FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 FIRST YEAR FREELANCING Lessons learned | p. 14 Wildlife photography safety, SEO for writers, & OWAA Member deals AND MORE. Outdoor Writers Association of America FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Our mission: improve the professional skills of our members, set Paddling away in the deep end the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 | VOL. 80, NO. 8 n my last note, I mentioned a few Expand benefits – Already I’ve public enjoyment things that I’d be doing as I ‘dove brought a few new opportunities to and conservation of Iinto the deep end’ of getting up to the table for our membership. We natural resources and speed on all things OWAA. While I’m now have a partnership where OWAA mentor the next gen- just starting to wrap my mind around members can apply for press trips eration of professional CONTENTS all our programs, initiatives, history with member ranches of the Dude outdoor communicators. and impassioned membership, I want- Ranch Association, discounted access ed to update you on progress thus far, to a few conferences for outdoor/ad- NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS as I start to paddle around: venture trade, a new store filled with 2814 Brooks St., Box 442 OWAA-branded merchandise and the Missoula, MT 59801 Listen & learn – I said I’d have ‘pro’ deals via the IPA Collective. 406-728-7434, Fax: 406-728-7445 many conversations with members,
[email protected], owaa.org the Board and other OWAA stake- Build partnerships – Partnerships STAFF holders. Thus far, I’ve interviewed take time. I’m continually working Executive Director: Chez Chesak (almost) every member of the Board to secure mutually-beneficial part- Publications Editor: Suzanne Downing of Directors and had great and very nerships that will provide you with Designer: Betsy Alvarez valuable conversations with external new data about outdoor consumers, PRESIDENT partners and members, including ones enhanced OWAA communications to Tim Mead, North Carolina who have been engaged for decades the trade and consumer outlets and OFFICERS and those that just recently joined.