How to be a Tour Guide in your Hometown Overnight from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objective

Give a one hour walking tour to a small group around their home town.

Syllabus

Gather the information you need, find a place you want to interpret, listen to language people use, find your voice

All you need is a voice and an interest in your home town to get started on putting together an interesting tour for visitors to enjoy.

Discover your storytelling style to give yourself a structure to write your tour around.

Tips on how to present yourself along with your content so visitors regard you as a tour leader while you welcome them to your home town

Pinpoint who you are writing for when scripting your tour and gather ideas of where your customers will come from.

Improve your own commitment to your goal by getting a big enough crowd for your first tour. Reach out to friends, co workers and families so you can get support for your project and make it a viable lifestyle small business or hobby. Be ready to set a date for your first tour.

How to gather the information you need to write a tour

How to look in familiar and unfamiliar places to find great stories and historical facts. Capture your unique 'take' on your hometown fast with ideas that match your voice. Get tested on where to look using this quiz.

Gather and sift info How can you hook and attract your ideal visitors who will be charmed by your own natural story telling style and reflect the unique gem of your location so you and your tour shine

Look for common dates - or periods like Victorian, Georgian, Saxon, Celtic to tell the story of each location. Find out any famous visits from monarchs or presidents in the past.

Research who marched through each location was it Romans, Saxons. Pioneers, Royalty or Soldiers.

Use the layers of social history from your research to tell the story.

Describe the passage of history through what you can see. Tell stories through the existence of who has walked through the key buildings at each locations.

Do a brainstorm of what you love for added ideas to nail what you are uniquely offering on your tour.

Set your stories around a particular Monarch, President or a historical period to give a bold clear theme.

Use the worksheet to look at other theme like battles, ghosts, or gardens.

Use this quiz to check through your name of the tour

Plotting out the locations of your tour and where to start and finish to inform your visitors

Break down the whole tour into manageable chunks.

Use this guide to go through each location and build your description of a similar length and structure so visitors get into a rhythm with the tour.

Honour your skill in taking people to somewhere new.

Discover how the beginning and end there are exceptions to using a continuous style.

At the beginning of the tour let the visitors know what they are in for.

End the tour with your best lines and resources for onwards research.

Being creative in how you put together your dream locations helps you wow your visitors. Try these tips to pin point your great location.

Find a story out of any location - tell them what they see -

Script each location to keep your visitors engaged. Plot your tour so you give clear directions and provide an enjoyable experience along your route.

Story telling engages your visitors and helps you plot your content for the tour. Use this quiz as ideas to formulate your best process.

Know how to keep a group connected to your topic during your tour.

Sometimes there is a need to fill in time as the timing of each location can depend on traffic and speed at which the group walks. Research and identify extra information that is not essential to tell the story of your tour and will improve your visitors experience of the destination.

Test your skills on how to control your visitors so everyone enjoys and gets Get the most out of your information and story telling during the tour

What to wear how to look

Use the layers of social history to tell the story and find the heart of your tour so you can find your theme.

Communicate in a style that is of help to the visitors. Be honest, listen to them, be open to their needs, empathise and validate their dreams

Don't be attached to them liking your course. Be transparent about your own needs too as they will spot if you need a sip of water, need to put on an extra layer or move the group to a quiet spot.

Story telling on an hour long tour can be dull if you do not bring the story to life. Test your ideas on how to bring the most out in your performance skill using this quiz.

Ideas on how you can keep your tour fresh to new visitors

Write a bespoke tour for your hometown on a topic of your choice

Use your local knowledge to deliver an Art tour of your hometown

Questions to help understand the nature of Art tours

Use this check list to write a tour that tells the history of a military conflict in your home town.

Questions to help you write a Military Themed Tour

How to deliver a Transport Themed Tour

Questions to help you write a Transport Themed Tour

Put together a tour inspired by your local Architecture

Questions to help you write an Architecture Themed Tour

Boost up your mojo and re ignite your passion for connecting you skills to visitors

Websites such as https://www.guruwalk.com/ and www.freetoursnetwork.com/ offer opportunities to list your tour.

Other options include creating a local tour book or an online audio tour.

