How to Make a Career Out of Travel Writing
Do you love to travel? Do you have a knack for writing? If so, travel writing may be the perfect career for you! There are many ways to make a career out of travel writing, and it can be a very rewarding field. In this blog post, we will explore some of the different paths you can take to make travel writing your career. We will also discuss the benefits of this career and provide tips on how to get started. So if you’re looking for a new adventure, read on!
Travel Writing As A Career
Everyone has personal travel stories and some have the writing skills to share them interestingly with a large audience. Travel writing is one of the oldest genres of writing, and there are many different ways to make a career out of it. You can write for travel magazines, newspapers, guidebooks, websites, or even blogs. If you have a passion for travel and want to share your experiences with others, travel writing may be the perfect career for you!
Travel writer jobs are usually divided into two categories: travel journalism and travel writing. Travel journalism is mostly news-oriented, focuses on current events and trends, and often includes interviews, investigations, and breaking stories. On the other hand, travel writing covers a wider range of topics such as culture, history, food, architecture, adventure travel, and more. It can be either destination-focused or theme-based.
If you’re interested in becoming a travel writer, the best way to get started is by writing for online travel magazines or websites. This will give you some good clips to show potential employers as well as help you build up a network of contacts in the industry. Once you have some experience under your belt, you can start pitching story ideas to an editor of a print publication.
Travel Magazines Accept Submissions All The Time!
Being a travel journalist can be difficult when you are just starting and have itchy travel feet. Sometimes trying your local newspapers for a paid gig and a published article can be the difference in job opportunities.
Once you have a few completed articles you can try your shot at a travel magazine like Escapees Magazine, Outpost Magazine, and other travel media publications. Outpost Magazine is focused mainly on Canadian travel experiences and travel advice, while Escapees Magazine is geared towards RV lifestyle and travel in the United States. Every travel website their own travel blog most likely written by freelance travel writers who get paid to travel for their submissions.
Feature articles are also really helpful for landing travel writing gigs as well as a guest post on other travel blogs. You can also look for opportunities to write travel guides which are always in demand. Travel writers can also make a career out of travel photography or writing travel-related books.
Travel writing jobs for most travel writers usually consist of a mix of all of the above. So if you’re interested in travel writing as a career, start by writing about your travel experiences on your own blog and submitting articles to travel websites and magazines. With a little hard work and dedication, you can soon be making a living out of travel writing!
Benefits of a Travel Writer Career
One of the great things about being a travel writer is that you can make your own schedule and be your own boss. If you want to take three months off to travel around Europe, you can do that! You also get to see the world and experience new cultures firsthand. And of course, you get paid to do it!
As a travel writer, you can work from anywhere in the world. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection. A travel writing career can be very rewarding, both financially and emotionally. If you love to travel and write, what could be better than getting paid to do both?
So if you’re thinking about making a career out of travel writing, go for it! It’s a great way to see the world and get paid for it. Just remember that like any career, it takes hard work and dedication to succeed. But if you’re up for the challenge, a travel writing career can be extremely rewarding.
How to Become a Travel Writer
If you aspire to work for a major travel publication to fund your round-the-world adventures then you’ll need something that sets you apart from the other writers. Becoming a travel writer isn’t as simple as just writing about your travel experiences – you need to be able to capture the essence of a destination and tell a story that will resonate with readers.
You can become a travel writer also by earning an education in travel writing, or a related field such as creative writing, journalism, or English. There are even travel writing programs offered at some universities. However, most travel writers get their start by submitting articles to smaller publications and then working their way up.
No matter what route you take to become a travel writer, it’s important to remember that the best way to improve your craft is simply by writing and getting your work out there.
Getting Started With The Basics
Your travel writing career can take many different forms. You could be a full-time travel writer for a magazine or newspaper, or you could freelance and write for multiple publications. You could also write travel books or work as a travel blogger. No matter what path you choose, there are some basic steps you’ll need to follow to get started in travel writing:
- Learn the basics of good writing by taking some writing courses or reading books on the craft of writing.
- Start small by submitting articles to smaller publications before pitching them to big names.
- Build up a strong portfolio of travel writing samples.
- Network with other travel writers and editors to get your foot in the door.
With hard work and dedication, you can make a career out of travel writing. Just remember to start small, build up your portfolio, and network with others in the industry. With a little bit of luck, you’ll soon be on your way to seeing the world and getting paid for it! Bon, voyage!
Other Careers in the Travel Industry
Although a travel writing job may be your dream job, there are more careers in the travel industry than being a travel writer. Some travel writers even change careers after a few years to pursue other travel-related jobs. Here are a few other travel industry careers to consider:
Freelance Writer:
Freelance writers are similar to being a travel writer except the major difference is that they don’t work with a specific travel publication. Instead, they pitch their story ideas to multiple publications. This can be a great way to get self-promotion for your travel content and potentially new clients.
???? – Destinations: The most common destination for a freelance writer that does travel writing work is Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South America.
???? – Salary: Freelance writing pay is dependent on the work. If it is a feature article, on average you can make anywhere from $500-$2000. A photo essay can pay as much as $2000 with the video content market in San Francisco. For online work, it is common to make $50-$200 for an article.
???? – Education: Freelance travel writer jobs don’t require any degree but some travel writer jobs may prefer a bachelor’s degree or some online courses in travel writing.
✏– Expectations: Most people who freelance write as a full-time job can work on average 30+ hours or more for longer articles. The same people who have their own blog or own website tend to work 50+ hours as there is a lot more to do like website maintenance, social media, and other business tasks.
Travel Agent:
Many young writers start as travel agents and say it’s the best job for learning about travel destinations, travel tips, tourist boards, and press releases. A travel agent is knowledgeable in world travel and helps plan travel itineraries for individuals or groups.
???? – Destinations: Most travel agents have a little corner desk office or work remotely from home. Some travel agent jobs require travel to multiple locations around the world.
???? – Salary: The typical salary for a travel agent per year is about $30,000.
???? – Education: There is no education requirement for this job which is why it’s one of the best ways to get started in the industry or want to transition to travel writing jobs.
✏– Expectations: The daily responsibilities of a travel agent include making travel arrangements for clients, providing customer service, giving travel advice, and handling paperwork. If you are traveling for work, you will be expected to travel during business hours and maintain a professional appearance.
Tour Operator:
A tour operator isn’t the same as a travel writer but it’s a great way to get your foot in the door of the travel industry. A tour operator is responsible for planning and organizing tours. This can include everything from planning the itinerary to making travel arrangements and booking accommodation. As a tour operator, you will need to have excellent customer service skills and be able to work well under pressure.
???? – Destinations: This job can take you as far as your imagination. You could also be writing about travel destinations all over the world or you could be focused on a specific region while you are working. The most common places for a tour operator to travel to are Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
???? – Salary: The salary for a tour operator can vary depending on the company you work for and your experience. However, the average salary is $30,000 per year.
???? – Education: There is no education requirement for this position which allows you to practice your writing skills in your free time!
✏– Expectations: Being a tour operator can be stressful and you have to have excellent customer service as well as charisma to be successful. The daily responsibilities can range from planning tours to leading them and everything in between.
Find Jobs In The Travel Industry:
Career Paths For Travel Writers
Travel writing jobs can lead to not just amazing life experiences but also many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Here are some travel writing career paths to consider:
– Social media travel writer
– Corporate travel writer
– Luxury travel writer
– Adventure travel writer
– Budget travel writer
As you can see, there are many different types of travel writing careers available to pursue. There is no one correct path to becoming a successful travel writer. The most important thing is to find what type of writing suits you best and then go for it! Whichever path you choose, we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Bon voyage!