Freelance Writing Income Streams 101

Happy Tuesday, crew! Every week, I break down an aspect of the travel industry. Today, let’s talk about the different ways to make money as a travel writer.

There’s a lot of romanticism around being a freelance writer but if you’re trying to piece together a sustainable income, you’ll need to understand the different types of writing work available and how each one pays (or doesn’t).

Here’s a breakdown of the income streams I see most often:

✍️ 1. Freelance Articles (Journalism & Service Writing)

Think: Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Fodor’s Travel, Business Insider.

Typical Rate: $150–$1,500+ per article
Timeline to Get Paid: 30–90 days post-publication
Pros: Bylines in prestigious publications, authority-building, potential virality
Cons: Highly competitive, slow payment cycles, constant pitching grind

Hot tip: A lot of outlets now ask for reported stories with interviews and original research so you’re building a narrative and giving an exclusive. There’s also a subsection of travel writing reserved for commerce (writing to sell products) that has significantly less competition than destination writing.

💼 2. Content Marketing

Think: Blog posts, email sequences, or ghostwritten articles for brands.

Typical Rate: $300–$2,000+ per piece
Timeline to Get Paid: Net 30 is common, sometimes faster
Pros: More consistent clients, higher pay-per-word, less red tape
Cons: No byline, requires SEO or brand voice expertise

Hot tip: Many brands are in need of good travel writers to make them sound authentic. Don’t underestimate this lane.

📚 3. Books (Traditional & Self-Published)

Think: Writing your own memoir, guidebook, or niche how-to.

Typical Income:

• Traditional: $5K–$50K advance, royalties later

• Self-published: $2–$10 per sale (you keep more, but market it yourself)
  Timeline to Get Paid: Advances are split over milestones. Royalties are quarterly.
  Pros: Long-term passive income, builds credibility
  Cons: Huge time investment upfront, uncertain returns

Hot tip: One book alone will rarely make you rich but it can open doors to speaking gigs, media features, and brand partnerships. To make a full-time living just from being an author, aim for 20 books or more.

📝 4. Copywriting

Think: Sales pages, brand slogans, landing pages, product descriptions.

Typical Rate: $100–$5,000+ per project
Timeline to Get Paid: Often half upfront, half at delivery
Pros: Highest pay-per-word in writing, in-demand skill
Cons: Must be adept at marketing language, testing, revisions

Hot tip: If you can sell something with words, you can make serious money and you can still do it with integrity.

📧 5. Newsletter Income

Think: Substack, Beehiiv, mailing list.

Typical Income: $0–$10,000+/month (varies wildly)
Timeline to Get Paid: Monthly (if you monetize)
Pros: Total control, builds audience and authority, potential for steady monthly recurring income
Cons: Slow build, algorithm fatigue, you are your own marketing department

Hot tip: Find something people want to pay you to receive in their inbox. Scott Keyes started sending out email notifications of flight deals and it turned into Going, a multi-7 figure business.

🌎 6. Guidebook Work

Think: Updating or writing sections for brands like Fodor’s, Moon, Rick Steves, or Lonely Planet.

Typical Rate: $2,000–$20,000+ per project (varies by scope, publisher, and region)
Timeline to Get Paid: Installments (contract signing, submission, and approval)
Pros: Solid contracts, immersive travel opportunities, industry credibility
Cons: Seasonal work, tight deadlines, limited creative control, sometimes restrictive noncompetes

Hot tip: Guidebook gigs are not a vacation. You're working while traveling, fact-checking restaurants, hiking trails with a stopwatch, and confirming opening hours in real time.

What’s the “Steady” Part?

Here’s the truth: No single stream is totally reliable but together, they can form a sustainable ecosystem.

For example, I’ve had months where a single campaign paid $10K and others where I lived off newsletter subscriptions, backlist book royalties, and one-off articles. Some seasons I pitch constantly. Other times I’m buried in client work.

Steady income as a freelance writer isn’t one stream, it’s a portfolio. The key is knowing your own energy, skill set, and where you're best compensated.

Want Help Finding Your Mix?

Join the Jet Plane Crew. I send out travel writing opportunities (remote + paid!) every week, plus real talk like this to help you build a creative career on your terms.