What is Storybanking?

In the last few weeks before Christmas, online editors around the world are on the hunt for projects so they too can enjoy a well-earned festive break.

Have you ever heard of storybanking? It’s what happens when online editors are trying to have some time off. With the expectation of weekly, if not daily, stories on websites, editors are pushed to prepare stories in advance of holiday periods and vacations.

“With Christmas and New Year approaching, I like to be able to take some time off to enjoy time with family, but still have content going out almost daily during the break,” explains editor of The Design Emotive, Anthony Richardson. “While it’s a little bit more work in the lead-up, I like to generate an extra month of content over December and January, given architects get back into the swing of things at different times. It’s always helpful when architects send me their projects.”

For architects and designers, this is a fantastic opportunity to share your completed projects with architecture and design websites. Online editors may even be looking for projects that are a little bit older, or ‘top 10’ stories (such as top 10 kitchens, bathrooms, offices etc.).

It’s also a time of year where people are spending more time on things like Instagram. While you might be switching off from work and trying to avoid looking at architecture and design, others take this down-time to plan their more hopeful 2021.

5 ways to take advantage of Storybanking

1. Get your content together

It’s important to have your content ready:

• High-resolution, professional architectural photography (and video)
• Description (Brief, Challenges, Solutions)
• Full credits
• Product list

2. Contact online editors

• You can use BowerBird to upload projects and connect with editors
• Print editors are less likely to be storybanking, but you can still share your projects with them (just don’t expect a reply until the new year)

3. Don’t wait until the week before Christmas

It would be a mistake to reach out in the week before Christmas. Editors are usually tying up loose ends in this week, and writing content and scheduling posts, rather than sourcing new stories for their storybank.

4. Follow up with editors

If you’ve spoken to online editors throughout the year, but haven’t heard back or had a confirmed story, now is a good time to follow up and remind them of your project, it could be just what they’re looking for over the break.

5. Respond promptly

This is a golden rule of getting architecture published all year round, but it’s particularly important at this time of year. Don’t want a week, or even a day, to respond. Editors are time poor, and they need you to respond ASAP.

Help editors with their storybanking by preparing great content. If you haven’t already, listen to the BowerBird Podcast to learn how to get your projects ready for the media.

Photo by Mark Hayward on Unsplash