Many other people dream of finding a job or a side hustle that allows them to get to know the world. One of the most exciting careers: that of a writer. Think about the benefits: you are sent on vacation to destinations around the world and then get paid to write about them.
It’s not that simple to get into this ultra-competitive field, which requires years of education and experience. But two industry professionals intend to replace that with a new online course, Be A Travel Writer, which teaches other people how to make money from traveling.
The course is the brainchild of veteran Nina Ruggiero (currently virtual editorial director of Travel Leisure) and award-winning journalist Stacey Leasca (journalism professor and virtual editor contributing to Travel Leisure, Food
“Every week we get dozens of direct messages and emails asking, ‘How do I get your job?'” says Leasca. “So we thought it was time to share all our secrets. “
The Be A Travel Writer course includes the things you would be told in a classic educational setting, along with the data you would gain as an expert. Topics include pitch editors, how to write articles, hone your social media skills, briefing the SEO ropes, and much more.
“Travel may be an exclusive niche, but we hope to open it up to more people with other perspectives. We believe that there is room for everyone who needs it and is willing to learn,” says Ruggiero.
During the courses, special visitors also give tips in their areas of specialization. Guests come with Jeff Jenkins (a former top-tier school choir instructor turned author who hosts the upcoming National Geographic show, “Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins”) and Rachel Chang (a journalist whose work has been featured in Travel Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Rolling Stone, Washington Post, and more).
What’s so wonderful about being a travel writer?” In fact, there’s no more wonderful task than getting paid to travel and creating content for other travelers to enjoy. It provides you with so many life reports that you would never have had otherwise. and it opens your brain to new places and in new ways,” says Ruggiero, who took the slow, classic path. She studied journalism at the University of Miami and then worked in local media, entertainment, and fashion for 10 years before taking on a project. on Travel Leisure. What he loves about writing about travel: “It’s special to come back from an amazing vacation and be able to help others plan the vacation of a lifetime,” says Ruggiero. “
During her nearly two decades in the media, Leasca has worked as a journalist, social media editor, until her current position as a freelance journalist specializing in writing and lifestyles. She moved to Portugal two years ago to pursue her PhD. He specializes in disinformation and also teaches at the Catholic University of Lisbon. “I take my assignment very seriously because I know how valuable people’s free time is to them,” Leasca says. “Writing about travel also allows me to percentage the things that I am personally passionate about, such as sustainability and accessibility, because it belongs to everyone and deserves to be a birthday party for everyone. “
Stacey Leasca (left) is a journalism professor and virtual editor at Travel Leisure, Array. . [ ] Food
One of the academics who took the Be A Travel Writer course is Pat Doherty, a publisher looking to update his presentation skills. “The format, the information, and the inspiration were very helpful,” Doherty says. “It’s motivating and interesting and there are also very clever contacts. “
Another recent student landed her first writing assignment: a vacation on the Greek islands. “She was so excited that she asked me if it was real,” Ruggiero says. “Spoiler: it was, and I know it has the wisdom to make it a wonderful story. “
In addition to the paid courses, Leasca and Ruggiero also share free content and tips on their social media channels, as well as a free weekly newsletter highlighting calls for proposals and job opportunities. They also highlight places they love, wonderful travel writing, and offering exclusive course reduction codes.
Here, Ruggiero and Leasca share some of their tips for entering the competitive world of writing, as well as some of their favorite trips.
Overlooking Verona, Italy, one of editor Nina Ruggiero’s favorite spots.
Be curious: “All he’s interested in—when is the most productive time to make a stopover in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, how to make the most of my air problems—are stories,” Leasca says. “If you’re looking for information, it’s more likely to be information too, so provide it in story form. “
Read (a lot): “Knowing the publications you hope to offer is critical to your success,” says Leasca. “Learn their tone, see what kind of stories they’ve published, which ones they’ve already published, and locate the gaps in their reports so you can provide the content to fill them. “
Find a speed you’re passionate about: “Specializing in a travel niche is a wonderful way to temporarily get to publishers’ most sensible to-do lists,” Ruggiero says. “”For example: Do you like sailing? If you’re passionate about cruising and know the pros and cons of other ships, the most productive cruise lines for other types of travelers, and the amazing places to see on the water, you’re the editor I’ll think of. . from the moment I have to assign a cruise story (which happens). We explain how to accurately determine the right speed for you, how to identify yourself as an expert and expand your network, and what kind of paces post trips. Search our How to Find Your Groove course.
Cultivate a secondary skill: “It can seem difficult to break into any arena, especially in an industry that is constantly in the news when it comes to layoffs. However, there is actually room for everyone to become a travel journalist. You just want to be. ” I’m willing to be taught some express skills that will help him stand out,” says Leasca. “I propose that my students be taught a ‘secondary’ skill, such as photography, videography, or SEO. This adds a dynamic detail to your presentations as you can offer anything extra to your editors. “
Don’t be afraid of rejection: “Do you have a rejection note from an editor?Excellent! No, seriously, great. This means they took the time to read the full speech and thought I was smart enough to deserve an email to come back,” says Leasca. “The editors of almost every single pub on those days are inundated with a bunch of emails a day, so if yours stood out, even if it’s a rejection, it’s a smart signal. You can also send an email asking for feedback. Rework your speech and keep trying.
Above all, don’t be afraid: “Like all work, you have to need it and dedicate yourself. No one will offer you a concept for a story or a drink,” says Leasca. “You have to come up with new things, takes and new concepts. But if you have the dynamism, you are gold.
Rafael Hernande in El Salvador’s Cinquera Forest, Stacey Leasca’s favorite destination. (Photo via Array. . [ ] MARVIN RECINOS/AFP) (Photo via MARVIN RECINOS/AFP Getty Images)
Favorite place: “There are so many lovely places in the world that I laughed a lot when visiting them, but I traveled professionally to one of my favorite places, El Salvador,” says Leasca. “”I was able to spend time with Rafael Hernandez, the lead park ranger of the Cinquera Forest, and explore the beautiful coastline of El Salvador. And as a lifelong surfer, it’s a coastline that’s easy to fall in love with, thanks to its best right-hand waves.
Best positions: “For work reasons, I have traveled to places like Bali, New Zealand, Vietnam, and French Polynesia. I’ve traveled all over Europe and explored surprising areas of the United States,” Ruggiero says. “The only position I can’t get enough of is Italy; to Venice and Verona with my aunt when I was a child is what really sparked my obsession with traveling, and since then I never tire of going up and down the trunk. I love everything, but for me, it doesn’t get much better than Sicily and Sardinia. Mixing the beach landscape and the sun with Italian cuisine, culture and hospitality: it’s paradise.
• How to Make Money Online: 33 Ways to Make Money Right Now
• Working From Home Or From Anywhere: Top 30 Jobs That Offer Remote Jobs In 2023
A community. Lots of voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our network aims to connect other people through open and thoughtful conversations. We need our readers to share their perspectives and exchange ideas and facts in one space.
To do so, please comply with the posting regulations in our site’s terms of use. We summarize some of those key regulations below. In short, civilians.
Your message will be rejected if we realize that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we become aware that users are engaged in:
So, how can you be a user?
Thank you for reading our Community Standards. Read the full list of publication regulations discovered in our site’s terms of use.