Travel Writing: Becoming A Globetrotting Journalist

Becoming a world-traveling journalist is a dream for many, but it requires a lot more than a passion for travel and a way with words. It takes hard work, dedication, and a diverse skill set. Travel journalists need to be adept at writing, of course, but also interviewing, pitching, crafting compelling stories, and even photography. They must be able to sniff out good angles and hidden gems that aren't in the guidebooks, and have the communication skills to build relationships with locals and industry contacts alike. It's a highly competitive field, with few staff jobs available, so freelancers need to be prepared for the financial realities of this career path.

Develop a network of contacts

Developing a network of contacts is an essential part of becoming a journalist. Here are some tips to help you build a valuable network:

Identify the Right Journalists

First, identify journalists relevant to your industry or topic. Research their previous work, interests, and audience to create a targeted media list. Consider their specialisms and whether they align with your pitch. For example, if you are pitching a story about an unusual travel destination, look for journalists who write about quirky places or have experience in the area you are visiting.

Find Contact Information

Once you have identified the journalists you want to contact, the next step is to find their contact information. This can be done through various platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogs. Google is an essential tool for finding journalists' websites, profiles, and articles. Utilise email finding tools such as Rocket Search or Hunter to locate their email addresses.

Organise Your Contacts

Create a system to organise your contacts in a way that makes sense for you. You can use platforms like Monday, or even Google Sheets or Excel, to sort your contacts by outlet, industry, or location. Keeping your media contact organisation clear and accessible is key.

Reach Out and Build Relationships

When reaching out, be honest and human. Introduce yourself and share something you are working on to spark a conversation. Show genuine interest in their work by commenting on their articles and sharing their posts. Respect their time and workload, and personalise your pitch to each journalist. Be friendly, professional, and persistent without being pushy.

Maintain Regular Contact

Maintain regular contact with your network, even when you don't have a story to pitch. Show that you value the relationship and are interested in more than just publicity. Provide insights, offer help with their stories, and be a reliable source of information. Keep your sources secret and ensure they are happy with how you attribute them in your stories.

Nurture Long-Term Relationships

Building long-term relationships with journalists is about more than just pitching stories. It's about creating partnerships and contributing to their success. Maintain regular contact, respond promptly to their queries, and respect their deadlines. By putting in the effort, you will foster durable media links that can last for years.

Study journalism, communications or English

Studying journalism, communications, or English is a great way to gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a world-travelling journalist. Here are some tips and insights to guide you through this path:

Choose the Right Degree

Earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or English is a crucial step towards becoming a world-travelling journalist. During your studies, you will develop essential writing techniques, storytelling abilities, and a strong foundation in media ethics. This academic credential will enhance your employability and open doors to full-time job opportunities with media outlets.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Take advantage of study abroad programs offered by your university. These experiences will help you become comfortable travelling to new places and provide valuable opportunities to research and write stories under the guidance of experienced professors. You'll gain cultural insights, develop your writing skills in new environments, and build a global network of contacts.

Develop Key Competencies

Journalism, communications, and English degrees will equip you with a comprehensive toolkit for your future career. You will refine your writing and editing skills, learn how to pitch stories and interview people, and understand the ethical considerations of journalism. Additionally, you'll gain valuable knowledge about media laws and regulations and the importance of fact-checking.

Build a Strong Foundation

The theoretical and practical knowledge gained during your studies will serve as a solid foundation for your career. You will learn how to research, fact-check, and determine the credibility of sources. These skills are essential for a world-travelling journalist, enabling you to craft well-informed and engaging stories that resonate with global audiences.

Network and Intern

Consider pursuing internships alongside your studies. Internships provide hands-on experience and allow you to build a professional network within the industry. They offer valuable learning opportunities, helping you understand the day-to-day workings of news outlets and develop relationships with editors and publishers.

Hone Your Craft

A degree in journalism, communications, or English will also encourage you to practice and refine your writing skills. You'll learn how to craft compelling narratives, engage your readers, and adapt your writing style for different mediums. This continuous development of your writing abilities is key to standing out in the competitive world of journalism.

In summary, studying journalism, communications, or English provides a strong academic foundation for aspiring world-travelling journalists. It equips you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and industry connections to pursue a successful career in this exciting field.

Intern at a publication

Internships are a great way to gain hands-on experience in journalism and can often lead to entry-level journalism positions. They are also a fantastic opportunity to develop new skills and meet potential mentors. Your duties as an intern will depend on the focus of your internship and your desired career path. For example, if you want to be a journalist who focuses on social media, you might focus on platforms like Instagram or Facebook during your internship.

You can find journalism internships by checking your school's career centre, online job boards, and job fairs. It's a good idea to start researching and preparing your application materials early. When applying, be sure to tailor your cover letter and resume to each internship you're interested in. Seek out internships that offer experience in the type of journalism that interests you, whether that's print media, digital media, or something else. Don't be afraid to look beyond your local area, as exploring a new city as a reporter can be a great way to get to know it.

