travel blog definition

What is a Travel Blog: Tips from a 6-Figure Travel Blogger in 2024

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A TRAVEL BLOG?

If you’re asking what is a travel blog, then you’ve come to the right place to find the answer because I’m a 6-figure travel blogger. I have leveraged my know-how to create multiple successful travel websites.

👩‍💻  To help you with your travel blog, I highly recommend taking a course!  Head here for info on the  best travel blogging courses . If you want to read a full review about the best one I’ve done,  head here .

Whether you want to know what the features of a travel blog are or if you wish to be a travel blogger yourself, this post will give you a foundation to build on.

Not only will I talk about what a travel blogging website is, but I’ll also share how to become a travel blogger and make money doing what you love.

What is a travel blog?

Travel blogs are essentially online guidebooks offering information about travel. Travel blogs are also updated regularly and are usually written from the perspective of one person or a small group of people.

Unlike guide books like Lonely Planet or Rough Guides which are trying to please everyone, travel blogs usually provide in-depth information on a specific niche, like a region or travel style.

For example, my blogs Travel Mexico Solo and Tulum Travel Secrets are about Mexico. Other popular travel blogs focus on luxury travel, vegan travel, RVing, cruise ships, traveling with pets, backpacking, etc. 

This means that travelers are more likely to find exactly the information they are looking for.

On a related note, if you’re wondering what is a travel blogger ? or what do travel bloggers do ? Then by extension, a travel blogger is a person who writes a travel blog 😊.

Can you make money with a travel blog?

I personally make over $40,000 or more per month from travel blogging. Of course, a travel blogger salary can be way less or way more than that.

A lot of bloggers don’t have plans in place for making money with their blogs. However, it is totally possible to monetize your travel blog 🤑 with the proper strategies. I’ll talk about them more later in this post.

How much can you make with a blog?

Nomadic Matt , The Blonde Abroad , and One Step 4 Ward are successful travel bloggers who all have blogs that make them $1 million yearly . Those are all big-name bloggers who’ve been in the industry for years.

A travel blogging salary range will vary greatly from person to person. I personally earn $40,000 or more every month 🤑 from my travel blogs. In 2022, I made $272,175 from blogging 🤯.

Other bloggers who are just starting out or have a less successful strategy may make anywhere from zero dollars to a few thousand a month.

6 Tips for Starting a Travel Blog

Wondering how to start a travel blog? Or looking for travel blog examples? Or maybe you are questioning how to be travel blogger ? Start with these six travel blogger tips and then go from there.

1. Be clear about your blogging goals

The first step to starting a travel blog is to be clear about your goals . Do you want to do this as a hobby or would you like to make money?

If you want to start a hobby blog, there are plenty of different tools and websites you can use to learn about travel blogging for beginners. Blogging is a fun way to share your experience with friends and family.

However, if you want to make money 💰, you’re going to need to be very strategic . Sign up for courses to gain the skills you need to be successful.

2. Choose your niche carefully

Once you’ve decided on your blogging goals, the most important decision you’ll make is what niche to focus on and what to write in a travel blog that relates to your niche.

🤔 How to decide on a niche

Picking a good niche is crucial . It needs to be something you’re passionate about .

Ideally, it will have a unique twist, something only you can bring to the blogosphere. Give it a domain name (a blog name) that relates to your niche. Like Travel Mexico Solo .

However, it also needs to be something that appeals to a wider readership . Think about who your ideal reader would be. Who do you want to write your blog for?

There are many types of travel blogs so having a well-defined niche will help you stand out as an expert, attract a loyal audience, and give you a well-defined focus on what to write about.

It’s also ideal for SEO. 💡 Google LOVES a clear niche.

3. A theme & reliable hosting platform are crucial

Another important step in starting a travel blog is setting up a reliable web hosting platform and a WordPress theme . I personally use Kadence theme on my websites.

Why is this important? Because both your theme and your blogging platforms impact your website speed and performance . Google will rank your website higher in search results if it is fast and optimized.

Don’t shoot yourself in the foot from the beginning by choosing a cheap web host. Choose one that is within your budget but has exceptional performance.

The same is true with your theme. Rather than focusing on making your website pretty, make sure it is functional and fast . No one is going to wait five seconds for your gorgeous website to load. It’s better for it to be ugly and load quickly.

For hosting, many people use Bluehost or A2 hosting , but I personally love using Lyrical Host . They are slightly more expensive, but you will be rewarded with a super speedy blog and 5-star customer service. 

🤑 Lyrical Host Discount Code: Use code TRAVELBLOGGING101 to get 10% off all Lyrical hosting plans.

4. Create quality content

What’s going to set your blog apart? Quality content . Readers don’t want to struggle through a long post full of grammar mistakes, repetitive phrases, and confusing syntax. When you write, write well .

Part of writing well is meeting user intent . That means if someone is searching for “best food tours in Antigua Guatemala,” your post provides them with exactly what they are looking for.

If they want a travel guide to Hierve el Agua , give them all the information they need to have an amazing trip. If you’re wondering “Is travel blogging beneficial?” the answer is most certainly yes…if you’re creating useful content .

Be the last click. That means if someone clicks on your post, they don’t have to return to the search results. They’ve found everything they need in your post.

5. Master search engine optimization

One thing that will make or break you as a travel blogger is search engine optimization (SEO) .

Writing with SEO in mind means you optimize your content so that Google will bump your post to the front page of search results.

You cannot succeed as a travel blogger without SEO. Become an SEO pro, and your travel blog will be positioned for success.

💡 Note: You do NOT have to be active on social media platforms in addition to mastering SEO. Social media channels are a bonus, but not as essential as some people will insist them to be.

If you want to learn how to find keywords with big potential to earn affiliate income, check out my How to Find Affiliate Marketing Keywords Class .

6. Monetize your blog early on

A lot of bloggers don’t have a plan for how to make money. Don’t make this mistake. If monetizing your blog is your goal, then have a plan for how to monetize your travel blog from the get-go.

To be clear, you won’t make lots of dough from the beginning. It’s going to take time and effort, but once you have a certain amount of traffic, there’s no reason why you can’t start making $s.

If you are wondering how you can start earning affiliate marketing money from day one, I’ve written an article all about it here ► How to Monetize Your Blog from Day One .

5 Ways to Make Money with Your Travel Blog

Wondering how to make money with your travel blog? I’m going to cover the most popular ways to monetize your blog. You can get as creative as you wish, but these are a good place to start.

1. Affiliate marketing

Do you know what affiliate marketing is? It’s basically recommending a product, a tour, a restaurant, or anything you’ve loved to another person.

In the blogging about travel sphere, affiliate marketing is basically the same. For example, I often recommend travel gear , tours , hotels , rental companies , travel insurance , etc. on my website. Then, I add affiliate links to these products or services.

When someone clicks the link and makes a purchase, I earn a small commission. Over time, those affiliate sales can really add up.

The best part about affiliate marketing is that you don’t have to have a ton of traffic to make some money.

In fact, I made over $160K from affiliate marketing in 2022 🤑 ($163,706 to be exact) — and I can show you exactly how in my  How to Find Affiliate Marketing Keywords Class .

2. Advertisements

Another common way to make money from a travel blog is through advertisements. If you’ve noticed the ads on my sites, they account for 35-45% of my blogging income 🤑.

The great thing about ads is that they are 100% passive income . I am making money while I swim at the beach and even while I sleep simply by having them on my website.

🤑  How much I make on Ads:  In 2022,  I made $85,130 🤯 from Mediavine .

3. Sponsored Content

Sometimes a tour company, hotel, or other travel-related company will offer to pay you to write a blog post about their product or what they offer.

They want the post in your voice so it’ll appeal to your audience, and they pay you to write it. You can even reach out to companies that you love and suggest they pay you for a sponsored post.

📝 Note: If you do a sponsored blog post, it’s essential for SEO to mark it as a sponsored post on the back end of your website and check that all links are no-follow.

4. Offer Paid Subscriptions or Consulting Services

Another option for making money from a travel blog is to use it as a marketing tool for coaching or consulting services .

For example, if you have a course on email marketing, you can use your blog to send people to your webinar and from there get them signed up for the course.

You can also offer paid subscriptions as a way to bring in more money.

5. Sell Travel Itineraries, Books, or E-Books

Selling travel itineraries, books, and e-books is another creative way to bring in income from a travel blog.

Matthew Kepnes of Nomadic Matt started making $50,000 to $60,000 a year in 2010, and e-book sales were a massive part of his income.

What Is a Travel Blog: Frequently Asked Questions

Do travel bloggers make money?

Travel bloggers CAN make money. I personally make over $40K or more every month , and there are plenty of other top-notch bloggers who make even more.

With proper strategy and skill, it is entirely possible to make money from a travel blog. I’ve done it , and I’m not special, I know you can do it too.

If you implement the suggestions in this post, you’ll be well on your way to monetizing your blog.

Are travel blogs still popular?

Travel blogs play an important role. They offer genuine, up-to-date travel information for people searching in a specific niche.

Travel blogs are no longer prolonged journal entries about one person’s experience riding an elephant in Thailand or answering the question of what solo travel teaches you.

Now the focus is on providing quality in-depth information so that other people can have the same experience you did.

While there is still room to share personal experiences and travel perspectives, being helpful and informative takes center stage.

Now if you are asking the question of how to start a travel blog without traveling, then I would caution against this, simply because you won’t be able to provide authentic first-hand travel experience.

More and more Google has started to prioritize E-E-A-T, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

And if you haven’t traveled before, it will be pretty hard to convince Google to take your blog seriously.

How do you write a travel blog?

How to write a travel blog starts with keyword research . The goal is to find a search term that many people are looking for and that your travel blog site can rank for.

Next, you should look at other blog posts that rank on Google for that search term and create an outline based on what the user wants to know .

Finally, write the content as concisely and completely as possible . This is basically your travel blogger job description.

What makes a good travel blog?

A good travel blog offers engaging storytelling, high-quality and inspiring visuals, practical advice and tips, authenticity in sharing personal experiences, and up-to-date information.

This can include travel tips, restaurant recommendations, tour reviews, suggestions on where to stay and what to do, entertainment, humor, and more. 

All of the information in a blog post should be clear, concise, and flow well . A good travel blog is beautifully written, well-organized, and easy to read.

Most of all, it provides the information people need to travel and experience a place themselves.

