Pitches wanted (food, drink, travel) | ~$1 per word
Added 2025-01-17 21:21:35 +0000 UTCCOMPANY/PUBLICATION: LATE CHECKOUT
Daria Smith, Senior Editor at Late Checkout, is looking for pitches:
Attention Freelancers and PR Pros: Let’s Talk Late Checkout Pitches!
Want to see your ideas featured on Late Checkout (latecheckouttime.com). Here’s the inside scoop on what we’re looking for—and how to pitch like a pro.
I get a lot of pitches, and while I’d love to respond to everyone, time is tight. So, here’s a quick guide to help your pitch stand out—and why some miss the mark.
WHAT WE’RE ABOUT
Late Checkout is your cheat sheet for food, drink, and travel lovers. Think curated city guides, buzzy restaurant and hotel openings, shoppable packing lists, and culture-packed tidbits—all with a fun, youthful voice and a hint of Gen Z energy.
Our goal? Timely, stress-free content that connects food, travel, and culture in fresh, news-driven ways.
1. Newsworthy Angles Are a Must
Every pitch needs a hook. Ask yourself:
Why now? What makes this story timely?
What’s the tie-in? How does it connect to cultural moments or trends?
Late Checkout isn’t a traditional travel publication. We’re newsletter-first, inspired by The Skimm and Daily Candy, so content must feel fresh, relevant, and in-the-know.
2. Visuals Are Essential
For pitches involving hotels, restaurants, or design, attach images. A strong pitch paints a picture, but visuals seal the deal.
3. Flesh It Out
A one-liner won’t cut it. Outline your concept in ~100 words. Make it clear, compelling, and tailored to our platform.
4. Know Our Content Plan
Late Checkout publishes 16 pieces a month, including:
4 weekly Digital Downloads (Trending Tuesdays!)
2 City Guides
1 feature per ~15 monthly columns
Pitches tied to specific columns have a better shot. Want your byline here? Follow these guidelines to a T.
5. Nail Our Voice
Some submissions miss the mark because they don’t match our tone. Learn our voice—it’s crucial. Think witty, approachable, and takeaway-packed (like The Skimm meets Daily Candy).
WHAT MAKES A WINNING PITCH?
Follow these tips:
Timely and relevant: Tie your idea to a cultural moment or newsworthy event.
Concise: Max 200 words—fun, catchy, and to the point.
Hospitality-focused: All pitches must tie into food, drink, or travel.
On-brand: Witty, youthful, and packed with takeaways.
PITCHING CHECKLIST
Subject line: Use this format—“Pitch: Category: Column: Title.”
Include your pitch in the email—no attachments or Google Docs.
U.S.-based writers only. Bonus points for experience in food, travel, design, or commerce content.
Follow AP Style—minus the Oxford comma 😉.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?
$200 for 200 words with 5 e-commerce links, or $150 without e-comm recs.
Your work shared with a savvy audience of jet-setters and go-getters.
WHERE TO PITCH
Email pitches to daria@latecheckouttime.com
Visit my website: dariarosesmith.com and scroll to “How to Pitch Me.” Or, click here: https://shorturl.at/rJ0Cm.
TL;DR: A great pitch is timely, visually engaging (when relevant), and follows the guidelines.
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CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):
Questions/submissions: daria@latecheckouttime.com
Website: https://www.latecheckouttime.com/
TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:
Learn more about the publication: Late Checkout is a digital publication that serves as a guide for individuals passionate about food, drink, and travel. It offers curated content on topics such as restaurant trends, city guides, design inspiration, and cultural events. The platform aims to enhance readers' experiences by providing insights and recommendations that make life more enjoyable. More information here.
Read through its selection of recent articles/stories, categorized into: Food and Beverage, Travel
Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook and at SuccessfulPitches.com.
Do not forget to end your pitch with (1) a short introduction about yourself; (2) a few lines highlighting your writing experience, relevant credentials and publication credits; and (3) links to your strongest work or portfolio, and online profile.
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