Many travel enthusiasts and adventurists dream about traveling the world for a living, and as a matter of fact, few people are very good at it. These people are known as travel bloggers or influencers, and they get paid to visit and write about their impressions and experiences when visiting a particular destination.
It may sound like a dream job, but if you’re thinking about trying to be a travel blogger, make sure to approach the challenge with caution. Gaining an audience, respect, and popularity while earning extra money are not easy tasks, and often it will take you months or years to build your fanbase. For example, gamers that stream their game on channels like YouTube or Twitch did not become famous in a day. Instead, they craft their approach to social media and target audiences that might be interested in following/sponsoring them. Even online casino gaming is growing in terms of streaming content and reviewing new casino slots, so make sure your content targets the right audience.
The pitch about quitting your tedious job and becoming a nomad is overrated and unrealistic. Instead, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and have in mind that behind the edited attractive images, the journey is much more different.
Here we’ll discuss a few myths and share some advice on what you need to know before starting a travel blog and give you resources to start planning your content. First of all, let’s clarify that:
Blogging is hard work – If you’re hoping to create a profitable blog and use it to support your travel adventures, you’ll have to dedicate plenty of time and effort to it. As much as others think they’ll be spending their time enjoying the nature view and urban beauty, the truth is you’ll be spending a lot of time in front of the computer. Excellent time management, organized mindset, and online tools will ensure you always do best while not being stressed about the workload. Spend some time learning essential marketing, publishing, content writing, and design editing skills you’ll later refine and upgrade.
Your first pieces will not be your best – and that is pretty normal. Naturally, you strive to improve as time moves on, so if this is your concern-don’t dwell about it. Months from now, you’ll look back and say, “Who wanted to read this anyway, what was I thinking?” This means you’ve grown as a writer and content creator. Make sure you don’t obsess about your work, because you’ll only get better by continually doing it.
Creating segments and tackling particular angles is vital – If you want to make money from your blog, see it as a future platform to advertise/sell products. Sure, many people create profitable websites using ads, sponsored posts, banners, and other passive streams. However, the most reliable way to make money while building your reputation is through products like ebooks, courses, consulting, etc. If your work is recognized, you may even become a representative for some famous brands, as their marketing strategies now turn to “real people” followed by thousands of people on social media. It might seem like an impossible thing, but if you approach this project with originality and authenticity-you’ll be noticed.
Failing is an option – There is a possibility that your article will have a low reach, your ebook will not be downloaded, or your webinar will fail at views. Failing is inevitable, but that should not stop you from trying again. It’s a pity to waste time, money, and a lot of different sources to figure out that the project didn’t work out, but in the end, failures will teach you the things you need to do differently next time. If you believe in your possibilities, pick yourself up, learn from your mistakes, and move forward.
People can be mean when online – The Internet and social media bring out the best and the worst in people when it comes to interaction. They sometimes know to be mean and throw some nasty comments about you or your work to try to neglect you. If you want to be exposed, you have to learn to develop a thick skin. It takes time to stop paying attention to mean comments and not taking them personally. It’s never about you; it’s about them and their discontent with life. People troll on the internet as a part of their defensive mechanism and make themselves feel more superior.
Where to start?
Does it seem like it’s worth giving a try? Here’s a step by step guide on where to start with your travel journey.
Choose a Niche
Like food or crafts bloggers, travel bloggers cover many niche subjects, especially if they do, or plan to earn from blogging. Choosing a particular theme will help differentiate you from the crowd since general travel blogs have difficulties when it comes to SEO visibility. For some, the niche comes naturally, and for others, it could take a while. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when determining your identity:
- What am I passionate about telling others?
- What are my interests, expertise, and strengths?
- Will my content stand the test of time? Is it too broad, or too narrow?
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some potential topics that might be suitable for you:
- Continent blog: Blog focused about places and culture in a particular area, for example, Europe or Asia
- City blogging: Focus on the latest happenings in your city while covering some exciting stories from the past.
- Budget travel: If you’re frugal by nature, you’ll enjoy in the budget-friendly travels.
- Extreme Sports/Adventure: The extra need for adrenalin rush might take you on the top spot on the list of extreme sports bloggers. If you know how to translate the experience in a unique and engaging story, you might have a winning combo for success.
Blogging Is a great way to document and share your journeys through time. Moreover, it also brings the possibility for an extra income. If you’re dedicated and passionate, it could become your only priority regarding work involvement. First, decide whether you’ll be blogging out of passion or profit, and then follow this guideline to help you with specifics.
