How to Start a Travel Blog in 2024: Become a Travel Blogger + Make Money

Jon Miksis Jon Miksis clock Updated September 16, 2024 tourism Travel Tips
by Jon Miksis
Starting a travel blog setup
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Building a successful travel blog may seem like a big adventure, but with the right tools and strategies, you can easily handle the technical side, master marketing, and build a successful online presence. Follow my guide below and it will save you years of mistakes and challenges that I had to go through. The rewards for sticking around are well worth it!

Starting a travel blog was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been blogging for over 7 years, and it’s given me more opportunities than I could ever imagine, including six figures in passive income. Back then, I never thought I’d travel to 65 countries by age 30 and quit my corporate job to pursue my lifelong passion. What an incredible journey it’s been!

Based on everything I’ve learned over the years, I’m sharing tips on how to become a travel blogger using content creation, branding, and audience engagement.

Starting a Travel Blog: Top Tips at a Glance

Ready to kickstart your travel blog? Here’s a sneak peek of the key strategies I’ll be diving into. If any of these jump out at you, keep reading—I’ll be breaking down each tip and more in detail below.

  • Best Way to Choose Your Niche: Focus on your passion and expertise. Stick to what excites you most about travel!
  • Most Important Blogging Platform: WordPress – hands down. It’s the go-to for serious bloggers looking to grow.
  • Best Hosting Service: Bluehost is beginner-friendly with 24/7 support. Sign up here for $1.99 per month (best promo I’ve seen in 7+ years)!
  • Top Tip for Blog Design: Prioritize user experience (UX). A clean, mobile-responsive design goes a long way.
  • Best Advice for Content Creation: Consistency is key. Post regularly and focus on value-driven content.
  • Most Crucial SEO Tip: Master keyword research. It’ll help your content rank and reach a bigger audience.
  • Best Way to Build an Audience: Engage on social media. Pinterest and Instagram work wonders for travel blogs.
  • Fastest Way to Monetize: Affiliate marketing is a low-barrier entry to earning from your blog.
  • Top Tip for Staying Motivated: Set clear, achievable goals. Celebrate the small wins to keep your momentum.
A picture of Jon standing and smiling on a mountain with a title that states on how to start a travel blog
Looking to learn how to become a travel blogger? You’ve come to the right place.

How to Become a Travel Blogger

Becoming a travel blogger involves several key steps: focusing on a specific niche, registering a domain and setting up hosting, building out your site, and writing personal yet diverse blog content. 

Additionally, optimizing your blog for SEO, publishing quality content regularly, engaging with your audience, developing technical skills, and integrating social media is important for attracting readers and potentially making money blogging.

In this article, I’ll give you the low-down on what you need to do to become a travel blogger. The purpose of this post is to give you the tools, techniques, and encouragement to start a blog in 2024. 

Based on personal experience, I’ve found that many of their tips are outdated and not fully relevant to people just starting today. The game has changed, and I want to give you the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and actionable tips to become a successful travel writer.

After sacrificing nights and weekends creating content and a travel community, I was able to quit my “day job” and make this into a living. By embracing these principles, you can build a travel blog that thrives over the long term. You’ll also resonate with your readers and fulfill your travel blogging goals.

Jon enjoying the view from a mountain peak
After reading this guide to becoming a travel blogger, you’ll be on your way to starting a successful travel blog (and making money, too!)

Focus on a Passion or Niche

When starting a travel blog, it’s vital to focus on a passion or niche that genuinely excites you. This is because travel blogging requires significant time, effort, and dedication, often with little immediate reward. 

By aligning your blog with your true interests and passions, you’ll find the motivation to persevere through the challenges and create content that resonates with your audience. As travel bloggers, creating and sharing personal experiences is what will fuel your consistency and keep you going when the going gets tough. 

  • Build your blog around a topic or activity you genuinely love and would pursue even if you didn’t make money.
  • Example niches include independent travel, photography, or a combination of both.
  • Assess if you truly enjoy the various aspects of travel blogging, such as writing, photography, and self-management.
  • Avoid chasing trends that don’t align with your blog’s theme or your authentic voice. Readers are drawn to genuine content that reflects your unique perspective and passion.
  • Revisit your blog’s mission and goals regularly to ensure you’re staying on track.

Build Your Travel Blogger Reputation

Shaping your digital persona is one of the first steps in learning how to become a travel blogger.

  • Who are you, and what’s your mission?
  • Are you a budget backpacker or a luxury one?
  • Do you have a regional specialty? What’s your niche?
  • What value/insight do you bring to the global travel community?
  • How are you different from your travel blogger peers?
  • What are your competitors writing about?
  • What experiences do you have that will make you a good writer on a particular topic?

Contemplating how to be a travel blogger? These are the types of questions you’ll want to ask yourself when you’re crafting your online image and reputation. 

When visitors access your website, they should immediately have a clear idea of what you’re all about. 

Runner on road with mountain backdrop
Looking to learn how to start a travel blog and make money with your website? Read these steps below.

Pick a Blog Name That Fits Your Passions and Personality

The first few names I thought of were already taken by other people, so I settled. Just kidding – I think Global Viewpoint was the perfect name for my blog. 

I created this travel blog with the hope that by sharing the stories, history, and culture behind destinations, I’d be able to foster a community of global citizens (more on my About page here). 

My goal today, as it was in 2017, is to share knowledge of the world with the world. I also want to inspire others to live a life of passion, adventure, and continuous learning. Global Viewpoint, I think, makes sense for the content I create. 

Here’s some advice that will help you when choosing a travel blog name.

  • It should be catchy, clever, and fit your personality. It should also be unique. 
  • Whatever you do, make sure you choose a name that you think you’ll still like years from now, because changing a website name isn’t an option.
Jon enjoying the view from a mountain peak with written words about Global Viewpoint
Follow each of the tips below on how to become a travel blogger.

Choose a Professional Name

The name doesn’t have to be super formal like “Global Viewpoint” (haha). You should choose a travel name that you feel comfortable introducing to strangers and important people. 

One of the goals of becoming a travel blogger is to go on paid press trips and collaborate with brands— who would want to work with you if your name was “Travelgangster123?”. Lame example, I know, but you get the point.

Avoid Clichés and Other People’s Blog Names

Had I chosen a name like Nomadic Jon, there’s no way I’d be able to differentiate myself from the hundreds of other “Nomadic X” accounts out there, let alone the big dog himself, Matthew Kepnes. Trying to imitate other bloggers isn’t advisable in the slightest bit. 

On the contrary, using clichéd words and similar branding to others will make it difficult to form your own blogging identity. Be creative when choosing a name. Choosing an original name is the only way to truly stand out as a professional travel blogger.

Make Sure the .com Domain Name Is Not Taken

Don’t get too excited about your new travel blog name until you’ve checked that the domain is available. You don’t have to use a .com domain, but I recommend it because people may have trouble remembering other ones. I wanted to register globalviewpoint.com, but the owner of that domain said it would cost six figures to buy. No thanks!

To figure out if your domain idea is available, simply type it into the Google search bar. From there, you’ll quickly see if it’s already in use or not.

