How to get Published
So you are passionate about travel. You have plenty of travel stories you want to share, and perhaps you have set up a travel blog or you are building a sample portfolio of your writing to showcase to editors or publishers. But how do you take the next step, and turn that passion and commitment into paid work?
This is where understanding how to get paid for your work is crucial. Whether as a content creator with a travel YouTube Channel or TikTok travel channel, an Instagram feed bursting with beautiful travel photography and anecdotes, or a blog writer sharing your travel experiences, learning how to convert that content into income is essential.
If you are choosing the route of pitching to editors or publishers, or working with companies as a copywriter, then you will need to learn about contracts, licensing your work, and copyright issues. You need to learn how to set rates for your freelance writing or photography.
If you are working more in the area of brand collaborations, you need to understand about deliverables, key measurement criteria, how to craft a plan of work, how to share results and impact, and of course how to invoice for and collect income.
If you are running a travel blog and/or travel newsletter, you need to understand how ad revenue works on different platforms, how to set up subscription models, how to create sponsorship or collaboration opportunities in line with your mission and values. Some travel content creators are happy to create sponsored travel narratives (this is common for example in Instagram reels and stories), others prefer to keep control over their content and monetise through subscriptions (or through Patreon or similar models where readers can directly help support creative endeavours through one-off or regular contributions).
How to Pitch Editors and Get Commissioned
Breaking into travel writing starts with a strong pitch. Editors receive hundreds of pitches daily, so standing out requires a compelling story idea, a well-structured and tailored email, and an understanding of the publication’s style (and recent content offerings).
This introduction will walk you through:
- How to craft the perfect pitch
- Proven email pitch templates
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Best publications/websites that accept travel stories
Step 1: Research the Publication
Before you pitch, make sure your idea fits the publication’s tone, style, and audience. Ask yourself:
- Have they covered this topic before? If yes, can you offer a fresh angle?
- Who is their target audience? Adventure travellers? Luxury seekers? Backpackers?
- What type of stories do they publish? Personal narratives, guides, listicles?
Bonus Writing Tip: Make sure to read at least five recent articles from the publication before pitching so that you can match the tone of the publication, and understand article length and format. The more dialled-in you are from the outset, the easier it will be for an editor to work with you.
Step 2: Crafting the Perfect Pitch
A great pitch is short, clear, and engaging. Follow this structure:
Pitch Template
Subject Line: Pitch: [Story Title] – [Destination/Theme]
Dear [Editor’s Name],
I hope you’re well. I’d love to pitch a travel story idea for [Publication Name].
My story, “[Title]”, explores [Unique Angle]. Unlike typical stories on [Destination], this piece delves into [Why It’s Different/Timely].
Key details:
Word Count: [Approximate words]
Similar Recent Stories: [Show you understand their style]
Why It’s a Good Fit: [Mention audience relevance]
I’ve been published in [List of Previous Publications], and I can provide high-quality images if needed. Would you be open to this idea?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Best,
[Your Name]
Top Tip: Keep it concise—editors don’t have time for long emails!
Common Pitching Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic or mass pitches – Personalise each pitch for the publication. Never send out impersonal pitches or submit the same idea with the same pitch to different publications – always tailor your pitch to the publication.
- Too much background info – Focus on the story, not your travel history. Have a good portfolio website or Instagram where an editor can check out your background if your pitch is of interest to them. Focus on them and their publication rather than on you!
- Unclear story angle – Show why your idea is unique and relevant. Be specific. Link to how it will appeal to readers.
- No follow-up – If no response after 10-14 days, send a polite follow-up. Remember you are building long-term relationships and your reputation within the industry, so it pays to be courteous and to always follow-up.
Best Publications & Websites That Accept Travel Stories
Here’s a curated list of travel publications that regularly commission freelance writers:
1. Print & Online Magazines
National Geographic Traveller – Adventure & cultural stories.
Wanderlust – In-depth destination guides & features.
Afar – Personal travel narratives & immersive experiences.
Lonely Planet – Travel guides & inspirational features.
