Travel the World and Get Paid
Getting into Travel Writing and Staying In – Tips for Travel Writers
Oct 21, 2009
Being paid to travel write: it's a highly Googled topic and understandably so. After all, who wouldn't want to be paid to travel around the world? Hundreds of travel writing courses exist on how to write in the genre successfully, but these courses are at worst an utter waste of money and at best absolutely unnecessary. Travel writing is something anyone can do if they are serious enough.
How to Get Published as a Travel Writer
One thing you will need bundles of as a potential travel writer is writing experience: you may initially have to work for nothing to see your article published but it will make your CV or resume look more attractive to potential employees. Initially, get your work published any way you can. For starters, set up your own blog where you can publish your own travel writing and get a feel for it.
Many websites are continuously on the look-out for writers, so apply to these. Sites like Gumtree.com and Boots n All advertise related jobs. Also don't be too proud to consider work experience placements. Many of the world's top publications offer placements, like the Guardian in the UK - you may not be writing travel articles here but you will be adding to your credentials.
Travel Widely, Travel Weirdly
Editors of travel publications are going to want to see evidence of you travels too. The wider you travel the better: this will maximise your chances of work on publications which specialise in certain areas of the world. Remember it is not just where you go that is important, it is also how you go. Plenty of people travel to South East Asia, for example, but how many people have done so in the footsteps of Marco Polo?
The best travel writing does not tackle a whole country but an aspect of a country. A topical theme is good for originality: currently ecotravel and volunteer travel are good bets. Write as you are travelling: it will add colour to your writing. Pick up any interesting brochures you see when travelling too: they may not be available on line and could give your article that extra-special edge.
Learning a Language
Speaking another language is distinctly advantageous. If you can speak Spanish, for example, then all of Central America and South America is at your finger tips: and publishers commissioning guidebooks or travel articles in that part of the world are going to look to employ a writer who can communicate with local people.
Pitching: How to Sell Yourself
So you have got together some experience and fancy your chances at a travel writing job. It's time to start pitching. A pitch is essentially a piece of writing or sometimes a short film that sells you and your talents to a travel publisher recruiting for a certain role. There are five key things to bear in mind when pitching:
1)Selling Yourself
First and foremost: make sure you are confident talking about how great your experiences are: this means in writing (an eye-catching, word perfect resume or CV) as well as in person. Your resume or CV will most likely be what employers see first: make it a good impression. This is not to say you should brag or lie - but don't be too modest either. Remeber that most travel writers are freelancers and have to be able to sell their talents and writing skills constantly.
2) Doing Your Homework
Do your homework first. Find out what the publication is looking for. If you are pitching for a pre-designated job, find an interesting perspective to approach the pitch. If you are pitching to write somthing which does not yet exist, do so within the guidelines set by the publication. Don't, for example, send a pitch in to Country Walking Magazine about Windsurfing. At the same time, don't make your pitch too obvious. Rough Guides don't want a pitch for a guide to Spain: they already have one. Leading travel publications like Lonely Planet have great information on their website about their requirements for potential new authors.
3) Aiming High
Aim high and be proactive, too. Apply for the best possible jobs: there's no harm in making your name known now that you have experience. Hunt for that dream job: it won't come floating into your lap. Look on the websites of key travel publications. Get your name and your writing out there.
4) Dedication
Finally, bear in mind that dedication is imperative. You are likely to face rejection several times: this is an excessively competitive industry.
Staying in Travel Writing
Getting your first work published is not the hard bit: that's when you want to get your second work published. This will be the true test of whether the publication likes you and the gap between your first published success and your second will give you a good idea of how easy it is to make a living travel writing. Some of the secrets to staying in travel writing?
1) Devotion and Dedication
Devotion and dediction are important here. Do travel writing for love, not money. You are not going to make your fortune doing it, but you are, if it all works out, going to have one of the most satisfying careers imaginable.There is also no clocking off at five for a travel writer: working long hours (and weird hours) will be key to your success. Always think three months ahead when planning projects: they take an age to come into fruition.
2) Promotion and Money Management
Promotion is now more important than ever. Now you have joined the elite group of people who make money from travel you want to stay there. Write about your succeses by setting up a website or blog, have business cards at the ready: take every opportunity you can to be noticed. Finally bear in mind that you are freelance, so won't get charged tax on downpayments for your work. Keep some of your payments when they come saved for end of year tax expenses.
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