Jon standing in front of a large wooden door
Disclosure: This article on travel blogging contains affiliate links, where I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Check Social Media to See if the Name Is Still Available

That would be a buzz kill if you went through all the hassle of purchasing a new domain, only to find out that the name is taken on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Don’t fret if your dream name is taken. Someone with 0 followers took my handle on Instagram. So instead of sending a passive-aggressive message, I decided to add a dot to my name, and it all worked out. I think @Global.Viewpoint is easier to read than @Globalviewpoint, anyway.

Make the Blog URL Easy to Remember

Don’t make your URL long and complex. The most successful blogs I know have names with two to three words. 

  • Avoid using slang, hyphens, and numbers, which may confuse readers.
  • When someone asks you the name of your site, you want to be able to say it quickly and without having to explain too much. 
  • Word-of-mouth marketing is huge, especially when you’re on the road and meeting people at hostels. Keep your travel blog domain short and simple.
  • When people see the name of your site, they should be able to associate it with something they know. For example, first-time visitors who land on Nomadic Matt’s website can probably discern that he’s a nomad and into budget travel.

Quick associations are helpful when building any brand, so it’s no surprise that it’s also important when you’re starting a travel blog.

Opt for a Long Term Name

Think about how your name will represent you in the long term. While I can’t help you pick a name, here are some ideas of names that you should stay away from:

  • Don’t choose a name like “Twenty-Year-Old Nomad,” because next year you’ll be 21.
  • Don’t pick a name like “Jon’s Alaskan Adventure,” even if you’re planning to spend an extended time there. The travel bug is real, and there’s a good chance you’ll want to visit places outside of Alaska in the future.
  • Avoid names like “Hostel Boy Traveler” unless you plan to stay in hostels for the rest of your life. While finding a niche is important, don’t choose a name that you will outgrow. As time goes by, we all change, and what we enjoy changes.

Trying to change your travel blog name is a hassle, so think long and hard about choosing the right name upfront. Don’t pigeonhole yourself! This is among the most underrated tips on how to become a travel blogger.

Read next: 200+ Travel Blogger Name Ideas

Jon walking on stairs leading to a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background
Choose a blogging name that matches your personal brand.

Register a Domain Name for Your Travel Blog

I HIGHLY recommend buying a website and hosting it ASAP. After coming up with a clever domain name, you’ll want to purchase and register it.

Reserving a website domain is cheap and easy to do, plus it will give you amazing opportunities down the line. Every day, there are 50,000-100,000 website names being purchased by people, businesses, and AI bots.

I recommend Bluehost, as it’s one of the cheapest and most reliable hosts on out there. I’ve personally been using them for over three years. Save 70% off a hosting plan and get a FREE domain name with Bluehost.

You can get started with Bluehost for just $1.99 per month (75% off) using my discount link. It usually goes for $9.99 per month, although I get a special discount for my readers – one of the perks of being a top travel blogger! More on that later…but the sooner you commit, the closer you’ll be to making your dream a reality.

Consider purchasing a 36-month plan to bring down your monthly rate if you want to get an even better deal. As a travel blogger, you can save tons of money by planning for the long haul. Additionally, having a domain expiry date several years out signals to Google that you’re a legitimate site and trusted source of information.

Set Up Hosting for Your Travel Blog

Choosing the right web host is one of the most important steps in starting a travel blog. Don’t worry, it’s super easy to set it up. 

Easy instructions for creating a cloud-based network
Your travel blog needs to be hosted somewhere. Follow the guidance below on how to become a travel blogger by choosing the right hosting plan.

Think of hosting as real estate for your website. However, instead of owning a plot of land somewhere, you’re connected to the internet. 

It’s a place where all your blog’s data is stored where people can access it as they’re surfing the web. Hosting companies take care of this process for you.

Find the Best Host for a Travel Blog

When you’re looking for hosting providers, you have two options: paid or free hosting. When your goal is to become a serious travel blogger and make money doing this, then you need to choose good real estate. 

Free hosting won’t allow you to customize your own blog and run ads, so I wouldn’t recommend that option. As you’re learning how to blog and make money, you’ll find that investing in a website with good hosting goes a long way.

Instead, you’ll want to find a cheap and reliable paid hosting option. Look for one that offers plenty of customization, fast page speeds, great customer service, and room to grow. I recommend Bluehost, which I’ve been using since starting my travel blog in 2017. Here are a few key reasons why I recommend it:

  • Great pricing: Bluehost, the provider I’ve used since starting my travel blog, is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable hosting companies. I’m a Bluehost affiliate partner, which means that I receive a commission for referring new customers. For a limited time only, web hosting with Bluehost is only $1.99 per month with this special link!
  • Excellent customer service: I’ve found Bluehost to have an incredible customer service team. It’s US-based, which means you don’t have to deal with online chat robots or encounter any language barriers. When you purchase your hosting, you’ll have access to their customer service who will help you immediately!
  • Free Domain: Bluehost gives you a free domain name for the first year when you sign up for hosting. This lets you minimize your upfront costs instead of purchasing a domain on your own. 
  • Awesome introductory offer: As an affiliate partner, I’ve been able to secure you a 70% discount on Bluehost hosting. Instead of paying $7.99/month, you’ll pay just $1.99/month. Click here to save big on Bluehost’s introductory offer!
  • Reliability: Every hosting company has its occasional issues and downtime, yet I’ve found Bluehost to be very reliable. It hosts more than 2 million websites worldwide and has minimum uptime of 99.99%. Plus, the loading times are very competitive (462 milliseconds average on speed tests).
  • Money-back guarantee: In addition to Bluehost’s special introductory offer, they also provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s nice to have some insurance in case starting a travel blog isn’t what you expected.
  • Wordpress integration: As an officially recommended hosting provider by WordPress.org, Bluehost provides seamless integration and one-click WordPress installation, making it an excellent choice for WordPress users.
  • It’s ridiculously easy: Bluehost makes starting a travel blog very easy. It takes just a few minutes to set up and you’ll be travel blogging in no time. 

Read next: My Bluehost Review

For more information on hosting, read next: The top hosting providers

Get Started with Bluehost

Setting up a travel blog on Bluehost is super easy. Here are easy steps to get you there:

Step 1: Click the green button that says “Get Started.”

Homepage of Bluehost website

Step 2: Choose a hosting plan that best fits your needs. I use the basic plan. Unless you’re planning to manage multiple websites at once, you should choose this plan as well. You can upgrade to another plan later.

A variety of hosting plans from Bluehost

Step 3: Check if your blog name (domain name) is available by entering the website you want. If you haven’t purchased your website name yet, enter it in the “Create a new domain” field on the left. If you purchased the domain from a third-party, you can instead select the “Use a domain name you own” option.

Setting up domain on Bluehost

Step 4: Select any extra features that you want on your site. The Domain Privacy Protection is an absolute must, as it keeps your contact information safe. Website registry information is publicly available, so if you don’t get this protection, you’ll likely get many annoying calls from people trying to sell you stuff.

The package information and extras in Bluehost

Plan on Travel Blogging for the Long Term

As you’re starting a travel blog, I recommend getting the 36-month plan. It will be $1.99 rather than $5.95 per month for the 12-month plan, so you’ll save $100 over those three years. Plan for the long haul if you’re serious about learning how to become a travel blogger.

