I'd like to chase a career in travel writing and am about to take a trip abroad. I've been a reporter for about 11 years and currently work for a weekly at a good media company. I'd like to start writing personal travel narratives. Any suggestions on where to start marketing?
Travel Bug
Wow, you and everyone else.
Talk about a popular field. I'd start thinking in terms of mashups.
Not just travel writing, but:
- Traveling with your pets
- Traveling with a baby
- Traveling without an agenda
- Traveling by yourself
- Shopping while traveling
You simply have to have something besides great writing to differentiate yourself from the rest of the field. Create and master a niche. After you have defined one that takes advantage of your talents and interests, start to market it with some online writing -- as in a blog or on a Web site -- and go for assignments that build the brand you choose.
I just don't think the world will make room for another travel writer who doesn't offer a twist or an angle.
Coming Wednesday: A young reporter is running into hostile sources and wonders how to handle them.