Is it hard to become a travel blogger?

Becoming a travel blogger requires hard work and perseverance. It isn’t sipping cocktails on a tropical beach and taking Instagram pictures.

In fact, many travel bloggers quit after a year.

It takes time and a lot of effort to see results. If you are willing to stick it out for the long haul, work hard, learn continuously, and implement new strategies, you will have a higher chance of success.

How to create a travel blog for free?

Creating a free travel blog is simple; platforms like Wix or WordPress.com offer free plans. You can choose a template, personalize it, and start sharing your journeys. However, if monetizing is your goal, investing in a self-hosted blog with a paid domain and hosting is a smarter move.

How to start a travel blog on Instagram?

To start a travel blog on Instagram, create a dedicated account and post captivating visuals with engaging captions . Remember, Instagram is a platform known for micro-blogging — short and sweet posts. It’s also a good idea to have a website where you can share longer travel stories.

Final Thoughts: What is a travel blog, and is it worth launching one?

A travel blog is a website all about travel. Most travel blogs focus on one specific sub-topic or niche related to travel. You can find a wealth of travel blog description examples to get an idea of how diverse these niches can be .

The options are endless and can range from a blog about Wisconsin to blogs about budget travel, camping, national parks, family travel, and travel for retired folks.

Starting a travel blog and turning it into a successful business will require a lot of time, hard work, and perseverance. And it isn’t for everyone.

However, if you are passionate about traveling, online business, investing in yourself, and travel blog writing about amazing places, travel blogging can absolutely be worth it. It has been for me.

Don’t forget to look at what is travel writing examples for inspiration and to improve on your own work. In the end, if you’re still thinking, “I want to be a travel blogger” then go for it!

If you’re ready to start your profitable travel blogging journey, I suggest investing in the courses for travel blogging :

• Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures  (Best General Blogging Course)
• How to Find Affiliate Keywords that Will Make You a Ton of Money  (Best Affiliate Marketing Course)
• SEO Roadmap for Travel Bloggers  (Best SEO Course)

What is a Travel Blog: Beginner’s Guide to Travel Blogging

Are you ready to turn your love of travel into a full-time adventure? Do you want to travel the world as a professional blogger? Are you here to discover the exciting world of travel blogging ? Create your own engaging travel blog now and set off on a path of inspiration, connection, and unique adventures. But, before we get started, let’s take a look at what is a travel blog and how it may transform your life. Let the journey begin!

Table of Contents

What is a Travel Blog Exactly?

A travel blog is an online platform where individuals or groups share their travel experiences, insights, recommendations, and stories with a global audience. It is a digital journal allowing travel enthusiasts to document their journeys and provide valuable information to fellow travellers.

Travel blogs typically consist of written content, accompanied by captivating photographs and sometimes videos. They offer a personal perspective on destinations, providing readers with authentic and firsthand accounts of travel experiences. From highlighting must-visit attractions and hidden gems to sharing practical tips and advice, travel blogs aim to inspire, educate, and entertain readers who are planning their own adventures.

Some Key Points About Travel Blog

One of the key elements of a travel blog is storytelling . Bloggers often share engaging narratives that transport readers to different parts of the world, immersing them in the culture, landscapes, and flavours of the destinations they visit. These narratives can evoke emotions, spark wanderlust, and create a connection between the blogger and the reader.

Travel blogs also play a vital role in trip planning. They offer detailed itineraries , travel guides, and practical tips that help readers make informed decisions about their upcoming journeys. From choosing the best accommodations and local transportation options to recommending unique activities and local cuisines, travel blogs provide valuable insights that can enhance the overall travel experience.

Why You Should Create a Blog?

Get the answers to what is a travel blog for! If you love travelling then creating a travel blog has many benefits . Travel blogs foster a sense of community among travellers. Readers can engage with the blogger and fellow readers through comments, social media, and email subscriptions. This interaction allows for the exchange of ideas, recommendations, and support, creating a network of travel enthusiasts who can connect, collaborate, and inspire each other.

In recent years, travel blogging has evolved into a profession for many individuals. Successful travel bloggers often collaborate with tourism boards, brands, and other travel-related businesses. They may earn income through various monetization strategies, such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, advertising, and selling digital products or services. However, it’s important to note that while monetization is a possibility, passion for travel and a genuine desire to share experiences should remain at the core of any travel blog.

What are Different Types of Travel Blogs?

Travel blogs come in various forms, catering to different interests and audiences. Here are the top 5 popular types of travel blogs:

• Destination-Focused Blogs: These blogs primarily focus on specific destinations or regions, providing detailed insights, itineraries, and recommendations for travellers interested in exploring those areas. For eg: Travelling Or Traveling 😉
• Adventure and Outdoor Blogs: Adventure travel blogs focus on thrilling outdoor activities such as hiking, mountaineering, diving, or extreme sports. They provide guidance, safety tips, gear recommendations, and personal accounts of adrenaline-pumping adventures.
• Budget Travel Blogs: These blogs cater to travellers on a tight budget, offering tips and tricks for saving money while still experiencing incredible destinations.
• Luxury Travel Blogs: Luxury travel blogs cater to travellers seeking high-end experiences, featuring luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, exclusive destinations, and premium travel services.
• Solo Travel Blogs: Solo travel blogs focus on the experiences and challenges faced by solo travellers. They guide solo travel safety, empowerment, and recommendations for destinations that are solo traveller-friendly.

Some Other Types of Travel Blogs

• Family Travel Blogs: These blogs cater to families travelling with children, offering tips on family-friendly destinations, kid-friendly activities, packing tips, and travel logistics.
• Food and Culinary Blogs: Food and culinary travel blogs explore the world through its cuisine. They highlight local dishes, food markets, culinary experiences, and provide recommendations for food lovers looking to indulge in authentic flavours.
• Digital Nomad Blogs: Digital nomad travel blogs cater to individuals who work remotely while travelling. They provide tips on finding remote work opportunities, coworking spaces, travel-friendly gadgets, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle on the road.
• Sustainable and Responsible Travel Blogs: These blogs focus on responsible tourism practices, eco-friendly travel, and ethical experiences. They promote sustainable travel choices, eco-conscious accommodations, and activities that have a positive impact on local communities and the environment.
• Cultural Immersion Blogs: Cultural immersion blogs explore the traditions, customs, and local experiences of different destinations.

Remember, these categories are not mutually exclusive, and many travel blogs combine elements from multiple types. You should choose a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise, or create a unique blend that reflects your travel style.

Check out Complete Guide to Travel Blogging: Starting Out to Earning Income and get started!

Bottom Line…

Overall, to answer what is a travel blog, it is a powerful tool for both bloggers and readers. It allows bloggers to showcase their adventures, express their creativity, and share their knowledge while providing readers with inspiration, guidance, and a virtual window to the world of travel. Whether seeking information, entertainment, or motivation, travel blogs serve as a valuable resource for anyone with a wanderlust-filled soul.

Are you asking yourself why to create a travel blog? Read Should I Start a Travel Blog: Is It Really Worth to get the answers!

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What Is a Travel Blog (And Why You Should Start One)

What Is a Travel Blog?

When you’re planning a trip, what do you do? You probably do a lot of research online, reading blogs and articles about the places you’re interested in visiting. And if you’re like most people, you’re probably more likely to trust the advice of a fellow traveler than that of a travel agent or guidebook.

That’s where travel blogs come in. Travel blogs are a great way to get firsthand accounts of other people’s travel experiences. They can provide you with valuable information about everything from where to stay and what to see to how to get around and what to pack.

But what exactly is a travel blog? And how can you use them to plan your own trips?

In this article, we’ll answer those questions and more. We’ll discuss the history of travel blogs, the different types of travel blogs, and how to find the best travel blogs for your needs. We’ll also provide some tips on how to write your own travel blog if you’re thinking of starting one.

So whether you’re a seasoned traveler or you’re just starting to plan your first trip, read on to learn more about the world of travel blogs!

A travel blog is a website or online journal that documents a person’s travels. Travel blogs typically include photos, videos, and written content about the places the author has visited. They can also include tips on how to travel, where to stay, and what to see.

Travel blogs have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people have started sharing their travel experiences online. There are now millions of travel blogs in existence, covering every corner of the globe.

Travel blogs can be a great way to learn about new places, get travel tips, and connect with other travelers. They can also be a great way to document your own travels and share your experiences with others.

History of Travel Blogs

The early days of travel blogging (1990s-2000s)

The first travel blogs were created in the early 1990s, as the internet became more accessible to the general public. These early blogs were often personal journals that people used to share their travel experiences with friends and family.

In the early 2000s, travel blogging began to take off in a big way. This was due to the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which made it easier for people to share their travel photos and stories with a wider audience.

The rise of social media and the “new” travel blogging (2010s-present)

The 2010s saw a major shift in the way that travel blogs were created and consumed. With the rise of social media, travel bloggers began to use platforms like Instagram and YouTube to share their travel photos and videos with a wider audience. This led to a new type of travel blogging that was more visual and engaging than the traditional text-based blogs of the past.

The future of travel blogging

The future of travel blogging is bright. As more and more people travel, they will continue to seek out travel blogs for inspiration, tips, and advice. Travel bloggers will continue to evolve their content to meet the needs of this growing audience.

Types of Travel Blogs

There are many different types of travel blogs, each with its own unique focus. Some of the most common types of travel blogs include:

• Personal travel blogs: These blogs are written by individual travelers who share their personal experiences with their readers. They often include photos, videos, and written content about the places the author has visited.
• Photo travel blogs: These blogs focus on photography. They typically include beautiful photos of the places the author has visited, along with some written content about each location.
• Vlog travel blogs: These blogs are similar to photo travel blogs, but they focus on video content. They often include travel vlogs, which are videos that document the author’s travels.
• Curated travel blogs: These blogs are written by a team of editors who select the best travel content from around the web. They typically include a variety of articles, photos, and videos about different travel destinations.
• Sponsored travel blogs: These blogs are written by travel bloggers who are paid by brands to promote their products or services. They often include positive reviews of products or services that the author has used on their travels.

Travel blogs are a great way to learn about new places, get travel tips, and connect with other travelers. They can also be a great way to document your own travels and share your experiences with others.

If you’re thinking about starting a travel blog, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, decide what type of travel blog you want to create. Do you want to write a personal blog about your own travels? Or do you want to create a curated blog that features the best travel content from around the web?