The key to starting a successful blog in the travel niche is your mindset. You’re more likely to make it happen if you go into this thinking it will be a long-term endeavor. That’s why I recommend starting your travel blog with the 36-month package

There’s research out there to suggest that choosing a longer hosting period signals to Google that you’re more “legit,” which may be favorable from an SEO standpoint.

Connect Your Domain and Hosting

Please note: you can skip this section if you purchased your domain directly through Bluehost. 

Some of you may have already decided to purchase your domain through a site like Go Daddy. In this case, you’ll need to connect your domain to your Bluehost hosting account. Go Daddy’s support page tells you everything you need to do. I’ll attach a screenshot for your reference below.

Connecting your domain and hosting

After completing these steps, you’ll need to add the domain you purchased through Go Daddy (or another domain registrar) as an add-on domain to your Bluehost web hosting. When you’re logged in to your Bluehost account, click on “Domains” and follow the prompts to assign your new domain to this account. It should be a fairly quick and easy process!

Install WordPress on Bluehost

After completing your Bluehost purchase, the next step is to install WordPress. This is what I use. The top travel bloggers also use this (as it’s the top blogging platform).

In my opinion, it’s much better than Wix, Blogger.com, and Squarespace, which I also carefully vetted before making my decision. Thankfully, Bluehost makes it very easy to create a WordPress blog.

If you’re serious about travel blogging, you should get a self-hosted WordPress account rather than a free one. That way, you can have your own website URL rather than one ending in “.WordPress.com.” You’ll also have full control of your data, advertising, themes, and plugins, which is a must if you want to learn how to become a travel blogger.

Finally, having a self-hosted WordPress blog account allows you to use Google Analytics, which is super important for travel bloggers. I wouldn’t be able to have partnerships with tourist boards and brands if I wasn’t tracking my website data with this service.

Set Up WordPress

Here’s how to set up WordPress for your travel blog. Installing WordPress with your Bluehost account is very quick and easy. Follow the steps below, and your travel blog will be up and running in no time. 

Wordpress setup with Bluehost
Using WordPress for your travel blog

Step 1: Login into your Bluehost account and select “My Sites” on the left sidebar. Then, click the “Create Site” button on the top right corner of the screen.

Installing Wordpress on Bluehost

Step 2: Choose your website name and come up with a tagline. You don’t need to write a tagline right now, so you can skip it if you’d like. Then, click next.

Creating a new Wordpress site name and tagline

Step 3: You don’t need to set up a directory right now. What you should do, though, is keep each of these “Helpful Free Plugins” selected. After all, they are free. Once you’re all set on this screen, select “Next.”

Choosing a domain and plugins

Step 4: You’ve now successfully started a travel blog! From here, you can click either “Business” or “Personal” to get a walkthrough of how the platforms work. You can select “I don’t need help” if you’re already a website-building pro. For more travel blogging resources that will help you get started with Wordpress, I recommend checking out these free Wordpress Lessons.

Now that you’ve made it to the WordPress dashboard, you can create pages and posts, install plugins, and more.

Wordpress dashboard with Bluehost installed
Getting WordPress set up is one of the key steps of starting a travel blog.

Find a Blog Theme

As you learn how to become a travel blogger, focus on your theme. Though the content on your travel blog is paramount, having a pretty design is also super important. When visitors first land on your page, you want to make a solid first impression. 

People make up their minds in seconds about whether they can trust your site or not. Having a beautiful layout (or theme) will encourage them to stay and return for more. 

As an aspiring travel blogger, you have two options for finding themes: free and premium. Generally, beginners can’t go wrong with a free theme, while those interested in how to start a travel website and make money will want to get a premium one.

  • Free themes: As you’re learning how to start a travel blog and not yet making any money, you may be inclined to get a free theme. Your WordPress blog comes with some free default themes. I don’t find the free themes particularly appealing, yet I did use one for the first month of starting my travel blog.
  • Premium themes: Premium themes offer more functionalities and generally look nicer than the free ones. A few companies that offer premium themes include Theme Forest, Elegant Themes, and StudioPress. I’ve been using the Soledad theme, which is a part of Theme Forest.

How to Install a Theme for Your Travel Blog

Themes usually include installation instructions, so this task should be pretty easy and straightforward.

  1. To install your theme, click on “Appearance” on the left sidebar and then select “Themes.” 
  2. On the subsequent page, click “Add New Theme.” 
  3. You’ll then be able to upload the .zip file for your chosen theme and activate it. 
Installing a theme on Wordpress
Choosing a good theme sets you up for success when you’re learning how to become a travel blogger.

Hire a cheap web developer if you’re looking for something more customizable than what your theme provides. You can find resources using sites like Upwork. This type of work typically isn’t a one-time ordeal, either, so be prepared for hefty maintenance costs.

Though themes are an important element of your travel blog, don’t worry too much about them! I’ve changed my theme a few times, and I encourage you to do the same as you change your tastes and style.

Contemplating how to become a travel blogger and stand out from the rest? Create a logo that fits with your personal brand. This is often the first visual that website visitors will see, so make it memorable. 

  • The logo should be unique, creative, and visually appealing. 
  • Be sure to look at the competition for inspiration, and choose a design and color scheme that aligns with your brand identity.
  • You can use Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or another online resource to customize your designs. 
  • Try a website like 99 Designs, where you can find a professional designer to build your logo.

Creating a travel blog logo will help you make a solid first impression, build brand loyalty, and separate you from the competition. It won’t be long until you become a professional travel blogger with an easy-to-recognize identity!

Install WordPress Plugins

Installing plugins on Wordpress

Installing plugins is a key step that will help you make money with your travel blog. There are over 55,000 plugins in WordPress you can use on your site. 

You can also look into more premium options that are sold by developers outside the depository. Here are some plugins that I recommend:

  • Yoast SEO: A vital WordPress plugin for Google search engine optimization (SEO). It gives you tips and tools for optimizing your articles – a must-have for travel bloggers!
  • WP Rocket: Caching plugin that helps your travel blog load faster.
  • Google Analytics: This lets you track your website traffic. As you’re creating content, you should regularly check your analytics to see who your readers are, where they come from, and what content performs the best on your travel blog.
  • Social Media Share Buttons: Allows you to insert sharing buttons in your articles that lead users to your social media platform.
  • Imagify: Optimizes images for fast loading.
  • JetPack: Handles site stats, SEO, security, and backups. You can add tons of different features and widgets, including contact forms and spell-checkers.
  • Akismet: Filters out spam comments on your site. It comes with your WordPress, so you’ll just need to activate it and follow the prompts.

There are many other great plugins out there, although this is a good start.

As you’ll learn by taking the WordPress tutorial, having too many plugins isn’t a good thing. Sometimes there can be conflicts with your theme and other WordPress files, which can result in compatibility issues and slower page speed. 

In some cases, plugin conflicts may even take down your site temporarily. I recommend installing a plugin called “Health Check & Troubleshooting” to identify and troubleshoot such issues when they inevitably occur.

Choosing plugins on Wordpress

Create Key Pages

This section is particularly important if you’ve never blogged before. 

A travel blog contains pages and posts. Your travel articles are called “blog posts,” which can include travel guides, itineraries, and other unique topics. The main pages on your site, which often appear at the top, may include an “About” and “Contact” page.

