Summary
How to Make Money Travel Blogging
When we first decided to make travel a career, we had no idea how to be a travel blogger. We didn’t have the slightest clue how individuals monetized their adventures online. Our dreams revolved around writing from coffee shops and capturing stunning images, yet we were uncertain on how to get paid to travel. However, we were determined to figure it out.
Our Story – The Early Days
Prior to founding iBestTravel, we had spent most winters traveling the world. We held aspirations of becoming influential voices within the travel community, albeit we had no clear business roadmap to achieve that.
In pursuit of our goals, we signed up for the Tour d’Afrique, renowned as the world’s longest cycling race from Cairo to Cape Town. We secured media traction by hiring a publicist and pitching articles to reputable outlets like the Toronto Star. Our blog emerged during our planning phases, documenting our journeys through Africa.
Upon returning from Africa, we faced harsh realities—we were broke and uncertain of our direction. Thus, we returned to our jobs in the Toronto film industry to regroup financially. We dedicated a year to saving and amplifying our online presence through our blog, steadily building our readership.
During that crucial year, we absorbed insights about blogging, networked with other travelers, and honed our craft. By year’s end, equipped with both a refreshingly determined spirit and a concrete strategy, we hit the road once more.
Build Expertise
Establishing expertise in your niche is essential for earning trust. Without a proven track record, your advice may not resonate.
We cultivated our travel expertise by embarking on countless journeys on our own dime, having explored 40 countries before the launch of iBestTravel. We learned budgeting, long-term travel saving strategies, and immersed ourselves in the cultures we documented.
Our pioneering feat—cycling across Africa—garnered attention, leading to numerous radio and TV interviews. This adventurous approach helped distinguish us from others within the travel blogging realm.
Perseverance and Patience
Success was not immediate. Despite recognition from our epic journey, we faced financial constraints in building our brand.
Adopting a frugal lifestyle, we saved diligently, residing in a trailer and working around the clock to make our blogging aspirations a reality. We ultimately set off for India to share our experiences in South Asia.
A year into our travels, resource constraints led us to pause excursions. Instead, we focused on writing and networking online, leading us to our first advertisement—bringing in a modest $40 per month which gradually opened doors to new revenue opportunities.
Baby Steps
About eight months into our journey, in a budget guesthouse in Sri Lanka, I was worried. Our travel budget was nearly depleted. However, narrowing our focus allowed us to generate income, and a small ad revenue stream emerged, enabling us to extend our travels further.
Do What is Right For You
In those early days, we lacked insight into industry norms, like the ethics of selling text links. Fortunately, this ignorance helped us achieve our initial financial milestones, which kept our dreams alive.
Subsequently, we created a steady income stream that supported further travel and content creation—it may have started small, but it laid the groundwork for our future successes.
Give Your Readers Value
“The key to a successful blog is putting your audience first.”
Conferences reiterated the mantra of producing quality content without explaining its importance. Rather than focusing solely on monetization, we prioritized delivering value to our audience, which ultimately amplified our readership.
Our blog serves as a resource for travel advice and inspiration, accompanied by stunning imagery. As our audience expanded, visibility increased, leading to opportunities with brands eager to collaborate.
Network
Networking proved vital for growth. By participating in travel events and conferences, we formed invaluable connections.
Membership in local travel communities and attending international gatherings provided platforms to meet fellow professionals. This proactive engagement increased our visibility within the industry and broadened our network of contacts.
Seize the Moment
As we immersed ourselves in these opportunities, we remained proactive in presenting innovative ideas to potential partners.
For example, during a G Adventures event in Toronto, we connected with representatives from Intrepid Travel that resulted in a rewarding two-year partnership.
Thus, our commitment to nurturing relationships at networking events paid dividends, solidifying our presence and cultivating fruitful collaborations.
Create Multiple Revenue Streams
Our growth trajectory led us to diversify revenue streams beyond partnerships. Innovative thinking unlocked numerous monetization pathways, ensuring financial security even when one source waned.
Brand Ambassadors
In the early phases, brand ambassadorships represented significant income. We positioned ourselves as relatable influencers, forging partnerships that elevated brand visibility while driving traffic to our platforms.
Final Word- Invest in Your Business
Treat your blog as a business; it requires investment and care to thrive. Engaging professional services to handle specific tasks allows you to channel your efforts toward high-impact activities.
We allocate resources to:
- Social media advertising.
- Website audits to optimize performance.
- Social media management assistance.
- Specialized content creation.
- Technical support for website maintenance.
This strategy enables us to focus on vital aspects that drive our business forward.
Achieving our Dreams – You Can too!
Reflecting on our journey, we remain enthusiastic about our progress. Though challenges, such as the economic downturn in 2021, arose, our resolve to pursue our passion remains intact.
Our ultimate aspiration is to continue engaging in meaningful work for the foreseeable future.
Explore further insights on embarking on your travel blogging journey.