Once you’ve decided on a focus for your blog, you need to create a strong content strategy. This means deciding what type of content you’ll publish, how often you’ll publish it, and how you’ll promote your blog.

Finally, you need to create a great website for your blog. This means choosing a good domain name, designing a beautiful website, and setting up an easy-to-use content management system.

If you’re willing to put in the work, starting a travel blog can be a rewarding experience. It’s a great way to share your love of travel with others, and it can also be a great way to make money.

What Is A Travel Blog Definition?

A travel blog is a type of blog that focuses on travel-related content. This can include anything from personal travel stories to tips and advice on planning a trip. Travel blogs can be written by anyone, from seasoned travelers to those who are just starting out.

Travel blogs can be a great way to share your travel experiences with others, connect with other travelers, and learn about new destinations. They can also be a great way to make money online.

Benefits of Travel Blogging

There are many benefits to starting a travel blog, including:

• Sharing your travel experiences. One of the best things about travel blogging is being able to share your travel experiences with others. You can write about your favorite destinations, the things you’ve seen and done, and the lessons you’ve learned. This can be a great way to connect with other travelers and inspire them to explore the world.
• Connecting with other travelers. Travel blogs are a great way to connect with other travelers from all over the world. You can read their stories, ask them questions, and share your own experiences. This can be a great way to make new friends and learn about different cultures.
• Learning about new destinations. Travel blogs are a great way to learn about new destinations. You can read about the best places to visit, the things to see and do, and the local culture. This can be a great way to plan your next trip or to simply learn more about the world.
• Making money online. If you’re interested in making money online, starting a travel blog can be a great way to do it. There are many ways to monetize a travel blog, including advertising, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services.

How to Start a Travel Blog

Starting a travel blog is relatively easy, but there are a few things you need to do in order to get started.

• Choose a niche. The first step is to choose a niche for your blog. This could be a specific destination, a type of travel, or a particular aspect of travel. Having a niche will help you focus your content and attract the right audience.
• Create a blog name and domain. Once you’ve chosen a niche, you need to create a blog name and domain. Your blog name should be something memorable and easy to spell. Your domain should be related to your blog name.
• Set up your blog platform. There are many different blogging platforms available, such as WordPress, Blogger, and Squarespace. Each platform has its own advantages and disadvantages. You should choose a platform that is easy to use and that meets your needs.
• Write your first blog post. The first step is to write your first blog post. This should be a short to your blog and your travel experiences. Be sure to include a call to action, such as inviting readers to subscribe to your blog or follow you on social media.
• Promote your blog. Once you’ve published your first blog post, you need to promote it. This can be done by sharing it on social media, submitting it to relevant directories, and reaching out to other bloggers in your niche.

Starting a travel blog can be a great way to share your travel experiences, connect with other travelers, and learn about new destinations. If you’re interested in starting a travel blog, be sure to follow the steps outlined in this article.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• [The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Travel Blog](https://www.bloggingwithapurpose.com/start-a-travel-blog/)
• [How to Make Money Blogging About Travel](https://www.bloggingwithapurpose.com/make-money-travel-blogging/)

A travel blog is a type of online journal or website that documents a person’s travels. It typically includes photos, videos, and written content about the places the author has visited. Travel blogs can be used to share travel tips, inspire others to explore new destinations, or simply document the author’s personal experiences.

What are the benefits of starting a travel blog?

• Sharing your travel experiences with others. A travel blog is a great way to share your travel experiences with others and inspire them to explore new destinations.
• Building a community of travel enthusiasts. A travel blog can help you connect with other travel enthusiasts and learn from their experiences.
• Promoting your business or brand. If you’re a travel writer, a travel blog can be a great way to promote your work and attract new clients.
• Generating passive income. If you monetize your travel blog, you can generate passive income from advertising, affiliate marketing, or product sales.

How do I start a travel blog?

Starting a travel blog is relatively simple. Here are the steps involved:

1. Choose a platform. You can start a travel blog on either a self-hosted WordPress site or a hosted platform like Blogger or Medium. 2. Choose a domain name and web hosting. If you’re using a self-hosted WordPress site, you’ll need to purchase a domain name and web hosting. 3. Install WordPress. Once you’ve purchased a domain name and web hosting, you can install WordPress on your site. 4. Design your blog. You can use a WordPress theme to design the look and feel of your blog. 5. Start writing content. The most important part of a travel blog is the content. Start writing blog posts about your travels, including photos, videos, and written content. 6. Promote your blog. Once you’ve started writing content, you need to promote your blog so that people can find it. You can promote your blog through social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.

What are some tips for writing a successful travel blog?

Here are some tips for writing a successful travel blog:

• Write high-quality content. The most important factor in a successful travel blog is the content. Make sure your blog posts are well-written, informative, and engaging.
• Use visuals. Photos, videos, and other visuals can help to make your blog posts more engaging and interesting.
• Promote your blog. Once you’ve started writing content, you need to promote your blog so that people can find it. You can promote your blog through social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.
• Be patient. It takes time to build a successful travel blog. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep writing great content and promoting your blog, and you’ll eventually start to see results.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when starting a travel blog?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when starting a travel blog:

• Not choosing a niche. It’s important to choose a niche for your travel blog so that you can focus your content and attract a specific audience.
• Not writing high-quality content. The most important factor in a successful travel blog is the content. Make sure your blog posts are well-written, informative, and engaging.
• Not promoting your blog. Once you’ve started writing content, you need to promote your blog so that people can find it. You can promote your blog through social media, email marketing, and paid advertising.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

• Travel blogs can be a great way to document your travels and share them with others.
• They can also be a great way to connect with other travelers and learn about new destinations.
• If you’re thinking about starting a travel blog, be sure to do your research and create a blog that is unique and interesting.
• With a little effort, you can turn your travel blog into a successful online business.

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How to Start a Travel Blog: The Complete Guide

Many people dream about traveling the world for a living; and there are people that are actually able to do so that aren’t pilots, flight attendants, or businessmen. These people are known as travel bloggers and they get paid to visit and write about their major passion in life: travel.

Before you think it’s all a dream, it’s time to debunk a few myths and tell some truths about how to start a travel blog. 🏖

Travel Blogging Truths

Who wouldn’t want to be a travel blogger? Travel can be expensive and the idea of having someone else cover your costs is certainly enticing. But it’s not all about grabbing trips to Paris in first class. Travel blogging is just like a job .

Travel blogging isn’t easy. The fact that you’re traveling and getting paid to do so while staying in top accommodations is what most people see. They don’t realize that there are a lot of struggles that go hand-in-hand with figuring out how to start a travel blog.

Here’s what you need to know before getting started as a travel blogger:

• It’s a saturated niche. Everyone wants to ride the wave of being a travel blogger, thinking it’s all rainbows and sunshine—that by virtue of having a travel blog (and a few followers), they can request comped stays at 5-star hotels. But it’s not that easy . There are plenty of travel bloggers that spent a long time building their empire before they took off to the point where they received any special perks (or compensation).
• Many times, you’re behind your computer. Being a blogger is like having your own magazine and being the editor, photographer, writer, and stylist—all in one. Some bloggers have teams now, but in the beginning, it will be just you . Taking and editing photos and/or video, write-ups, SEO , social media scheduling: all these tasks will require a fair amount of time stuck in front of your computer.
• Writer’s block. Companies pay you for content, and to be a successful travel blogger, you have to follow deadlines like any regular job. Creating great content while at the same time, experiencing what every place has to offer isn’t easy, especially when you just want to relax and you’re on a tight deadline.
• You won’t earn a fixed income. As with freelancing in general, you’re only as good as your next project. You’ll also have to think of travel blogging as an expense at the beginning. After all, how will you start writing about places you haven’t been to? You have to invest some money to do the traveling that will serve as the subject for your content.
• If you’re a solo travel blogger, it can be lonely to go from place to place on your own. And since you aren’t in a place for too long, you’ll constantly make and break friendships and connections.
• Not knowing what’s next. Becoming a travel blogger may seem exciting at first, but you have to be constantly planning for what’s next. There may be a time where travel loses excitement or you run out of funds and you’ll need to plan accordingly.

If you just want to learn how to start a travel blog for the sake of sharing your travels, then these truths may not apply to you. Your expectations and ambitions will be based on self-fulfillment (and perhaps sharing your adventures with friends and family) more so than building a brand to appeal to sponsors.

How to Start A Travel Blog

Not scared away by the harsh truths of travel blogging? Here’s how to start a travel blog, step by step:

Choosing a Niche

There are two basic ways to get started: travel then figure out how to start a travel blog , or plan to start a travel blog then do the actual traveling . The motivation for the people in the former situation is likely just that they want an outlet to share their travels to family and friends, while the latter is more suited to those that plan to expand and monetize their travel blog in the future.

Like food blogs , travel blogs are a dime a dozen, so it’s best to start by choosing a niche (especially when you eventually want to earn from travel blogging) that will help differentiate you from the pack, since general travel blogs will usually not fare well when it comes to SEO efforts.

Travel Blogging Sub Niches

There are so many travel blog niches you can think of and fill a need for. To some, their niche comes naturally. For others, it could take a while to make a decision. Here are some questions you can ask yourself when determining a niche for your travel blog:

• Why do I want to blog?
• What am I passionate about telling or teaching to others?
• What are my skills, strengths, interests, and expertise?
• Can I write about this topic for a long time? The niche shouldn’t be too broad or too narrow.

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of the more popular travel niches:

• City blogging: Focused on your city (you don’t have to travel that far, and you perhaps know the topic better than most)
• Country-focused: Destinations around the country
• Area/Region: Like South America or Southeast Asia-focused
• Demographic-focused: Like travel blogs specifically targeted to Americans/American passport holders
• Budget travel
• Luxury travel
• Solo travel
• Female travel
• Traveling for work
• Adventure travel
• Family travel
• Empty nesters/traveling for seniors
• Traveling with disabilities

Or if you’re really ambitious, you can even blog about your worldwide journey, as Gary Arndt has done on Everything Everywhere . He sold his house in 2007 and has been traveling around the world ever since (over 175 countries and counting).

