A travel writer explores new destinations and shares observations with others using written words and photographs. One of the main requirements for this type of work is the desire to travel and experience new places and cultures. Physical stamina, an observing mind, and a knack for descriptive language are just some of the qualities needed to become a travel writer. Here are the steps that will help you establish yourself in this profession.
Steps
Step 1. Strengthen your writing skills
Travel writers come to this profession from multiple educational paths. Getting a degree in literature or journalism is one of the possible paths. Improving your writing skills by studying with writers in independent seminars is another possibility. A third option is to work on your skills on your own, through a process of trial and error.
Step 2. Explore your talent for travel writing
Travel to any destination and document your experience. Take detailed travel notes. Take photos of the most interesting landscapes, places and events. Use your senses to record all the sounds, smells and images related to dining experiences, hotels, transportation, sightseeing and adventures.
Step 3. Evaluate the quality of your experience
Determine if you like to fine-tune every detail as you travel. Some people prefer to relax and socialize while traveling, rather than worrying about organizing, taking photos and taking notes.
Examine your physical reaction to the trip. Seasickness, altitude sickness, and a weak constitution can hinder the maintenance of a professional life like that of a travel writer
Step 4. Write a description of your trip
Describe your interactions with the local people and your experiences as a tourist. Share details about your trip in ways that can motivate readers to choose to visit the same locations. Vivid images and descriptive language relating to the scent of flowers or the sensations aroused by the hotel sheets allow the reader to put themselves in your shoes.
Step 5. Share your work with others
- Ask friends, family, and colleagues to read your work. Observe their reactions to your writing. They may have questions about the places you have visited or point out aspects of your article that can be clarified or further developed.
- Contact an experienced travel writer to have your article reviewed. They can help you progress faster by reading your work and offering suggestions to help you improve it.
- Start a travel blog or site. Show off your work by writing and posting your travel articles on your personal online page. Send your article links to potential employers as an example of your skills. Generate traffic to your website or blog by inviting your personal network of contacts to read your articles.
- Submit your travel description to a travel publication. Submit it to a travel guide publisher, travel website, etc. Follow in detail the directions required for sending work material so that your efforts are valued to the fullest.
Step 6. Prepare for the instability of the travel writer world
Written publications have limited spaces for articles and being able to see your work published requires great perseverance, as well as a good network of contacts. A hiring at a travel guide publishing house is another option.