  • About page: This is where you tell people about yourself, your story, what your blog is all about, and how your content helps others. This is one of the most important and highly trafficked pages on your travel blog, so make it interesting and personal! Create an About page before you even publish your first post. The ultimate goal is to tell readers why they should follow your journey and stick around for the long haul.
  • Contact page: Before publishing your first post, create a Contact page. This shows fans and potential work partners how they can reach you. Include an email address, contact form, and/or your social media handles! The goal is to keep these pages fun, interesting, and professional.

Kickstart Your Social Media Channels

As you’re learning how to become a travel blogger, you need to build a strong social media presence. Social media can lead to limitless growth for travel bloggers. To start, you should create social media accounts on the world’s most popular platforms, keeping your name and branding fairly consistent.

Though each platform is different, you’ll want to tailor your content accordingly. Here’s what you should do.

  1. Make an account on each relevant channel. 
  2. Link to your blog and other social channels whenever possible. Put the link to your travel blog in your bio. Otherwise, consider using something like Link Tree, so you can link to many channels at once.
  3. Before publishing any content on these channels, gain an understanding of the platform by consuming content from your niche. For example, type in relevant hashtags (i.e. #TravelBlogger and #TravelPhotography) to find out what similar accounts are posting and talking about.
  4. Create informative and engaging travel content. What separates us (travel bloggers) from travel influencers is that we provide lots of unique stories and tidbits. Sure, you want to inspire people with our beautiful photos and videos, although you should also be pairing them with interesting captions and lots of depth.
  5. Don’t go crazy about your post analytics. Yes, it’s important, yet don’t get bogged down when your posts don’t do well. Eventually, you’ll find your tribe. Just be persistent!

Don’t forget TikTok! This is a viral platform right now with high organic reach. So, you need to get on there to ride the wave.

This was my TikTok account a year ago:

Old Tiktok profile of Jon Miksis

And this is my TikTok account now:

New Tiktok profile of Jon Miksis
TikTok is the key to success for how to become a successful travel blogger in 2024.

As you can see, I’ve gained hundreds of thousands of followers on the app in just a year. More importantly, for the sake of this article on how to become a travel blogger, there’s a link-in-bio feature now that allows you to receive traffic to your website/blog. I get well over a thousand page views per month just from TikTok alone!

Push Blog Content on Social Media Channels

Once you begin publishing articles, you should start sharing them on your Facebook, X, and Pinterest pages. Each of these platforms is great for pushing viral content on blogs, especially Pinterest.

  • LinkedIn is also a valuable resource for sharing articles, particularly when it comes to sharing travel tips and more professional-style writing. 
  • With Instagram, I recommend putting your blog link in the bio, and even updating it occasionally with specific articles that you think would be valuable for your audience. Once you reach 10,000 followers, you’ll even be able to do a “swipe-up” story. I use this feature frequently on my Instagram page.

Again, I know this is an article about how to build a travel blog from scratch (and how to become a travel blogger). I just want to reiterate the power of social media. 

You won’t be able to succeed as a travel blogger without an active community on your social media channels. Give this area proper focus by posting regularly!

Instagram profile of GlobalViewpoint
Use Instagram to promote and jump start your travel blog.

Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @Global.Viewpoint to stay up on all the trends in the travel blogging industry!

Write Blog Posts

Now that you’ve created the main pages of your site and established a social media presence, you should begin writing blog posts. Lots of them. Though remember…when it comes to travel blogging, quality over quantity is key.

Set a Goal

The overarching goal of travel blogging is to “impact” the reader. Whether it be inspiring future adventures, providing actionable travel tips, or both, you should focus on ways to impact the reader in a positive and helpful way. 

To do this, you’ll want to write posts that cover a variety of topics you feel comfortable sharing and know a lot about. 

  • These may include sharing your favorite destinations, most insightful tips, or travel hacks that help you travel smarter. 
  • They can also be your funniest and craziest travel stories, photo essays, and travel lifestyle recommendations. 
  • When selecting subjects like travel tips, be sure you’re answering important questions that are helpful and otherwise add value to the reader. This is what keeps people returning for more.

Let Your Personality Shine

As you’re starting as a travel blogger, the game is tough. It’s hard to build up an audience and get your content shown to lots of people. The top travel bloggers and travel publications monopolize all the top trending keywords and destinations (i.e. 20 Things to Do in London).

Given that your website is new, it takes time for Google to rank you. To effectively compete as a new travel blogger, you should try keeping your content personal. This means being open and honest. 

In other words, keeping it real. For example, give updates on where you’ve traveled and things you’ve learned on the road. Perhaps delve into some of your travel failures, as it shows your humanity.

Relating with your audience is a huge way to retain users on your travel blog, showing people that there’s a real person behind the articles. Showing your true colors will help you stand out, and allow you to learn how to become a successful travel blogger and make money.

Jon strolling through a garden's archway, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers
What is a travel blogger? Someone who passionately and authentically shows the world around them.

Diversify Content

Early on, you should begin testing the waters to see what content sticks and what doesn’t. Instead of just writing travel guides or listicles, it’s a good idea to diversify your content and touch upon lots of different subjects and geographies. 

I also recommend using keyword research tools like Moz to see what queries people use when they research certain subjects.

Focus on SEO Sooner Rather Than Later

I wish I focused on SEO early on when learning how to become a travel blogger. During my first couple of articles, I tried ranking for keywords like “Barcelona” and “Travel.” I didn’t stand a chance (and I still don’t).

To boost your traffic coming from search engines such as Google and Bing, you’ll want to work on implementing a careful and well-thought-out SEO strategy. Thankfully, there are a lot of free resources online that touch on this topic. I recommend doing simple Google searches and watching YouTube videos to learn the basics.

Here’s a great diagram that explains the needs of SEO at a high level, courtesy of Moz.com:

Mozlow's Hierarchy of SEO needs
Image credit: Moz.com. One of the key frameworks for how to become a travel blogger in 2024.

As you begin implementing your travel blog’s SEO strategy, be warned: it will take time to see the results. Like travel blogging in general, SEO is not an overnight, get-rich-quick, type of ordeal. 

It may take weeks and sometimes months before you start seeing your content indexed on Google. Wait until it does happen. It’s a beautiful sight!

Real time Google traffic of GlobalViewpoint posts
Google traffic at a point in time. I never could have imagined having 50 people on my site at once when starting out as a travel blogger.

To help your travel articles rank high on Google, I recommend using Moz Keyword Research Tool and/or Keysearch. These search tools allow you to research keywords for your articles.

They also show you how many people are searching for certain terms, how difficult they are to rank for, and any synonyms that people also search for. Here’s what Moz’s free tool looks like for the popular keyphrase: “Things to do in Boston.”

Moz dashboard
Don’t go into SEO blind. Be sure to take advantage of tools like these!

If you stick with it and keep up with SEO trends, you’ll eventually see hundreds to even thousands of organic hits a day on your website. This, in turn, will translate into a substantial amount of money in advertising.

That’s part of the goal, my friends! Of course, if you want to learn how to become a travel blogger and make money, you have to be patient.

Commit to Consistently Publishing Quality Content

Building a successful travel blog is a rewarding yet gradual process. It requires a consistent approach. Here’s why staying committed and consistent is vital and how you can achieve it:

Set a Regular Posting Schedule

When you’re just starting, aim to publish one to two articles a week. When I first began travel blogging, my first several articles were just 500 to 700 words. Now, I average about 4,000 words a post, although it took a long time to get there.

