How To Get A Travel Magazine Writing Job: Directions For Beginners

Travel writing is a dream job that many skilled freelance writers have. To do something you love and get to see the world while at it doesn’t get much better. It’s a lucrative profession with a lot of challenges and rewards. We’ve come up with a few directions to follow if you’re just starting out in this field:

• Read, read, and read more.

Know the genre forwards and backwards. Read several articles each day. Read travel journals and diaries. Take in as much information as is humanly possible. This will help you get a sense of what it takes to write within this subject area.

• Redefine the travel genre.

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to mimic the tone or style of what is already out there. Develop your own style and try to redefine the entire genre. This will make your pieces more interesting from the start and will set you apart from dozens of other writers who remain within the box.

• Develop your online presence.

Before writing for a magazine you may want to try to develop a personal online presence by uploading content to a personal travel blog. Just think about how important it is to have an established readership. Publishers are more likely to be interested if they believe your followers will remain loyal.

• Develop a support network.

Connect with other writers. This is a great way to learn about job opportunities which you would not have known about otherwise. You can also use your network to exchange valuable resources and ideas.

• Develop your writing skills.

Keep working on developing your craft. Even if you are already comfortable with your style, there is always going to be room for improvement. Take the time you aren’t working on projects to get in some practice in this and in different areas.

• Submit original material.

Don’t write about places or on topics that others have already written about before. Keep originality at the top of your mind when you gather information and write drafts. You want to create a new voice and bring new perspectives about the world to readers.

• Be professional and persistent.

You’re going to experience a fair share of rejection. Don’t let this discourage you. Be professional and make the most of these minor losses. Learn from criticism and be stay persistent. What works for one magazine may not work for another, so keep looking. The right opportunity is out there.