Travel writing is one of the freelance writing jobs that many wannabe writers cherish the most. Outside of the fact that one might end up with a fat paycheck, travel writers have the privilege of touring the world.
As a travel writer or blogger, you will occasionally come across new faces, learn new languages, culture and history, and try out new delicacies. And if you are also a jovial person, you can build long-lasting relationships with people wherever you go.
But the fact travel writing is not entirely a work-for-pleasure kind of job. It has its pros and cons. If you want to enjoy working as a travel writer, then you need to understand the pros and cons of being one.
Pros of being a travel blogger
- Opportunity to travel at will
If you are one of those avid travelers, then you will most likely enjoy being a travel writer. And depending on your program, you may find yourself traveling almost on a regular basis.
- You will have reasons to embark on every journey
As a travel writer, your aim of traveling will always be to accomplish a mission. It could be to write about a place or lifestyle of specific individuals. But one thing is clear; you will have reasons to embark on your trips.
However, knowing your mission or aim of travelling makes the journey more enjoyable. And if you are smart enough, you can even create time to have fun. But ensure your work does not suffer in the process.
- New experience
Nothing compares having the freedom to visit new places. If it’s also somewhere you have been dreaming of visiting, then it would be a great achievement. So, being a travel writer gives you the opportunity to witness new experiences and connect with people you have never met in your lifetime.
- Opportunity to create and consistently publish unique articles
Being a travel writer will give you the chance to produce contents that stand out. Everything you deliver will be unique. Your stories, pictures and writing, all will be fresh.
That said, supplying a blog with fresh contents makes it easier for it to grow. Your reader base and reputation will also increase in no time because of the originality of your work.
- Tons of unique stories to share
If there is one thing that makes being a travel writer a great opportunity, then it’s the stories you have to share. Irrespective of the location you visited, you will always have something interesting to say, whether positive or negative.
However, stories make articles more engaging and exciting to read. So, furnish your articles with stories, either personal experience you had while travelling or otherwise,
- Big paycheck
Outside of the pleasure you might enjoy as a travel writer, you can also expect a big paycheck. And when you reach the pinnacle of success in your career as a travel writer, you can start expecting better income in return for your hard work and commitment.
- Easy road to fame
If you want to be popular, then becoming a travel writer is a career you need to pursue with all your might. If you succeed, you will surely become famous, at least to an extent. And the exciting part is that companies or advertising agencies may start showing interest in your work.
Your only aim should be to stand out. Let readers and prospective clients see your potentials. You can even come up with different ideas to make your travel blog or articles different from what people already know.
- Learn new languages
If you are a fast learner, you can learn many languages as a travel writer within a short time. Whenever you visit a new place, you can set a language goal for yourself while doing your original work, which is writing.
However, this can only be possible when you are a travel writer or freelancer.
- Earn passive income
Another advantage of becoming a travel writer is that you can make money off your skills and effort. You can start up a travel blog, monetize it and start making money. Of course, there are also plenty of distant travel blogger jobs.
There are different ways you can monetize your blog. You can either incorporate affiliate links or place adverts from companies strategically on your blog. Bear in mind that as traffic to your blog grows, your earnings will increase
Cons of being a travel writer
- Financial risk
Travelling can sometimes require considerable investment. Though it varies, you may end up spending too much whenever you travel to distant places. So, to succeed as a travel writer, you must be ready to splash the cash.
Again, even if you have the finance to sponsor your trips, you will still require a good marketing plan and content strategy to succeed. So, if you are the one shouldering your travel expenses, you need to make an elaborate plan before investing your money.
- A huge risk of life and property
Being a travel writer is also a dangerous job. Keep in mind that even if you are staying in a hotel or a friend’s place, your security is still not guaranteed. Besides, you are in a new neighborhood, and anything can happen.
- Stressful job
If you are nursing the idea that travel writing jobs are all about having fun, you will know better when you become a travel writer. The thing is you will likely spend many hours in the airplane, enter different buses and other means of transportation throughout your journey.
However, all these activities can take a toll on your body. Another thing is after going on and off various buses and cars; you still have a lot of writing to do.
Writing on its own can be a chore, coupled with the fact that you will again undergo stress during information gathering process. So, before you decide to become a travel writer, you need to understand what’s involved.
To sum it up
If you are planning to start accepting ghostwriting jobs, then you need to understand the pros and cons involved. With that, you can make accurate plans on the right steps to take and focus on areas that you can sincerely handle. So study the various pros and cons of being a travel writer to know the best action to take.