Myths of Being a Freelance Travel Writer

Many freelance travel writers wrote posts and articles that encourage ordinary people to go and explore the world. They say that life is not meant to be lived in a single place, working in a cubicle 9 to 5 per day. Many have envisioned themselves traveling to foreign places, living, dining and doing stuff that locals do. It all sounds so straightforward and easy. Traveling and writing for a living do seem like a wonderful experience, filled with fun, surprising and “authentic” adventures.

What you are expecting though, are most likely a long list of disappointments.

Problems arise from the expectations that many believe they would experience even before they set out and travel. Some people have set the bar and succeeded as freelance travel writers. They have passive income coming in and have made travel writing as their business. You can read their tips, videos, and interviews on how you too can make it big as a freelance travel writer. Who wouldn’t want to travel and earn at the same time? So before you get all caught and dream about exotic destinations and all-expense paid trips because you are a travel writer, here are seven myths about being a freelance travel writer that you should watch out for.

Is it easy to travel, write and earn?

Travel writers do not start empty handed. Being a newbie in the field, you have to be ready to finance your travels so that you have something to write about. Unless you have travel writing experience that span years or you have become famous in your field, you can simply expect to make good deals with your writing assignments. Many travel writers who are now living the good life have started with shoestring backpacking trips, wrote about their experiences through blogs and have already made a name in the travel writing scene. Traveling and writing should foremost be your passion and that you are not merely starting this to earn and finance your desire to travel.

Is it easy to find Editors who will publish your story?

Travel magazines seemed like a great venue for your amazing travel stories. But did you know that in every slot in a magazine, there are hundreds of writers trying to fill it up?  While seasoned freelance travel writers have no issue as to where who or what magazine or website their travel guides and stories would go, new writers struggle for their stories to be accepted, published and get paid.

It’s all about the destination

Travel writers often think that going somewhere is reason enough to get an invitation to write or would sell anything written about it. There are thousands of guides and articles written about every place that you can imagine. Now editors are looking for unique details or a different view of these locations, and you have to craft it in your special way.

It’s all about your personal story

No, readers are not that interested in every personal detail or experience you have during your trip, so please minimize the whining, self-centered stories, and narratives. Edit your stories to include funny anecdotes, discoveries but leave personal stuff for your journals.

It’s all about long travel stories

These days, people are always on the go, and not a lot will have time and leisure to write more than five pages of your travel stories. Feature stories which you usually find in small corners of travel magazine interests publishers more. Readers are more inclined to read tips on being cheap, fast and hassle-free.

It’s your passport to free trips

Free tours truly are rare events even for seasoned travel writers. Depending on your level of popularity of the magazine you represent, you can receive invites as press and media partner to cover some event and maybe snag some hospitality freebies. Otherwise, all the expenses will be up to you.

It is the only thing you can write about

Being a travel writer should not mean that you have written about your travels, the destinations you’ve visited or currently in, tips and guides about travels. It can be quite restricting knowing for a fact that not all travel stories or articles sell easily. Most travel writers as well as professional essay writers are not only writing about their travels, but they are also accepting writing gigs to have a steady source of income.