I have been a travel writer for almost 20 years. I have lived in many countries and visited most of the world’s regions; I’ve met famous people and traveled on luxury cruises. In this article, I will share some of my secrets to success as an international travel journalist.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Magazine writing is more than a job; it’s a way of life that demands passion, dedication, and constant creativity. |
| 2. Embracing the writing lifestyle means finding inspiration in everyday experiences and sharing compelling stories with a broader audience. |
| 3. Writers in the magazine industry should be prepared to adapt to various topics and writing styles, keeping their skills versatile. |
| 4. Building a successful career in magazine writing requires perseverance, networking, and continuous self-improvement. |
| 5. The writing lifestyle offers unique opportunities for personal growth, self-expression, and making a meaningful impact on readers’ lives. |
1. Have A World View
Have a worldview. Having a global mindset is important, especially for journalists who are expected to think about the big picture and not just their backyard. It helps you understand the world’s problems, challenges, opportunities, and history better and from all perspectives: yours, theirs, and others (including those in different countries).
This might mean going beyond what you know by learning how other cultures operate or simply reading more newspapers from different parts of the world than your own becoming an informed global citizen rather than an insular one will help broaden your perspective as well as improve your writing skills.
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2. Be Ambitious
Being ambitious is an essential part of a successful writing career, but that doesn’t mean you have to be overambitious. Here’s what we mean:
Be ambitious in terms of the quality of the writing you do. Every time you sit down to write, aim for your best work. This doesn’t mean you need to produce perfect prose or edit every single sentence until it’s perfect.
It just means that when you’re done with a piece of writing, whether it’s an article or an email or a blog post or anything else, try your hardest not to look at it and think “That’s good enough.” Instead, ask yourself: “How could I make this better?” And then go back and do so (and save all those iterations).
Be ambitious in terms of how much time you spend on your writing career each week. If your goal is simply not being poor anymore by 2022, then maybe spending an hour per day working toward that goal will suffice (if so, congratulations!).
But if your goals are bigger than that if they involve making money from freelance writing then we recommend putting more time into things like research,
Networking with other writers and editors alike (both online and off), learning new skills like coding web pages from scratch instead of using Wix/Squarespace templates anything that might help expand your reach as a writer beyond just “writing articles for x publication.”
3. Have An International Background
Most of the people you will interview have lived in other countries and have traveled extensively. This means that they have a global perspective on things, which is an invaluable asset for your magazine.
A writer with an international background is also likely to have many contacts throughout the world that can be used for interviews, research, or even just sourcing photos.
If you’re planning some kind of special feature where you want to include opinions from people in different countries then having someone on staff who already has friends around the globe could make all the difference when it comes to getting contributors involved.
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4. Be Open-Minded & Flexible
It’s important to be open-minded and flexible in your thought process. You should be willing to learn new things, change your mind and admit when you are wrong. One of the best ways to do this is by reading other writers’ work. You’ll also want to talk with others about how they approach their work so that you can see how different people think about different things.
Most importantly, don’t forget the importance of being flexible in your approach! This will allow you to create more opportunities for yourself as a writer because it will allow you to try something different if it isn’t working out as planned or originally intended (which happens often).
5. Be Educated In The Area Of Travel & Tourism
Travel and tourism is a growing, evolving, and competitive industry. It’s also very rewarding, exciting, and rewarding. If you are interested in this field, it’s important to educate yourself about the industry through classes and certification programs.
The University of Washington offers online degrees in travel & tourism management that can help you get started on your path to becoming a successful writer in this field.
6. Have Done Some Long-Term Travelling Yourself
One of the best ways to learn about the world is to travel. Not only will you get to experience different people and cultures, but you’ll also gain an invaluable understanding of yourself.
You’ll be able to see how your behavior changes in different contexts, whether it’s because of stress or excitement. And if you’re lucky enough to have a supportive partner who wants to travel with you, there’s no better way for them both than through long-term backpacking.
The benefits don’t stop at self-discovery: traveling is also a great way for writers to look at new opportunities in journalism or writing professionally while they’re still young (Evan Osnos).
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7. Have Some Formal Training In Writing Or Journalism
If you don’t have any formal training in writing or journalism, consider taking some. A journalism school, a diploma program, or even a certificate course will give you a good start towards building your writing skills.
You can also take one-on-one courses that focus on writing skills and get the chance to interact with an instructor who can help guide your writing process. This is an excellent way to learn how to write well and improve your grammar if needed.
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8. Know How To Use A Computer And The Internet, And Be Social Media Savvy
Know How to Use a Computer and the Internet, and be Social Media Savvy.
When you write for magazines, you’ll be using your computer a lot. You must know how to use it efficiently, especially if you’re writing on deadline (and especially if someone is breathing down your neck). You need to know how to use the internet not just Google, but all sorts of other tools as well which means learning new skills regularly.
Social media are an integral part of being a writer today too; they’re one more way that writers can promote their writing and get noticed by potential employers or clients.
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Conclusion
I want to be clear that writing is a career, not a job. A job is something you do for pay, but a career is something you do because it’s part of who you are. As long as you love what you do and are willing to work hard, there will always be opportunities for writers like us out there!
Further Reading
Why Being a Writer is Not Just a Job, It’s a Lifestyle: Discover the passion and dedication that drives writers to embrace writing as a lifestyle rather than just a profession.
The Role of a Freelance Writer vs. a Fashion Editor: Which is for You?: Explore the contrasting worlds of freelance writing and fashion editing to determine which career path aligns better with your interests and goals.
Life as an Author: Delve into the life of an author through the experiences shared by Tim Lott, gaining insights into the challenges and rewards of the writing journey.
FAQs
What are the key aspects of the writing lifestyle?
The writing lifestyle revolves around dedication, creativity, and a profound love for words and storytelling. It requires continuous learning and the ability to adapt to various writing styles and genres.
How does freelance writing differ from being a fashion editor?
Freelance writing offers freedom and flexibility, allowing writers to work independently on diverse projects. On the other hand, a fashion editor primarily focuses on curating and shaping fashion content for a specific publication or brand.
What motivates writers to pursue writing as a lifestyle?
Writers are driven by their passion for self-expression and the desire to communicate ideas, emotions, and stories with a wider audience. Writing becomes a way of life as it intertwines with their personal growth and identity.
How do authors cope with the challenges of the writing journey?
Authors often face the challenges of writer’s block, rejection, and self-doubt. They cope by maintaining discipline, seeking inspiration from life experiences, and engaging with a supportive writing community.
What insights can aspiring writers gain from the experiences of established authors?
Aspiring writers can learn valuable lessons from established authors about the writing process, perseverance, and finding their unique voice. These insights can inspire and guide them on their own writing paths.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.