Travel writing is a form of journalism which involves translating the travel experiences of others into word. It can be quite lucrative, especially as a freelance travel writer, and over the past decade or so, the income levels of those in the industry have risen sharply. Since few people are born with the talent to be successful as a travel writer, it’s likely that your income will rise as you learn the trade.
The Different Opportunities
There are many different routes which you can follow to make money as a freelance travel writer. If you are looking for the traditional route, you could try taking magazines for travel writers as a vacation so that you can gain practical experience and build up a portfolio of articles to show potential clients. Most travel writers will work for free for several months before they are able to begin charging for their services. During this time, they are expected to build up a portfolio of articles which can be sold to travel magazines or newspapers.
Another route is to try your hand at blogging. If you can get in early with the right niche, you can become a successful blogger and attract sponsorships which can help you to make money from a travel angle. Just remember to keep your articles interesting and engaging and make sure that you put in the effort to be successful.
A third option is to try commissioning travel articles for international publications. There will always be a demand for English-language content in the world’s best travel blogs, and you can use your journalistic skills to become a valued contributor.
The Rising House Prices
One of the significant differences between being a travel writer and a journalist in general is that while the former might occasionally receive salaries in excess of £100,000, the latter typically earns closer to £30,000 – £50,000. This is simply because there is a greater demand for freelance writers and the industry generally tends to attract more skilled writers. The income levels within the industry have risen over the past few years as a result of this and more people are able to make a living from writing.
One of the significant differences between being a travel writer and a tourist is that the former is likely to travel to more expensive destinations and stay in more luxurious hotels. This adds to the industry’s overall appeal and the demand far outstrips the supply of able writers who can cover it. In short, if you have the skill and can generate the interest, there will always be an audience – whether you are looking to make a living or it’s just a hobby.
How to Make Money As a Freelance Travel Writer was last modified: April 19th, 2019 by Neil Armstrong – better known as @TravelingNeil on Twitter