Travel writing is a great way to make money from home. It’s also an exciting way to share your experiences with others, whether you’re writing about your favorite vacation destinations or sharing tips on how to plan a budget trip.
If you’ve thought about becoming a travel writer but don’t know where to start, this article will teach you everything you need to know about magazine writing for a career in travel writing.
Takeaways |
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1. Embrace the magic of travel writing. |
2. Explore the world through your words. |
3. Learn the secrets of captivating storytelling. |
4. Discover the lucrative opportunities available. |
5. Build a successful career as a travel writer. |
Tips To Start Travel Writing From Home
If you want to be a travel writer, the first step is already taken. You know how much fun it is and how rewarding it can be. You’ve had many adventures and probably have some good stories to tell, but now it’s time to take your passion and turn it into a career.
You can get started today! There are just two things you need: interest in something and an open mind about what that something may be. The rest will follow naturally if you have those two things covered. Just follow these tips:
Travel writing is a magical journey that allows you to explore the world through your words. Discover how to embark on this exciting career path with our comprehensive guide on Magazine Writing for a Career in Travel Writing and unlock the wonders of storytelling.
Write Your Travel Articles From Your Own Home
If you want to make money writing, the best thing you can do is write from home. Not only will it be a lot easier to find work if you’re not tied down to an office or other physical location, but working from home also gives you more time for yourself and your family.
The best part about working from home is that there are no commute times! That means no rush-hour traffic jams and no long delays on the freeway you get to start working right away!
You don’t have to be chained down by office hours either. If you get up at 5 am every morning because that’s when everyone else in your house has already left for work, then why shouldn’t they leave earlier so they don’t disturb your writing sessions?
Is Magazine Writing For You?
If you’re still with me and want to pursue magazine writing as a career, the next step is figuring out if this is something you want to do.
When I started my career in travel journalism, it was just for fun. But then I realized that I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to make a living doing it and now here we are! So before spending any time or money on training, make sure that this is a path that makes sense both professionally and personally.
Are you passionate about stories? Travel? Writing? (Or maybe all three?)
Do writers inspire you? Do they fascinate you enough that their work makes your pulse race? If not, then maybe magazine writing isn’t right for you, or at least not yet!
You’ll need plenty of energy and drive to succeed as an aspiring travel writer; if those things aren’t already present within yourself, don’t expect them to magically appear once the chance has come knocking at your door. It takes hard work every day for passion projects like ours* END OF SECTION
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The 3 Types Of Travel Articles: Where Do I Start?
There are many types of travel articles. You can find the type that works for you by answering these questions:
- What is your style? Do you enjoy telling a story, or do you love to share tips and tricks with other travelers?
- What audience will best appreciate what you have to say? Are you writing for people who are just starting on their journey, or do they already know a lot about the topic and need more in-depth information?
- How much experience do you have with travel? If it’s your first time abroad, do not attempt an article on how to avoid getting lost!
Who Am I Writing For?
That’s a good question and one that you should consider before you begin. Who are the people who will be reading your articles? What interests them? What do they need to know about travel writing or even just writing in general? Here are some questions to get you started:
What are their interests? Do they want to write or do they want to travel? Are there specific destinations they want to visit or types of travel experiences they’re seeking out (e.g., backpacking through Europe or exploring an off-the-beaten-path destination)?
How old are they and how long have they been interested in the subject matter of your article(s) (e.g., 20 years old with no experience)? A week old with lots of time on their hands but little money? Someone less traditional who wants something different from what everyone else is doing what could that look like?
How much disposable income do these people have available at any given time is it enough for brand new gear each time someone takes a trip out into nature, or would something secondhand work just fine because it doesn’t cost as much upfront
But still gets the job done well enough when used over time and does this person know exactly what kind of equipment works best for him/her personally based on prior experiences (and if not yet experienced then how easy would it be for him/her find out).
Aspiring magazine writers need to navigate through a sea of opportunities to find the perfect fit for their talent. Dive into our guide on How to Find the Best Magazine Markets to discover valuable insights and unlock the doors to a thriving writing career.
How To Find Travel Magazines That Want Feature Writers
Finding magazines that accept feature articles can be a bit of a challenge. It’s not like searching for a job on Monster or Craigslist, where you can just type in your requirements and search by category.
This is because most magazines have their specific themes and preferences, and they tend to only publish writers who fit with their style and content. So first off, you should do some research into the travel writing industry! Read up on what kinds of magazines are out there and find ones that match your interests. And then,
Before You Start Researching A Story
Before you start writing a story, you will want to do some research. Research is the key to writing an interesting article. Research is the most important part of writing an article and it makes up the backbone of your article. It’s also the foundation of your article and without it, there would be nothing for readers to read!
What Is A Feature Article Anyway?
A feature article is a story that is written in a magazine or newspaper. It’s a narrative about a person, place, or thing (or event).
To understand the concept of what a feature article is, ask yourself this question: What do you consider to be one of your greatest life experiences? Was it something that happened to you or did someone else do something for you? Did it happen at work, school, or home? Did it affect others around you who were affected by the experience as well?
A great example would be how traveling can become an important part of your identity whether it’s traveling alone for the first time on vacation when we were younger; finding ourselves through travel by meeting new friends or visiting places we’ve never seen before; which eventually led us into learning how blogging became our career path!