To be sure that someone will want to read your blog, search for your competition (to validate if there’s an existing audience for your idea). You might even want to utilize a tool like Ahrefs  or BuzzSumo to look up some of the most popular content in a niche, such as “Traveling in South America,” to get an idea of what other bloggers are writing about. Then ask yourself, can you do this better?

Alternatively, you may want to try and be the first in your niche. If you can, find a gap in the market. If you find yourself asking “Why hasn’t anybody done this?”—do it yourself!

Most bloggers market themselves as brands. Your brand is what you’re known for and known as. It’s what makes people say “That is so XX!” when they see a piece of your content.

Aspects of blog branding include:

• Your blog name and niche
• Your blog’s overall look: the theme, fonts, logo, color palette, images you use, and so on
• The voice of your writing

Coming up with your Blog Name

Your blog name is important because it’s also what your blog is known as (your brand). While you’ll be able to change many things about your blog over time, your name is something you should stick with. Give it a fair amount of thought before deciding on it.

Not sure what to call your shiny new travel blog? You might start with your own name, a play on that name, or a mix of your name and travel-related terms. A few general rules for settling on a blog name (which will also be your domain name):

• It must easy to recall and easy to spell
• It should also be not too long
• It must not contain hyphens or numbers

For more tips, you can take a look at our guide:  How to Choose a Domain Name (8 Tips to Stand Out).

Some brilliant travel blog names to look to for inspiration include Nomadic Matt , which is about a guy who travels the world, Adventurous Kate , a blog about a girl who quit her job to travel the world, and The Blonde Abroad , which is about a solo female traveller who is (you guessed it) blonde. There’s also Tanks that Get Around , a travel blog/travel tank top shop.

Setting up the Blog

A professional blog has three technical elements you’ll need to setup: domain name , blogging platform, and web host.

Choosing a Blogging Platform

There are many free blogging platforms out there, like Blogger, WordPress.com , and Tumblr. Any of these options is fine for a personal blog, but if you plan on monetizing your site, a self-hosted WordPress blog is your best bet .

The other platforms come with their own restrictions, but with a self-hosted WordPress site, you’re free to customize it completely. Self-hosted WordPress also allows you to grow and not worry about having to change platforms later if your travel blog suddenly becomes super popular. Read more about the differences between WordPress.org and WordPress.com .

WordPress powers 43.5% of the internet , is super user-friendly and has flexible customization options. It is used on many different kinds of websites , be they blogs, ecommerce sites, news portals, or business sites. Due to its open-source nature, WordPress is free to use, however creating and maintaining a site might cost you some money .

While the content management system you choose is free (assuming you choose WordPress), you’ll have to pay for your professional domain name and web hosting.

Choosing a Reliable Web Host

The web host is where you store your website’s files. Hosting plans can be as cheap as $4/month and can be upgraded to give you more storage space and bandwidth for visitors as your blog grows.

It’s important to choose a reliable and stable web host that does not have too much downtime. If you’re starting out, you might be better off with shared hosting, which means you’ll be sharing a server with other blogs. The downside is, your blog may load slower because you’re sharing resources with other websites. Also, you might have to spend more time fiddling with your site.

Application hosting , database hosting , and managed WordPress hosting through a company like Kinsta have its advantages for those interested in how to start a travel blog.

Since you’re on the go, the last thing you have time to worry about is downtime or messing around with your server. Additionally, you might not always have access to the best internet connection to fix things. Falling back on a reliable managed host might actually save you money.

You’ll also get access to a variety of tools which can make managing your site a lot easier, such as Kinsta’s custom dashboard .

A few other things to look out for when deciding on a web host:

• WordPress optimized
• Good customer support
• Automatic backups
• Ample storage space

Read more about how Kinsta is different than other hosts.

Customizing the Blog’s Look

After you’ve installed and setup the free WordPress CMS with your web host, you can focus on setting up your blog’s look and feel—an important aspect of branding.

Customizing the following will help your travel blog become your own:

• Theme: You can choose from both paid and free options . There are themes that cater specifically to travel blogs. When you’re just getting started, don’t overthink your blog’s theme. You might want to start with a free one first, because unlike your blog’s name, you can change the design later on .

To help with the process of choosing the blog’s overall look easier, you can make a branding board. A branding board includes:

• Color palette : Have a set of 2 to 3 complementing colors (anything more would be distracting).
• Fonts : 3 at most. Think one for your logo, one for headings, one for body copy.
• Images that reflect what you want your blog to evoke when visitors drop by your site.

Increase Blog Functionality with Plugins

What attracts many users to WordPress is the customizability it offers thanks to plugins, which are codes you can install to add functionality to your site. Since you’re just getting started, defer to the experts. Blogging Wizard shares some of the must-have plugins that can help with SEO, analytics, backups , safety , and speeding up your blog .

There are also some plugins to consider that were created specifically for travel blogs. These include:

You might also want to add an Instagram plugin to show off your travel photos on your blog.

You might also consider installing affiliate plugins , but we’ll talk more about that in the latter monetization section.

Content Creation

The most important part of a blog is the content. Content shouldn’t just be confined to articles (or text); it can also take the form of photos (graphics, infographics), videos, and audio ( podcast ).

Of course, you shouldn’t start with all of these different types of content at once—it can be overwhelming. Instead, you can start adding new content types as your blog starts growing and you get the hang of running it.

To get some inspiration we recommend you to take a look at these guide:

How To Be A Solo Content Marketing Ninja

How to Create Evergreen Content That Lasts (17 Tips and Tricks)With WordPress

5 Things More Important for Your Content Than Content Length

There is no right or wrong way to write. Many people adopt a journal way of writing—telling people about their day or experience, while some go for how to guide types of posts.

The best kind of blogs are the ones that deliver a mix of content types. Many people that read travel blogs are after the information you can give them about a place, while your unique voice (which adds to the branding part of the blog) is what will draw readers to you.

If you plan to travel after setting up your travel blog, you can plot out what content to write, what places to feature, what angles to write about. Ideally, you’ll have at least 15 posts ready to go before launching. This will give you time to consistently release content as you work on your next pieces, while giving readers enough content to stick around and read.

Tips to Optimize Content for SEO

There’s no hard and fast rule for content length and ranking on Google but in general, the longer, the better.

Though the in’s and out’s of proper on-page SEO are outside of the scope of this article, here are a few quick hits for setting up content for success:

• Use headings to organize your article (and to strategically make use of keywords )
• Write titles that people will pique people’s curiosity so they will share your post, but don’t be clickbaity (meaning, truly back up the article with great content). Also, write titles the way people search.
• Use keywords in URL slugs

For a more advanced study of SEO (that’s still beginner-friendly), check out our SEO checklist  and some recommended SEO plugins  you should start off.

Asher Fergusson, a successful travel blogger, and Kinsta customer said that the secret for his rapid growth in organic search rankings was to conduct a controversial research study. After having a nightmare Airbnb experience with his wife and 10-month-old son in Paris he decided to review over 1,000 horror stories to see what’s most likely to go wrong. The resulting article titled, “ Is Airbnb Safe? ” led to being featured on the front page of Reddit and was picked up by dozens of mainstream media outlets. This boosted the SEO strength of his entire website.

Photography

People are visual creatures, which is why platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are so successful and growing at a rapid pace .

Taking great photos or videos that make viewers feel like they are there or will want to be there will attract more visitors to your blog. The photos will also be used for your blog promotion; pretty photographs with catchy titles attract people on sites like the aforementioned Pinterest.

While you’re thinking about images, don’t forget to optimize your images , both for performance and for SEO . You can’t just upload full resolution photos to your blog and expect them to load fast. You’ll need a little help from an optimization tool or plugin. Name your files something meaningful (and short), as Google looks at things like these when it chooses what to index for Google image search. Which tools and how to showcase your photos you can read our guide:  8 Best WordPress Photo Gallery Plugins .

There are three main ways to promote your blog:

• Social media: The easiest way to promote your travel blog is through your own network, but social media, with hundreds of millions of monthly active users, is also known for targeted advertising, meaning that it can help your content reach the people most likely to care about it. Hand Luggage Only’s Instagram is a great example of a beautiful travel photo diary. Another awesome platform where you can promote your content is Pinterest. We wrote a detailed guide on the best Pinterest marketing tips .

• Traditional media: Getting featured on newspapers and magazines is good exposure, even for an online entity. In fact, this is how popular blogger Nomadic Matt quickly grew his following.
• Search engines: The largest potential source of traffic, but comes with a lot of competition.

Writing guest posts is another way to get backlinks to your site from more prominent travel blogs. On another note, collecting email addresses and sending out email newsletters is an effective way to get more views because it gives you a direct connection with your subscribers (unlike social networks, which may restrict reach to your existing followers).

Nomadic Matt, arguably the most popular travel blog, recognized the potential for these tactics but went in a different direction . He pitched guest blog posts to finance blogs on how to save money traveling. He guest posted on entrepreneurship podcasts to talk about how he was able to build a business from his travel blog.

These tactics set himself apart from others, and also introduced his site to multiple different audiences.

Travel Blog Monetization

There are several ways to monetize your travel blog , but when you’re starting out, it can be tough. What many travelers (or digital nomads) do to sustain their traveling lifestyle while working on the road involves accepting jobs as virtual assistants, doing freelance writing, consulting, or offering some other type of service.

Ways to Make Money from Your Travel Blog

Besides using your personal brand to get clients for services you may be interested in offering, there are many other ways to make money from your travel blog:

• Sponsored trips : Work with private companies or brands and tourism boards. Tourism boards usually want press to encourage more people to visit their country. They will usually pay for food, lodging, activities, and sometimes even airfare. Since they want resulting posts to reach a wide audience, this might only be offered to those with bigger followings. Some companies may also invite you to sponsored trips to launch their products—with everything paid for.

• Workshops : After growing a following and being recognized as an expert, you may be invited for speaking engagements or workshops that you can charge for.

Blog not making enough yet? Check out these 65+ ways to make money online on the side while you continue to grow your travel blog up to where hopefully one day it can financially support you.

This guide by Firstsiteguide includes a few more ideas if you are looking to start your travel blog.

How to Start a Travel Blog

A travel blog is a good way to document and share your love of travel, but it also brings about the potential for income. First decide whether you’ll be blogging for passion or profit, then follow these guidelines to help you with the specifics of how to start a travel blog.

What are your tips when it comes to the question of how to start a travel blog? Tweet at @Kinsta and we’ll share the best insights! Or drop them below in the comments.