  • Establish a regular posting schedule that suits your lifestyle and your audience’s expectations. Whether it’s once a week or three times a month, consistency helps readers know when to expect new content.
  • Use scheduling tools if necessary to ensure that posts go live on time, even when you’re traveling or busy.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

Focus on producing high-quality content rather than rushing to publish as much as possible. Well-researched, engaging, and visually appealing posts will resonate more with your readers.

Take the time to edit, proofread, and optimize each post for the best reader experience. 

If you only have the bandwidth to publish one, comprehensive article a week, do that instead of publishing multiple short ones. It won’t be long until you’ve established your style and voice and writing long travel articles will be a breeze!

Starting a travel blog Pinterest photo
Finding this content valuable? Pin it!

Create Value for Your Readers

Travel blogging isn’t just about sharing your personal experiences, it’s also about helping others. In my articles, I strive to add value to help others travel cheaper and smarter.

Whether it’s providing travel inspiration and interesting information about destinations or giving insightful tips to make traveling more efficient and hassle-free, providing value for your readers goes a long way as a travel blogger. Before writing an article, ask yourself these questions:

  • Is the topic relevant to my target audience?
  • Am I answering questions that help people achieve something?

If the answer is yes, then keep going. You’re well on your way to becoming a successful travel blogger. If no, add some juicy details with lessons and takeaways that will benefit your reader in some way. The last thing you want to do is just make it about yourself; leaving no room for the readers to put themselves in your shoes and gain valuable insights from your content. Add value to your readers, and you’ll be rewarded.

Engage With Your Audience

Respond to comments, emails, and social media interactions. Building relationships with your readers encourages loyalty and community. Ask for feedback and encourage readers to share their thoughts and experiences.

Build a Mailing List

Building a mailing list is a valuable step when learning how to become a travel blogger, as many bloggers often overlook this powerful tool in the early stages.

This is advice that many experienced travel bloggers wish they had followed from the start. When you look at the successful bloggers out there, they tend to focus on two things – a great website with awesome content, and a mailing list of subscribers. Why is a mailing list so important?

  • Unlike social media platforms, it’s a direct line of communication with your audience that you have full control over.
  • Social media algorithms can change overnight, potentially limiting your reach and visibility without warning.
  • A blog and a mailing list are your own “digital properties” that you have complete control over.
  • When readers subscribe to your mailing list, it’s a powerful demonstration of their trust in you and your content.
  • An email list provides a direct channel to engage with your audience, share updates, and potentially sell products or services down the line.

Choosing the right mailing list service is essential. One recommended option is Mailerlite:

  • It’s free for up to your first 1,000 subscribers.
  • It’s one of the few free services that includes an autoresponder system, which can automatically send pre-written emails to new subscribers.
  • As your list grows, you can upgrade to a paid plan with more advanced features.

By focusing on building a mailing list from the start, you’ll be able to cultivate a loyal audience, maintain control over your communication channels, and lay the foundation for future monetization opportunities as a travel blogger.

Network With Travel Brands and Fellow Travel Bloggers

When you’re first starting as a travel blogger, it’s important to network with people in the industry. I didn’t do this for a long time, and I think my progress was much slower because of it.

  • Go to networking events in your nearest city or attend annual travel blogging conferences like TravelCon
  • Start following other travel bloggers, photographers, and influencers, and reach out to them and ask to go shooting with them. 
  • Get a coffee with fellow bloggers. 

Building those relationships early on will pay dividends down the road. It will also keep you sane, as the world of travel blogging is tough when you’re on your own. You’ll need to find a travel blogger buddy to share tips, vent about website problems and SEO, and hang out with.

By becoming an active member of the travel blogging community, you’ll be setting yourself up for success. It’s about maintaining quality, building relationships, staying true to your vision, continuously learning, and taking care of yourself.

Jon and Dan meet up on resto bar
Met up with a friend and fellow travel blogger Dan (DanFlyingSolo) in London!

Develop Technical Skills

While starting a blog does require some technical skills, don’t let that scare you. Here are some basic skills you’ll need.

  • Know how to use a computer and navigate the Internet.
  • Familiarize yourself with blogging platforms like WordPress or Squarespace. These platforms make it easy to create and customize your blog, so you don’t need to be a coding wizard.
  • Basic coding skills can certainly come in handy. For example, knowing how to use HTML and CSS can help you customize the design and layout of your blog.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of online resources and tutorials to help you learn these skills. The most important thing is having a passion for travel and a desire to share your experiences with others. As long as you have those things, you can pick up the technical skills along the way.

Invest in Tools and Education

One of the most important lessons about blogging is that you have to invest in yourself if you want to be among the best. 

When you’re starting a travel blog, consider taking travel blogging courses on a range of topics. This is another one of my biggest regrets as a new travel blogger. I should have enrolled in a travel blogging course from the get-go or attended travel blogging conferences.

I think my path to becoming a blogger would’ve been much shorter if I had. I’m only going to recommend one travel blogging course here, which happens to be run by the world’s most famous and successful travel blogger, Nomadic Matt. 

The course is called Superstar Blogging, and it touches on all the best tips for people just starting out. I met Matt at TravelCon a couple of years ago, and I’m impressed by the blogging empire he’s created. He’s the real deal.

Given that he’s the top dog in the industry, I think his courses will give you a good bang for your buck! 

For more content on how to create a travel blog, read next: Top 3 Travel Blogging Courses

Invest in Digital Tools

In addition to courses, you may want to buy other digital tools to best showcase your blog and social media pages. 

My good friends Bree and Stephen were wedding photographers and now lifestyle content creators who know a thing or two about taking amazing photos! They offer an assortment of digital tools relating to photography/blogging that are incredibly creative and at a great price!

Invest in Equipment

Particularly if you want to learn how to become a travel blogger and make money, investing in yourself must be a top priority. You can’t exactly blog from the middle of nowhere without some basic tech! For more specific recommendations, here are a few items that might come in handy:

  • A good quality camera: Whether it’s a fancy DSLR (here’s mine) or just a smartphone, you’ll want something to capture beautiful travel photos.
  • A reliable laptop: You’ll need something to write your blog posts, so you may need to spend money on a quality laptop. Just make sure it’s lightweight and portable, so you can take it with you on all your adventures. I use the Macbook Air and I love it!
  • A comfortable pair of shoes: Okay, this might not technically be “equipment”. Trust me, you’ll want a good pair of shoes when you’re on the go. You never know when you’ll need to hike to that hidden waterfall.
Gear like laptops are important for travel bloggers

Earn Money With Your Travel Blog

While it’s feasible for travel blogs to be profitable, it’s important to approach the idea with a healthy dose of realism. Starting a blog of any kind requires a significant investment of time, energy, and often, money. It’s not uncommon for many bloggers to pour their heart and soul into their content, only to find that their blog is not as profitable as they had hoped.

As I mentioned before, I’ve been travel blogging since 2017. At the time, I had no idea where this could lead or if it would ever become a full-time job.

For me, travel writing began as a hobby. I had no idea you could make money and earn way more than a typical desk job. I just wanted to document my travel adventures and share them with family and friends. 