Ideas on how you can make more money from a tour

Ways to make more cash from your tour

Ideas on different opportunities to use your tour guide skills

Travel Journalist

Ideas on how to get a job in tourism

Tips on working through stage fright

More ideas on how to write your tour

Adding extra value to your tour

Use these tips to boost your productivity so you produce the best tour possible in the shortest time

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a practical framework for developing and delivering walking tours, which is essential for new tour guides

Focuses on storytelling and engaging visitors, which are crucial skills for creating memorable tour experiences

Includes guidance on researching local history and finding interesting stories, which helps tour guides create unique and informative tours

Offers advice on overcoming stage fright, which can be a common concern for those new to public speaking and leading tours

Suggests ways to monetize tour guide skills, such as creating tour books or online audio tours, which may appeal to entrepreneurial individuals

Requires learners to identify a specific location and theme for their tour, which may limit the scope for those interested in broader topics

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to be a Tour Guide in your Hometown Overnight with these activities:

Review Local History

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of local history to enrich your tour content.

Show steps

Visit the local library and historical society.
Read books and articles about your town's past.
Take notes on key events, figures, and locations.

Read 'A Short History of Nearly Everything'

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Expand your general knowledge base to make your tours more engaging and informative.

View A Really Short History of Words on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on chapters related to local landmarks or industries.
Note down interesting facts and anecdotes that could be incorporated into your tour.

Develop a Walking Tour Outline

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Create a structured outline for your tour to ensure a cohesive and engaging experience.

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Choose a theme or focus for your tour.
Select key locations that align with your theme.
Write a brief description of each location and its significance.
Organize the locations into a logical route.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Script a Short Anecdote

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Craft a compelling anecdote to add a personal touch to your tour.

Show steps

Choose a location or historical figure related to your tour.
Research a lesser-known story or interesting fact.
Write a short, engaging anecdote that brings the story to life.
Practice telling the anecdote aloud.

Read 'Storytelling: The Complete Guide'

Show steps

Improve your storytelling abilities to captivate your audience and make your tour more memorable.

View Story Smart: Using the Science of Story to... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on techniques for engaging your audience.
Practice incorporating these techniques into your tour script.

Practice Public Speaking

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Refine your public speaking skills to deliver your tour with confidence and clarity.

Show steps

Record yourself giving a short presentation.
Review the recording and identify areas for improvement.
Practice speaking in front of a mirror or small group.

Volunteer at a Local Museum

Show steps

Gain experience interacting with the public and sharing information about local history.

Show steps

Contact a local museum or historical society.
Offer to volunteer as a docent or tour guide.
Observe experienced guides and learn from their techniques.

Career center

Learners who complete How to be a Tour Guide in your Hometown Overnight will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Tour Guide

A tour guide leads groups of people on excursions, often sharing historical and cultural information about specific locations, and this course directly prepares you to become a tour guide in your hometown. The course teaches you how to find interesting stories and research local history, essential skills for crafting engaging tours. You'll learn how to structure your tour, present information effectively, and keep visitors engaged. By the end of the course, you will have the skills to welcome visitors to your hometown with a one hour walking tour, making it an ideal starting point for someone looking to become a successful tour guide.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Guide

Travel Writer

Travel writers craft compelling narratives about destinations, and this course helps you develop the skills to find and tell those stories. The course teaches you how to research local history, create narratives, and engage an audience with storytelling techniques, all of which are essential skills for a travel writer. The modules on finding your voice and developing a storytelling style can immediately be applied to travel writing. This course provides a foundation needed to develop your unique perspective and write engaging travel content.

See salaries and explore the career path for Travel Writer

Local Historian

Local historians research, document, and share information about a specific area's history, and this course may help you become a more effective researcher and communicator. The course teaches how to find interesting stories and research local history, providing skills that are essential for in-depth historical investigation. The course also covers how to structure narratives and engage audiences with storytelling, making it useful for publishing or presenting historical information. The course focus on using layers of social history from research to weave stories, which is vital for a local historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Local Historian

Freelance Writer

Freelance writers work independently to create various written materials, and this course may help you with developing a particular niche. The course teaches how to research local history, develop unique narratives, and engage with an audience, skills that are directly applicable to freelance writing in the travel and history niche. The modules on finding your unique voice and storytelling techniques can be immediately applied to crafting compelling written content. This course provides a unique angle you can use in your freelance writing career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Writer

Museum Educator

Museum educators develop and present educational programs for museum visitors, and this course may help you develop your approach to educating the public. The course helps you learn how to find interesting stories and research local history, skills fundamental to creating engaging educational content. The modules on storytelling and presentation skills help you in delivering this content effectively. The course teaches how to structure your narrative, keep audiences engaged, and use historical and cultural information, which are all vital for a museum educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum Educator