Maddy Osman creates engaging content with SEO best practices for marketing thought leaders and agencies that have their hands full with clients and projects. Learn more about her process and experience on her website, The Blogsmith and read her latest articles on Twitter: @MaddyOsman .

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This post was seriously the most helpful post I have read!!!! I just need to bust out more content and focus on affiliate marketing now! I’m looking for a course on this. Thanks for the helpful post!

So glad to hear it, Laura! Best of luck on your blogging journey. :D

I’m Happy that I came across this post as I am still on my way building my site as a travel blogger. :)

Glad to hear that! Let us know how it goes :)

This is the one of the most honest and truthful post’s I had read! Thank you!

Hey, thanks for all your tips and tricks. :) Greetings from Vienna

I enter your website regularly almost every day. You have some great articles. I Love Your Suggestions. Thanks.

I just start my blog but with your tips, I can improve my blog so much. Thanks a lot for providing the information.

Very helpful article for those who are willing to write a travel blog to provide very practical help

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I haven’t seen a post as helpful as this one!!! Just need to create more content and focus on affiliate marketing now! This is something I’d like to learn more about. You made a great point! Thank you!

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What Does a Travel Blogger Do?

Find out what a Travel Blogger does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Travel Blogger.

Embarking on a journey as a Travel Blogger involves weaving narratives around various destinations, cultures, and experiences to inspire and inform a diverse audience. This role transcends mere storytelling; it encompasses the art of capturing the essence of travel through engaging content, photography, and social media engagement. By sharing personal insights, practical tips, and immersive stories, a Travel Blogger not only fuels wanderlust but also serves as a guide, helping readers navigate the complexities of travel planning and decision-making. Through their explorations and reflections, they contribute to a global conversation about travel, offering a window into the world’s myriad landscapes, traditions, and communities.

Travel Blogger Job Duties

• Research and plan travel itineraries to diverse destinations, ensuring a mix of popular and off-the-beaten-path locations.
• Create engaging content, including blog posts, videos, and social media updates, documenting travel experiences and providing travel tips.
• Photograph landscapes, cultural events, and local cuisine to visually complement written content and social media posts.
• Network with tourism boards, travel agencies, and local businesses to arrange travel logistics and secure partnerships or sponsorships.
• Review accommodations, restaurants, and attractions, providing honest opinions and recommendations to the audience.
• Analyze website and social media analytics to understand audience preferences and adjust content strategy accordingly.
• Manage the blog’s technical aspects, including website design, SEO optimization, and troubleshooting issues to ensure a smooth user experience.
• Organize and lead group travel experiences or tours for followers, handling logistics, itineraries, and on-trip content creation.

Travel Blogger Salary & Outlook

Factors affecting a Travel Blogger’s salary include audience size, engagement rate, content quality, niche specialization, monetization strategies (affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales), brand partnerships, and experience level. Diversified income streams, such as ebooks or online courses, also significantly impact earnings. Social media presence and SEO skills are crucial.

• Median Annual Salary: $80,325 ($38.62/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $162,000 ($77.88/hour)

The employment of travel bloggers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

This growth is driven by an increasing demand for authentic travel experiences among consumers, who seek personalized and immersive content. Travel bloggers fulfill this need by providing unique insights, destination guides, and visual storytelling, making them invaluable to tourism industries and digital marketing strategies.

Travel Blogger Job Requirements

Education: A Travel Blogger typically has diverse educational backgrounds, with many having some college coursework, often in journalism, communications, or marketing. High school diploma holders succeed by leveraging strong writing and storytelling skills. Those with bachelor’s or associate degrees may have majored in English, creative writing, or digital media, enhancing their content creation and SEO knowledge. Education in photography or videography is also beneficial for creating compelling visual content.

Experience: Travel bloggers often start with varied levels of experience, ranging from beginners to those with up to a year of dabbling in the field. Key experience areas include writing, photography, and digital marketing, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and audience engagement. On-the-job learning is common, as bloggers continuously adapt to new trends and platforms. Many also benefit from informal training programs or workshops focused on SEO, social media strategies, and content creation to enhance their skills and grow their online presence. Networking with fellow bloggers and attending travel-related events can also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth in this dynamic field.

Certifications & Licenses: No specific certifications or licenses are typically required for the job of a Travel Blogger.

Travel Blogger Skills

SEO Optimization: To rank highly on search engine results pages, incorporating relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and tags is necessary. For travel bloggers, keeping abreast of the latest algorithm changes and trends in travel search queries ensures their blog posts attract both globe-trotters and casual vacationers.

Photography: Through their lenses, travel bloggers capture the essence of destinations, transforming fleeting moments into timeless narratives. This skill not only enhances the visual appeal of their content but also connects the viewer’s imagination to the reality of far-flung locales.

Video Editing: By turning raw footage into visually compelling stories, travel bloggers create engaging narratives that captivate audiences and inspire wanderlust. This skill boosts viewer engagement and retention, making it a crucial part of their digital storytelling toolkit.

Social Media Engagement: Engaging content that resonates with followers, coupled with active interaction through comments, shares, and direct messages, expands a travel blogger’s reach and influence. This interaction fosters a loyal community and elevates the blogger’s brand, increasing its attractiveness to potential collaborators and sponsors.

Storytelling: Travel bloggers craft captivating narratives that transport readers to distant lands, cultures, and experiences. Their ability to weave the fabric of their adventures into engaging, relatable stories establishes a loyal following eager for the next journey.

Destination Research: By exploring the cultural, historical, and social nuances of destinations, travel bloggers offer stories that resonate deeply with their audience, providing insights beyond typical tourist experiences. This approach not only enriches the content but also positions the blogger as a trusted source of travel wisdom.

Travel Blogger Work Environment

Travel bloggers often find themselves in a dynamic work environment, where the world serves as their office. This means their physical setting changes frequently, from bustling city cafes to tranquil beachfronts, depending on their current destination. The essential tools of their trade include a reliable laptop, camera equipment, and a strong internet connection, allowing them to document and share their experiences in real-time.

Work hours for travel bloggers are far from the conventional 9-to-5, offering a high degree of flexibility. They may find themselves working odd hours to catch the perfect sunrise for a shoot or to meet deadlines across different time zones. Despite the lack of a strict dress code, the need to adapt to various cultural norms and climates influences their attire.

The nature of their job requires a significant amount of travel, making interaction with diverse cultures and communities a routine part of their work. This exposure not only enriches their personal experiences but also enhances the content they create, making it more engaging for their audience. However, this constant mobility demands a strong emphasis on work-life balance to prevent burnout.

In essence, the work environment of a travel blogger is characterized by its variability, autonomy, and the continuous opportunity for personal and professional growth through the exploration of new places and cultures.

Advancement Prospects

Travel blogging offers diverse advancement prospects, primarily through audience growth, monetization strategies, and niche specialization. Successful bloggers often expand into related fields such as freelance writing, travel photography, and social media influencing, leveraging their established platforms and audiences.

To accomplish these advancements, a travel blogger should consistently produce high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their target audience. Specializing in a niche within travel blogging, such as eco-tourism or luxury travel, can help in standing out and attracting dedicated followers. Monetization strategies, including affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product sales, are crucial for financial sustainability and growth.

Expanding into visual content by mastering travel photography and videography can significantly enhance a blog’s appeal, opening doors to partnerships with travel agencies, tourism boards, and brands. Engaging with the audience through social media and email newsletters helps in building a loyal community, further fueling growth and opportunities.

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What Is a Travel Blogger and How You can Get Started

Being a travel blogger can be an enjoyable way to inspire travel enthusiasts or share personal travel narratives, and successful bloggers often earn income from their content through advertising and affiliate programs.

Establish your audience and goals before building your blog on a reliable platform.

Choose a niche

Success of any travel blog hinges upon selecting an engaging niche topic.

There are various topics available, but selecting one that reflects your own lifestyle and meets demand over time should be of primary consideration. Conduct keyword research in order to assess if a topic has become overdone or there may be room for fresh insights and perspectives.

Additionally, travel blogs can feature personal accounts from readers to create an immersive and engaging experience for readers – creating loyal audiences and building brand recognition in turn.

Travel blogging can even serve as an income generator through affiliate marketing programs, sponsored posts or advertising revenue.

For example, a travel blog covering luxury resorts and spas could use queries such as “luxury resorts near me” to draw in an interested audience, as well as provide helpful tips on organizing an ideal vacation experience.

Conduct keyword research

Utilize search engine optimization tools to identify keywords that will help your site rank higher on Google. These tools will demonstrate how much traffic top pages receive for specific queries, as well as which keywords are responsible for driving this traffic.

Use their results to select topics relevant to your topic while offering low ranking difficulty levels.

Understanding search metrics such as search volume and CPC will allow you to identify the most profitable keywords for your blog. You can visit this site to learn more about CPC, or cost-per-click ads. Take note of what types of keywords your competitors are using on their websites as a starting point; free tools can also give ideas for keywords.

Another element to keep in mind when creating content for your audience is their needs and interests.

You could discover specific places they’re seeking out or experiences they want, so research those topics carefully and create content tailored specifically towards their interests – travel forums or social media can provide great information as to what people are searching for!

Making sure your content is mobile-friendly is also essential, with more and more people using smartphones to access the web. Finally, adding a logo will help build brand recognition in the industry as an authoritative figure in your field.

Create a website

If you are serious about starting a travel blog, creating a website is essential.

When selecting your CMS (content management system) or website builder of choice – drag-and-drop editors make website builders ideal for newcomers who may have trouble using CMSs directly.

WordPress remains one of the top options used by 95% of bloggers when creating websites.

Once your site is live, the next step should be adding content. A regular posting schedule will keep readers engaged while also encouraging Google to visit regularly – add photos and videos of your travels if possible too! As you write posts for your travel blog , it is wise to prioritize quality over quantity. Producing lots of uninformative or poorly written posts won’t do any good if they are not SEO optimized and well written.

Furthermore, creating an email list for your blog allows readers to directly reach you with updates or special offers.

Finalize your strategy by engaging your audience through social media. Social media provides an effective platform to get people talking about and sharing your travel blog with their networks – make sure to include links to all of your accounts when sharing posts across various platforms. You can click the link: https://www.statista.com/topics/1164/social-networks/ to learn more about social media usage patterns.

