A travel writer explores new destinations and shares her observations with others.One of the most important requirements for this type of work is a desire to travel.A talent for descriptive language is one of the qualities needed for becoming a travel writer.
Step 1: There is a low pay for a travel writer.
You might have dreams of being sent around the world on assignments with a big commission, all your expenses paid, and endless days people watching in a European cafe.If the travel writer is not a staff member for the publication, they don't pay their expenses.Travel writers can work contract by contract, story by story.It can be difficult to make a high income writing for a publication if you don't have a steady income from travel writing.Rates for a 500-word article can range from $10 to $1,000.For one article, seasoned writers with years of experience will earn the higher end of the spectrum.Many travel writers earn less than $300 for an article.You will be paid more if you land a big feature or cover story.It can be difficult to land the more lucrative stories and you will often have to write many articles on a regular basis to support yourself financially in this career.
Step 2: Understand how hard it is to find a full time job.
It can be difficult to get a full time job as a travel writer for a major travel publication if you don't have a lot of experience.As writing moves to online platforms, many print publications are cutting back on staff.As you build up your portfolio, you will need to be willing to work as a writer.You will have to pitch articles to multiple publications on a consistent basis and write many articles for very little pay for several years.You will need to arrange your own travel accommodations, your itinerary, and spend a few days traveling alone as a freelancer.To make travel writing a full time job, you need to build up contacts and credentials in the industry.You have to work from contract to contract until you make a name for yourself.Travel writers work other, more sustainable jobs while they travel.
Step 3: Being a travel writer has its benefits.
It can be hard to find a career in travel writing with low pay and unstable job security.Travel writers take on this career because it allows them to experience places they have never seen before and to meet people they would never meet if they were not writing a story about a certain place or area.Travel writers are very passionate about their jobs and enjoy the sense of adventure and excitement that their career offers.It is important that you are comfortable roughing it when you have to.You should be prepared to promote your work whenever possible and be willing to pitch your ideas to an editor.As a beginning travel writer, you will need to showcase your writing talent, as well as an ability to sell your ideas and writing to editors.
Step 4: Travel writers write in many genres.
Travel writing is more than just publishing in a magazine.Writers are publishing their work on online platforms.Successful travel writers have found a niche and ran with it, using their unique perspective to keep readers engaged and sell stories to editors.Travel writer Bill Bryson is one of the most successful travel writers in the genre and is well respected in England for his travel book on English life, Notes on a Small Island.Kate Adie is a travel writer who covered war zones in the 1980s.She has written a book about her travels that is popular among travel writers.Adie's writing is characterized by dry humor, a knack for finding the absurd in a situation, and a strong grasp on travelling to foreign and often dangerous destinations.The two American friends who started The Lazy Travelers won the Best Travel Weblog at the Bloggies.Characterized by the slogan "conquering the globe one glass of wine at a time", the bloggers explore local and overseas destinations with a casual, playful tone and focus on the average traveller who may want to see popular sites, eat good food, and find photography worthy spots in a newThe EscapeArtistes.com was a finalist for Best Travel Weblog at the 2014, and has the slogan "Postcards from the edge." Written by a British mother, living with her young son in Indonesia, the blog explores life as an ex-pat as well.The writing style is friendly and full of dry wit, appealing to readers who are looking for a unique take on the standard travel blog.The travel adventures of a wiener dog named Crusoe, who thinks he's more a celebrity than he really is, can be found on the Celebrity Crusoe the Dachshund.
Step 5: You should look at travel magazines.
To get a better sense of the print market, read as many issues as possible of well regarded travel publications and note what types of articles are being published in these magazines.National Geographic, Travel and Leisure, Afar, and International Living are some of the major travel publications.These are the publications that can take a long time to break into and are some of the more high paying writing jobs.You can find a travel magazine that you enjoy and want to write about, or you can have a specific magazine in mind.You can modify the pitch letter based on the tone and style of the publication after reading it.As editors pay more attention to pitches that relate to the mandate of their publication, this could help you get noticed.
Step 6: Start a travel writing business.
If you want to make money with your travel blog, read up on how to start making money.Readers are looking for content that is engaging, easy to access, and presents a unique spin on travel writing.Being professional, being useful, and being personal are the main elements.Though you can have a casual, friendly tone, you should still treat it like a professional site and avoid using an ugly design.Every post should be edited for spelling and grammatical errors.Information about a location, an event, or a destination should be given to your readers in your blog.Your reader will want to know what she can get from reading your post and that it is worth checking it on a daily basis.Your writing style and voice should be shown on your website.Don't use formal language or complex sentence structure.To appeal to the average reader, use an open, accessible tone and play to your unique perspective.
Step 7: Make an online presence.
It is important that you maintain an online presence to promote your writing and showcase it to editors in the industry.You should have an online portfolio, a personal website, and/or a blog that you update on a regular basis.If you want to promote and share your articles, photos and videos on social media, you should have a biography on your website, as well as a detailed write up of your travel experiences and any upcoming travel.Your portfolio can be used to engage readers, viewers, and editors.If you link to your website when you meet an editor or someone who is interested in writing contracts or offers, someone will notice your online persona and pay attention to it.
Step 8: You can write about your hometown or city.
Local events and activities in your hometown or city are some of the best ways to kick start your career.There is a new food craze in your town or a brand new music festival.Writing about your hometown can give you access to easy to cover material, with very cheap travel fees.Travel writers need to be able to move past superficial descriptions of a place and see it in an authentic and interesting way.Writing about things in your area will allow you to build a strong body of work around a certain location and help you practice seeing a place from a deeper, more engaging perspective.It's possible to create your own local writing prompt by looking at your local place and travel.Reno travel is an example.If you can provide a well written article with more useful information, look at what comes up first in the search results.You may have found your first travel writing story if the answer is yes.
Step 9: There are travel writing conferences and meet ups.
It is important to network with contacts online, but you should also meet face to face with people in the industry.There are travel writing conferences in your area.There are travel writer meet up groups that you can join.If you want to get to know more seasoned writers, ask them who they are working for and what they're currently working on.This will show you the current state of the industry and what types of stories editors are looking for.
Step 10: Start small with local people.
Travel writers don't get full time positions at major publications as soon as they start out.Writing for local publications is what you should be doing.An idea about a local event or activity can be pitched if there is a 500-word article section.The more experience you gain, the better your writing will become.
Step 11: You can find the jobs section of online sites.
Many magazines will advertise for part time or full time writers on Indeed.com.Local publications may post ads for writers on these sites.Try to get as many calls for writers as you can through the Jobs section.
Step 12: It's often.
Try to pitch your article ideas as often as possible.If you want to write about a location that is off the beaten path, you need to have a good angle on the story.It can be hard to sell an article about an unusual destination when readers want to find out more about it.If you decide to pitch an article idea, always follow the submission guidelines posted on the publication's website or in their print publication.A good rule of thumb is to keep your pitch letters short, no more than two to three paragraphs, to show that you know the types of stories the publication publishes, and to have a good hook at the beginning of your letter.To make sure the letter ends up in the right hands, you should link to an online portfolio or website and address it to the travel writing editor of the publication.