Travel Writing 101: How to break into the biz

Posted by Julia on Feb 19, 2010 in Travel

Julia Writing in Chile
That’s me, writing in Chile

Jet setting around the world through exotic locales (and getting paid for it), travel writers sure do have pretty desirable jobs.  True, it’s a coveted and fiercely competitive career but, with a little passion, perseverance and advice, you too can become a travel writer.

Over the past seven years, my experience as a travel writer has ranged from writing a weekly travel column for a national newspaper, to hosting a TV show called Word Travels, about the real lives of travel writers.  Living and breathing travel writing, I’d like to offer the following advice.

For those looking to break into the biz, here are 15 tried-and-true tips to becoming a travel writer.

1. Getting Started: Read books about the writing craft.  ”Travel Writing” by Don George (published by Lonely Planet) is a great place to start.  www.transitionsabroad.com is one of many online resources that focus on travel writing.

2. Read Other Travel Writers: For inspiration, read other travel writers to get a feel for what’s already out there and what makes for good writing.  Dissect the elements of their writing and storytelling skills.  What kind of travel writing do you like?  What kind of travel writing or content do you feel is missing out there?

3. Write: Might seem like a simple statement but a travel writer WRITES.  Write as much and as often as you can.  If you’re not able to travel right now, write about new attractions or activities located in your local area.  Become a travel expert in your very own city.

4. Find a Good Hook: Take a fresh point of view on an old subject or look for unusual new stories.  Many of the places you will write about have been written about before, so you need to find something new and original to say that will grab a reader’s (and an editor’s attention.)  Up-and-coming neighborhoods, trends and unique destinations always make for good story angles.

5. Be a Reporter: Traveling as a travel writer is different from traveling as a tourist.  When you’re in the field, act like a journalist: take notes, ask questions, get quotes and notice the little details of your trip.  How much did it cost, how long has it been open, how many people have visited, what’s the name of the district it’s located in, etc.  Travel writing has been described as part reporting, part dear-diary and part providing traveler information.  Include the specifics to bring your story alive.

6. Write Vividly:  Your goal is to paint a picture with your words and take the reader on a journey… even though they’ve never left the couch.  Include sensory details. What did it taste like?  Look like?  Feel like?  Smell like? What did the experience remind you of?  What emotion did you feel?  The best travel writing captures a sense of place.  Tap into your five senses, adding depth and vividness to your descriptions.  Add quotes and historical/political context to situate the destination you’re visiting.

7. Know Your Audience: Get familiar with the publication you want to pitch.  What types of stories does this publication feature?  Ask yourself who their audience is.  Is it young males who like snowboarding, teenage girls, parents with young children?  What kind of story could you write that would fit in with their style?  If you have a particular story in mind, be sure to pitch it to an appropriate publication that features that genre of topic.

8. Pitch An Editor: Most newspaper travel editors don’t want to read proposals, they want to see the finished article or piece, already written and polished.  Craft a well written, succinct paragraph outlining what your story is about, why it’s relevant for their publication,  why it’s important to cover now, and why you’re the best person to write it.

9. Magazines Who Want Your Work: Reach out to online publications, blogs, magazines and newspapers to publish your work.  Brave New Traveler offers a list of 50 online travel magazines actively looking for travel writing content, among them:

www.gonomad.com

www.worldhum.com

www.bootsnall.com

www.matador.com

For a comprehensive list of blogs looking for your travel writing, check out: http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2007/07/09/50-travel-magazines-that-want-to-publish-your-writing

10. Accumulate Clips: Try to get published anywhere and everywhere.  After you’ve got a few good “clips” (proof of published articles) then you’re a travel writer and can start sending pitches to the bigger publications.

11. Don’t Get Discouraged: After you’ve pitched the editors of online publications, be sure to follow up with them but don’t be obnoxious.  Editors are very busy and often get hundreds of emails a day.  Pieces often get rejected.  It’s nothing personal.  Grow a thick skin and keep on pitching.

12. Promote Yourself: Travel writing is 20 percent writing, 80 percent marketing. Embrace social media, using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flicker, Travelistic, StumbleUpon, Reddit, Linked In and Digg to promote your work.

13. More than Words: An increasing amount of online sites are looking for video content. New media skills are the future, so if you’re able to provide video content for sites AND write, it makes you a more valuable contributor.  Look into getting a video camera and filming short videos while you travel.  Using simple editing software like iMovie and uploading your content to YouTube will do the trick.

14. Don’t Quit Your Day Job: The reality of travel writing is that few people can make a good living at it.  While the perks of the biz may be good, the pay sucks.  Either stick to your day job and write on the side, or become a full-time writer that focuses on travel and other passions, food, art, health or pop culture.

15. Determination is Key: According to David Farley, a New-York based author who teaches travel writing at NYU, “some people are naturally good writers, but anyone can become a great writer with enough practice.  Drive is most important.  Get into the mindset that nothing is going to stop you from getting what you want.  The most successful students I’ve taught weren’t necessarily the most talented in the class…they were the most determined.”

