Changes To My Substack
Weekly themes you don't want to miss. A reintroduction and streamlined ways for us to work together.
I enjoyed meeting with many of you at IMM in New York City last week! I loved hearing all your feedback about my Substack.
Update: I am reserving my time for one-on-one phone and Zoom calls for my paid subscribers only. Please consider upgrading your subscription before asking to hop on a call. Thank you!
“It is comprehensive and I always learn something new!”
“I love that you are so direct with your Do’s and Don’t!”
“I love reading about your positive experiences with PR folks!”
Some of you expressed concerns about paying subscriptions to many freelance writer who now have their own Substacks and were interested in receiving a group discount for your team. I understand that even though the newsletters are valuable, reading them may consume your time and money.
Now on, I will send my Substack once a week (most likely on Thursdays unless I am traveling).
And each week there will be a different theme:
Pitch to Publish
Deep dive into the lifecycle of a story, from pitching and research, and all the different elements that went into to it.
Recipe for Success
What outstanding PR people are doing well and what we can learn from them.
Going Places
Insights and trends from the travel industry to give you insights on what kind of stories editors are looking for right now.
In Your Suitcase
Educational tips on how to plan press trips, develop relationships, write pitches, source photos, etc. This may be combination of video and text.
Additionally, I will also post my Call for Pitches, where I am speaking at, and going to in each newsletter.
Reintroduction to Sucheta Rawal
You may be new here or have been subscribing for a while. We may have worked together or have been trying to work together. I thought I’d take the time to reintroduce myself so you have a better idea of who I am and what kind of stories I like to write about.
I am borrowing this idea from my colleague
.1. Basics
Location - Atlanta, GA, USA
Where to find me online - LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Website, Books, Blog, Substack, YouTube.
Email - sucheta@goeatgive.com. While I would love to connect with you on social, please pitch me by email only, and do not follow up on the same pitch, unless there is a new development or a trip invite.
Words in - Freelance for Travel+ Leisure, NatGeo, TIME Magazine, Conde Nast, AFAR, AAA, Fodor's, TIME Out, CNN, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Atlanta Magazine, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, HuffPost, Thrillist. Columnist at Georgia Trend Magazine and Khabar Magazine.
Beats - Travel, Food, and areas where they intersect.
2. What I Cover
TRAVEL
Hotels, cruises, airlines, destinations, tours - practically everything that falls under travel. Depending on the need of the editor/ publication, I may do round ups, feature stories, 48-hour guides, trends, service pieces/ tips, neighborhood deep dives, etc.
Stories that interest me include those around sustainability (how is traveling to this place helping the community or environment?), diversity (are under-represented communities featured?), and education (did I learn something new?).
Examples - Features:
This is Where The Greeks Go on Vacation (Travel+Leisure)
Romantic Getaway With a Masala Twist (Khabar Magazine)
48 Hours in Toronto (AAA)
Christmas Season Lasts For Two Months in This Part of the U.S. (Fodor’s)
Examples - Round Ups:
10 Best Hotels in Nevada for Every Kind of Traveler (NatGeo Travel)
8 Destinations for Off-Season Travel (Marriott Bonvoy Traveler)
FOOD
Also a broad topic. As a home chef, culinary instructor and restaurant critic, I have good enough knowledge of food to be able to go deeper in the subject. Some topics I cover include deep dives into the anatomy of an ingredient/ dish, quirky or new trends, restaurant reviews, food festivals, human interest stories of entrepreneurs, people working to bring about change in the culinary industry.
I column two monthly print magazines so am always looking for fresh ideas as well as new restaurant openings. Note that for Georgia Trend, the story must be in GA; and for Khabar, it should cater to a South Asian audience.
Examples -
Reimagining Disability in Hospitality (Georgia Trend)
We Can Do Better To Support Immigrants (HuffPost)
Changing The Perception of Mexican Food (Atlanta Magazine)
Hawkers Asian Street Food (Georgia Trend)
PRODUCT REVIEWS
Again these have to fall in food or travel categories. I can do straight up reviews, packing tips and social posts for travel gear, fashion, technology, wellness, etc. Personally, I am always looking for new cool products that make life easier on the road.
I love to write about unique and quality ingredients, spices, kitchen equipment for cooking, but I don’t write straight on reviews. The products will likely end up in a broader story speaking about trends, benefits, or the people behind them. If you are pitching a product, a new collaboration with a business, or brand, do some research about the bigger trend first.
Bleisure Travel Must-Haves (Marriott Bonvoy Traveler)
Gifts That Give Back (Go Eat Give)
Is Your Turmeric Actually Benefiting Your Health? (HuffPost)
An Elixir Called Chai (Khabar Magazine)
Georgia’s First Seed to Glass Bourbon (Georgia Trend)
3. What I Don’t Cover
I do not write announcements about new hotel openings, airline routes, miles and points, vacation packages and holiday deals. I am not interested in sharing new menus, tasting “delicious” new items, or talking to “first generation” chefs who are “elevating” their native cuisine and those who are “passionate” about their cooking. Please stop using these words in your pitches.
I would rarely write a story based on a media event I attended. These are meant to peak my interest and socialize.
