Writers wanted (backpacking) | 10+ cents per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: ANONYMOUS

I'm looking for writers to create blog posts for my travel website. I am aiming to create succinct itineraries that are easy to follow for travellers. Each one will be linked to a map (I will do this) and so should follow a journey. Below is both a style guide and an example journey leg. If you're interested in writing a blog post, based on your own experience, I'd love to hear from you. Please reach out with examples of your writing. Profiles I like, I will ask to submit one journey leg and will aim to hire from there. I'm looking to pay $0.10 per word but can flex upwards from here.

STYLE GUIDE:

General:

The writing should be direct and to the point. The aim is to convey as much information as efficiently as possible

The writing should be, where possible, without judgement and opinion. It’s not relevant to the reader whether you personally like pizza, the important part is pizza is available

Only write about places you have visited. This is about conveying your knowledge, with the assistance of the internet of course

Include links where you have them.

a. The transport if this is bookable online (website specific)

b. The accommodation you recommend staying at (e.g. hostelworld or booking.com)

c. The restaurants you recommend (the restaurant website or tripadvisor where possible)

d. The things to do (the website or tripadvisor where possible)

Trip key points:

Outline how budget friendly it is, best months to visit, trip type.

Headline photo – One that encapsulates the personality of your guide

Initial Overview:

Each journey leg:

There is a recommended amount of information each journey leg should include:

1. A high quality photo

2. Overview. What is the place?, what is it famous for?, why do people visit?

3. How long do you recommend staying?

4. How do you get there from the previous location on the itinerary?

a. What type of transport is it?

b. When does the transport leave? Is this reliable?

c. How much does it cost?

d. How high quality is it?

e. How long does the journey take?

5. Where should you stay?

a. Consider options e.g. a budget friendly and a luxury option or a couple’s retreat and a party hostel

b. Give details of the price and the accommodation type e.g. dorm

6. Things to do. Include 3-5 things that you recommend doing in priority order. A one sentence description is encouraged where it is not clear from the title. E.g. Surfing lessons at Balsa Surf Camp (doesn’t need any description, just a website link). But Poco Loco will not be clear on its own, therefore you should write: Poco Loco. The best party club in town. Include the price and paste a link if appropriate

7. Where to eat. Include 3-5 places that you recommend eating at in priority order

a. Include the price ($=cheap, $$=average, $$$=expensive) and the cuisine type

Country need to know:

• Currency
• Tipping culture
• Etc

EXAMPLE TRIP LEG:

1. Montanita

Overview:

Montanita is a surf and beach town that doubles as the most famous place to party in Ecuador. It draws in tourists from: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. During the day people hang at the beach and eat at the restaurants and at night the streets transform into cocktail streets filled with street performers. Bars and clubs line the edges blasting music until the early hours.

How long to stay:

3-5 days (possible 2-week extension if you’d like to learn Spanish)

How to get there:

Fly into Guayaquil from your home (or previous) country

Take a $5 taxi to the CLP bus terminal (it is a roughly 20-minute walk but it’s not straightforward and you’re probably tired)

From the CLP bus terminal take a bus to Montanita

a. Leaves on the hour (5am-4pm and 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm 7:30pm)

b. Cost $6.25

c. Quality: High (AC, TVs, bathroom)

d. Duration: 2h30-3h

4. Alternatively, you can get a taxi for $100 from the airport straight to your hostel, this takes c. 2h

Where to stay:

Hidden house. Party and budget focused. Dorms from $4

For those going to the Spanish school, I recommend the Cabanas to hang out with all the other Spanish school students though prices start at $18

Things to do:

Poco Loco. The best party spot in town

Surfing lessons at Balsa Surf Camp

Spanish at Montanita Spanish School

Hit the beach

Where to eat:

Tiki Limbo. $$$. Health, bakery, diverse food

Pigro. $$$. Italian

Marea Pizzeria. $$. Pizza

Local ceviche from the yellow street carts. $. (careful to those with sensitive stomachs)

JOB SUMMARY:

• Looking for: Travel Writers
• Location: Remote
• Compensation: $0.10 per word but can flex upwards from here

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Applications: Via Reddit (note: unless otherwise stated, you may connect with the advertiser by visiting their profile here and hitting "send message" under "more options" in the right sidebar, or by leaving a message in the comments section of the original post)