Read this before pitching explore-mag.com
Explore-mag.com covers everything to do with outdoor adventure across North America. Our goal is inspiring outdoor experiences. We focus on human-propelled adventure from a first-person, interviewed or curated perspective. Diversity is a priority at explore and we are actively seeking to amplify voices and publish stories told by under-represented individuals and groups.
Here are the most common types of articles we are accepting from new freelance writers:
LISTICLES: Hiking trails, camping spots, cool waterfalls, canoeing tips, etc. These articles are in list format and typically focus on the best of a certain thing (usually 10, but sometimes up to 50!).
Examples: 10 Cozy Cabins, Yurts and Lodges to Stay at in Alberta This Winter, 30 Places to Camp for Free in Manitoba, 10 Tips for Sustainable Camping
PROFILES: These articles focus on a specific person or company in the outdoor adventure world. This can be done as a Q&A, but typically turns an interview into a narrative.
Examples: This Artist Skis to Paint Beautiful Canadian Destinations, Paralympian Lisa Franks and the Saskatchewan Adaptive Mountain Bike Club, 63-Year-Old Alberto Perusset Has Run Over 200 Marathons… Barefoot!
FIRST-PERSON NARRATIVES: Tell us your story or opinion. The focus should be on human-propelled adventure, and something memorable must happen. We typically share adventure stories based in Canada and require photos to be submitted.
Examples: Thru-Hiking Ontario's Bruce Trail: A 900-km Adventure with My Dad, Lost Keys, Cold Kids: A Snowshoeing Adventure, I Got Lost on a Popular Trail. Here’s What I Learned After My Experience Went Viral on TikTok.
GEAR REVIEWS: Have a new, unique, cool piece of gear or DIY to share with the world? Focus in-depth on an item you’ve tested for awhile or send ideas for a gear roundup.
Examples: A Guide to Buying Vegan Outdoor Gear, Winter Trail Running Gear: What You Need To Go the Distance, Gear Review: Is the Apple Watch Ultra Worth It for Hikers?
SKILLS: These are the things that every outdoor adventurer should know. From different ways to build a fire to how to pack a backpack, these how-to pieces offer skills, help and advice to adventurers of all levels.
Examples: Why Leave No Trace Matters and How Best to Follow the 7 Principles, 5 Tips for Hiking with Teens, How to Build a Campfire: Step-by-Step DIY Guide
NEWS: These short articles focus on new things that matter to the outdoor adventure world.
Examples: Gregory Packs Launches Plus Size Collection with Jenny Bruso of Unlikely Hikers, Wait, MEC Is In Hudson's Bay Now?, Moraine Lake Is Now Only Accessible by Shuttle or Bus. What Does That Mean for Adventurers?
VIDEO CONTENT: We are also looking for vloggers and videographers to supply content for our YouTube channel. This can cover everything from gear reviews to campsite recipes to interviews with wildlife experts. Only completed videos will be accepted at this time.
Examples: Gem Trek Maps Review, Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Full Test & Review, How to Cook a Delicious Campfire Shakshouka
FINAL TIPS:
Before you pitch, please read explore-mag.com for a sense of our tone and the things we cover. Search your topic/idea on the site to make sure we haven’t recently covered it.
Your pitch should be 150-300 words. Write it in the same style you will write your article. Remember that a place or an adventure is not a story itself. What is the unique angle? Why are you the person to write this story? Who does this story serve?
Please do not send full articles. Include 2-3 links to recent publications (blog posts are okay) and list relevant bylines. Always disclose if your pitch is part of a press trip or gear was received in exchange for coverage.
Pay rates start at $100 CAD and can increase to up to $300 per article based on experience, time working with us and scope of article.
Email PITCHES to alison@exploreoutdoormedia.com, Managing Editor.