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Traveling in 2011: Write about Your Travels and Make Money

January 5, 2011 By 2 Comments

I wrote a post about easing into freelance writing through travel writing. If you’re traveling in 2011, write about your travels to establish yourself as a writer and earn extra cash. For example, I entered a contest to win a trip to Japan in 2011. To help me get there, I created a vision board and placed a picture of Japan on it. I visualize myself visiting the temples and partaking in Tai Chi with the locals. I also say ‘thank you’ for having won the trip. I also intend and plan to visit the U.K. in April 2011 to be apart of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. I didn’t receive a formal invention but I’ll show my support by standing alongside the British people as they celebrate this historic event. I’m torn between staying at a budget hotel or hostel. I stayed at Budget Backpackers in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2007 and it was an awesome experience. You have to be comfortable with sharing the kitchen and bathroom along with rooming with strangers who may not speak English. It was an awesome experience and helped me ease into freelance writing and travel writing.

Travel tips

  • When it doubt, please leave it out. You don’t have to pack your entire closet, unless, of course, you plan on staying for six months or more. Believe it or not, you can buy toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, clothes, and other items when you arrive at your destination.
  • When you travel to foreign countries, remember that you’re the foreigner. Don’t expect the laws of your country to apply elsewhere in the world. Don’t expect stores to be opened 24-hours a day or on Saturday and Sunday. Most travelers, especially U.S. citizens, believe other countries are just like the U.S or believe they should be. It pains me to say that but I’ve experienced behavior by U.S. citizens that made me cringe. Be respectful and remember that you’re a foreigner in a foreign land.
  • Travel with a backpack or carry-on bag. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches if you leave your luggage at home. You’ll be able to breeze through airports and will have plenty of time to get something to eat or buy a magazine or book (if you didn’t bring one with you).
  • Give yourself plenty of time to get through airport security. Who knows, the security measures could be loosened in 2011. Until then, make sure you arrive on time to go through security.
  • Learn to speak the language. You don’t have to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French, Hungarian, Spanish, or Arabic but it will help if you know some key words and phrases. You’ll score points with the locals if you attempt to speak their language. They’ll be more than happy to assist you should you need help.
  • Bring a netbook, laptop, paper and pen, and recorder with you. In order to efficiently record your travel, you’ll need to record your thoughts. Bring whatever is most comfortable for you and won’t take up much space.

Travel writing tips

  • Write what you know. If you’re passionate about adventure travel, write about it. If you’re passionate about dude ranches, write about it. Also, think about what you liked and didn’t like about your past travels. How would that information help your fellow travelers? How would it benefit them? Once you find the answer, you’ll be on your way to become a travel writer.
  • Travel throughout your state and or country. Believe it or not, where you live is a destination for tourists. You could establish yourself as the ‘go-to’ travel writer in your area.
  • Find your voice. It’s flattering to emulate your favorite writers but write in your own voice; it will sound more authentic.
  • Decide what you want to write. You can write blogs, articles, a travel journal or memoir, guidebook, or fiction book based on your travels. Don’t limit yourself but chose a line of writing that’s best for you.

Freelance writing and travel writing are fun careers. If you’re traveling in 2011 and the coming years, why not turn your travels into cash? You’ll never know where it will lead you if you don’t take the plunge. Who knows, you could have your own show on The Travel Channel (I’m finding out how to pitch them ideas). Good luck!

Rebecca

Where are you traveling in 2011? Share.

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Tips and Tricks, Travel Writing Tagged With: , , , ,

Ease into Freelance Writing with Travel Writing

December 29, 2010 By 1 Comment

I never dreamed of being a freelance writer or a travel writer; I fell into it. I visited Edinburgh, Scotland in 2007 to attend The International Fringe Festival which is a big art festival. There are festivals within the International Fringe Festival. There’s the International Book Festival, Military Tattoo Festival, and others. If you’re a savvy traveler, you can find good deals on flights and lodging. I stayed in a hostel because I knew it was inexpensive and knew I would have a great time. When I got back to the U.S., I wrote a travel article about my experience. This is how I landed an opportunity with a travel company in Arizona. It was my ‘foot in the door’ to freelance writing — I never looked back.