Condé Nast Traveler – Luxury travel & unique experiences.
Travel + Leisure – Hotel, food, and destination reviews.
2. Websites That Accept Freelance Travel Pitches
BBC Travel – Cultural and immersive travel stories.
The Guardian Travel – Unique, first-person travel narratives.
Matador Network – Engaging storytelling & travel advice.
Roads & Kingdoms – Deep cultural and food writing.
Hidden Compass – Narrative-driven travel essays.
GoNOMAD – Practical travel guides & personal stories.
Intrepid Times – Emerging travel writers & personal essays.
Top Tip: Always check submission guidelines before pitching and check the magazine or website is currently accepting submissions.
When you are starting out, it can be tempting to pitch to National Geographic or the BBC straight away – but there are hundreds of publications and websites to approach. Build up your confidence and experience with a wide range of commissions rather than getting too hung up on being published by any one particular outlet.
How to Monetise your Travel Blog
Turning your travel blog into a steady income stream requires strategy, patience, and diversification. Many successful travel bloggers earn from multiple sources rather than relying on just one method. Below, I will lay out some proven monetisation strategies that can help you turn your passion into profit.
1. Display Advertising (Best for High-Traffic Blogs)
One of the simplest ways to earn from blogging is through display ads. Here’s how:
Google AdSense – Easy to set up, but low earnings unless you have high traffic.
Mediavine & AdThrive – Higher payouts, but require 50,000+ monthly sessions (Mediavine) or 100,000+ (AdThrive).
Top Tip: Ads work best for blogs with high traffic (50k+ monthly visitors). If you’re just starting, focus on SEO and content growth first. Also check the specific requirements of any display ad partner. For example, Google AdSense have requirements like you need to run your own website (it’s not hosted/owned by someone else), articles need to be a certain length and be appropriate original content, the site needs to have been live for a certain period of time (sometimes 6 months), technical pages are required and so forth. Check the guidelines carefully beforehand.
2. Affiliate Marketing (Best for Passive Income)
Affiliate marketing allows you to earn a commission when readers purchase products/services through your links. This has become increasingly common practice for bloggers and content creators. Make sure you always let your readers know if links are commissionable.
Best Travel Affiliate Programs:
Amazon Associates – Earn commissions on travel gear, books, and essentials.
Booking.com & Expedia – Earn from hotel bookings.
World Nomads & SafetyWing – Travel insurance referrals.
Airbnb Affiliate Program – Get paid when people book stays.
Writing Tip: Write in-depth guides and reviews to naturally include affiliate links.
3. Sponsored Content & Brand Partnerships
Brands pay travel bloggers to feature their products or services where they see a synergy between the content, the audience and their brand.
There are a range of different ways to land sponsorships:
1. Reach out to brands directly with a media kit.
2. Join influencer networks like AspireIQ, IZEA, or Travelpayouts.
3. Post high-quality social media content to attract collaborations.
Top Tip: Only work with brands aligned with your audience to maintain credibility. If all your posts or articles are product-referrals, you will soon find yourself losing the audience you have worked hard to build. Instead, brand collaborations work best when there is a genuine synergy – is it a product you have used for a long time and found really helpful? Does their marketing ethos chime with your values and those of your audience? Always consider any partnership or collaboration from a long-term perspective rather than grabbing every opportunity that comes along. Remember, you are building your own brand and credibility. And, again, be up-front with your audience if content is a paid collaboration – this is essential.
4. Selling Digital Products & Online Courses
Many travel bloggers make passive income by selling their own products, such as:
- Ebooks & Guides – e.g., “Backpacking Southeast Asia on a Budget”
- Online Courses – Teach skills like vlogging or photography.
- Presets & Templates – Sell Lightroom presets for travel photography.
Top Tip: Use platforms like Gumroad, Teachable, or Shopify to sell digital products.
5. Freelance Travel Writing & Copywriting
Many bloggers supplement their income by writing for publications or brands. Your blog can act as a showcase for your writing talent, and you may get approached by travel editors or travel businesses to:
- Write for travel magazines & websites.
