and develop friendships with other working travel journalists.

Membership benefits include:

• Monthly Meetings and educational panels. In 2023, professional development meetings will include: learning new writing, videography, photography, podcasting, social media skills and meetings with editors who are hiring freelancers. Some of these meetings will be on Zoom and others will be hosted events at newsworthy Bay Area venues.
• Opportunity to publish in BATW Travel Magazine and BATW Anthologies. Authors may submit books for purchase on the Marketplace on BATW.org.
• Networking with fellow travel journalists and editors, as well as opportunities to work with over 25 PR and destination members of BATW like Switzerland Tourism. Recent member collaborations include sharing book deals, using member photos for pub lished feature pieces and contract work with PR partners like [W]right on Communication’s https://www.explorebetter.com/.
• Hosted Press Trips (for general members)
• BATW’s Facebook group for informal research and discussion
• Press Credential (for general members)

 

Requirements for General Membership

During the twelve months immediately preceding application, applicants for General membership must have achieved publication under one of the following minimum criteria of (or an equivalent combination):

Printed Consumer or Trade Publication: Two feature travel articles (at least 800 words each) or five short travel articles (minimum 300 words each) or 10 travel photographs.  Also acceptable is a combination of articles and photographs that, in the opinion of the BATW Board, meet the requirements.

 Printed Travel Books: One published travel book or published travel book revision (minimum 15,000 words.)

 EBooks:  One travel eBook (minimum 15,000 words) published as print-on-demand or in digital format viewable on an electronic reading device.

 Travel Apps: A published travel app (minimum 200 entries.)

Travel Broadcast: Host or correspondent with a minimum of 120 minutes on-air time.

Web Articles: A minimum of two feature travel articles (at least 800 words each or five short travel articles (minimum 300 words each) or 20 travel photographs. Also acceptable is a combination of articles and photographs that in the opinion of the BATW Board, meet the requirements. The work must be editorial in nature.

Self-published (applicant owned) Travel Websites or blogs will be considered  if they are editorial in nature, devoted to travel publication and contain informative and independent editorial content that is clearly separate from advertising and advertorials.  For the previous 12 months, should contain a minimum of two feature travel articles (at least 800 words each) or five short travel articles (minimum 300 words each) or 10 travel photographs.  Also acceptable is a combination of articles and photographs that, in the opinion of the BATW Board, meet the requirements.

Travel Photography: As noted above, ten photos published in at least two different editions of any of the above media, or in one travel book.  A travel-themed exhibition in a professional art gallery may qualify as one publication.

Travel Videos:  New category. Five travel videos with a minimum duration of 30 seconds published on YouTube or a similarly accredited medium.

Other Media Forums:  The BATW Board recognizes that it is not always easy or sensible to quantify earnest, innovative and quality efforts in travel publication.  For that reason, the Board is willing to consider works in other existing media and forums, including teaching, public presentations and exhibitions, as well as in other formats that may develop In the future.

Social Media:  New category. Because of the rise of Social Media in communications, BATW recognizes the value of members’ publication on various social media platforms and encourages and welcomes the use of these platforms. Activity on same can be counted toward qualification if it is substantial, editorial and in conjunction with publication in other forms of media as delineated above.

When filling out your application form, we ask that you:

1. Provide, for each publication or broadcast listed to fulfill the membership requirements, the title/date the material appeared, the nature of the publication, audited circulation figures for the publication, approximate number of words in the article, and the editor’s name and contact information.
2. Agree to abide by BATW Professional Conduct Guidelines.

Dues: Annual dues of $110 per calendar year plus a one-time $25 application fee. A “non-resident” discount on membership dues of 50% will be offered to general members residing more than 150 miles from San Francisco. 

To apply, use the online application form.

More information and answers to frequently asked questions are on the FAQ page.

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BECOME A EDITOR MEMBER

We have also created a category for Editors who work full time or part time editing travel articles for publications with a circulation of at least 10,000. Part time work will be considered at the Board’s discretion. Editors of our BATW magazine will be given partial credit towards a credential.

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BECOME A PROVISIONAL MEMBER

Applicants who aspire to General Membership–but who do not meet the requirements–may apply for Provisional Membership status; they are allowed two years to meet General Membership requirements.

Same benefits as General members, with exception of press card and working press trips

Requirements for Provisional Membership

Applicants for provisional membership must meet the following minimum criteria:

• A serious interest in achieving professional status as a travel writer and/or travel photographer
• A commitment to attend a minimum of three meetings per year
• A commitment to attain Active Membership status within two years
• Agreement to abide by BATW Professional Conduct Guidelines.
• With your application for Provisional membership, please include a 300-word personal essay that indicates why you want to join BATW; what experience you have to date with travel writing and/or travel photography; and your goals regarding travel writing/travel photography.

Dues: Annual dues of $110 per calendar year plus a one-time $25 application fee. 

To apply, use the online application form.

More information and answers to frequently asked questions are on the FAQ page.

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BECOME A STUDENT MEMBER

Same benefits as General members, with exception of press card and working press trips

 

Requirements for Student Membership

Applicants for student membership must meet the following minimum criteria:

• A serious interest in achieving professional status as a travel writer and/or travel photographer
• Agreement to abide by BATW Professional Conduct Guidelines.
• With your application for Student membership, please include a 300-word personal essay that indicates why you want to join BATW; what experience you have to date with travel writing and/or travel photography; and your goals regarding travel writing/travel photography.

Dues: Annual dues of $50 per calendar year plus a one-time $25 application fee.

To apply, use the online application form.

More information and answers to frequently asked questions are on the FAQ page.