How to become a travel writer

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HERE, travel writer Susan V Miles explains how to make your travel feature stand out with some practical tips on becoming a travel writer….

If you are itching to get on the road and add the title of Travel Writer to your CV, before packing your bags and loading your motorhome or caravan it is important to understand the fundamental skills and techniques that this specific genre requires.

Like many freelance writing fields, research and detailed preparation are paramount. Research in fact runs throughout the lifecycle of preparing a travel article or feature.

From the initial selection of a theme or destination, through to the details you unearth while on the road and at your destination. It is therefore important to know where to look and who to contact when it comes to creating the pitch that will get you the commission and on your way to exploring the world, and writing about it.

Before you hit the road

Gathering ideas

Accessing ideas and themes for your travel articles can come from a range of sources and outlets. When initially researching a destination, it often pays to get a general overview of the location and its features.

Australian freelance lifestyle writer, Kristen Lee notes an approach that utilises print, online material and professional contacts to obtain current and update information on a destination.

‘Travel guides, such as Lonely Planet and Frommers, provide a snapshot of operators and a broad overview of destinations,’ says Kristen. She also advocates ‘websites or good blog sites, such as TripAdvisor’ when seeking locations and activities, however suggests supplementing this approach with ‘speaking to people first hand,’ warning that ‘websites aren’t always current or accurate’.

Use your contacts

Canadian freelance journalist, Patricia Richardson follows a similar mix for general destination information and ideas for travel pieces. ‘I rely heavily on the internet, tourism industry contacts and other smart people in my organiser,’ she says.

Patricia highlights the hidden value of reviewing ‘classified ad sections both online and in national newspapers’ noting that ‘smaller tour operators who can’t afford display ads often advertise there’ – and can provide interesting leads and themes for travel pieces.

I too rely on the ‘smart people’ in my contacts list for current travel information and ideas. These include professionals within the travel industry as well as those outside the profession.

This can include knowledgeable and passionate travellers as well as local contacts in the destination of interest.

Developing your idea

Write about your experiences

However, editors need more than just a destination with interesting activities and features to commission a piece. A well thought out theme or focus can be the difference between a ‘Yes, go ahead,’ and a ‘Thanks, but no’.

Personal preference helps Patricia Richardson choose a subject or theme for her proposals. ‘When I’m developing a story idea, I follow my own interests and passions,’ she says.

‘I assume that if I find a subject interesting someone else will too.’ Awareness of emerging trends in the travel industry is also a valuable tool to develop a timely proposal. Both Patricia and Kristen highlight the value of receiving regular updates and newsletters from tourism industry contacts.

Kristen also suggests ‘maintaining contact with key and relevant networks in the travel industry, staying on their radar so they can pitch story ideas to you.’

Regular contact and enquiry across a range of travel contacts has definitely served me well, often producing information on related activities and events that can be merged into a comprehensive feature.

Other sources

Related media are also a great source of travel ideas. Kristen suggests the value of ‘reading or watching other industry related media including TV, print and online publications,’ noting that ’these various medium tend to feed off each other,’ providing the catalyst for new angles to explore in your next travel piece.

On the road

Talk to people

The research has been completed, producing a compelling and timely proposal that has resulted in the desired commission or two. But the research hasn’t finished, it just takes on a different style now that you are on the road, and carrying out the assignment.

Both Patricia and Kristen are fans of immersive techniques when it comes to uncovering material while on the road.

Patricia notes her favoured approach is to ‘talk to people on the ground... locals, seasoned tourists, restaurant and retail owners,’ as well as applying good old fashion friendliness.

‘Smile and say hello,’ says Patricia, ’you’ll be surprised by how seemingly random encounters can lead to a story.’

Get stuck in

Kristen applies a more physical approach to her on the ground research, noting her preference to ‘actively participate in a wide range of activities, trying something new and always walk as much as possible’ as proven tactics to discover interesting material, and, as she describes, ‘getting under the skin of a destination to experience it’s true essence and culture’.

Be observant

For me, I love to apply a mix of observation and participation. Being a fly on the wall in a café, on a street or in a busy market provides an initial feel and hints to the life and culture of the area.

From my observations it is a natural kickoff to ask relevant and knowledgeable questions to further uncover interesting titbits and facts to give depth and colour to my finished article.

I think that writer Patricia Robertson has the quintessential tip when it comes to preparing a compelling travel piece.

Whether it’s at the initial stage of preparing a proposal or exploring at the destination, writers need to ‘possess an innate curiosity’ to uncover the new, the unusual, the forgotten and the hidden.

Read about home study courses by clicking here. If you want to find out more about becoming a writer of any sorts, then click this link to visit the website of our sister-title, Writers' News.

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