Over time, my content began to attract other travelers, and, later, brands and tourist destinations. Turns out, professional travel blogging is a legit thing and there are lots of them (including myself) making a living from it. That being said, there’s a huge opportunity to be profitable with blogging! 

  • With hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck, it is possible to turn a travel blog into a mega-profitable venture. 
  • Many bloggers often monetize their blogs through a combination of advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. 
  • Some even go on to write books, host tours, or create other products and services related to travel.

Just keep in mind, that there’s no way to get rich quickly through travel blogging. It all takes time and requires some late nights sitting in front of your computer screen. 

To get there, you need to build a large and authentic audience. This should be your main focus over the first several months of travel blogging.

There are many, many ways to make money as a travel blogger. It’s all about being creative and finding ways to do it that don’t compromise your values and go off-brand.

I reject most paid partnership inquiries because either A.) the products or services are not useful for me, and B.) I don’t want to come across as one giant ad. Gaining trust and credibility in this industry is hard to gain, and easy to lose.

The most foolproof methods of making money as a travel blogger are by using an affiliate link and website ads. The more traffic you receive, the more money you’re able to make in these two areas. Every reader understands that you need to make money to survive, and it’s okay to sacrifice some of the user experience to make your blog sustainable.

Jon focused on his work, sitting in front of a laptop computer, typing diligently.
As a travel blogger, you get flexibility to work anywhere and everywhere, including on the floor.

Affiliate Programs

As you’re starting a travel blog, one of the best ways to make money immediately is through affiliate marketing programs. Even if you only have a few readers, you can begin making affiliate income on day one.

  • Affiliate programs allow you to recommend things like travel gear, photography equipment, apps, hotels, flights, and pretty much everything else.
  • With affiliate programs, you’re given special tracking codes that you embed in your articles and make money whenever people make purchases through them. 
  • The commission percentages are typically small (like 5%), yet some can be upwards of 40%. Even if the amounts are small, the cash piles up over time. 
  • Get started with affiliate programs like Amazon.com, Booking.com, and CJ Affiliate. Other popular affiliate programs include Awin and Get Your Guide.
  • Make sure they fit naturally into the article. You want them to flow nicely with your content and not be too obtrusive.

To succeed at this, you should only recommend products and services you use. The last thing you’ll want to do is promote products that are off-brand or otherwise don’t add any value to your audience.

As you’re learning how to become a travel blogger and make money, be sure to plan an affiliate strategy around it!

Display Ads

Another option to make money as a travel blogger is through ads. I didn’t run any ads on my website for a long time because of page speed and user experience considerations. I ultimately decided to do it when my traffic hit 30,000 monthly pageviews and met Mediavine’s requirements at the time (>25k sessions).

  • When you’re starting out, the only viable option for your travel blog is Google Adsense.
  • When you gain more traffic, consider going with a full-service ad management company like Mediavine, though it has quite a rigorous application process ( > 50,000 monthly sessions). 

Focus on building up a large audience first, and then you can think about running ads. It won’t be long until you’re on your way to making money as a travel blogger!

The amount of money you can earn on ads depends on several factors. This includes your niche, the topics of your articles, and the countries where your traffic comes from. 

For example, luxury travel bloggers typically make more money on ads than budget backpacker bloggers. Advertisers in the US and UK tend to pay more for ad space than those in countries in Asia, for instance.

Jon standing in front of majestic mountain peaks, surrounded by nature's beauty and vastness
How to be a travel blogger? Share your passion of traveling with others.

Sponsored Travel Blog Posts

Sponsored posts are another way to make money with a travel blog. Some travel bloggers can do quite well with this type of arrangement, although there are some important caveats and downsides you should be aware of.

I rarely partake in sponsored blog posts because I find most inquiries to be spammy and irrelevant to my audience. 

  • Poor punctuation and grammar are often telltale signs that you’ll want to ignore the collaboration offer. 
  • Senders are usually looking for backlinks to boost their own sites and don’t have any value to add. 
  • Most inquiries aren’t personal at all. Many even spell my name wrong (or don’t use a name when addressing me). 

In such cases, I don’t take their inquiries seriously, and you shouldn’t waste your time either. Trust me, as you progress in your journey in becoming a travel blogger, you’ll get tons of these emails, too.

However, sponsored posts can be great when the brand or organization aligns well with your travel blogging content. In those circumstances, you should have a rate card set up that you can give to the brand. 

Most bloggers I know charge between $200-1,000 per sponsored post. However, it depends on how much traffic you get and how much effort (i.e. how many words) are required. Most of my sponsored blog posts are with destinations, and I package these with my social media coverage. 

Instead of just using a rate for a sponsored blog post, I pair it with a certain number of Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook posts to go with it. 

In most cases, the brands want you to share the sponsored blog post on your social channels, anyway, so it helps to bundle everything together up front.

Freelance Writing

Freelance writing—writing for publications in return for payment— can be a great side hustle. It also gives you some excellent practice for your own site. This gig is especially worthwhile in the early stages of when you’re learning how to start a blog from scratch and become a travel blogger.

I’ve done this for a few online publications, including Matador Network. I’ve found that some publications have stringent requirements about the writing style, article length, and subject matters altogether. 

If you’re new to blogging, freelance writing can be a valuable learning opportunity. For more experienced writers, your decision to do this will likely come down to the money offered and the value of the backlinks.

Though freelance writing can be a decent source of income if you’re efficient at pumping out articles, it typically doesn’t pay that well. Typically, the top-notch travel publications pay well, yet they’re often very competitive, and difficult to get the gigs.

Freelance writing can be a decent way to make money as a travel blogger, although I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone. You’re better off working for yourself than for someone else. You want your best travel blogger content to reside on your site, and not somebody else’s.

Jon standing on railing by river and tower
One of the pros of travel blogging is being able to work for yourself.

Brand Ambassadorships

Starting a travel blog requires a lot of work. Over time, opportunities will arise for brand ambassadorships. These are typically annual contracts where you serve as an ambassador for a brand in return for payment and/or free products. 

For example, many travel bloggers are brand ambassadors for travel gear companies, tour companies, and even destinations. Some travel bloggers who are also good photographers can land brand ambassadorships with camera companies like Canon and Nikon.

Brand ambassadorships are ideal, as they tend to pay well long-term. As such, it’s a reliable source of income in the travel blogging world.

Sell Your Skills and Knowledge

Are you a popular content creator with specialized knowledge of the industry? You can make quite a bit of money selling your skills and knowledge.

Guest posting on other blogs is a great way for you to gain exposure. Work on your writing skills even if it isn’t your main focus.

Woman multitasking with laptop, notebook, and coffee on table
Writing is a key component of travel blogging for beginners

The reality is that travel blogging is a tough industry to crack, and there’s no instant gratification to it. To help speed up the process of learning how to become a travel blogger, it’s important for new bloggers to invest in themselves to learn insider tips and tricks.

I also provide mentorship and guidance for people trying to enter the travel blogging space. Interested in mentorship or specific expertise relating to anything in this article? Feel free to check out my Work With Me page for more details!

Jon sitting on rocks in the ocean, while the water splashes on him
As a travel blogger, you’re expected to get your feet wet in places before everyone else.