Write posts

Writing relevant and beneficial posts to your readers is integral to building an audience and increasing search engine visibility.

From travel tips to using credit card points more effectively, your content must be engaging and informative for your target audience. Furthermore, try adding a contemporary spin to your posts so it is easier for people to relate to what you write.

Be sure to add high-quality images and videos to your posts, creating an exceptional reading experience on your blog. Furthermore, adding a contact form allows people to reach out easily – many bloggers use paid mail services but there are free alternatives available online.  You can visit this helpful site to learn more about clear writing guidelines.

Remember that your travel blog should reflect its niche.

Choose an easy-to-pronounce and remember name without overusing generic or overused words, and avoid creating confusion through an unclear layout with unclear navigation. Creating an enjoyable user experience for visitors keeps them coming back!

Additionally, establish a regular publishing schedule of new posts; this will encourage readers to come back often while improving SEO rankings.

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What is a Travel Blogger and What Do Travel Bloggers Do?

Written by Samantha Sherer on Feb 2nd 2019. 14 minute read

It’s the ultimate dream, travel the world to experience all the major sights and hidden delights tourists don’t get to see.

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Even better, the icing on the cake would be to earn an income from your travels. The question everyone asks is whether this really is possible. The answer is yes – with a travel blog.

What is a   travel blogger?

A travel blogger is someone who travels to different places, writes about their experiences and publishes them onto an online blog. If you have enough money saved to live on, you could use your travel blog to share your journey without worrying about readership or making money.

If you’ve ever wondered how travel bloggers can make money on Instagram or other platforms, the answer is – by  monetizing their blogs  with the aim of either funding their travels or earning a professional income. With that view in mind, let’s look at how to start a travel blog.

The top 12 tips for starting a travel blog

What profitable travel bloggers do is create high quality content and remain consistent. Many new travel blogs will cease to exist early on, so if you want to be published for many years to come and make a decent income from your travels, you need to put some thought into your blog. Just because you build it does not mean that your audience will come. Instead, you need to work hard at creating a platform people want to visit time and again.

To help you get the most out of your travel blog, and become what is considered a successful travel blogger , check out our 12 top tips:

Treat it like a business

Although it may be tempting to head off on a plane and write your blog when you have a spare moment, doing this is unlikely to make you money. Treat it like a business and decide how much you want to earn in advance.

Decide to get paid

When you love something, it is easy to fall into the trap of just doing it because it's your passion. Unfortunately, that sentiment won’t earn you money, so you have to decide in advance you are going to be paid for your work. How the best travel bloggers make money on their blogs and other platforms like Instagram , is by upkeeping an attitude of viewing their blog as a business, rather than a hobby.

Plan ahead and be organized

An essential component of beinga travel blogger is organization. As part of your business plan, you need to decide in advance how you are going to run your blog. Know where you want to travel, how you are going to get there, where you are going to stay, etc. Devise a content calendar outlining the content you will be publishing each month, and decide the methods you will use to monetize each post accordingly. In real life, it is likely your plan will change and fluctuate, but having a guide provides you with focus.

Build an audience

Before you can earn any money from your blog, you need an audience. There are many methods to build readerships, from paid advertising to organic searches. Make sure you always have several methods in place at any one time to maintain consistency.

Do it for your readers

What great travel bloggers do is write with their readers in mind. Do your research and find out what questions your potential traffic wants answered, and then address those queries. If you base your blog around solving your audiences' problems, they will return again and again.

Be different

There are many travel bloggers, so to stand out from the crowd you need to be original and change the generic idea of what a travel blogger is . Use a different approach, or find an exclusive niche within travel blogging. Create a unique selling point that no one else has.

Be yourself

Discover a niche that works for you and your audience and give it your own voice. If you try and copy someone else, your authenticity will suffer.

Learn all you can

You can always be better, so commit to learning all you can. Whether you improve your writing skills, your search engine optimization techniques, or your knowledge of traveling, always look to learn all you can.

Invest in your blog

In the early days when your budget may be tight, you may not be able to invest in hiring professional designers or other help, so initially invest as much time as you possibly can. When you have more money, invest some of it back into your website to ensure it is as professional as possible.

Record everything

While you are traveling, make it a habit to record everything as you never know when it may come in handy. Take photos of everything, record where and when you visit different places, jot down your emotions and details about the people you meet. All these notes will help when your creative juices need a push to put words on the page.

Be consistent and persistent

Your blog needs time to build. Your audience will need to get to know you before they trust you, so be consistent and persistent with your entries. Write as much as you can, particularly in the early days.

Love your job

A travel blog is as much a job as it is a way of life. You must love your job. If you don’t, you may need to question if you are in the right industry.

How much do travel bloggers earn?

When embarking on a new career, it’s normal to want to know how much you can earn. However, with any freelance role, how much you earn is dependent on the amount of work you put in. As a rough guide, an established travel blog can expect to  make $3,000-5,000  a month, although some make much more.

Here are a few examples of some successful travel blogs:

Derek Earl Baron  of  Wandering Earl

Derek has been traveling since 1999, but originally he funded his travels by odd-jobbing while on the road. However, this all changed in 2008 when he published an eBook about his journeys, which earned him enough to carry on traveling without working on the road.

This led to the Wandering Earl blog launching in 2009, with the readers of his book becoming his first followers. The blog grew, and by 2011 he was earning $2, 500 a month from his book sales and affiliate marketing. His earnings are now reported to be  $12,000 a month .

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Derek Baron (@wanderingearl)

Matt Kepnes  of  Nomadic Matt

Matt Kepnes earns a staggering  $50,000+ a month  from travel blogging. His blog grew from his desire to travel and make money on the way, but he started the site purely as a method of practicing his writing so he could work for  Lonely Planet . But the more he developed his blog, the more he realized there was a need for budget travel advice people could dip into online. So he changed his focus, and the rest is history.

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Matt Kepnes | Nomadic Matt (@nomadicmatt)

Bethany Davies of  Flashpacker Family

Bethany has been traveling since her early 20’s. In 2014, she and her family left New Zealand and have been traveling ever since. They fund their travels and earn an income with various sources, including advertising on the website, consultancy work, web design and renting out their home. On average they earn about  $5,000-10,000 a month .

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Bethaney Davies Travel Blogger (@flashpackerfamily)

How do I make money as a travel blogger?

Most travel bloggers make money through a variety of different income streams, rather than relying on just one method. Many travel bloggers are content to fund their lifestyle, whereas others achieve incomes that far exceed their travel costs. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that lucrative travel blogs do not happen overnight. They take a lot of time and effort to become established and develop a large following.

Money making methods include:

Affiliate marketing

Promote and sell products on behalf of a third party. When one of your leads clicks on your affiliate links and makes a purchase, you will get paid a commission.  With no stock involved, it’s a perfect method for the travel blogger to utilize to earn money.

Selling products

Creating and selling your own related products can be a great money earner as all the profits go straight to you. However, making the products initially can take some time and effort.

Advertising

Allowing automatic ads on your website can earn some extra money each month. You could also consider charging companies to run permanent ads on your site.

Sponsored posts

Established blogs often get requests from companies asking them to write sponsored posts about their products. In return, the company pays the blogger or offers products as remuneration.

Public speaking

Speaking at conferences or at professional networking events can be quite lucrative, if you have the confidence to pursue this form of income. Top travel conferences and events you can find us speaking at include  Women In Travel Summit  and  TBEX . 

Coaching  

Teaching others how to run a travel blog, either through mentoring, consultations, online courses or lecturing at colleges, is not only a good way to increase your income but also builds your credibility.

Freelance writing  

Getting paid by other businesses to write about your experiences and travel tips can provide a good income while fitting the lifestyle of the travel blogger.

Where do I find affiliate programs for my travel blog?

When it comes to finding affiliate programs that fit your travel blog, you can really think out of the box. Let’s say you are writing a blog about what insurance you should have as a travel blogger. You could discuss travel insurance and point to  affiliate programs  that match. Or perhaps you want to talk about how to find affordable  accommodation  while on the road. Whatever you want to write about, you can find a product or service to promote that will fit. Look to Awin’s  advertiser directory  for inspiration.

 A final word

Building a travel blog takes time and effort, but the rewards more than outweigh the hard work. For many, it is the dream job. However, to succeed you must stay focused and work at it. But most importantly, maintain the love for your job. Try to keep your knowledge fresh and this will come across in your blog. Your audience will feel your passion and buy into you. Following that, your blog will start paying dividends.

If this is your dream, follow it. You’ll never look back.

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How to Write a Travel Blog: Tips, Tricks, and Examples for Travel Bloggers

by Outranking

Table of Contents

If you’re just beginning your journey into the world of travel blogging, this article is for you. It’s hard to know where to start and what best practices to implement to optimize your blog traffic and achieve your goals.

Many people are interested in becoming digital nomads and travel bloggers. But even with major competition, if you follow these tips outlined below, the chances are very good that you’ll have a successful blog.

The numerous tips mentioned throughout this guide can help you start your own travel blog. Our emphasis is on the most effective ways to create successful blog content for aspiring travelers and how to use the best tools and techniques to write your own travel blog.

What is a travel blog?

A travel blog is a website written by one or more writers who blog about their travels. A travel blog can be a way to share and reflect on adventures and trips to inspire others to take the plunge into the world of travel technology solutions . It’s a great way to earn money, especially if you’re meticulous in branding yourself online and talented at photography and writing.

What are the benefits of writing a travel blog?

Writing a travel blog can help you share your experiences with others.

Writing a travel blog can benefit both the author and the reader. For the author, it is a way to share experiences with others and provide value to readers by answering questions that help them achieve something meaningful. It is also important to be clear and genuine in order to avoid excessive self-promotion. For the reader, travel blogs can be a valuable way to learn about new cultures and get inspiration for future plans.

The post What Vietnam Was Like For Me is a typical example of a writer sharing their travel experience with others.

Writing a travel blog guide can help you connect with other travelers

When you write a travel blog, you have the opportunity to connect with other travelers in person and online. This can help you get guest blog opportunities and referrals from other bloggers. You can also feature sponsored posts from other travel bloggers, which can help you finance your travels.

Writing a travel blog can build passive income and help you make more money

If you want to build passive income from your travel blog, you can take one of several approaches. You can sell advertising space on your blog, work with brands as an influencer, or do affiliate marketing.