How To Write An Interesting Lead In An Article
If you want to write for travel publications, the most important thing to know is that editors are always looking for good leads. As a writer, it is your job to make sure that your lead is interesting and engaging.
Here are some tips on how you can do this:
- Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question.
- Use a quote from a person who will be featured in the article (this exemplifies how well-researched your piece was).
- Tell a story about yourself or someone else who has faced similar challenges as those discussed in the piece but overcame them by using techniques outlined in it.
Writing The Body Of Your Feature Article
In the body of your travel article, you’ll want to tell a story. You can use anecdotes from personal experience or draw from research on similar topics.
You can also provide details about your journey, like what city you were in and what time of year you traveled there. You must explain why this story is interesting and relevant so readers can understand why they should care about it!
A good way to do this is by providing facts and figures that support your narrative. For example, if your travel piece explores an unusual local tradition or culture in a foreign country, citing statistics about how many people live there or how much money their economy makes will help establish authenticity and credibility.
And if you’re writing about a more traditional subject matter like visiting an old fort or museum then including facts like where it was built (and when) will help remind readers why they might want to visit themselves!
Finally, don’t forget those quotes! Quotes let readers know exactly what someone else thinks about something: whether they love it or hate it; agree with it or not, or find value in something new versus sticking with tried-and-true traditions.
Again, these are all things we care deeply about as travelers who often visit places we’ve never been before but may not know much else besides what others have told us previously.”
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The Big Mistake Many People Make When Writing An Article
You can’t tell the reader what to think, feel, do or believe. You can take them on a journey and allow them to draw their conclusions, but you can’t force your way in and say “No! This is what you should think.” Readers are smart and they will get it right easily if you give it to them in the right way.
For example, let’s say that you wrote an article about going on safari in Africa. In this case, telling people how great it is might not be enough if they don’t want to go there themselves.
Instead of telling them how much fun they are going to have when they go on your safari tour (which will probably be true), instead, try showing them photos from other people’s trips that give a little bit more context around why safaris are so great for everyone involved (people who love animals).
Using this approach also helps establish trust between you and your audience because now everyone feels like an expert who has traveled there before!
Avoid “Telling” In Your Story
As a travel writer, you’ll have the opportunity to put your story-telling skills on display.
The best travel stories are those that allow readers to experience the setting as if they were there: whether it’s a beach in Thailand or a street fair in New York City, an article needs to transport its reader into another world while still keeping them engaged and entertained with its content.
To do this, you must avoid “telling” your story. As opposed to “showing” through vivid descriptions, “telling” comes across as dry and boring and it doesn’t work well when trying to draw people into new worlds.
Here’s an example of what NOT TO DO:
“The beach was beautiful! The sand was warm and soft under my bare feet; I could hear waves crashing behind me; there were palm trees everywhere along with people swimming in the water.”
This part of your story is boring because these details are not specific enough for readers (who may also not know what palm trees look like).
Instead, try using more specific details like these: “I sat down on the warm sand feeling it slip through my fingers as waves broke about 50 yards away from where I stood.”
Now imagine yourself standing at this beach; can you hear those waves? Smell saltwater? See that clear blue sky above? That’s how writing should make readers feel as though they’re experiencing everything firsthand while reading your article!
You Need A Strong Closing Statement In An Article
In addition to the opening statement, you should also include a closing statement. This is another good opportunity to use alliteration and create an effective, memorable sentence.
Here are some examples of strong closing statements:
- “So there you have it! These are just a few ways that you can start your travel writing career.”
- “Hopefully this article has given you some ideas on how to get started with your writing career in travel.”
- “If you enjoyed reading this article, please share it with your friends!”
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Conclusion
After you’ve written your article, it’s time to submit it! You can do this by sending your piece via email, or by uploading the document online. Some websites will let you upload images or even video clips with your submission.
This is a great way to show off some of the things you saw on your journey that might not have made it into the text of an article but could be worth showing off!
Further Reading
How to Become a Travel Writer: Explore the steps and skills needed to kickstart a career as a travel writer.
Travel Writing for Magazines: Dive into the world of travel writing for magazines and learn how to get published.
Travel Writing Jobs: Your Guide to Getting Paid to Explore the World: Discover various travel writing opportunities and find out how to turn your passion into a lucrative career.
FAQs
How can I become a travel writer?
Becoming a travel writer requires a combination of writing skills, travel experience, and persistence. Start by honing your writing abilities and building a portfolio of travel-related content. Seek opportunities to travel and gain firsthand experiences to enrich your writing.
What are the benefits of travel writing for magazines?
Travel writing for magazines offers the opportunity to share your adventures with a broad audience, get paid for your stories, and receive recognition as a professional writer. It allows you to explore new places, cultures, and experiences while doing what you love.
How do I find travel writing jobs?
To find travel writing jobs, network with editors, travel agencies, and tourism boards. Pitch your story ideas to magazines and websites that publish travel content. Build a strong online presence and consider starting a travel blog to showcase your writing skills.
What makes a travel writer successful?
A successful travel writer possesses excellent storytelling abilities, a unique voice, and the ability to connect with readers emotionally. They can capture the essence of a destination, convey their experiences vividly, and offer valuable insights to readers.
Is it possible to make a living as a travel writer?
Yes, it is possible to make a living as a travel writer, but it requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. While some writers secure full-time positions with magazines or travel companies, others freelance and sell their articles to various publications. Building a solid reputation and portfolio are crucial to achieving financial success in this field.
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.