Sell Your Photos and Videos

Starting a travel blog isn’t just about writing. Photos are another great way to document your adventures. This is not a super common way of making money for travel bloggers. However, if you’re into travel photography and videography, you should consider it.

  • There are lots of websites out there where you can sell stock photos and videos, including Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and Alamy. 
  • Sell prints on your website using image galleries and plugins like WooCommerce. Making this a priority depends on how confident you are with your photography skills.
  • Sell your photography-related products on sites like Etsy. Here’s my Etsy shop, which contains my favorite prints from my travels around the world!

This is a form of passive income, where you don’t have to do anything other than upload your photos onto different sites, and you’ll receive payment when people download them.

Additionally, travel brands and destinations sometimes pay for this type of content. For example, tourist boards have used my photos in tourist brochures in return for payment.

Hallstatt, Austria: A picturesque Austrian lake surrounded by the charming village of Hallstatt
To make money, travel bloggers can sell their best work (i.e. photos and video).

Paid Press Trips or Social Media Posts

While starting a travel blog requires patience, the opportunities will eventually present themselves. Paid press trips have given me the incredible opportunity to experience ways of life much different than my own.

  • As a travel blogger, you can partake in press trips and other collaboration opportunities with destinations, hotels, and tour companies.
  • Most of these opportunities are unpaid (i.e. a couple of free nights at a hotel). However, the bigger you get, the more paid press trips and familiarization tours you’ll be invited to.
  • As you’re starting your journey on how to become a travel blogger, expect to do unpaid gigs. This will help cement your reputation and build connections and a portfolio.

Once you establish yourself, you’ll realize that your time and work are super valuable, and you should be compensated for it.

Group of young women in yellow dresses performing a vibrant dance routine
Press Trips have given me the incredible opportunity to experiences and ways of life much different than my own.

Product Selling

As your popularity grows as a travel blogger, consider writing a book and/or selling merchandise. In the past, I’ve used Discountmugs.com to promote clothing attire and other travel gear. There are plenty of other sites out there that do the same thing – be creative!

Jon sitting on a couch with a backpack
How to be a travel blogger and make money? Sell merch!

How Much Money Can You Make From a Travel Blog?

The income from a travel blog can vary widely based on several factors, including the blog’s niche, audience size, content quality, monetization strategies, and the amount of time and effort invested. Here’s a breakdown of potential earnings and influencing factors:

  1. Starting out (0-1 year): Many new travel blogs may not generate significant income in the first year as they’re building content, audience, and credibility. Earnings might range from nothing to a few hundred dollars per month.
  2. Intermediate (1-3 years): With consistent effort, quality content, and effective monetization, a travel blog might earn anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per month. Building partnerships, growing an email list, and diversifying income streams can contribute to growth.
  3. Established (3+ years): Well-established travel blogs with a strong brand and loyal audience might earn a full-time income, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per month. Some top travel bloggers even report six-figure annual incomes.

Key Factors Influencing Your Blogging Income

Blogging, especially in a competitive field like travel, often requires substantial time and effort before generating significant income. Success is typically tied to the quality of the content, the blogger’s expertise in marketing and monetization, and the ability to adapt and grow with the ever-changing online landscape. 

  • Traffic: More visitors generally mean more opportunities for revenue, whether through advertising, affiliate marketing, or product sales.
  • Monetization strategies: Utilizing various income streams such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, display ads, paid trips, selling products or services, and freelance writing can boost earnings.
  • Niche and audience engagement: A well-defined niche and engaged audience can lead to higher conversion rates for affiliate products and more valuable partnerships with brands.
  • Content quality: High-quality, unique, and valuable content can attract and retain readers, leading to more income opportunities.
  • SEO and marketing efforts: Effective search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing can increase visibility and traffic, leading to higher earnings.
  • Investment: Spending money on professional design, quality equipment, advertising, or education can lead to a more polished blog and potentially higher earnings.

Building a travel blog solely for the purpose of making money can be challenging. However, for those passionate about travel and sharing their experiences, it can become a rewarding career or side income.

Pros and Cons of Writing Travel Blog Articles

In the beginning, writing articles will be daunting. Not necessarily because of the content, but because of all the add-ons and features you’ll want to incorporate into it. Everything from headers and formatting to photos and videos will take time to customize in your blog posts.

Challenges in Travel Blogging

These things are time-intensive and require a learning curve. Here are some of the challenges that you’ll need to overcome:

  1. Content creation: Producing fresh, engaging, and valuable content on a regular basis can be creatively draining, leading to burnout or stagnation.
  2. Consistency: Successful travel blogging requires a consistent output of content, which can be difficult to achieve while traveling or managing other commitments.
  3. Technical skills: Maintaining a professional-looking blog, optimizing for search engines, and leveraging various digital tools require a certain level of technical proficiency.
  4. Time and financial investment: There will be times when you’ll need to spend money when building a blog. It also requires a significant investment of time, which can be a barrier for some.
  5. Algorithms: Search engines and social media platforms frequently update their algorithms, affecting visibility and reach.
  6. Audience: Attracting and retaining readers is important. It takes time and effort to grow a dedicated following through effective marketing and engagement strategies.
  7. Competition: With many existing travel blogs, standing out can be challenging, especially when covering popular destinations or general travel tips.
  8. Monetization: With most bloggers vying for the same affiliate programs, sponsorships, and advertising opportunities, earning money can be competitive.

Opportunities in Travel Blogging

While travel blogging is undoubtedly a competitive field, it’s not saturated in a way that precludes success. Passionate and dedicated bloggers who find a unique angle, consistently produce quality content, and actively engage with their audience can still carve out a space for themselves. Here are some of the upsides that can come from blogging:

  1. Remote lifestyle: Travel blogging offers the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, enabling a nomadic lifestyle.
  2. Opportunities for partnerships: A well-established travel blog can open doors to collaborations with brands, destinations, and other industry players.
  3. Potential passive income: With successful monetization strategies, travel blogs can generate passive income streams, providing financial freedom and supplementing travel expenses.
  4. Sense of community: Travel blogs allow you to connect with like-minded individuals, share stories, and inspire others to explore the world.
  5. Multiple platforms: Leveraging various platforms like YouTube, Instagram, podcasts, and newsletters can help you reach different audiences and diversify your content and revenue streams.
  6. Personal growth: Documenting and sharing travel experiences can foster self-discovery, personal growth, and the development of valuable skills such as writing, photography, and videography.
  7. Creative outlet: Travel blogging provides a creative outlet for expressing your unique perspective, storytelling abilities, and artistic talents.
  8. Lifelong memories: Documenting your adventures through a travel blog creates a lasting record of your experiences, serving as a treasure trove of memories.
A laptop, notebook and camera on a wooden table
Starting a travel blog requires a lot of hard work.

Misconceptions About Travel Blogging for Beginners

Let me address some misconceptions about travel blogging… Firstly, there’s no get-rich-quick scheme in the travel blogging world. 

I’m not going to tell you that you’ll make six figures in passive income by year 2. Nor am I here to tell you that travel blogging will allow you to work a ten-hour work week. For 99.9% of travel bloggers, that simply isn’t true. 

I make over $300k in passive income per year (see my income report here), although it’s year 6. Like everything else in life, it takes time, effort, and perseverance. With the travel blogging tips and tricks below, you can get there much faster than I did.

