Six years ago I was working at one of the largest advertising agencies in the world. I hadn’t taken a vacation in more than four years, but my heart kept calling me to Paris. Little did I know that one small choice to go on vacation would change my life forever.
I followed through on the guidance and went to the City of Love and Lights. At that point in my life, I was deep in my depression and suffocating in sadness, but when I arrived in Paris, all that lifted.
A piece of me revealed itself, the part of me that loves to write, share my experiences, and explore. I wrote about my trip in emails to family back home, and within hours I received messages from people I had never met, friends of friends saying, “Shannon, your story about the Paris café was so beautiful, you brought me back to my time there.” When I received these emails something inside of me lit up. I never felt so alive and connected to my best self. “I want to be a travel writer!” I declared. “This is what will make me happy.”
Your inner guide is always talking to you and giving you clues. Your job is to trust them and take action. Taking that trip to Paris changed my direction in life. I left corporate and found my life purpose and passion. Flash forward to today: I’m in negotiations for my fourth book deal, I have a fulfilling coaching and teaching career, and travel writing is still a huge part of my life.
Many people ask me, “How do you become a travel writer?” so in today’s vlog, I peel back the layers of my business to reveal the truth. There are some misconceptions about the industry that I share openly to steer you in the right direction.
If you’ve ever thought about or wondered how to become a travel writer, you’ll love this week’s message. Enjoy.
Three tips to help you get started.
1. Put Passion Over Profit
The most successful travel writers do it because they love it. Not because of the money. When you do what you love, the money will follow. Make sure you focus on the joy of travel and exploration and that will infuse your articles, which will bring you more money. But a rule for all travel writers is don’t do it for the money, do it because you love it.
2. Be Flexible with Your Schedule
Travel writers are on the road and often called for jobs at the last minute. Having a lifestyle that suits spontaneous trips will help you land more jobs.
2. Establish a Strong Work Ethic
Fall in love with the hard work. Travel writing is for people who are willing to work hard. You are on the road often and in meetings with PR reps, managers, and location owners. The pay isn’t really large at first, but it’s important to be professional and maintain a high level of work ethic. You will be remembered and you will get callbacks for new jobs.
3. Travel and Write
If you want to be a travel writer, start by traveling more and writing. If you aren’t writing right now, you are missing huge opportunities. When I first started I went to local bakeries and spas in my hometown and wrote about my experiences for the local newspaper. So start where you are—you don’t have to wait.
Photo Credit: Jordan Aftanas @dreajordan
Sounds great Let me start writing. I will find time my friend. That’s a great idea! Thank you so much!