Do you have travel writing tips you’d like to share? Comment away below!

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  • Great advice for someone like me, who is a bit older than most trying to "break in" to the business (at 32 years old). I love seeing these articles and getting different perspectives of what workds and what doesn't. Thanks for the tips.
  • After reading a lot of feedback from various travel writers, there is one thing that I am unsure of when I am writing. While many writers suggest not to write in first person because the reader doesn't want to hear about the diary of a traveler but rather a story that will take them away as if they were there themselves. However, many of your articles, as well as articles from other successful travel writers, are written in first person, and they are all great! Now, I agree that there are no rules to how a traveler writer expresses their experience and views through their writing. But, why is it that in almost every piece of advice I have read from a traveler writer is to never write in first person. Since you are such an inspiration, I am curious to know what your thoughts are on this Julia?
  • Christine
    You have just made my day- I stumbled across your blog with the intent of reaching out for advice on becoming a successful travel writer. And here it is! I'm moving to Nice, France for six months and I'm looking forward to writing about my experience--and now I'm considering investing in a Flip Cam to take with me. I'm definitely saving this article for future reference, and to remind me to utilize my journalism background as I blog and put together pieces. Appreciate it, and look forward to reading more!
  • Solid advice for those trying to break into travel writing. (And thanks for sharing these at the NYTimes Travel Show on Sat., Julia) I wrote a post about five publications that publish (and pay for) travel writing and good places to start off: http://gomadnomad.com/2009/10/...
  • This is a great piece that I tweeted today. These are all great tips and are necessary, especially if you want to become a regular contributor for a publication. It seems like everybody wants to be a travel writer these days and what publications want to see are authoritative clips from other pubs.
  • Informative post. As a travel writer and blogger, I'd like to add that guest posting on established blogs is another way to start building clips or links. Make sure to READ the blog before you propose a guest blog. Some blogs have guest blogging guidelines. I'm open to guest bloggers on www.Writinghorseback.com @Nancydbrown @Ridinghorseback
  • great advices! i am only an amateur blogger but surely will look at your points and maybe, with a lot of determination, i could turn into a writer too (maybe not a good one anyway ah ah)
  • juliadimon
    I'm sure you're a great writer. Don't forget to share your writing with travel communities and blogs. It's a great way to get feedback and connect with fellow travel enthusiasts! thanks Marta!
  • Very well said. I almost did quit my day job but realized that it pays for my travels. Thanks a lot for this post, now I have an idea on where and how to start on travel writing :) More Power to you!
  • juliadimon
    Maje. looking forward to reading your writing!
  • This is great, thanks for posting such a detailed list, with honesty to boot!
  • juliadimon
    Thanks Nomadic Chick! glad the tips helped!
  • Thanks Julia, what a great resource, especially for someone like myself considering the field. I will definitely look into the suggested books and websites. Cheers and safe travels!
  • juliadimon
    Thanks Kristen! Best of luck!
  • #3. "Write: Might seem like a simple statement but a travel writer WRITES. Write as much and as often as you can. If you’re not able to travel right now, write about new attractions or activities located in your local area. Become a travel expert in your very own city."
    Great advice. Consider writing a one day travel guide about your own city on www.notanotherguide.com - if you meet criteria, we'll publish you!
  • Wow! What a comprehensive resource for beginner travel writers. Thanks for sharing.
  • juliadimon
    Thanks! Fee free to share with your friends....
  • maitravelsite
    Hi Julia

    Excellent post with some very good tips and useful link. I have a few articles pubished online her eand there, but it truely is a competitive field and, as you say, is not that well paid either. Some lucky people (you?) have managed to make a living out of it, but for most of us it is a dream/ purpose. Some say that making it a job sometimes kind of ruins the joy of travel because thre are too many responsabilities involved. What are your thoughts on this? I'd like to know.

    Article stumbled by the way.


    cheers,

    Federico
    www.maitravelsite.com
  • juliadimon
    Thanks for your comment. I'm so glad you found the travel writing tips useful! I think the question you pose is an interesting one. When you turn something a job, do you loose your love for it? I still have a very strong passion for travel but with deadlines, itineraries and responsibilities in can sometimes take the fun out of things. That said, I still love my job, I still love to travel. I wake up every morning, excited and passionate about what I'm doing - so I think that's a good sign that I haven't killed it :)

    I believe that our time on this earth is short...so live your dream, follow your passion and do what you really want with the time you have. Thank again for posing that very interesting question....julia
  • maitravelsite
    Hi Julia

    Thaks for taking the time to reply. I see that you are still fully commited and the enthusiasm is there, which is a good sign for aspiring travel writers. Now you do mention that sometimes it can get a bit stressing, maybe annoying even? Hopefully not oo often, and I suppose that this will be what detemines how long a travel writer can be...a travel writer.

    I have a realted question that I want to ask you. How does this profession cope with having a family/ spuse/partner?

    Federico
    www.maitravelsite.com
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