Travel writing is experiencing an incredible moment.
While people decry that print is dead, specialty magazines are popping up all over the travel space, from new airline magazines to local luxury titles.
The burgeoning small business scene is creating scores of small tour companies that need content for their blogs. And literary travel writers are pioneering stunning new print and online magazines by the dozen.
But despite all this opportunity, so many people with the interest, drive, and background to become travel writers are floundering because no one is pulling back the curtain on exactly how to make a living as a travel writer today.
You can get a detailed, step-by-step map and time in The Six-Figure Travel Writing Road Map by our founder, but we’ve gathered together here all of the fundamentals to give you a crash course on what travel writing is, how to get started, and what you need to know to start getting assignments today.
What You Need to Know Before You Start Travel Writing
- Why Do We Need Travel Writers and Why Do You Want to Be One?
- Which of These 3 Types of Travel Writer Are You?
How to Get Started as a Travel Writer
- Why You Don’t Need to Start with $20 Articles and Work Your Way Up
- The Single Biggest Thing that Holds Travel Writers Back from Success
- Officially Launch Your Travel Writing Career in One Hour
- How to Get Your First Travel Writing Clips
- How to Get Yourself an Ongoing Travel Writing Gig This Week
How to Earn Money as a Travel Writer
- How Much Can You Really Make as a Travel Writer?
- Three Ways to Earn Six Figures as a Travel Writer
- “Normal” Travel Writing Rates for Magazines and Websites
- What You Need to Know About Freelance Travel Writing Contracts
Pitching Travel Magazines 101
- Should I Write the Article Before I Pitch It?
- Should I Pitch Stories Before I Leave on a Trip?
- Should I Write for Free When I’m Starting Out?
- How Can I Write Pitches Quickly?
- The Anatomy of the Perfect Travel Article Pitch
Resources to Support Your Travel Writing Career
- Where to Find Travel Writing Jobs Online
- 9 Resources for Pitching Freelance Articles that Will Change Your Life Forever
- Travel Writing Books and Resources I Recommend (And I’ve Tried Everything)
- The Complete Compendium of Conferences for Travel Writers
If you’re looking for magazines to pitch, don’t forget, we’ve got detailed breakdowns of hundreds of travel magazines and magazines that feature travel content in our Travel Magazine Database. Each magazine breakdown features:
- the magazine’s editorial focus
- what type of magazine it is (custom, consumer, trade)
- where the magazine is based
- relevant editors for travel pitches
- several years of covers to give you a sense of the magazine’s style
- which sections are open to freelancers
- the length of each section
- examples of what has been covered previously in each section
- the magazine’s target readership traits
- the percentage of travel-related content in each issue
- where to read full issues online
- editors’ email addresses
- pay rates to the best of our knowledge
- and much more!
Check out a sample entry here!
Want to break into magazines faster?
Grab 11 free magazine breakdowns from our Travel Magazine Database.