How to Hire the Right Travel Writer Every Time
Imagine your brand’s content so vivid that readers can feel the silica-white sand of Tulum Beach between their toes, or taste the rich, juicy flavor of the world’s rarest meat— the Japanese Kobe beef. This kind of sensory magic can only be crafted by a writer with specialized skills — someone who can build enough excitement to compel readers to book experiences with your brand. With realistic destination descriptions, timely travel advice, and a sneak peek into cultures worldwide, the right travel writer can make your brand the go-to for people seeking inspiration to embark on their next adventure. Every travel brand needs such a master crafter. It’s time to learn what to look for when hiring a travel writer. What Is a Travel Writer? While the general description of a travel writer is someone who writes travel articles, a real travel writer focuses on capturing the essence of destinations, experiences, and cultures, enticing readers to explore. Let’s face it, give any writer a travel topic and they’ll write it through general research. But, can they include a storytelling aspect describing the immersive experiences waiting to be explored? Hand a true travel writer the same topic and you’ll notice a massive difference. They’ll dive into detail describing the rugged hiking terrains, the mouth-watering cuisine, and the cultural highlights of different destinations. Because they’re focused on giving the most useful information, they also recommend upcoming events and even throw in tips on what to do or avoid. As a polished travel writer, I’ve seen firsthand how capturing more than the basics transports readers to destinations so realistically that they can’t wait to book the next flight. In a nutshell, here’s a recap of qualities that make up a true travel writer: Depth in writing: They tackle topics expertly by giving credible information and unique perspectives beyond surface-level knowledge. Storytelling: This is distinct from depth. How well can they paint a picture of landscapes, cultures, and other adventures with their storytelling skills? Cultural sensitivity: A real travel writer honors other cultures by writing respectfully about their customs, no matter how different they are. After all, they were passed down to them through generations. Adaptability: Travel is diverse. Expert travel writers switch their writing style seamlessly from rugged travel adventures to luxury experiences. SEO practices: Savvy travel writers write with SEO in mind. How will readers learn about all those wonderful places if the content isn’t visible on search engines? Why Quality Content Is a Must in a Competitive Travel Industry Quality travel content is well-researched, valuable, easy-to-read, and engaging. It must meet the needs of your target audience, whether you’re in the airline, hotel, or cruise business. Such content captures the essence of a destination or experience while providing practical information that motivates readers to plan a trip or book a service with your brand. The travel industry is highly competitive. With over 42,700 travel agencies in the U.S. by the year 2023, customers are spoilt for choice as each travel agency vies for their attention. Each business must stand out with quality content to attract and retain customers. Your content should provide readers with the accuracy needed to make informed decisions, nudging them to choose your services over your competitors. Risks of Using Generic Content and Inexperienced Writers Standing out in a competitive travel market is impossible with generic content and writers who don’t understand your niche. Generic travel content is broad and superficial. It’s uninspiring and lacks new insights. Such content features vague descriptions of destinations without showing what sets them apart. It also lacks personal experiences and cultural context essential for attracting readers. Additionally, generic content is often associated with plagiarism and keyword-stuffed articles that focus on search engine optimization without considering reader engagement. Content generators can easily create this kind of content. While these tools can generate ideas, they’re superficial and can’t create a heartfelt sense of mystery, excitement, or longing. Without that human touch, generic content fails miserably at capturing the reader’s attention and establishing credibility, making it ineffective in this highly competitive travel industry. The Amazing Benefits of Hiring the Right Travel Writer There are positive outcomes for your travel business if you hire the right travel writer. Having traveled to numerous destinations and read a lot about them, travel writers bring a wealth of experience. I’ve traveled extensively in my lifetime, including to mysterious places like the mythical site of the Lost City of Atlantis in the Mediterranean. I also read and watch a lot of travel books and documentaries. Exploration is my cup of tea, and that helps me write exact descriptions while adding other useful information I’ve learned. Similarly, hiring travel writers who are excited about travel and understand your industry brings these benefits to your table: Destination expertise: Their firsthand destination knowledge helps them provide readers with vivid descriptions of places that invoke wanderlust and inspire bookings. Cultural insight: They have a deep knowledge of cultures, having mingled with many locals while exploring the world. Accurate travel advice: They are up-to-date with health protocols, weather conditions, infrastructure, political changes, and environmental alerts essential for planning trips. Sneak peek of unique gems: They often highlight exciting hidden locations, local festivals, markets, or authentic restaurants travelers might overlook. Practical Tips: They provide readers with essential tips such as what to pack, places to avoid visiting alone, and even budget-saving ideas. Such comprehensive information not only enhances your customer’s travel experiences but also elevates your brand as a credible source of information. Experienced travel writers apply the best SEO tactics to ensure your content ranks high on search engines. After all, how will readers discover the amazing destinations begging to be explored if they can’t find your content? At Express Writers, our travel subject matter experts will transform your brand’s content into narratives that captivate and convert. They are skilled at highlighting your business’s unique offerings with an intensity that evokes wanderlust in readers. Our seasoned travel writers are more than captivating storytellers — … Read more
