March 19, 2007
Advice for the aspiring travel journalist
Although I’ve assembled plenty of advice for aspiring travel writers on my websites over the years, I still get a steady stream of queries – often from college students – asking about how to land a travel writing gig. A recent inquiry comes from Maggie in Minnesota:
I am an aspiring travel journalist and freshman in college. I have decided to pursue travel journalism as my career. I am only 19 years old, but I have already been on numerous international travels. I have found that one of the great loves of my life is traveling and writing about those experiences. One of the greatest thrills of my life is interacting with people of other cultures, hearing their stories, living their way of life, etc.Mr. Potts, what I am trying to get at is that I am very passionate about travel and writing. I know many people my age dream of being a travel journalist, and I know many of them may be better writers than I. What can I do to make my writing stand apart from all others? How can I be a successful travel journalist? What do magazines look for when they hire a travel journalist? What can I be doing now to prepare me for my future as a travel journalist?
This is what I told Maggie:
My best advice for you is to find an area of expertise. An area of expertise might be a physical area, such as Southeast Asia or Scandinavia, or the Rocky Mountains; or it may be a travel specialty, such as extreme sports, or golf, or low-budget travel, or spa travel. Keep in mind it will take you a long time to accumulate expertise -- but you'll have fun doing it. With enough expertise, you may be able to write for (or create your own) guidebooks, and you can do lots of freelancing on the side.Interestingly, getting "hired" by a magazine or newspaper as a travel journalist is a mixed bag. It makes for a stable job, but ironically you won't be able to travel much in a free-spirited manner -- since publications rely on freelancers for their actual travel features, and they themselves often stick to travel news that can be reported from an office. And, even more ironically, those staffers who do get to travel usually earn this privilege not by accumulating experience as travelers, but by accumulating experience as normal, office-bound writers and editors. So if you really want a staff job, aim for magazine/newspaper internships while you're still in school.
I didn't do this: I took the freelance route, which is more fun, but a lot less stable and remunerative. I traveled, taught English, traveled some more, worked odd jobs, and traveled some more. I didn't sell a travel article for money until I was 28 -- and, while I am a full-time travel writer now with books under my belt, I still don't make much money as a freelancer. Few people do.
So only get into travel journalism if you really love to travel and write. If you think it's a good pretext for getting to travel, think again: you can travel just as much by saving up money from another, better-paying job, and just taking off to go vagabonding. So only pursue travel writing because you love to write as well. If that admonition hasn't scared you off, I'll advise you to write as much as possible, work on your narrative voice (because a vivid or funny voice can make all the difference), do some publication internships, get out there and work on your travel expertise, and -- most of all -- have fun! Even if your travels don't lead to a full-time career, they are a reward in and of themselves.
Comments (15)
I have to agree with Ralf about finding a specialism or niche for yourself. I am not exactly a travel writer, I write about travel as a way of promoting my online travel business. I started my business almost five years ago, in 2002. I still have another part time job.
My niche is less well known destinations in Europe. I write articles and destination guides for my website as a way to promote my business. I started a blog in October 2006 and I find this has been a great way to increase visitors to my site and increase my Google page ranking without spending any money, just a lot of hard work! Perhaps if Maggie started a blog this would give her experience in travel writing and some exposure.
Posted by Karen Bryan | March 21, 2007 2:46 AM
Posted on March 21, 2007 02:46
Hi Ralf,
Good advice, and well done on the blog.
I've been a travel journalist ten years - seven full-time, and three as a freelancer. Now I'm part of a collective of travel writers, based in Asia.
I recall recently seeing Francis Coppola speaking of his advice on making art, and his advice was essnetially that if you can make money along the way, it is much easier to have creative freedom.
This applies to travel writing too, which works extremely well as an addition to a life of frequent travel. Many people schlep around the world doing less 'glamourous' jobs like sales, simply because they have a passion for (free) travel. Then in their spare time where possible, they take off on their own side trips. That's what I did many years too.
One of my pieces of advice on getting published or employed is, consdier volunteering first. If you can't get in as a "paid" writer, build up a folio by writing for those who may only give you nominal pay, but can help you spread the good word.
Ultimately though, if you have a passion for travel, go do it. If you can write as you go, all strength to you. But especially when you're young, just accumulate experiences and friendships. Your career will gain wings later on, trust me.
Posted by Luke | March 30, 2007 1:21 AM
Posted on March 30, 2007 01:21
My name is Cristina and i am in 7 grade. I have to do a project in school about what we want to be when we grow up. One of the jobs that i picked was travel journalist but i have a few questions. Do you have to be a really really good writer? Do you get to travel alot around the world? What are the salaries for being a traveling journalist? What high school courses and college courses do you have to take? What college should you go to to become a travel jouranlist?