Both paid and unpaid internships are available, and each has its advantages. Paid internships will give you some income, while unpaid internships may offer academic credit or the chance to work with top-level professionals. If you're interested in an unpaid internship, you may need to take on a part-time job to support yourself.

To make your application stand out, create a digital portfolio that showcases your best work and highlights your strengths as a journalist. Include writing samples, multimedia content, and a profile about yourself, your background, and your interests. Make sure your social media presence reflects your professional brand and showcases your ability to use these platforms to promote your work and engage with others.

Finally, don't be discouraged if you don't get an internship right away. There are other ways to gain experience, such as freelancing for a news site, writing on your blog, or joining your college newspaper.

Pitch unique stories

Pitching unique stories as a world-travelling journalist

Pitching unique stories is a crucial aspect of becoming a successful world-travelling journalist. Here are some detailed tips to help you craft compelling pitches and stand out in the competitive world of travel journalism:

Understand the Publication and its Audience:

Before pitching, thoroughly research the publication you're targeting. Understand its style and tone, and the type of content it typically publishes. Study their writer's guidelines if available, and check their recent articles to avoid pitching stories they've already covered. Knowing their audience is key; ask yourself if the destination or topic you're pitching is of interest to their readers.

Find Your Angle:

Even when pitching about popular destinations, you need a unique angle to make your story stand out. Dig for hidden gems and insider information, or a fresh perspective that adds something new to what's already in travel guides. For example, instead of a general guide, pitch "Baku's beach scene" or "Skiing in Iraq." Think like an editor and consider what stories will be relevant and timely for their upcoming issues.

Craft a Compelling Pitch:

Keep your pitch short, sweet, and to the point. Introduce yourself briefly, and if relevant, mention any prior interaction with the editor. Pitch multiple concrete story ideas and address what the story is, why it's relevant now, where it would fit in the outlet, and why you're the best person to write it. Include a suggested headline, angle, sources, and any relevant timely events tied to your story.

Know the Timing:

The timing of your pitch matters. Aim to pitch early, as editorial calendars often work months in advance for print publications and a few weeks to a month ahead for digital pieces. Learn the editorial cycle of your target outlets, especially if you're pitching for a seasonal issue or holiday lineup.

Build Relationships with Editors:

Developing relationships with editors can increase your chances of a successful pitch. Show that you understand their publication and their needs. Be respectful, transparent, and disclose if you're pitching the same idea to multiple outlets. Follow up politely if you don't hear back, as emails can get lost, but avoid hounding editors.

Showcase Your Skills:

Editors want to see that you can write well-crafted, engaging copy and find unique angles. Use your blog or personal website to showcase your writing skills and dedication to the craft. Include links to your website or published work in your pitch to provide editors with concrete examples of your abilities.

Remember, every publication and editor is different, so adapt your pitch accordingly. Stay persistent, as pitching is a numbers game, and don't be discouraged by rejections. Good luck on your journey to becoming a world-travelling journalist!

Build a portfolio

A portfolio is an essential part of your toolkit as a journalist. It is a showcase of your work and abilities, providing evidence of your experience and qualifications to potential employers. Here are some steps to help you build a strong portfolio as you pursue a career in world travel journalism:

Choose a Platform:

• Create your own website or blog to display your work. This can be a simple, basic website with a focus on functionality rather than design. Platforms like Medium, Contently, About.me, Squarespace, and WordPress offer free or low-cost options for creating a portfolio website.
• Alternatively, you can use social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to showcase your work and enhance your online presence.

Gather Your Work:

• Collect your best writing samples, including articles, blog posts, or other published work. Ensure that you have permission to share these pieces and that you provide proper attribution.
• If you are unable to share full articles on your site, include links to your published work or embed them as captioned links.

Include Essential Information:

• Along with your writing samples, include a CV or resume, a short personal profile, and your contact details.
• Provide links to your professional social media accounts, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram, especially if they showcase your work or are relevant to your journalistic niche.

Showcase Variety:

While tailoring your portfolio to the specific niche of world travel journalism, ensure you demonstrate versatility. Include a range of topics and formats to showcase your adaptability as a journalist.

Quality Over Quantity:

• Select your best work, as employers will likely only spend a few minutes reviewing your portfolio.
• Choose pieces that are most relevant to the publication or role you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a position in world travel journalism, ensure your portfolio highlights your travel-related work.

Make it User-Friendly:

• Ensure your portfolio is well-organised and easy to navigate. Potential employers should be able to access your work easily, preferably within a few clicks.
• Include clear publication details for each article, such as where and when it was published.

Keep it Up-to-Date:

While it is not necessary to update your portfolio constantly, ensure that it remains current and relevant. Update it with new work, achievements, or accolades periodically.

Enhance Your Online Presence:

• Be mindful of your overall online presence. Ensure that employers find the right information about you when they search for your name.
• Engage with other journalists, editors, and publications on social media, and consider starting your own blog or contributing to relevant blogs or publications to increase your visibility.

A well-crafted portfolio will showcase your skills, experiences, and unique perspective as a world travel journalist. It will help you stand out to potential employers and open doors to exciting opportunities in your career.

Frequently asked questions