Hello everyone!
Freelancing comes with its fair share of frustrations: chasing invoices, beating deadlines, and then pitching endlessly into the abyss that is an editor’s inbox. It’s enough to drive you mad…
In today’s newsletter, I’ll be sharing what happens when a writer does exactly that, featuring a rather public episode on LinkedIn recently. But first, are you a subscriber? If not, hit the button below to become a free member.
How to shoot down your career in one social post
Earlier this month a freelance writer’s post went viral on LinkedIn. Out of respect for the people involved, I won’t share it with you.
In their post, the writer shared a screenshot of an email they’d received from an editor responding to their pitch – with the editor’s details visible.
The tone of the editor’s email was polite and professional, but they weren’t giving the pitch an immediate green light. Instead, they were asking fair questions to help them better understand the subject so they could decide how the story would be shaped. So far, so normal.
But that isn’t how the writer interpreted it. The writer blasted the email for being rude and entitled and used it as a way to grandstand to rail against editors everywhere.
I understand reacting in the moment can be hard to resist but, friends, this is a one way ticket to shooting down your career in a ball of flames.
Another time, another writer vented in an industry-wide Facebook group about being unable to secure a commission from a particular publication. The post received some superficial empathy, but it was breathtakingly tone deaf considering the publication had just been through a round of staff redundancies the week before.
The media, and especially travel media, is a very small industry. Words and snapshots get shared around. After seeing the post, one editor confided to me that they would have second thoughts about working with that writer in the future. Editors are time poor and overworked as is. The last thing they need is a jilted writer calling them out on social media, whether it is deserved or not.
Frustration is part of playing the game, and we’ve all been in a position where we’ve wanted to fire off a pithy missive sharing what we really think.
If you’re ever tempted, here’s 5 other things to do instead:
File the email away and set a reminder to reply in 2 days. Out of sight and out of mind gives your nervous system a chance to dial back rather than react.
Write a response but get your partner or a friend to proof it before sending.
Do a short 5-minute meditation session using the Smiling Mind App.
Drink some wine.
Bookmark this page and come back to it so you can be reminded what happens when writers are too reactive.
What do you think? Have you ever been tempted to go off on an editor?
Safe travels, JM
TL;DR: The Takeaway in 25 Words or Less
Freelancing is all about building lasting relationships. Don’t be tempted by your flight or fight response to burn your bridges. Instead, take a tea break.
The Brazilian Amazon just got a brand identity.
In case you missed it, FutureBrand has created a new logo for the Brazilian Amazon by using satellite images of the actual Amazon river. Each bend and twist inspired each of the letters, reflecting the real diversity of the territory.
The agency then engaged local artists, illustrators and designers from across the Amazon's 9 states to bring it to life in their distinctive style. The flexible brand iconography will be used on everything from tourism initiatives to product labels.I love good design, and this is right up there for me.
Ever wondered if you could spell out your name using satellite photos too?
NASA has built an engine that lets you do just that. Check out my name below!
Put your bad photography skills to good use
Speaking of Iceland, earlier this month Icelandair hilariously launched a global search for a “really bad photographer”, offering a paid trip to Iceland to prove that even the most questionable camera skills can still produce great images when the scenery does the heavy lifting.
The Icelanders have a knack for funny tourism campaigns. In 2023, they parodied the Metaverse announcement with their own brand of weirdness and invited travellers to let Icelandic horses write their out of office emails.
Fancy a trip to Morocco?
Friend and former NatGeo editor Jennifer Barger is hosting a six-night, seven-day “Moroccan Design & Desert Delights” retreat from January 8-14, 2027.
The design and art-focused trip will spend a week exploring the culture, crafts, cuisine, and history of Marrakech.
Hit the link to view the trip and also subscribe to Jen’s fascinating Substack!
Share with a friend
Know someone who might be interested in this newsletter? Forward this to your friends so they can get more great stories and insights delivered straight to their inbox.