What is the best way to go about becoming a travel writer/photographer?

by Annabelle Klachefsky
(Eugene, Oregon, USA)

Hello! I am a young woman in search of thrills in life, and combining my two passions, travel and culture, to create my future. I am wondering, since travel writing fits my dream job, what the best and most efficient way to go about starting that as a potential career, and getting a resume built? I only have one small published work in my city newspaper, so I'm fresh off the wagon and eager to learn more. I am planning to travel to Thailand next Sept-Nov. and would like ideas on how to get started with this career possibility!

Answer: There are so many ways to become a travel writer! For me, the road involved learning how to write and working with good editors. It also involved a lot of rejections along the way, and eventually, a good and fun living!

Before taking any classes, I strongly recommend that you take my free travel writing course. It lasts one week and you can work at your own pace. Basically it walks you through the various steps involved in becoming a travel writer - and you can then explore and deepen your knowledge if you want to.

Be aware that there's a lot of competition out there so you need to be armed with the best possible skills if you want to make a living from writing! With enough drive and hard work, you CAN make it, and there are few more rewarding careers than traveling, loving every minute, and sharing that delight with thousands of readers.

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What is the best way to go about becoming a travel writer/photographer?

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Become IT-savvy... create your own blog!
by: gwen@algarveexperiences.com

In today's world, I don't think there's a better way to start building your credentials as a travel writer than creating your own blog. It's easy, free and gives you a public platform for self expression.

Now, when I say it's 'easy', what I mean is that blogging platforms like Wordpress and Blogger have wonderful templates or themes that are technically easy to master and that look great. What isn't so easy is to actually confront that dratted template on an on-going basis, to drag up from inside the enthusiasm and creativity to blog on a regular basis, to keep finding the words that paint the pictures you want for people, to be ignored by the world as you write and post your brilliance, and to confront your demons as you write for a potentially public audience. And we all have our demons: I'm boring, my grammar isn't good enough, I can't spell, no one is interested in this stuff, I can't be that outrageous - take your pick. They'll likely all surface.

But that's the beauty of a blog. It helps you hone your skills and face your self limiting beliefs while you do all the other things necessary to find paying gigs for your travel writing.

I also am a big Twitter fan and have developed a huge community amongst writers and travelers there. I think it's a great forum in which to get known by some movers & shakers, to stay connected with what the industry is up to, and to potentially get some guest blogging posts (yet another way to build your portfolio).

Good luck as you pursue your passion.

Gwen McCauley

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