- Offer SEO copywriting for travel businesses.
- Create content for tour operators, hotels, and airlines.
Top Tip: Use LinkedIn & Upwork to find freelance travel writing gigs. LinkedIn is a great platform to showcase your travel writing skills and portfolio, and a good way to network with travel editors, publishers, tourism boards, PRs and travel companies. Make sure your LinkedIn is professional, engaging and up-to-date. Make connections and you will see your work grow.
Freelance Travel Copywriting Opportunities
Freelance travel copywriting is a high-paying way to turn your love for travel into income. Unlike blogging, copywriting focuses on persuading readers to take action (e.g., book a trip, buy a product, or sign up for a service).
Who Hires Travel Copywriters?
- Travel Agencies & Tour Operators – Need website content & brochures.
- Hotels & Resorts – Require landing pages & promotional material.
- Airlines & Cruise Lines – Need newsletters, ads & blog content.
- Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) – Want engaging travel guides.
- Travel Gear Brands – Need compelling product descriptions & reviews.
Top Tip: Set up a portfolio website showcasing your best work, connect it to your LinkedIn / X / Instagram profiles.
Where to Find Freelance Travel Copywriting Jobs
- Freelance Platforms include: Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour.
- Job Boards: ProBlogger, Contena, Freelance Writing Jobs.
- LinkedIn & Networking: Connect with travel brands & marketing agencies.
- Professional travel writing organisations like BGTW.
Top Tip: Join travel writing groups on Facebook or Reddit for job leads, or network with professional travel writing organisations like BGTW which host regular events, training sessions, post job opportunities and connect travel PRs and writers.
Passive Income Ideas for Travel Writers
In addition to freelance work and blogging, travel writers can generate passive income through:
1. Self-Publishing Ebooks
There are so many different travel books you could write. For example create an ebook on budget travel, solo travel, or travel writing tips. Look at what the key searches are online in this area. What are readers looking for? What information do they need?
Sell on Amazon Kindle, Gumroad, or your own website.
Top Tip: Offer a free mini-guide to grow your email list & sell more ebooks. Bear in mind, if you are going to publish ebooks, make sure you market your publications effectively, and build a readership ideally before you launch a publication.
2. Creating & Selling Courses
Do you have an area of particular expertise? A skill you can share with others? If so, consider creating and selling courses. For example, you could teach travel writing, blogging, or photography.
Use platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Podia.
Top Tip: Offer live Q&A sessions to increase student engagement or offer a free MasterClass so that prospective students can get a good sense of what value to expect from your course.
3. Affiliate Marketing & Membership Sites
Start a paid travel newsletter on Substack or Patreon. This can be well-suited to someone who enjoys writing more personalised content and who wishes to build a strong, direct connect with their readers.
For subscription newsletters or memberships, offer exclusive guides, templates, and writing feedback. Go beyond the content you offer elsewhere and really focus on how you can create value for your audience. With affiliate marketing, recommend those products you find essential or useful, ideally in a natural way throughout your content (indicating to your readers that the article includes affiliate links).
Top Tip: Membership sites work best if you have a loyal audience. Newsletters (like Substack) are a great way to build an email list of interested readers, and can be a good space to try out new ideas and content, or to provide value-add content.
Whichever route you take, it is essential to understand how to set yourself up for success from the outset.
Where to Learn:
Study online platforms like Mediabistro, Contently, Travelpayouts
Buy The Travel Writer’s Pitch Pack for a deep dive into the art of pitching travel content. If you’re ready to go further, The Travel Writer’s Starter Kit is a comprehensive road map to help you build your writing career.
Research publications’ writer’s guidelines and pay rates, and research travel writers whose work you admire – see how they are building their income streams.
Pre-order your copy of Write Your Way Around the World as I outline how to build a robust income model to support your travel writing business to help you turn your passion into profit.
Sign up to my monthly newsletter Write Your Way Around the World for case examples and how-tos.
Join me in 1-1 coaching sessions, or on my group writing programme. Find out more and sign up to the wait list here (put *coaching* or *writing programme* in your message subject).