I would appreciated if you could sent me the answers or any suggestions to arribas93@hotmail.com
thank you so much
Posted by Cristina | April 12, 2007 12:28 PM
Posted on April 12, 2007 12:28
Hi my name is Jessica. I'm from India. I'm 19 yrs old and really inspired by Ian Wright. I want to be a traveler. I'm studying journalism at college level and I've freelancing with the leading newspaper in India. Is there some sort of course or study that trains people to be travelers? How do i go about my aspiration?
Posted by Jessica Pereira | June 10, 2007 5:08 AM
Posted on June 10, 2007 05:08
i want to be a travel jounalist . i m in final year of bba(tourism)....whr do i go frm here
Posted by rajul dube | September 9, 2007 12:43 AM
Posted on September 9, 2007 00:43
i want to be a travel jounalist . i m in final year of bba(tourism)....whr do i go frm here
Posted by rajul dube | September 9, 2007 12:44 AM
Posted on September 9, 2007 00:44
this is great. i mean tha im a high school senior, and i love to write and im looking for a career. but i found this one and i think this is it.
Posted by leann | October 4, 2007 11:24 AM
Posted on October 4, 2007 11:24
I am a sophmore at PSHS Parkersburg South High School. I have only began to think about my career. I have choosen travel journalism, as a deffinate career! So as I go on to college what do you think I should major in..Journalism maybe or will that major lead me in the wrong career pathway?
Posted by Chasity Gibson | October 14, 2007 1:09 PM
Posted on October 14, 2007 13:09
I have a degree in Journalism and was considered a good writer in college. I love travel and writing, but did not pursue it because of the instability and low pay. I thought at the time that I'd be happier making money, but after 10 years of the rat race I am reconsidering.
Do you think there is a time limit for pursuing travel journalism as a career? I am 33 and have a supportive wife who would certainly relocate from the United States to Europe as a base. I think I would enjoy writing about out of way places in both Eastern and Western Europe.
What do you think is the best way to enter the field?
Posted by Rahul Kashyap | November 10, 2007 4:49 PM
Posted on November 10, 2007 16:49
I'm also interested in travel journalism as my career.I can see my self having a career that allows me to experience new things and then share feeling and journeys. But, I also could use some more stable info. Mostly about what paths I should be taking and how I can make an actual "comfortable" living.
If anyone has any more advice or info please contact me at katw0692@hotmail.com
Posted by Katherine Ward | December 22, 2007 5:28 PM
Posted on December 22, 2007 17:28
hey,
im in a crisis! im about to graduate from college and still dont know what to get my master's degree in. now, i've been travelling allllll my life and there is nothing else that i'd rather be doing in my career. i considered doing international marketing, sales, or journalism, but i want to make sure that i can TRAVEL! alot!!! travel journalism sounds like THE job for me, but the low pay and instability scares me off a little. who will pay for my travels? and for how long? there is no "travel journalism as a career" website on the internet, so please help!
thanks
Posted by maria | January 5, 2008 3:15 PM
Posted on January 5, 2008 15:15
My name is Zach and i am in 7 grade. I was curious about travel journalism as a career.I have a few questions. Do you have to be a really really good writer? Do you get to travel alot around the world? What are the salaries for being a traveling journalist? What high school courses and college courses do you have to take? What college should you go to to become a travel jouranlist?
Posted by Zach | January 19, 2008 12:34 PM
Posted on January 19, 2008 12:34
hello. i live in England,UK and i am unsure of my my ideal 'job' in the future. I am 16, and have always enjoyed the idea of being able to travel & write similarly. However, i am aware of the tough market of journalism itself, and although i love writing, i am more intrested in a job that involves travel. Reading your article confirms this, and i too have often thought about teaching english as a foreign language. I was wondering if you had any advice on other jobs which allow travel, or any tips on how to get into teaching english abroad, as i know this allows travel & new experiences.
Thanks
Posted by j | January 20, 2008 9:38 AM
Posted on January 20, 2008 09:38
You people in high school are stressing me out. I mean yes, travel writing sounds like a sweet job, but believe me your ideas will change by the time you are out of college. I am about to graduate college with a journalism degree and have considered travel writing, but I have thought of other things too that could maybe just support a lifestyle of long-term travel. My plan right now is to save up money, travel to Southeast Asia for 6 or 9 months, and hopefully writing will come and/or follow from that but my main objective is to travel.
Posted by Jessica Thomas | March 10, 2008 9:25 PM
Posted on March 10, 2008 21:25
Just a thought to the novice and professional journalist alike, I am willing to build travel journalists or the aspiring writer a web-page at my website http://www.VacationRanking.com
It is free and you can use it to showcase some of your work, as long as the reviews are on the up and up.
The reviews will be available to visitors and they can rank the reviews.
If someone writes bogus reviews that shed a positive light on a place where it shouldn't, that is an obvious no-no.
Use it if you feel it will benefit you and my readers.
Thank you
Posted by Josh Spoehr | May 4, 2008 10:07 AM
Posted on May 4, 2008 10:07