Historical Interpreter

A historical interpreter researches, develops, and presents information about historical events, and this course may be useful for those seeking this career. The course modules such as gathering information, finding stories, and researching historical facts will help you learn how to engage with local history. You will also learn to craft compelling narratives and effectively communicate your findings to an audience. The course teaches how to use layers of social history from research to weave stories, which is vital for a historical interpreter.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historical Interpreter

Community Outreach Coordinator

A community outreach coordinator develops and manages programs that connect an organization to the local community, and this course helps one develop skills that would be useful for this role. The course teaches you how to research local history and develop narratives that are relevant to the community, as well as how to engage an audience. The modules on finding your voice and telling stories can be used to generate excitement about community initiatives. These are skills that can make you very effective in working with the local community.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Outreach Coordinator

Small Business Owner

Small business owners manage and operate their own ventures, and this course may help you develop your offering and find your customer base. The course provides practical help with turning your knowledge of your town into a viable business. It provides hands-on instruction in crafting an engaging offering, setting your pricing, and marketing your business. The module on pinpointing your customer base is vital for a small business owner. The course also encourages you to commit to your business by encouraging you to set a date for your first tour.

See salaries and explore the career path for Small Business Owner

Content Creator

A content creator develops engaging material for various platforms, and this course may help you develop your approach to content. This course teaches how to research, find stories, and craft a compelling narrative around a specific topic; skills that are highly applicable to creating engaging content. You will learn how to structure your content in a way that will keep an audience engaged and how to find your unique voice. Though the course focuses on developing a guided walking tour, the skills of content creation are very transferable to different mediums of expression.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Public Speaker

A public speaker delivers presentations to audiences, and this course may be useful to help you hone your presenting skills. The course's focus on storytelling, voice and presentation, and keeping an audience engaged translates directly to public speaking. The course modules on finding your voice and storytelling techniques will give you the confidence to speak in front of an audience, and the course covers how to create a narrative that will hold your audience's attention. Though the course focuses on delivering a walking tour, the core principles apply to any public speaking engagement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Speaker

Heritage Consultant

Heritage consultants advise on the preservation and interpretation of historical sites, and this course helps you develop a useful skill set. The course teaches you to find interesting stories and research local history, which are essential for understanding and interpreting historic places. The modules on structuring narratives and engaging an audience can help you design interpretive materials. You will learn how to use layers of social history from research to weave stories, which is very useful for a heritage consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Heritage Consultant

Teacher

A teacher provides instruction to students, and this course will help you develop your presentation style and approach to lesson planning. The course teaches you how to research a subject, organize your information, and deliver an engaging presentation. The modules on storytelling, finding your voice, and keeping an audience connected may be useful for a teacher. This course provides practical experience in how to present material in an engaging manner.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Social Media Manager

A social media manager creates content and manages social media accounts, and this course helps you develop your approach to storytelling. The course teaches you to find interesting stories and structure them into an engaging narrative. The modules on finding your voice and understanding your audience may be useful for a social media manager. You will learn how to engage an audience with your storytelling, which is an essential skill for managing social media content. This course provides helpful strategies for creating engaging social media campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Event Coordinator

Event coordinators plan and manage various events, and this course may help you develop your approach to guiding people through an event. The course teaches how to organize a tour, develop a tour script, and manage the flow of people. It provides practical skills to guide visitors through an event and keep them engaged. The modules on storytelling and keeping an audience connected to a topic may be useful for an event coordinator. This course provides a concrete approach to managing an experience for a group.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Coordinator

Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist develops and implements marketing campaigns, and this course helps you learn how to present content in an engaging manner. The course emphasizes finding stories, shaping narratives, and engaging audiences, which can be useful when presenting a marketing campaign. The module on pinpointing your customer base may be useful for a marketer. This course provides practical expertise to help craft marketing materials that resonate with the public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in How to be a Tour Guide in your Hometown Overnight.

Story Smart

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Comprehensive guide to the art of storytelling, providing techniques and strategies for crafting compelling narratives. It is particularly useful for tour guides who want to enhance their storytelling skills and engage their audience. This book is commonly used by professional speakers and educators. It adds depth to the course by providing a framework for effective communication.

Story Smart: Using the Science of Story to Persuade...

Paperback

Story Smart: Using the Science of Story to Persuade...

Kindle Edition

A Really Short History of Words

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Provides a broad overview of scientific history, which can be useful for adding context and interesting facts to your tours. It's not specifically about tour guiding, but it can help you develop a deeper understanding of the world around you. This book is more valuable as additional reading than as a current reference. It is commonly used as a general science reference.

A Really Short History of Words

Paperback

How to be a Tour Guide in your Hometown Overnight

What's inside

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Activities

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Reading list

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