Lately, I have been receiving several emails asking how I got into doing what I do. No matter where I go, I am usually asked that unoriginal question, “So what do you do?”. From my snobby neighbor that looked at me as if he didn’t believe my response to my hair stylist, I often feel as though I have to whip out a safari jacket and steno to prove, yes this is what I do.
In college, no one held my hand and told me how to start this location independent lifestyle. I figured it out on my own, as in the case with most searching for their dream job. By no means am I an expert. I’m not the head writer for National Geographic and I don’t have a travel show on the Travel Channel (not yet anyway). However, I have built a career traveling and writing.
A few weeks ago, a friend on the phone asked me how my job was going. I said all the superlatives you can muster to express my content. His next question, “Are you surviving?”. Most soon to be college grads are starting to figure out their lives, commencing the process of being afraid there is no job or they will have to settle for some job. Others want to leave their jobs to be a travel writer. If you are considering a career in travel writing, here are a few of my tips as to how I got started.
Start a Website
I can’t stress this enough in emails I receive of people looking to do what I’m doing. By starting a website, you have a venue to write, a portfolio to show freelance jobs your work. Without a website, it’s hard to see your full body of work or gage if people enjoy your writing.
Write, Write and Write
After leaving a job as an au pair in Italy, I came home and just started writing, for anyone that would take me. While these jobs won’t pay off mortgages, I think they were key toward getting exposure. There are a number of websites out there that take writing. You just have to do some searching to find them.
Promote Your Work On Social Media
If you don’t have a Twitter, it can be difficult to get the word out about your writing. Sign up for Twitter, Facebook, etc. Follow travel writers and bloggers. Learn from their writing. Promote others and the favor will be returned. I think without these social media venues it would have been a lot more challenging for me to get started doing what I do.
Apply To Freelancing Jobs Like It’s Your Job
Everyday, for about 4 months, I would apply to jobs. Anything I saw travel related, even if I didn’t have 15 years of experience, I applied. Eventually someone will bite. One job leads to another and another and pretty soon you have more work than you can handle. Suddenly, it isn’t about making applying to jobs your job.
Be Persistent and Don’t Listen To Negativity
It can be discouraging to start out making cents for your work. It can be a challenge when you put up a post and find no one commenting. Often times I worry no one is reading anymore. I’ve driven them away in some way. Don’t worry. Keep at it or you won’t make it. If I had picked up a side job while trying to be a full-time writer, I wouldn’t be where I am today. People will make you feel like a deadbeat for doing what you are doing, but if you are passionate about travel writing, you can do it. Buy some earplugs for the naysayers and keep typing on that keyboard.
Travel writers, what are your tips for those looking to start a career in travel writing?
Thanks for this, Suzy. I would absolutely love to be location independent, writing about something I love (travel). But I have a long way to go.
But, according to your tips, I’m on the right path! So that, at least, is reassuring.
I am an expat in Chile and now a wedding photographer that spends about 5 months out of the year traveling and before that I was a professional blogger. People never believe me when I say what I do/did! But I just wanted to add that most of your tips can really be applied to any profession. Or any profession where you are going to be your own boss, I should say.
I want to applaud your persistence and the delightful content of your posts. I look forward to reading your travel insights.
Great post Suzy 🙂 Persistence is key!
Awesome tips, ESPECIALLY about not listening to negativity!!!
Great Tips Suzy. Persistence is a must and the worse part is being persistent when you feel like nobody is listening. Often times I feel like I’m yelling down a empty hall. You take all kinds of time creating what you think will be a great post. Someone will definitetly respond to it you think but then nothing. Does this mean it sucks? I tell myself No – I just have to try harder. I firmly believe in the old saying that if you try hard enough you will be rewarded.
Thanks for writing this. I am sort of at the “where do i go now with this” stage on my blog-feeling discouraged some days and then others feeling like National Geographic is calling my name! So thanks for the well-time encouragement!
Good tips. While I eventually want to be a full-time writer, I do enjoy having “side jobs.” Working as a waitress or bartender gives my fill of the people time that I’m missing when I’m writing–and it’s a job that I can find anywhere in the world! The tips aren’t bad either 🙂
Great post with great tips. I think the only thing I didn’t do was apply to freelance jobs I think I’ll eventually get there once I actually start traveling more. Until then I’m with you on the “write, write and write” aspect and hoping people comment on a post. It’s a slow but exciting process, and unless you are willing to work for cents (or free) you’ll never get to that point of making dollars.
Great tips Suzy. Persistence is definitely key when trying to make it in this business. Working for literally nothing for months at a time can be mentally exhausting, and it would be really easy to just throw your hands up and quit (I’ve thought about doing it many times). You just have to remain confident in yourself and persistent in what you’re doing. Patience is the best virtue to have as a travel writer. Great post!
Excellent tips Suzy – and a well written post. Quick and to the point. Most of my additional writing work has come in through the writing I do for Backpackingmatt.com – the exposure you get through a travel blog is huge. And Twitter is King – I’ve met heaps of people that have allowed me – in one way or another – to get paid work writing.
Totally agree with you! Just landed a gig moderating a website and will beging a new project in January based upon someone reading my blog, inviting me to a tweetup and then building a relationship that has led to my new freelance gig!
Networking is the only other tip that I would include – just plain networking outside of actual online networking. Attend any in person events to physically meet people who are in the biz.
Cheers,
Priscilla
My dream is to someday live in Europe again and get by doing something I love, which would probably be a combo of writing, giving tours (since I have a degree in art history), and teaching English (which has been my full-time career for the past 10 years). As someone who did a ton of traveling and living abroad but who settled into a location-dependent career (which is a very rewarding one, by the way), I have a couple things to add. First, you are doing it right by working hard and getting as much experience while you’re in your 20s. Keep it up because it can be harder later. Second, you are a writer (not just a traveler who writes about it), and you are really good at it. Your writing is catchy & creative and reads well. That is certainly not the case with many other bloggers out there, but your skill will keep you going for the long-haul.
Thanks for sharing your advice, and best of luck to you as you continue on your path. 🙂
Cheers for the advice!
I’d love this type of lifestyle! Just traveling and writing… it’d be awesome!!
Excellent post, especially the last bit. I get the same response when I tell people what I do. They always go “oh!| and accompany it with a look of sorrow.
I changed my job title that many times, but now have just given up and let it go over my head.
Great advice Suzy and so inspirational! I have a full-time job and grad school but I could never give up my blog.
Thank you so much for this post. I’m just starting to write to free myself from the cubicle life. Love your encouragement!