You can earn a living from travel writing if you’re serious about it. Forget about listening to the naysayers because these people are afraid of their own shadow. They couldn’t imagine backpacking through Europe and staying in hostels or with unfamiliar people. Don’t spend your life working a 9 to 5 job that makes you miserable. Here’s a tip: work your 9 to 5 job and save your money! This way you can say “Hasta la vista, baby” and skip out to a better and brighter future.

Travel writing tips

  • Read the work of successful travel writers such as Bill Bryson and other writers.
  • Start your own blog.
  • Find your own voice and stick with it.
  • Don’t listen to people who say you can’t earn a living from travel writing.
  • Be a guest blogger.

Examples of travel writing niches

  • Surfing
  • Top 10 beaches in the world
  • French food and wine
  • French countryside
  • English countryside
  • Scottish countryside
  • Best pubs in the U.K.
  • Best bed and breakfasts’ in New England
  • Best bed and breakfasts’ in the South
  • Best luxury hotels in North America
  • Best luxury hotels in South America
  • Best spas in the Southwest
  • Solo travelers
  • Woman travelers
  • Men travelers
  • Backpackers

Travel writing is endless — you can write about anything! Of course, the most popular writings revolve around destinations pieces like “Top Travel Destinations” because people want to know where to go. But don’t limit yourself to this type of writing. You can write memoirs, journals, and poetic pieces as well. Expand your horizons and allow yourself to fly!

If you’re ready to dump your boring 9 to 5 job or at least work a fun part-time job, consider travel writing. The travel industry has its ups and downs but baby boomers are said to be traveling more and more each year. They have the disposable income and aren’t sitting in their rocking chairs waiting for the ‘kiss of death’ to brush them on their lips — they’re not like their parents generation! If you’re a ‘boomer,’ you could write about travels that would interest your generation and earn extra income at the same time. It’s a win-win situation.

Travel writing is for people who enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting different people. These are people who know there’s more to life than what is in their backyard. They’re risk takers who want to live life to the fullest. If this sounds like you, begin a full-time or part-time career in travel writing. You never know where it will lead you and that’s the fun part. Good luck!

Rebecca

Do you like to travel and have stories you’d like to share? What’s holding you back? Share.

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Tips and Tricks, Travel Writing Tagged With: , ,

Travel and Tourism Promotion Boosts The Bottom Line

August 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

california_hotels_resorts

I recently drove to Northern California; the East Bay and South Bay areas of San Francisco. Don’t ask me why I chose to drive 12 hours instead of boarding a plane. It was a grueling drive because I was the only driver. I think I’m done with road trips for some time. I did contribute to the economy by spending most of my money on gas!

What surprised me about my visit to Northern California is the lack of travel and tourism promotion. I stayed at an independent hotel and they had no travel information. I looked around the lobby and front desk, but couldn’t find any. I thought this was odd since it was not a BIG hotel chain. They did offer free WiFi and provided a computer and printer in the lobby for guests. Still, it would have been nice to have some travel brochures that provided me with information about the area.

Small businesses within the travel and tourism industry can benefit from advertising and promotion. If you own a bed and breakfast, independent hotel, spa and salon, or restaurant, make sure to have promotional material readily available for guests. It’s a good idea to have a couple of travel brochures about the area as well.

If you want travelers to spend money in your community, you’ve got to help them out. Some travelers like to “fly by the seat of their pants” (I sometimes do) and don’t plan every little detail when they travel. How will they know what historic sites to visit? Where will they dine and shop? How can they improve your area’s economic situation if they don’t know what to do or where to go? This translates to lost dollars for your community.

Of course, I was in the area known as Silicon Valley. Maybe the area doesn’t need any improvement to its bottom line because the techie companies are “pumping cash” into the local economy.

Travel and tourism promotion along with great customer service can improve the bottom line of a small business. Promoting your business will ensure that travelers come back to your establishment. Have plenty of brochures at the front desk or in the lobby. When it’s time to check out, travelers can take a brochure with them. Remember, word-of-mouth is still a viable means of advertising.

Savvy Writer Rebecca

How do you promote your business to travelers?

Filed Under: Clients, Tips and Tricks, Travel Writing Tagged With: ,
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