A travel journalist is a person who travels to different locations, explores new cultures, and then writes about them. If you love travelling and writing, it is a great profession as you will get to combine the two passions. Magazines, newspapers, travel agencies and travel websites hire travel journalists on a freelance and full-time basis. If you are planning to become a travel journalist, here are some useful tips curated by one of the leading journalism and mass communication colleges:
What does it take to be a travel journalist?
To become a good travel journalist, you must:
- Be passionate about travelling.
- Be willing to explore new places and adapt to the challenges that each journey brings.
- Have a strong news sense and the ability to find the most interesting stories to write about.
- Be observant and have a keen interest for research to understand the culture and the importance of the places you visit.
- Be a storyteller, with the ability to produce engaging copy that is filled with fascinating insights.
Here are some skills needed to be a travel journalist:
- Communication skills: You must possess excellent communication skills to be successful as a travel journalist. You will be required to communicate with people from all walks of life and weave their experiences into your travel stories. Taking interviews of local people is an art as you have to ask the right questions and get them talking.
- Writing skills: There are no two ways that a good travel journalist should possess good writing skills. After all, travel writing is all about drawing pictures with words.
- Research skills: To find the right travel story, you need good research skills. Well-researched points boost the article’s credibility while providing value to the reader.
Here are some tips for you to become a travel journalist:
- Pursue a degree in journalism and mass communications:
A degree in journalism and mass communications can help you enter the threshold at a magazine or newspaper. As part of the course, you learn about different writing styles and how to develop a knack for news stories.
If you are looking for reputed journalism and mass communication colleges in Gujarat, consider Unitedworld School Of Liberal Arts & Mass Communication, Karnavati University. We offer B.A. Journalism and Mass Communication course which has an excellent and dedicated module on travel writing. Besides, you get to learn the fundamentals of photography. We offer a comprehensive and immersive education in all aspects of journalism and mass communication. For more information about the degree in journalism and mass communications, call us at +91 7227033631/+91 9099993506.
- Consider an internship:
Internships can provide a great opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a media outlet and to start building a network of contacts. Although many interns are selected from an applicant pool of journalism and mass communications students, sometimes those with a passion for the job, good writing skills are chosen as well.
- Join a network of writers:
As a travel writer, it is important to develop a network of other editors, writers and publishers. The best way to do this is to attend writers’ conferences and writing workshops where you can learn new techniques. At these events, you will have the opportunity to hear from experienced professionals, learn about the latest trends in travel writing and make new professional contacts.
- Work with a local newspaper or magazine:
One of the best ways to publish your work is to start small and local. If you are not sure where to begin, take a look at your local paper or magazine and see what types of stories they generally publish. Once you have got an idea of what they are looking for, contact them and pitch your idea. With a little effort and perseverance, you will be on your way to seeing your work in print.
