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.
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