I am trying out a number of ways to get this book written. I love writing, but when the project feels too big, it gets overwhelming and nothing much happens. So, after an email series of over 8 months, I now have the content starting to come together for the Walking Tour Guiding Book.
So, this is the first part:
Welcome
I’m so glad you’re here!
You have a passion for your village, town, city, suburb and region or you have a love of something unique, which you would love to share with others.
In this book I will teach you all I know to arm you with the knowledge and skills to design and craft walking tours. You can use this information in whatever niche you find passion.
Then, using this basic theory of guiding, it is up to you to create something special for your town, village, area, region or community.
I look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Why I wrote this book
For many years I have been eager to get this book into your hands. And it is finally here….
My knowledge comes from years of experience as a tour guide in Europe, UK, Republic of Ireland, Russia, the Balkans and North Africa, as well as walking tour guiding in the City of London. I had so much fun travelling, sharing my passions and fulfilling dreams.
Over the years, I have noticed common mistakes made by many Tour Guides. Many think they know all the information needed for a walking tour. Tour guides often trust their local, general knowledge, thinking is it enough for their visitors / tourists. Or they feel they need to share everything they know.
But remember, a walking tour guide needs to share:
- information on more topics than most people know about
- stories that excite their visitors
- more detail than most people have in their general knowledge
- updated/the latest information to make it current and relevant
Some thing are important to think about:
- What do visitors expect of a good tour guide?
- And what are the key roles and responsibilities of an effective tour guide?
- What preparations are needed before taking out a walking tour?
- How does a tour guide handle questions, or deal with emergencies and difficult tourists?
- What are the qualities of a good Tour Guide?
This book is divided into 7 sections:
- What guiding is
- You the guide: What you say – your content.
- Presenting: How you say it – skills and communication.
- The Group: Why you say it – what they want to see and hear.
- Creating your Walking Tours
- Tips from the Professionals
- Guiding as a Small Business
By the end of this book, you should understand the following:
- The skills needed to lead a walking tour
- What goes into making a good walking tour
- Guiding and communication skills
- How to handle visitors and take good care of them
- Tourism opportunities in and around the town of the area where you are guiding
It’s about the place and the audience, it’s not about you!
Inform, educate and charm your guests!
Activity
Write down what you would like to achieve when you have finished writing this book.
Think about your walking tour guiding goals:
- Where would you like to guide?
- Do you have different walking tours in mind?
Let’s get these ideas down on paper and have a look at them at the end of the book.
What do you think?
For more information about my book, my virtual book launch and more, pop over to my book page.
Let me know in the comments – I would love to get your input.
