Unlock the World of Travel Writing: Transitioning Into a Career of Your Dreams in India

Last updated on May 8, 2023

Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash

Travel writing is a dream that millions of people share – the ambition to earn a living by exploring the world, discovering new cultures and uncovering stories that can be shared with an eager audience. It is a rewarding pleasure to discover and share the beauty of a foreign land, through words. While it is certainly not the easiest career to break into, a move into travel writing in India is entirely achievable with the right resources, dedication and know-how.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for travel writing in India is fairly wide-ranging, as is the way one earns from it. Starting salaries can be as low as INR 15,000 a month and can go up to INR 1.2 lakhs a month. However, a savvy travel writer can make much more with the additional opportunities that come with the job such as attending events, conducting interviews, ghost-writing or taking on public figure representation contracts. In addition, the sheer experience and learnings gained through the job can be invaluable to the mental and physical state of any individual.

What Does a Travel Writer Do?

A travel writer is most fundamentally a storyteller, but also a researcher, traveler and even sometimes, a freelancer. It involves researching, visiting and exploring a destination in depth and then presenting the experience in words or visuals that capture the essence of the place. A travel writer can write short or long-form stories for magazines, newspapers, digital publications and even create videos, podcasts and combine pictures with narration. Good travel writers have impeccable writing abilities and a skill for communication, but now, good editing and technical skills in media production are also important skills for success.

Is it the Right Career for You?

Travel writing is a great career choice for someone who loves to travel and loves the idea of experiencing and writing about the unknown. While traditional journalism jobs may still be rewarding and necessary, travel writing is a fulfilling way of gaining a foothold in the industry. It requires passion and dedication, but it is also an option for someone who isn't willing to settle for a typical 9-5 office job. It also allows for a great measure of creative control, freedom of choice and is an excellent way to explore cultures and places from around the world.

How to Transition into Travel Writing?

Making the switch from whatever prevailing career choice you have to the world of travel writing can be challenging, but the effort is definitely worth the reward. Here are some steps to help you make the transition.

1. Build writing muscles: If you currently do not have much experience in writing, practice as much as you can. Start a blog, get involved in social media groups or websites like Reddit, and begin to build your writing portfolio. There are also online courses that you can take to help sharpen your skills and build a knowledge base.
2. Locate and connect with different travel platforms: Start familiarizing yourself with the type of platforms out there and the type of content they publish. Figure out the kind of stories that the publication wants and submit pitches to the editors.
3. Join a remote internships There are several remote and virtual opportunities to practice travel writing. Research remote internships, workshops and even volunteer positions that allow for travel writing and get some valuable experience in the field.
4. Network: Building a network is essential for a successful career in travel writing – you can meet people who can help you gain access to publications, companies and individuals that can open more doors of opportunity.

Overcoming Challenges

Career transitioning is not easy – there will be times of doubt and disappointment when the transition doesn’t meet the expectations that you had. There are differences between an experienced professional and a greenhorn, who is just starting out. To overcome these doubts and lack of experience, it’s important to focus on the task at hand, stay flexible and be open to learning from those more experienced.

Motivational Success Stories of India’s Travel Writers

There are countless examples of real-life stories of successful travel writers from India and other parts of the world who have made the switch. Biren Parekh, a former banker, quit his job and started working as a freelance travel writer in 2004. He has written for several publications including National Geographic Traveller, Traveller and Mint, and has been featured in stories and videos by publications.

Gargi Verma, a former lawyer, decided to pursue travel writing as a career back in 2018. Her journey so far has been quite stimulating and she has written for the magazine Marg and travel blogs like Pan India Travel.

Kanad Bagchi is an award-winning travel writer and blogger who has written extensively all over the world, from Kashmir to Andaman Islands. Kanad quit his job as a software engineer and turned to travel writing to bring forward stories from the regions he visited and capture the culture, heritage and traditions.

Actionable Steps for Career Transition

• Come up with an exciting idea: Think of unique angles in terms of stories that you can write about and test them out on a publication.
• Create a draft and Refine the story: Draft your story and make sure to apply the rules of storytelling. Bring it up to standard and make sure to refine the script and make it as strong and appealing as possible.
• Submit your Story: Submit your story to the platform of your choice. Many websites offer a portal where you can submit your story and make sure to get feedback from experienced travel writers or editors.
• Build Your Brand: Start building your online presence. Get involved in social media communities, start a blog and build an online digital footprint.

Conclusion

Travel writing is an exciting and profitable field to pursue and with the right steps, you can easily transition into the world of travel writing in India. There will be times of doubt and setbacks, but with dedication and effort, nothing is impossible. With the rising popularity of travel writing and its related fields, you’ll be able to open yourself to a world of unexplored opportunity.