Travel writing is a dream job for many people who love to travel, write, and share their stories with the world. Travel writers get to explore new places, experience different cultures, and inspire others to follow their footsteps.
But how do you become a travel writer? What skills do you need? Where do you find work? How do you get paid?
In this guide, we’ll show you how to be a travel writer step by step. We’ll also share some tips, websites, and apps that will help you improve your craft, find opportunities, and grow your audience.
Ready to learn how to be a travel writer? Let’s get started!
What is Travel Writing?
Travel writing is a type of creative nonfiction that describes a place, a journey, or an experience related to travel. Travel writing can take various forms, such as articles, blogs, books, guides, essays, or memoirs.
how to be a travel writer
The purpose of travel writing is to inform, entertain, educate, or persuade the readers about a destination or a topic. Travel writing can also showcase the writer’s personal voice, style, and perspective.
Travel writing is different from other types of writing because it requires:
- A passion for travel and curiosity about the world
- A keen observation and attention to detail
- A research and fact-checking ability
- A storytelling and narrative skill
- A cultural sensitivity and awareness
How to Become a Travel Writer
Becoming a travel writer is not easy, but it is possible if you are willing to work hard, learn new skills, and pursue your passion. Here are some steps that you can follow to become a travel writer:
1. Read a lot of travel writing
The first step to becoming a travel writer is to read a lot of travel writing. Reading travel writing will help you:
- Learn from the best examples and models in the field
- Discover different styles, genres, and formats of travel writing
- Develop your own voice, tone, and angle as a travel writer
- Find inspiration and ideas for your own travel writing
You can read travel writing from various sources, such as:
- Magazines: Magazines are one of the most popular and lucrative outlets for travel writing. Some of the most famous travel magazines are National Geographic Traveler , Condé Nast Traveler , Travel + Leisure , Lonely Planet , Wanderlust , AFAR , and Outside .
- Books: Books are another great source of travel writing. You can read books by famous travel writers like Bill Bryson , Paul Theroux , Elizabeth Gilbert , Anthony Bourdain , Pico Iyer , Rolf Potts , Cheryl Strayed , and more.
- Blogs: Blogs are one of the most accessible and diverse forms of travel writing. You can read blogs by professional or amateur travel writers who share their stories, tips, reviews, and recommendations online. Some of the most popular travel blogs are Nomadic Matt , The Blonde Abroad , The Broke Backpacker , Expert Vagabond , Adventurous Kate , The Points Guy , and more.
- Guides: Guides are another form of travel writing that provide practical information and advice for travelers. You can read guides by reputable publishers like Lonely Planet , Fodor’s , Rough Guides , DK Eyewitness , Frommer’s , Rick Steves , and more.
2. Write a lot of travel writing
The second step to becoming a travel writer is to write a lot of travel writing. Writing travel writing will help you:
- Practice your writing skills and improve your craft
- Build your portfolio and showcase your work
- Find your niche and audience as a travel writer
- Get feedback and learn from your mistakes
You can write travel writing about various topics, such as:
- Destinations: You can write about specific places that you have visited or want to visit, such as cities, countries, regions, or attractions. You can describe their features, history, culture, people, food, and more. You can also give your opinion, impression, or recommendation about them.
- Journeys: You can write about specific journeys that you have taken or want to take, such as road trips, flights, trains, cruises, or hikes. You can narrate your experiences, challenges, adventures, or discoveries along the way. You can also share your tips, advice, or lessons learned from them.
- Experiences: You can write about specific experiences that you have had or want to have, such as activities, events, festivals, or tours. You can explain what they are, how they work, why they are worth doing, or how they changed you. You can also compare and contrast them with other similar or different experiences.
3. Find work as a travel writer
The third step to becoming a travel writer is to find work as a travel writer. Finding work as a travel writer will help you:
- Earn money and make a living from your passion
- Gain exposure and recognition as a travel writer
- Expand your network and connections in the industry
- Learn from other professionals and experts in the field
You can find work as a travel writer from various sources, such as:
- Magazines: Magazines are one of the most competitive and prestigious outlets for travel writing. You can pitch your ideas or stories to magazine editors and hope to get accepted and published. You can also look for open calls or contests for travel writing submissions. You can expect to get paid well for your work, but also face a lot of rejection and competition.
- Websites: Websites are one of the most accessible and diverse outlets for travel writing. You can create your own website or blog and publish your work online. You can also write for other websites or blogs that accept guest posts or freelance writers. You can expect to get paid less or nothing for your work, but also have more freedom and flexibility.
- Companies: Companies are another outlet for travel writing that provide various services or products related to travel. You can write for companies that offer travel guides, tours, bookings, insurance, gear, or apps. You can expect to get paid well for your work, but also follow strict guidelines and deadlines.
4. Grow your audience as a travel writer
The fourth step to becoming a travel writer is to grow your audience as a travel writer. Growing your audience as a travel writer will help you:
- Increase your visibility and credibility as a travel writer
- Attract more opportunities and clients as a travel writer
- Engage with your readers and fans as a travel writer
- Create a community and network of like-minded people
You can grow your audience as a travel writer by using various tools, such as:
- Social media: Social media is one of the most powerful and popular tools for growing your audience as a travel writer. You can use social media platforms like Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , Pinterest , or TikTok to share your work, promote your brand, interact with your followers, and reach new audiences.
- Email: Email is another effective and personal tool for growing your audience as a travel writer. You can use email platforms like Mailchimp , ConvertKit , Substack , or Medium to create an email list, send newsletters, offer freebies, and build relationships with your subscribers.
- Podcasts: Podcasts are another emerging and engaging tool for growing your audience as a travel writer. You can use podcast platforms like Anchor , Spotify , Apple Podcasts , or Google Podcasts to create your own podcast, interview guests, tell stories, or share tips about travel writing.
How to Be a Better Travel Writer
Becoming a travel writer is not enough; you also need to be a better travel writer. Being a better travel writer means that you constantly improve your skills, update your knowledge, and adapt to the changes in the industry.
Here are some tips on how to be a better travel writer:
- Read more: Reading more will help you learn from other writers, discover new trends, and expand your vocabulary.
- Write more: Writing more will help you practice your craft, develop your voice, and refine your style.
- Edit more: Editing more will help you polish your work, eliminate errors, and enhance your clarity.
- Research more: Researching more will help you verify your facts, support your claims, and add value to your work.
- Travel more: Traveling more will help you gain new experiences, perspectives, and insights that will enrich your work.
Conclusion how to be a travel writer
Travel writing is a rewarding career that allows you to see the world, write about it, and share it with others. But it also requires hard work, dedication, and passion.
We hope that this guide has helped you learn how to be a travel writer step by step and inspired you to start pursuing your dream.
Tip on Trips hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Thank you for reading and happy travels! 😊
Happy writing!
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