How to get started as a Travel Writer

If you love travel and travel often, becoming a travel writer is a very good career choice. This career doesn’t necessarily require a degree in English or Journalism, but I’d venture to say that those should be listed among your favorite subjects. The one thing that will turn a reader off to your writing is lots of spelling and grammatical errors. So while many fancy themselves poetically inclined when describing the places they've seen or would like to see; very few can put those visuals down on paper correctly. Before you embark on your path of travel writing; get your writing professionally critiqued. Even if you have to pay a professor or Teaching Assistant of the local college or University, it’s worth the cost. Submit an article to an expert and they will discern where your writing needs improvement and where you excel. Take heed of the advice and you’re well on your way.

Next I would say gauge your following. Most travelers have made friends around the country and the world. Many are gregarious and that’s why travel appeals to them in the first place. Reach out to your associates, contacts, family members and friends and let them know of your travel writing ambitions. I’m sure you’ll find a ready made audience who will read what you’re ready to put down, no matter what the medium or method of publishing. A good way to guarantee readership is to ask the friends you’ve made on your travels to lend their opinions regarding the best restaurants, hotels and entertainment spots in their respective areas. Let them know where the article will be published so that they can tell their family and friends as well. This following is key to being offered or going after big writing assignments. Many travel writers have truly started out as bloggers who have such a huge following that mainstream press simply can't ignore their writing.

So what happens now that you know you're a great writing and have a huge following? As with any other career, experience counts. If you have actually already visited several places around the world you are better equipped to write about locations than someone who hasn’t. If you don’t have much travel experience, don’t fret. Many destinations offer quality writers "media trips" also known as “press or fam trips”. These are trips fully funded by the local or destination that desires good written press. If you can demonstrate that you've garnered a massive following and what you write gets noticed you may be offered these trips from time to time. Don't be shy about asking for a sponsored trip, if you are planning to travel. Joining writing organizations like: The Society of American Travel Writers, will allow you to find opportunities for "media trips" more readily. Take these trips as seriously as you would any other job for which you're being paid. However don't let that impede you from enjoying yourself a bit. After all your writing should be a positive draw to travelers and not merely a birds eyes view of the goings on. When your trip is done you should be sure to properly thank your sponsors for our media trip and hit your deadlines on time. Making a good impression on your initial trip, will lend credibility to your future work.

Travel writing can be fund and exciting, however, it is competitive. There’s no short list of those who feel they qualify to have their writing published on wonderful destinations. Be diligent and creative, think outside the box to get your writing published, if there are no takers initially and by following the tips above you’ll be well on your way to a creative and fulfilling career of travel writing.