Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by Jade and Deeshen

No videos, no fluff—just actionable advice from someone who actually knows what they’re doing. Would I recommend it?

Want to learn how to work with tourism boards?

No videos, no fluff— just actionable advice from an expert who actually knows what they’re doing. Would I recommend Pitch Academy by Lot Wildiers?

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering: Is a course that teaches you how to pitch to tourism boards worth it?

With so many courses out there promising to teach you how to work with tourism boards and secure press trips, it can feel overwhelming to pick one that actually delivers.

Well, I’ve taken the plunge, completed the Pitch Academy course by Lot Wildiers (yes, I even went for the Premium Package), and I’m here to give you the insider’s look.

What is Pitch Academy?

This course is perfect for you if you are:

• a travel blogger
• struggeling to work with brands
• watching from the sideline how other bloggers take the collabs you want
• struggeling to make money with collabs
• ready to tackle these issues and become a more succesful travel blogger

This course is PERFECT if you’re a travel writer, blogger, or content creator looking to:

• Learn how to work with tourism boards and build solid partnerships.
• Secure tourism board press trips—even if you don’t have a massive audience.
• Present yourself as a professional in an industry that’s all about connections and first impressions.

Here’s the kicker: You don’t need a huge following. Lot Wildiers, the course creator, has fewer than 10K monthly website visits but manages to land 25+ press trips a year. Her secret? It’s not about the numbers; it’s about how you market yourself.

What You’ll Learn

• understand how you can be a professional and succesful travel blogger
• how to build and use your network
• know how to pitch with brands and destinations
• know how to join press trips
• know how to earn money by collaborating with brands and destinationshow the world of travel blogging works
• how to present yourself as a pro
• why networking is so important
• how to write an irresistable pitch
• how to work with brands and destinations
• what to expect when you join a press trip
• what to do when things go wrong

Why Lot Wildiers (the Course Creator) Is the Real Deal

Lot Wilders isn’t just some random person teaching theories about how to pitch to tourism boards.

She’s the founder of Reisgoesting.be, an online travel magazine, and she’s been working a writer, journalist and photographer, working with tourism boards and PR companies for over a decade.

While I was in her course and in the 2 months we were coaching (still on-going), she went on five press trips —to places like Belgium, Emirates, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and Amsterdam.

So yes, when Lot talks about pitching, she KNOWS what she’s doing.

Plus, she’s charismatic, smart, kind, witty, and EXCEPTIONAL at what she does.

Lot is the type of coach who genuinely wants to see you win, and it shows in every part of the course.

She’s also the type of coach that cares, and can spot things before you even think of it!

Honestly, it feels like she’s an angel who appeared in my life to help me pursue my dream. I’m deeply grateful.

My Experience So Far

Let me be honest: I haven’t landed a press trip yet. BUT—big but here—I’ve seen some amazing progress.

Before our first coaching session, I had collaborated with tourism boards and was offered one press trip But it didn’t work out as they only wanted to bring me, and not both me and my husband. We’re a writer and photographer team, so I decided to get better.

I took 75%+ of the course before I started my first coaching session with Lot. This is what I recommend so that you can get familiar with the ABCs.

There were tons of things about working with tourism boards that I didn’t know before.

A few I piror to our first coaching call, I sent Lot my media kit and an example of the emails I’d been sending tourism boards.

During the session, she walked me through her own media kit, and let me just say—it was mind-blowing. Instead of presenting herself as a blogger, she positions her site as an online travel magazine. Genius, right?

She shared so many tips, like adding her personal philosophy and tailoring the media kit to align with tourism boards’ goals for the year. After our call, I completely redid my media kit.

And guess what? I’m actually getting replies from a couple of tourism boards! The confidence boost was what I needed and I’ve no doubt I’ll land a press trip soon.

What’s Inside the Course?

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn.

There are over 20 topics, with a list of modules within them, including but not limited to…

• How to choose your niche and stand out in the travel industry.
  
• Crafting a media kit that doesn’t just look good but SELLS your value.
  
• Networking effectively with tourism boards and PR companies.
  
