Gypsy Wednesday – Shall We Travel Write?

Welcome to Gypsy Wednesday!  Every Wednesday, I strive to highlight all the juicy morsels related to travel and beyond.

During Vancouver’s Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show, I got the chance to see Robin Esrock speak on the epic trials of travel writing.  I speculate that many of us retain a romantic view of traveling plus writing.  What did he reveal?  It might surprise you.

A Little Background

It was a regular work day as Robin Esrock maneuvered his scooter around the streets of Vancouver.  In a blinding moment, his life changed.  A car collided with his scooter, resulting in a broken knee cap and 6 months of rehabilitation.  He also got $20,000 from the BC government.  Seizing opportunity, he bought a RTW ticket, started a blog, and the rest… well, do I need to say that cliche?  5 years, 5 times around the world, and 82 countries later, Robin has been writing, blogging and TV hosting his way into the annals of travel.  What sounds delightful and exotic is also a job.  So, how does it measure against reality?

Security?  Maybe

Robin offered some revelations on the RRSP or 401k aspect to this job.

• Travel writing is a lifestyle, not a living.
• You can’t retire; get comfortable with living out of a box.
• A typical assignment might involve an invite by a tourism board to write about their country.  One second you’re swathed in crisp cotton sheets courtesy of a five star hotel, the next you’re hunting for a friend’s couch to park on back home. It’s jarring and hard on the psyche.

Nightmares

Any career comes with challenges, travel writing is no different.  Be prepared to deal with:

• Financial stress.  Periodicals or newspapers will pay from $200 to $400.  Expect payment 6 months later.
• Jet lag.  Doing an assignment is the opposite of vagabonding.  You have a tight schedule and must hit the ground running once you exit that plane.
• Travel stress.  Who couldn’t wholeheartedly relate to this.  Navigating alone, or transportation logistics can be harrowing.  Imagine if you’re on a set timetable.  One word: sucks.
• Health and security.  It becomes twice as difficult to stay healthy when traveling.  Grabbing meals on the run, with little choice on options happens frequently.  Safety and security is another factor to consider.  Travel writers opt to explore some places that other travelers would happily avoid.
• Personal responsibility.  It’s liberating to be your own boss, but how to manage yourself?  In the travel writing biz, you’ve got to stay positive and keep pitching even when it appears dismal.
• Relationship tightrope.  Maintaining personal relationships is a balancing act.  Robin said his friends don’t call him any longer for a social outing, because they never know where he’s going to be.  Take that a step further, what if you had a partner?  Robin does, expressing guilt at leaving her so frequently.

Positives

Just when you were about to slit your wrists, what are those ingredients that keep travelers writing?

• Landmarks. Robin emphasized the myriad of amazing structures he’s witnessed.  The sheer beauty and craftsmanship, along with history and architecture make this job worth it.  Sounds better than staring at a fax machine, huh?
• People.  What keeps travel pumping through our veins?  Making connections, which is what Robin always strives for.  He said citizens around the world pretty much want the same things we do.  The network of connections he’s made over the years sustains him.
• Nature. I personally relate to this.  Vagablogging recently interviewed me, and one question that stuck in my mind was, “What are you most looking forward to?”.  I answered, “Fresh air.”  After spending most of my adult life cut off from nature, I can’t wait to experience it.
• Adventure. Robin’s bungee jumped, sky dived, climbed mountain after mountain – all with a smile on his face.  Travelers long to tap into a thrill, one we simply never got from that staid office gig.  Robin gets the opportunity to do things that most people only vaguely fathom.

Current State of Affairs

In the past, periodicals or magazines boasted decent budgets and editorial guidelines – those days are gone.  Robin described the present as sheer panic.  With magazines like National Geographic Traveler on the chopping block, what’s next for the industry?

• Social media platforms. Twitter, Facebook, Smartphone applications, forums, YouTube, Vimeo,  blogs.  Everything Internet is how travel is broadcast now.
• Community. What arises from social media is a virtual community of travel writers or just travelers forming long distance friendships and sharing information.
• Tourism Boards. Many international governments poured dollars into tourism, who in turn hire travel bloggers to visit and espouse the wonders of that country.

So, You Still Wanna Do This?

Hi Robin,

I want to be a travel writer, any tips?

Do you write?

No.

Have you traveled?

No.

You get the point.

• Start a blog. Blogs are a perfect way to flex writing muscles and get feedback from a live audience.
• Actually travel, and write about it. Sounds easy, but as Robin demonstrated some wannabes miss this integral point.
• Produce video clips, not just pictures. Travel is visual, show people where you are and what you’re doing.  Display your unique personality.
• Target the right outlets. Don’t pitch a zip lining story to a spa magazine.  Understand your niche and filter who you should be pitching to.
• Relish adventure. I suspect this career would be hard for those uncomfortable with impulsive behavior.  Don’t do this job if jumping 400 feet off a bridge is out of the question.  Even crossing a rickety bridge is adventurous in my book.
• Be enthusiastic about traveling. Again, you would be surprised at the amount of people who aren’t, but want to be a travel writer.  Travel equates to a deep, abiding passion.  If you lack that, similar to any job where passion is nil – you’ll grow to hate it.
• Persistence. Get used to rejection.  Robin shockingly revealed that even with his portfolio he gets a 90% rejection rate.  Remember: about 500 stories push through a year in a publication.
• Keep your day job. Many of Robin’s peers do corporate or PR writing, with travel writing as a side passion.

All in all, Robin Esrock’s talk was a sobering outlook on travel writing.  My recommendation?  If you truly love travel and writing – with focus, persistence and humor, both can happen.

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Tagged as: Tips, Travel Writing, Work on the Road