Do You Know Your State Like the Back of Your Hand?
Are you the person your friends text when they’re planning a road trip?
Do you get genuinely excited about stumbling onto a roadside attraction nobody’s heard of, a barbecue joint three towns off the highway, or a state park that doesn’t show up on any top-ten list?
Are you a strong writer who takes pride in giving people recommendations they can actually use?
If that sounds like you, Navigate Your State wants to hear from you.
We’re looking for passionate contributors who have deep, firsthand knowledge of cities, regions, and destinations across our twelve states — people who can write about their corner of the country with the kind of authenticity that only comes from actually being there.
What Our Writers Do
Navigate Your State writers produce engaging, practical, well-researched guides on everything that makes each state worth exploring — hidden gems, local dining, weekend getaways, outdoor adventures, seasonal events, and more.
Our goal is to be the most trusted and useful travel and discovery resource for each state we cover, built on genuine local knowledge and honest recommendations.
Every writer is credited by name. This is your byline, your voice, and your expertise on display.
Why Write for Navigate Your State
We’re building something worth being part of. Our content reaches a growing audience of residents and visitors who rely on our guides to plan real trips and make real decisions.
If you’re a writer looking for a consistent, well-organized publishing partner with a clear editorial vision, Navigate Your State is a great fit. Our team is collaborative, our processes are clear, and we invest in the writers who work with us.
Your work will directly help readers discover places and experiences they wouldn’t have found on their own. That matters.
What We Look For
Genuine Local Knowledge
We want writers who truly know their territory. Whether it’s your hometown, your current city, a region you’ve lived in for years, or a corner of your state you know better than anyone — that depth of local knowledge is what sets great Navigate Your State content apart from generic travel copy.
We are not looking for writers who will research a destination from a desk without ever having been there.
Consistent Output
We work with writers who can commit to a regular monthly cadence. We’ll agree on a realistic article target based on your availability and the scope of your coverage area. Quality always comes first, but consistency matters — our readers expect fresh content and our editorial calendar depends on reliable contributors.
Sharp Attention to Detail
Our content operation runs on clear SOPs, structured templates, and thorough fact-checking. Writers who thrive here are the ones who read instructions carefully, follow outlines precisely, and take accuracy seriously.
To confirm you’ve read this page in full, please include the name of your state’s capital city as the first word of your application email.
Strong Writing Skills
We’re looking for writers who can produce clear, engaging, no-nonsense prose that helps readers plan a trip with confidence. Prior experience in travel or local lifestyle writing is required.
We provide onboarding training on Navigate Your State’s specific content format and style. You don’t need to have written for a travel publication specifically, but you do need to demonstrate the ability to write well for a general audience.
Original Photography
Writers who can provide original photos of the places they cover are a major plus. Authentic, location-specific imagery makes our guides significantly more valuable to readers.
We offer additional compensation for photo licenses when original images are provided.
Compensation
We offer competitive per-article rates. Writers who complete an initial trial period and maintain consistent quality become eligible for performance-based bonuses on an ongoing basis.
How to Apply
Send your application to the email address for your state and include the following:
- Your resume or a brief overview of your writing background
- A short note on why Navigate Your State interests you and which part of your state you’d cover
- Why you’d be a strong fit for our team
- Several published writing samples
| State | Application Email |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | pennsylvania@navigateyourstate.com |
| Illinois | illinois@navigateyourstate.com |
| Ohio | ohio@navigateyourstate.com |
| North Carolina | northcarolina@navigateyourstate.com |
| Michigan | michigan@navigateyourstate.com |
| New Jersey | newjersey@navigateyourstate.com |
| Tennessee | tennessee@navigateyourstate.com |
| Massachusetts | massachusetts@navigateyourstate.com |
| Minnesota | minnesota@navigateyourstate.com |
| Oregon | oregon@navigateyourstate.com |
| Oklahoma | oklahoma@navigateyourstate.com |
| Arkansas | arkansas@navigateyourstate.com |
We look forward to hearing from you.