Rarely do I write about a place I have not visited myself first.
4. My Work Style
I do not guarantee confirmed coverage before a visit. The editors that I work with do not want to hear about a trip I am going to take, but they want an original pitch after, and the story may publish months later. The idea of a FAM is for me as an individual to experience and gain my own perspective. Most of the time, the story that PR pitches me is not the same as what I may be inspired by and present to my editors.
If your client requires confirmed coverage before hosting me on a press trip, inviting me to a restaurant or sending sample products, please do not pitch me.
Freelance writers are paid based on how much they write. It is in my interest to explore few different angles from a single press visit, to be able to place multiple stories.
About 33% of my work is assigned by editors; 33% is me pitching to them; 33% is my own free will.
To a large extent, I don’t have control over where your story may end up - on the cover, online or print. If you do want guarantees, please purchase an advertisement space.
5. My Best Pitches
I count on PR folks to have deep, accurate and insightful knowledge of who or what they are pitching, before approaching me. Simply stating that you represent someone and can arrange for an interview with them without hashing out the story angle means you are passing on your work to me.
A good pitch to me is one that is succinct, clear and compelling. It should include:
What’s the story? Let’s go back to storytelling basics - tell me about interesting people in interesting places doing interesting things.
NOT A STORY
It was named a top 10 destination.
The hotel is offering a 3-day journey.
This restaurant is having an oyster festival for 37th year.
We are offering a limited time $75 menu.
Why now? Tie it to current events, latest research, trendy and newsworthy hooks that would make the editors want this. For festivals and holidays, at least 6 months.
Include a catchy headline if possible.
Why am I the best person to tell this? Perhaps my South Asian background, knowledge of food, or interest in giving back will shed a new light on this story.
How can you support me if I am interested? Are you able to organize a press visit, get additional sources, schedule interviews, source photos, fact check. Include all the details.
Please do a quick Google search to check if I have not already covered this story prior to pitching.
6. FAQ’s
How far in advance do you book press trips?
It varies. Right now, my longer trips (1 week or more) are booked 9 months in advance.
Do you go on group press trips?
Rarely, unless the itinerary is presented with the invite and matches my interests.
What level of support do you expect on press trips?
Everything including flights, ground transportation, meals, activities, tours and accommodations should be covered. Sometimes, I like to bring a +1 to assist with photography, social media, driving and for company, and their cost should be covered also.
On the press trips form, can you fill out when and where the story will be published?
I generally leave this blank as I cannot guarantee coverage.
Still, can you have a conversation with your editor and get a feel for where your story will be published?
I generally have an idea of what my editors are looking for and won’t accept a trip if I am certain that I won’t be able to place it anywhere. It is best for you to look at my past track record or most recently published work and make a decision to work with me accordingly.
What’s the best way to pitch you?
A good old fashioned email that is well crafted and personalized.
I offer comprehensive Masterclass for PR professionals…
If you are interested in organizing such informative panels, learning sessions, and masterclasses for your organization, please contact me.
My Recently Published Stories
Is Your Turmeric Actually Benefitting Your Health? - HuffPost
New Culinary Highway in GA - Georgia Trend Magazine
This Small Indian State makes a big health impact - Khabar Magazine (Print)
Georgia’s Best Trips of 2025 - Explore Georgia (Print)
The World’s Best River Cruises - AAA
8 Destination You Can Only Reach on a Cruise - AAA
The Atlanta Safari Gave me a taste of Africa minus the price tag - Time Out
Dining Options in Serenbe - Georgia Trend Magazine
I’m excited to speak at…
The American Citizenship Ceremony in Atlanta.
At an elementary school about why it’s important to learn about different cultures.
Keynoting at a library in Las Vegas on how food connects people across cultures.
Giving my 4th TED talk in Manila.
If you are interested in booking me to speak at any upcoming events you are organizing, please check out my speaker profile to know more.
Call for Pitches
I am looking for unique and new story ideas on the following topics. If you need a refresher, please take a moment to read my past Substacks on pitching tips.
Love in Sauna - Know anyone who dated, got married or found love at a sauna? What’s the most outrageous experience offered in a sauna eg. a concert (anywhere in the world)
Spas & hotels that are addressing the water crisis using innovative approaches.
Budget-friendly wellness hacks.
South Asian (Indian) food trends, products, books, people.
Dining in GA - stellar restaurants, culinary festivals, products, trends.
Philippines Travel - airlines, hotels, tours.
For my young audiences who are yet to explore the world…
I started writing ‘Beato Goes To’ children’s books to share stories about the kids I met in different countries who led unique lives. As seen through the eyes of my curious cat Beato these colorful picture books inspire kids to be curious, open minded and dream of traveling.
Sucheta Rawal is a South Asian travel writer, columnist, author and speaker. She is a 3 time TEDx speaker and author of 5 'Beato Goes To' children's books. She has personally traveled to over 120 countries across 7 continents and speaks about her experiences from her firsthand perspective. She also founded the non-profit, Go Eat Give, to raise awareness of different cultures through travel, food and community service.
Sharing this with my team! Love these do's and don'ts!