Gimmicks

I’ve seen many gimmicks out there saying things like “Want to get paid to travel the world? Take my course…”. These ads are often accompanied by an image of someone lounging on a beach, sipping a cocktail, and portraying a lifestyle of all play and no work. 

While this lifestyle may be true for some travel bloggers and influencers, it’s certainly far from the norm.

On the contrary, the most successful travel bloggers I’ve met work harder than anyone; documenting all their adventures — through long articles, pictures, and videos — all while managing their website SEO, affiliate partnerships, and collaborations with brands and destinations. 

It’s not exactly your typical vacation. However, if you genuinely enjoy traveling and storytelling, it won’t feel like “work” either. Thankfully, as far as money goes, the sky is the limit.

Travel Bloggers Versus Travel Influencers

Though terms like travel blogger, travel influencer, and Instagram influencer used to mean totally separate things, they are more intertwined than ever before. You have to be all the above if you want to get ahead.

  • Having a strong social media presence will make you a more effective blogger (and vice versa). 
  • Social media account traffic to your blog is also an important part of SEO, as it sends Google a “social signal” that your site is popular and useful.

Travel blogging isn’t just about the words you write. It’s also about your ability to connect with your audience via photos and videos. This is much truer today than it was for folks who started doing this a decade ago.

Becoming wildly successful at travel blogging is possible, yet you need to work hard to get there. It likely won’t work out if your goal is to get rich quickly and get paid to leisurely travel the world. However, if you love traveling, writing, and photography, and you’re willing to stick it out for a while, you’ll be rewarded immensely.

Additional Tips Before You Start a Travel Blog

Most bloggers quit after a short time because they underestimate the amount of effort required to succeed. Here are some things to know before you start your travel blog and become a travel blogger.

Jon travels in Heidelberg
Though I have a lot of fun doing this, travel blogging is a lot of work! The sooner you figure this out, the more likely you will be to succeed in becoming a travel blogger.
  • Blogging is a lot of work: Though I have a lot of fun doing this, travel blogging is a lot of work! The sooner you figure this out, the more likely you will be to succeed in becoming a travel blogger. I spend more time in front of a computer screen now than I did in my desk job. 
  • Your first posts will not be your best: It’s funny to look at my first blog articles now to see how bad I was at it. Trust me, it gets much easier the more you do it. Practice makes perfect as you’re learning how to become a travel blogger.
  • Sometimes you will fail: I’ve written long, evergreen articles that were total duds. I redesigned my website layout, only to find out that it didn’t improve the user experience. Through failure, I’ve learned to understand and prioritize the things that matter most.
  • Adapt and learn: The blogging landscape is continually evolving. Stay committed to learning new skills, adapting to changes in technology, and keeping up with industry best practices. Invest in online courses, attend travel blogging conferences, or join blogging communities to continue growing and improving.
  • Love what you do: You’ll thrive as a blogger if you love traveling, and you want to share your experiences and tidbits with the world. Passion is contagious, and I think it’s the biggest driver for building an authentic travel community. This is important while you’re learning how to become a travel blogger.
  • Take care of yourself: Avoid burnout by setting realistic goals and taking breaks when needed. Your well-being is essential for maintaining creativity and enthusiasm. Balance your blogging efforts with other life commitments and hobbies.
  • Celebrate milestones and reflect: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements, no matter how small. Reflecting on your progress helps maintain motivation and focus. Regularly review your analytics and reader feedback to understand what’s working and where you can improve.

How Much Does a Travel Blogger Make?

Travel blogger salary can vary greatly, ranging from a few hundred dollars per month to six figures annually for the most successful bloggers. Factors like traffic, monetization strategies, and the ability to create engaging content play a crucial role in determining how much money blogging can generate.

What Does It Take to Become a Travel Blogger?

To become a travel blogger, it’s not only a matter of loving to travel yet also having a passion for creating content, building an audience, and consistently producing high-quality work. Having your own travel blog, a unique voice, and the willingness to learn marketing and business skills are essential.

How Can I Start Travel Blogging?

To start travel blogging, I recommend finding a niche, creating valuable content based on personal experience, and building an online presence through social media and SEO. Blogging success often requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt to audience needs and industry changes.

What Is a Travel Blog?

A travel blog is a personal website dedicated to collecting and sharing travel insights with a broader audience. A travel blogger is someone who enjoys (and earns from) sharing travel experiences.

Is Travel Blogging Saturated?

Travel blogging is indeed a popular and competitive field, leading many to describe it as “saturated.” The rise of travel blogs, social media influencers, and easily accessible platforms for sharing travel experiences has created a crowded space. However, this doesn’t mean that there’s no room for new voices or opportunities for success.

Should I Start a Travel Instagram Page or a Travel Blog?

In general, I recommend starting a travel blog because it’s a business you own and have control over. Since you don’t “own” sites like Instagram, X, and Facebook, you don’t have any control over them. You’ll be left with nothing if they disappear tomorrow.

A person sitting on a mountain peak, gazing at a serene lake below
Travel blogging and travel Instagramming are two totally different things

Is It Too Late to Make a Travel Blog in 2024?

It’s not too late to make a travel blog in 2024. This is a very transient industry, and people are coming and going all the time. There will always be a place for quality content creators, including travel bloggers, so get started today and be prepared for the long haul!

I’m a Decent Photographer and Love the Thought of Being a Travel Blogger. Is There a Place for Me?

Yes, you can still blog without actually writing. You can hire guest writers to help you with the writing component. However, you’ll want to proofread and make sure you’re able to incorporate your voice and style into the content on your website.

Can You Create a Travel Blog Without Traveling?

You don’t have to be a full-time traveler to become a travel blogger. On the contrary, you can work from just about anywhere, including your basement, and easily get ahead of the stereotypical travel bloggers who are jetsetting all the time.

How Can You Develop a Blog Website With No Money?

You don’t have to travel far and wide to start a blog. In fact, you can start a blog by spending very little money and staying local. You can also reach out to tourism boards of the destinations you’d like to visit, and hopefully, they will help you subsidize the cost of your trip.

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The best travel experiences are free

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Blog?

With a free theme and hosting plan, you can expect to pay almost nothing for your travel blog. However, if you want to stand out and become a serious travel blogger, expect to pay around $100 your first year. As you learn and grow, you can add more premium features to your website.

Is Travel Blogging Easy?

Blogging about travel is not easy since it requires a lot of time, effort, and dedication to create high-quality content, build an audience, and monetize your blog. You’ll also need to be a jack-of-all-trades, handling everything from writing and editing to photography and social media. That being said, it can also be extremely rewarding.

Conclusion

I just couldn’t put the pencil down, as this is a topic that I’m very passionate about and I want to help YOU learn how to become a travel blogger. This is truly a dream job, and I want you to experience this too.

With the right approach, your travel blog can go from a hobby to a full time job. By consistently creating valuable content, leveraging personal branding techniques, and staying ahead of industry trends, you can transform your travel blog into a sustainable and rewarding venture that allows you to explore while inspiring others to do the same.

Happy Travels!

Jon

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, where I earn commission from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I use and trust, and the income goes towards maintaining my travel website and social channels.


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Question you get asked daily as a travel blogger: “So…what do you actually do?”

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