Selling advertising space is one of the most common ways to make money from a travel blog. You can sign up with an advertising network like Google Adsense or Mediavine, or you can work directly with brands like Airbnb.

Working with brands is another great way to make money with your travel blog. Brands will often pay you to promote their products or services. This can take the form of a sponsored post, where you write about the brand, or affiliate marketing, where you promote the brand and earn a commission on sales.

Affiliate marketing is a great way to earn passive income from your travel blog. When someone clicks on your link and buys something, you earn a commission. This is an easy way to make money without having to do much ongoing work.

17 tips for writing your travel blog

Write about your personal experiences to show your travel blogging life.

People love reading personal travel blogs because they can immerse themselves in the experiences of the writer. It’s interesting to read about someone else’s experiences in a different place, and it can be helpful to get tips and advice from somebody who has first-hand experience.

When writing about your personal experiences on a travel blog, be engaging and interesting. Write in short passages and include plenty of detail so that readers can immerse themselves in your story. Use photos and videos to supplement your writing and help readers visualize what you’re describing.

Salt in Our Hair is a travel blog with lots of personal material that you can use for inspiration.

Share your travel tips, ideas, and advice on your blog

When writing a travel blog, there are a few ways to make the content more effective. First, include practical advice – this can be anything from tips on saving money to information on the best times to visit certain places. Second, write advice on particular destinations. People want to know about the culture and atmosphere of a place, as well as what to see and do there. Sharing your own interesting experiences will make your blog stand out from the rest.

Here are some tips on how to go about this:

• Write destination advice, as well as practical tips to help people save money or have a better experience.
• Be honest and open about your travel experiences.
• Use photos and videos to illustrate your points and impress your readers.
• Use relevant keywords in your blog posts to make them more accessible to a wider audience. Learn more about how using SEO link building can benefit photographers.
• Write in a clear, concise, and easy-to-read style.
• Keep your blog updated regularly with new content to maintain reader interest.
• Be prepared to answer questions about your experiences from readers who may be considering similar travel plans in the future.

Use plenty of photos and videos

Photos and videos are important in a travel blog for many reasons. For one, they bring your writing to life. Having your own photos of the places you visit shows that you have actually been there and captured scenes or moments that other people may not have experienced.

This can make your travel blog stand out from others. Additionally, beautiful photos convey the vastness of the world around us and help readers learn about different cultures and geographies.

Be detailed and descriptive

When writing about travel, be as specific and detailed as possible. This will help your readers feel like they are right there with you, experiencing everything you are writing about. Pick one or two main attractions to write about when you have limited time in a place. This will allow you to go into more detail about those particular attractions, rather than trying to cover everything.

Include specific images, videos, and information about the attractions, such as walking trails or restaurants. This will give your readers a better idea of what they can expect should they visit the same place.

Write about different types of travel

If you’re looking to write a travel blog that covers different types of travel, then you’ll need to focus on a few key aspects. First, you’ll need to write about your favorite aspects of your travel experiences. This could include anything from your accommodation and views to the facilities and interesting experiences you had while traveling.

Also, provide details about any cultural or culinary hubs that you visit. Holidaymakers always want to know about good places to stay, eat, and sleep. By providing this information in your blog posts, you’re sure to pique their interest.

When describing different types of travel in your blog posts, be sure to focus on the atmosphere and what the place feels like. This is what will really give readers a sense of what it’s like to be there. If you can include any personal anecdotes or recipes for dishes you’ve eaten while traveling, all the better!

Share your travel stories and anecdotes with a good writing flow

Your readers likely want you to share your unique stories and anecdotes on your travel blog. By sharing your personal experiences, you can make the blog more relatable and engaging for the reader. In turn, this will make them more likely to stick around and continue reading.

To be a good storyteller, focus on creating a well-formed and vivid explanation. Keep your passages short and to the point, using strong verbs that paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. If you can transport them into your story and make them feel like they’re right there with you, then you’re on the right track!

Offer helpful information, courses, and resources

When creating a travel blog, it is important to offer information and resources that can be useful to readers. A great way to make your travel blog more resourceful is to write guides that include practical information such as relevant internal and external links on the best time to visit, where to stay, and how to get around.

Additionally, you can include essential information such as plug sockets and currency conversion in your posts. By making your blog interesting and valuable to readers, you will likely rank higher on Google.

Participate in travel blogging communities and share your travel life

If you’re interested in travel blogging, one great way to get started is by participating in a travel blogging community. There are many benefits to being involved in such a community, including meeting new people and finding holiday inspiration.

You can find travel blogging communities by doing a simple search online. Another option is to look for social media groups dedicated to travel. Once you’ve found a few communities that look promising, the next step is to participate actively.

This means commenting on other people’s posts, sharing your own experiences, and generally engaging with the community. By doing so, you’ll soon make friends and get inspired for your next trip.

Here is a link to the top travel communities you can join online.

Be active in the comments section of your travel blog

Participating in the comments sections of travel blogs, groups, and forums can help your blog in a few ways. First, it can help you understand readers and their perspectives. Second, it can help build a healthy conversation with them. And third, it can help you grow your readership.

Make friends with other travel bloggers

Travel blogging can be a lonely business if you don’t take the time to make friends with other bloggers. Attending networking events and annual conferences is a great way to meet other bloggers and professionals in the industry. Building relationships with others will help you stay sane when blogging solo.

To reach out to other travel bloggers, join online communities and forums. Becoming an active member of the travel blogging community will set you up for success.

Collaborate with other travel bloggers

Start by finding travel bloggers who are a good fit for your brand. Look for bloggers who have an engaged audience and produce high-quality content. Once you’ve found a few potential partners, reach out and introduce yourself. Be sure to explain what you expect from collaboration and how your brand can benefit their readership.

The best places to find fellow travel bloggers are Facebook groups, Twitter, and forums like Reddit. When looking to collaborate with another business, be prepared to offer something of value in return for their help.

This could be anything from free products or services to exclusive discounts or promotions. Keeping the lines of communication open throughout the collaboration will help ensure that both parties are happy with the arrangement and that the partnership is beneficial for both sides.

Monetize your blog with ads and affiliate marketing programs from a travel company

There are a few ways that you can make money from your travel blog, the most common being through advertising and affiliate marketing programs (like Awin, ShareASale, or Commission Junction). Advertising is easier, but it doesn’t make as much money per visitor.

Affiliate marketing programs can be more profitable, but it takes more time and development to get them running. The best way to monetize your blog is through a combination of both advertising and affiliate marketing. This will help stabilize your business and bring in more money overall.

Here is a list of the best affiliate programs for travel bloggers to earn a steady income.

Monetize videos with YouTube and promote the videos on your blog

You can monetize your travel blog by publishing videos. To do this, you can use advertising, affiliate marketing, and more. However, you must own all the rights to commercially use all visual and audio elements in your videos.

Here is an example of a travel YouTube channel:

Optimize your travel blog for SEO

If you want to rank well on Google, you need to optimize your blog posts for search engines. This includes adding keywords and telling search engines what the post is about. You can also optimize images and other content for SEO.

To improve your ranking, make sure to add an SEO title and description to your posts. Remember to include keywords in your title and description.

Here is a video on how to optimize your content for SEO using Outranking AI:

Create a blogging plan and be persistent

Before you start a travel blog, it’s important to have a plan. You should aim to write three posts per week to get started. Once you’ve written 100 or so posts, take some time to review and improve your old posts. Use a spreadsheet to keep a list of blog post topics so you never run out of ideas.

The most important thing is persistence. Keep writing and posting new content, even if it feels like no one is reading your blog. Over time, you’ll build up an audience of loyal readers who appreciate your content.

Here is how to use Outranking AI Strategist to build a content plan for your travel blog:

Track and optimize blog posts for better ranking after publishing

Your travel blog can be a great way to share your experiences with others and promote your business. To ensure that your blog ranks high in search engine results, use these tips:

1. Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track which posts are doing well and getting a lot of clicks. This will help you determine what content is most popular with readers and tailor future posts accordingly. Preferably, use the Outranking AI Action feature and connect your Search Console to track your keyword positions and get optimization suggestions for better rankings.

2. Reach out to your readers to get honest feedback. This will help you improve the quality of your blog and also give you an idea of what topics are most interesting to your audience.

3. Make sure your travel blog posts are well-written and relevant to your target audience. Search engines favor high-quality, coherent content, so take the time to write posts that offer value to readers.

4. Use keywords throughout your post, and include them in the title and body. This will help search engines understand what your post is about and index it accordingly.

5. Write about interesting or unique experiences you’ve had while traveling. Readers are always interested in hearing personal stories, so share some of yours!

Tools you will need to set up your travel blog and write successfully

Grammarly helps you write better travel blog posts by catching grammar errors, punctuation mistakes, and more. It also rates the overall quality of your writing and measures clarity, engagement, and correctness. This can help you to improve your writing skills overall.

Proofreading your work is essential before publishing it to ensure that your readers have a positive experience. Grammarly is a great tool to help you find and fix errors in your writing. You can download Grammarly as a standalone application or as a plugin for browsers and other software.

Outranking: AI SEO content creation and optimization tool

Outranking is a tool that provides automated research and content writing. It helps optimize your SEO content, with features such as Featured Snippets and Google NLP.

Outranking provides a comprehensive SEO score for your content. This can help your travel blog in two ways:

First, if you are trying to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), using Outranking can help you improve your content so that it is more likely to show up near the top of the results. Here is how the African safari, travel, and destination blog, improved its organic traffic using Outranking.

Second, even if you are not focused on SEO, Outranking can help by providing automated content suggestions. This can save you time when writing new blog posts since Outranking will do some of the research for you. Whether you are trying to boost your blog’s traffic or just want to make writing new posts easier, Outranking can be a useful SEO keyword strategy tool . Here’s the overall process:

• Start by brainstorming a list of potential topics for your travel blog. Consider what you hope to achieve with your blog, who your target audience is, and what kinds of information or stories they might be interested in.
• Once you have a list of potential topics, begin researching relevant keywords that you can use in your posts. Use Outranking AI SEO Strategist to identify popular search terms and clusters related to your topic ideas.
• Try to find a mix of high-traffic keywords (that get a lot of searches) and low-competition keywords (that are less competitive and easier to rank for). This will give you the best chance of ranking in search engines and driving traffic to your blog.
• Include your keywords throughout your blog posts, in the titles, headings, and body text. Be sure to use them naturally and don’t stuff them in just for the sake of it – this will only hurt your chances of ranking well on search engines.
• Promote your blog posts on social media and other websites to help get the word out about your content and attract readers from all over the web.