• Writing pitches that actually get READ (and replied to!).
  
• Delivering on press trips and exceeding expectations.
  
• Establishing yourself as a professional who gets repeat collaborations.
  
• And so much more!

If one of your goals is to learn how to work with tourism boards or secure tourism board press trips, this course lays it all out, with strong examples and calls-to-action.

What is the Course Format?

Pitch Please Academy is a text-based course, meaning there are absolutely no videos.

I admit, this was a bit of a shock to me at first, but I quickly warmed up to it. (and even prefer it)

I’m used to video courses, where I’m expected to sit through a 15-30 minute video. But then I’d have to watch it at least 2-3 times hitting the rewind button to take notes.

But the Pitch Please Academy took a different approach: text-based content with clear, actionable steps.

Here’s a look at how each chapter is formatted in:

1. Topic/Advice: Actionable guidance on specific subjects.
   
2. Story Time: Real-life examples from Lot’s experience.
   
3. Time for Action: Steps to implement what you’ve learned.
   
4. Pro-Tip: Advanced advice to take your work to the next level.

While many courses are video-heavy, I actually appreciated and PREFERED the simplicity of the text-based format. It’s straight to the point—no fluff, no distractions.

What Does the Course Cost?

As of January 2025, Pitch Please Academy offers two packages:

• Master Class (€499.00): Includes unlimited course access and Pro-Tips.
  
• Premium Package (€699.00): Includes everything in the Master Class PLUS 4 hours of one-on-one coaching with Lot Wildiers.
  

Here’s where you can buy the course.

LIMITED TIME DEAL: It’s Lot’s birthday this month so she’s holding a special offer! Get 38% discount on every and all courses with the code BIGBIRTHDAYBASH until January 31st 2025.

If I were you, I’d hope on this deal NOW. 😉

Which Package Should You Pick?

If you’re serious about landing tourism board collaborations and press trips, go for the Premium Package.

Lot’s coaching is a GAME-CHANGER. She’s incredibly supportive and gives you personalized advice that you won’t find anywhere else.

Reading the course is super helpful, but having her guide you one-on-one makes a MASSIVE difference.

What the course does well

• Practical, actionable advice based on real-world experience.
• Text-based format is easy to navigate and reference.
• Premium coaching is incredibly valuable.
• Teaches you how to present yourself as a PROFESSIONAL.

What I Wish It Had

While the course is packed with useful information, there are a few things I think could make it even better:

1. Sustainability Transparency:
   I’d love to know how much tourism boards and press actually pay writers and what typical packages look like. Having real numbers would help with negotiation and setting expectations.
   
   More importantly, I’d like a chapter on financial freedom, that covers if securing press trips and working with tourism boards actually can make a sustainable income. (and if not, how does she mitigate this? What has she done differently?)
   
   After all, most people who write for their own website is because they have a passion for what they want to write about, and to build financial/time freedom.
   
   Learnings on what to do vs not to set up this freedom from someone’s whose been doing it for 10+ years would be immensely helpful.
   
2. Templates, Please:
   For a premium course that costs over €800 investment, some end-to-end example scripts and plug-and-play templates would be nice.
   
   Email or phone scripts would be a great addition.
   
   It’d be nice to see exactly what Lot uses in her successful pitches.
   
   While this is a nice to have, Lot absolutely covers media kit and reviews pitches during the one and ones, and is always willing to answer quick questions.
   
   I get why she doesn’t because every media kit/pitch is so different – still there’s likely some universal things that can apply.
   
   So don’t let this be a blocker one bit.
   

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely Yes. If your goal is to learn how to work with tourism boards and secure press trips, Pitch Please Academy gives you everything you need to get started.

The course is thorough, the advice is practical, and the Premium coaching takes it to the next level.

It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Lot. She’s been so immensely supportive and helped me navigate

With her help, I’ve no doubt I will succeed.

I’ll keep updating this article as I go through my coaching with Lot and secure press trips and brand deals.

If you’re ready to step up your pitching game and work with tourism boards, this course is the roadmap you need.

I can’t wait to see where it takes me—and I hope it does the same for you!