A travel writer visits new countries and shares his experiences with others. His main tool is the written word. You will need more than just a desire to travel and learn about new places to do this work. What qualities must a traveler possess to become a true writer?
Physical stamina, an observational mind, and the ability to immerse readers in the amazing world of travel through words are just a few of the qualities required to become a travel writer.
What Skills Does a Travel Writer Need?
Travel journalism is about more than just having enough money to go on a trip. It is about having masterful knowledge of the language and its expressive means. To be a travel writer, one must have the following skills:
- Active observation: This entails both observation of what is visible to the average person and observations of what is hidden, as well as small research to find the most interesting stories.;
- Proper language: A travel writer is not a marketing professional promoting a company. As a result, his language should be simple to understand, clear, and free of marketing jargon.
- Writing skills: Because the written word is so important in this field, one should be as good at it as possible. If you enjoy writing but feel like your text needs serious polishing, visit Best Writers Online for assistance.
- Good reader: Reading is essential for building a successful career as a travel writer. This includes reading not only books about the destinations and cultures, but also articles written by other travelers. Thus, you will gain a better understanding of what people find interesting and what topics may work well for you.
- Creativity: Writing an article or making a video is no longer a difficult task. However, you may notice that not all content works well for the reader/viewer. To keep his attention, one must find his niche and features that work specifically for his audience and allow him to stand out from the crowd.
- Flexibility: To be flexible, one does not need to be skilled at yoga or anything like that. What is meant here is the writer’s ability to write on any travel-related topic, even if he does not like some points (e.g., insurance issues, etc.). Things that are the most difficult to solve are also the most popular. Building trust and credibility are important for you as a writer. If someone finds your advice useful, he will return to your blog to get more.
- Persistence and commitment: Success does not come easily. You should be aware from the start that not everything will work on the first try.
- Business skills: To effectively manage your career, you should not only develop a strategy for turning your blog into a business, but you should also consider which of your weaknesses can be turned into strengths by delegating some of your duties to professionals. For example, you can delegate proofreading of your texts to essay review services such as Writing Judge and save time for other things.
- Always be honest: Never deceive your readers if you want to keep them and attract new ones. Disinformation will harm not only your followers but also your reputation and ranking.
How Do I Become a Good Travel Writer?
If you feel that you possess most of the above-listed skills, this career is for you. But how and where do you start?
1. Read
Read the works of successful travel writers of different genres. They have carved out a distinct niche for themselves and stick to it, relying on their distinct points of view to keep readers interested and sell stories to editors.
Among the most renowned resources are blogs by:
- Bill Bryson;
- Kate Adie;
- The Lazy Travelers Blog;
- EscapeArtistes;
- Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund.
2. Choose a Travel Writing Niche and Style
Read the essays and articles written by other travelers and take note of the points on which they place the most emphasis. Determine your specific interests and incorporate them into your work.
Concentrate on three main points: being professional, being helpful, and conveying personal experiences in a way that affects the feelings of your readers. Furthermore, your blog should have a purpose and provide your readers with useful information about the location, event, or destination.
Your reader will want to know what he can gain from reading your blog, which should entice him to return daily. Finally, your blog should be personal in terms of transmitting sensations and demonstrating your distinct writing style or tone.
3. Begin a Blog
A decade ago, to be considered a “travel writer,” one had to have a solid portfolio of publications in glossy magazines. With the rise of blogging, it is no longer necessary. Thousands of writers publish their works on blogs every day.
Many of them managed to sign contracts with the publishing houses, while others received sponsorship deals. There are even those who simply receive recognition thanks to random readers who find their texts via a Google search.
4. Travel
It is impossible to write about travel without going on a trip. To begin with, traveling throughout your region will suffice. After you master all of the nuances of this profession, you will be able to travel further afield – to other cities in your country and abroad.
5. Socialize
To become famous and attract readers, one should increase his online presence. You can start not only a website with a blog but also accounts on social networks. They will provide you with numerous opportunities and allow you to make valuable connections with other writers, readers, and sponsors.
6. Participate in Conferences
It is also critical to expand your contacts offline by meeting with industry experts. Look for travel writer conferences in your city or the nearby area.
Look through the groups on social networks for travel writers that you might be interested in joining. This will allow you to learn more about the activities of experienced writers and gain an understanding of materials that are particularly appealing to readers and editors of magazines.
7. Grow
If you want to publish your material, your grammar, spelling, and stylistics must be flawless. Master the art of writing. Telling an interesting story is insufficient for professional growth.
If you want to make writing your profession, invest in your professional development. Check out the travel journalism and travel photography courses to learn the ins and outs of these crafts.
8. Avoid Using Clichés
Do you know what the phrases “city of contrasts” and “tourist mecca” mean? If not, why are they being used here and there? Not everyone understands what they mean, either.
Furthermore, some of them may be missing from the list of concepts for specific countries. Avoid using cliches. Instead, use words and phrases that are commonly used by people and that an average person in your area would understand.
9. Learn to Break the Rules
One of the most important tasks for any aspiring author is to break free from the traditional writing rules imposed at school or by any institute. For example:
- Each paragraph must include three to five sentences;
- Each story must include an introductory paragraph, the main paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph.
Your material is your text game. Develop your style, break the rules, and find a presentation style that will captivate the reader from the first to the last word.
10. Nothing Great Was Ever Achieved Without Enthusiasm (R.W. Emerson)
Every writer, at some point, will face rejection. In other words, be prepared to wait a long time before your material will be actively read and you will be noticed as a travel writer.
The sooner you learn to deal with similar failures, the better your writing career will be. Begin developing other skills simultaneously to shift the focus from failure to success.
In addition to texts, publishers are more likely to be interested in authors who can offer other works and skills. You can become a valuable specialist to the publisher if you can offer him more than just a well-written text (for example, many photos to go with the written material in good processing).
In Conclusion
Being a travel writer is a rewarding and exciting career. It is not up to everyone. If you are deeply committed to writing and traveling and are willing to work hard, you have the potential to land a rewarding job and inspire others to travel with you.