Here is a video on how to write SEO content for a technical keyword using Outranking:

How to do keyword research for a travel blog

Ahrefs is a research tool that can help you find the right keywords for your website or blog. You can use Ahrefs to track your website’s ranking progress and to see how your competitors are performing. Ahrefs also provides competitive intelligence, which can help you understand how your website stacks up against your competitors.

Here is a video on how to do keyword research for your travel blog using Ahrefs:

Semrush is a powerful keyword research tool for boosting your rankings and getting insights into your competitors’ keyword strategies.

To use Semrush for keyword research, simply enter a seed keyword into the search bar to generate a list of related keywords. You can then use the filters to narrow down the list of keywords to find those that are most relevant to your business.

Once you have a list of relevant keywords, you can track your rankings for those keywords using the Rank Tracker tool. This will show how well your website is performing for those keywords and indicate the necessary changes to improve your ranking.

Here is a video on how to do keyword research using the Semrush SEO tool:

You can get more insights into your competitors’ strategies by using the Competitive Analysis tool. This tool will show you which keywords your competitors are targeting and what their estimated traffic is for those keywords. This information can help you adjust your own keyword strategy to better compete against them.

Travel blogs and writing examples

Hiking travel blog example.

To write a hiking travel blog, start by planning your trips carefully. Write about your experiences while hiking, and include photos and videos. Write about the scenery, the wildlife, and the people you meet along the way. Make sure to include some safety tips.

MOON & HONEY TRAVEL is a typical example of a hiking blog.

Camping travel blog example

When creating a camping travel blog, focus on the full range of topics that will be interesting and useful to readers. Camping with Style is a popular blog that covers topics such as travel tips, campsite reviews, gear ratings, and guides . The site is well-designed and easy to navigate, making it a great resource for campers with all levels of experience.

Amanda Outside is another typical example of a camping travel blog.

Faraway trip blog example

Anywhere We Roam is a great travel blog because it uses photos to communicate ideas effectively. The layout is simple and easy to navigate, which allows the photos to take center stage. This is a typical example of a travel blog focused on distant trips.

Food travel blog example

If you’re a food lover and traveler, then a food blog is the perfect way to share your passion with the world. But how do you go about writing one? Here are some tips:

• Plan your content. Decide what topics you want to cover and make a list of potential posts. Consider including both general information (such as must-try foods in Paris) and specific recommendations (such as the best croissants in the city).
• Take great photos. Food travel blogs are all about visuals, so make sure to take high-quality pictures of everything you eat and drink. If possible, use a DSLR camera or at least a solid smartphone camera.
• Write engaging and informative posts. In addition to beautiful photos, your blog needs well-written content that will keep readers coming back for more. Share your personal experiences, offer helpful tips, and don’t forget to include links to useful websites (such as restaurant menus or booking pages).
• Promote your blog on social media. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to let people know about your blog and drive traffic to your website.

Migrationology is a typical example of a food travel blog.

“Places to see” travel blog example

“Places to see” travel blogs cover different destinations and provide detailed information on what to do while there. They often give recommendations for specific hotels, restaurants, and attractions. These can be extremely helpful for planning trips and making sure you have a great time while you’re traveling.

An example of a “places to see” travel blog is Nomadic Matt :

FAQs for becoming a travel blogger

What is a travel blogger.

A travel blogger is someone who enjoys sharing their travel experiences with a broader audience. A travel blog is a personal website that shares a collection of travel insights. Travel bloggers often earn an income from their blogs through advertisements, affiliate sales, or sponsored content.

How do I pick a travel blog niche to write about?

There are many different travel blog niches to choose from. It is important to pick a niche that you are passionate about. Research your niche carefully before choosing a topic. Some popular travel blog niches include budget, solo, luxury, and family travel.

How does writing a travel blog make money?

To make money from your travel blog, you need to attract a larger audience than just your family and friends. One way to do this is by participating in affiliate programs. This involves promoting products or services on your blog and earning a commission when someone buys something.

It takes time to build an audience and grow traffic. Therefore, don’t focus on making money right away. Instead, focus on satisfying your audience. Once you have a large enough following, you can then start taking advantage of the various options for earning money from your travel blog. A common way to make money is by selling advertising space on your blog or displaying ads from Google AdSense.

What is the perfect travel blog post title length?

The perfect length for the title of a travel blog post is between 8 and 12 words. Titles that are too long or too short are less likely to be shared on social media, which means they won’t get as much engagement. The best way to optimize your titles for SEO and engagement is to keep them between 8 and 12 words.

Is starting a travel blog worth it?

There’s no doubt that starting a travel blog is a lot of work. But with more people traveling now than ever, there’s still plenty of opportunity for new creators to join the fray. Not to mention, sharing your passion for travel with the world is an amazing feeling – and there’s no better way to do it than through your very own blog. So if you’re thinking about starting a travel blog, go for it! You won’t regret it.

Can I write about a trip without traveling experience?

Yes, you can write about travel without traveling. It is possible to write about your local area, past trips, or budget-friendly topics without ever having to travel. However, if you want to be a successful travel blogger, you need to have a tight niche that will set you apart from the many other bloggers out there. You may want to head out at least occasionally.

You could write about specific destinations, share your tips and tricks for traveling on a budget, or highlight unique experiences you’ve had locally or while traveling.

What are some travel blog writing examples for beginners?

There are a number of ways to write a travel blog. You can focus on the logistics of your trip, like packing lists and tips. You could also share your experiences and give readers a glimpse into what it’s like to travel to different places.

Additionally, you could write about food, culture, or history related to the places you visit. On the other hand, if you want to start writing a travel blog but don’t know where to begin, take a look at a list of top travel blogs . They are sure to give you inspiration and get your creative juices flowing.

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What is a Travel Blog:

Definition & examples from a 6-figure blogger.

A travel blog is a blog that’s specifically dedicated to travel in some capacity.

There are a ton of different sub niches, which help bloggers curate their ideal audience with a focus. The more niche the blog, the easier it is to start growing.

Some of the most popular types of travel content you’ll find on blogs include:

Trip Recaps

These types of posts are focused on the writer’s experience and often take a story-like format. They often feature original images and snippets about specific activities and experiences they had.

Itineraries

These guide you through the essentials of a specific destination and help the reader plan a trip that will make the most of their (often limited) time at the destination. These are often focused around things to do and places to eat.

Tips are informational content that usually appears in the form of listicles. These are great for addressing questions that people have about a destination like the top safety tips for solo female travelers.

Packing Lists

If you’re looking for a great opportunity to link to specific gear reviews you have, provide a mass list of affiliate links, and even capture emails, packing lists are for you.

Tour and Hotel Reviews

For bloggers that regularly travel, tour, and hotels reviews put a personal spin on whether or not a reader should try a particular tour or hotel. They cover everything from the rooms, to food, and transportation.

Swipe up to read the full post!

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How To Start a Travel Blog and Make Money (in 2024)

Written by Ankit Singla

3K Followers

Last Updated on:

by Ankit Singla

Learning how to start a travel blog doesn’t have to be difficult.

As the saying in the business world goes, the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

The same goes when starting a travel blog.

In this post, we’ll discuss every step it takes to make this goal a reality.

Ladies and gentlemen — here’s how to start a travel blog.

Table Of Contents

• 1. Why Become a Travel Blogger?
• 1.1 Benefits of being a travel blogger
• 2. How to Create a Travel Blog: Building Your Site
• 2.1 Step 1: Think of an awesome travel blog name
• 2.2 Step 2: Pointing your domain name to a different host
• 2.3 Step 3: Installing WordPress
• 3. Best WordPress Themes for Travel Blogs
• 3.1 Logging in to your WordPress admin account
• 3.2 Creating a child theme
• 4. Best WordPress Plugins for Travel Blogs
• 4.1 How to install WordPress plugins
• 4.2 The must-have plugins for WordPress travel blogs
• 5. Building Your Travel Blog’s Content Strategy
• 5.1 Keyword research for travel blogs
• 5.2 How to create killer travel blog content
• 6. Promoting Your Travel Blog Posts
• 6.1 Build an Instagram page
• 6.2 Create a YouTube channel
• 6.3 Promote more visuals through Pinterest
• 6.4 Build your travel blog’s community on Facebook
• 6.5 Join travel-related subreddits
• 6.6 Answer travel-related questions on Quora
• 6.7 Build an email list
• 6.8 Use Google Analytics to integrate data into your decision-making
• 7. How to Make Money as a Travel Blogger
• 7.1 Making money with advertisements
• 7.2 Promoting affiliate products to your readers
• 7.3 Selling digital products
• 7.4 Selling your travel photos
• 7.5 Writing sponsored posts
• 7.6 Getting paid to travel through press trips
• 7.7 Running social media promotion campaigns
• 7.8 Taking on brand ambassadorships
• 7.9 Organizing tours and events
• 7.10 Offering content writing services
• 7.11 Attending public speaking engagements
• 7.12 Offering consultancy services
• 8. Conclusion

Why Become a Travel Blogger?

Before you take on any task, it’s always important to know why you want to do it.

When it comes to travel blogging, different people have different reasons.

Some start a travel blog website because they’re retired and wish to make the most out of their golden years. Others have a serious case of wanderlust — compelling them to develop plans that’ll make travel a sustainable lifestyle for them.

At the end of the day, all that matters is that you really want to travel.

If, however, you’re only in it for the money, then travel blogging definitely isn’t for you.

Unlike other niches like marketing, food, and fashion, travel blogging requires commitment. How else will you provide readers with quality, travel-related content if you hate the outdoors?

Put simply, you must be genuinely in love with travel in order to grow and prosper in this sphere.

Benefits of being a travel blogger

Other than being a passionate traveler, here are a few more reasons why you should become a travel blogger:

• Immerse yourself in different cultures —  Traveling to other countries is the way to truly appreciate what the world has to offer. It’s totally incomparable to just reading about foreign cultures in a book, online post, or another person’s Instagram account. 
• Promoting a cause —  A lot of travel bloggers promote volunteerism and responsible tourism. Some of them also travel to raise awareness on issues that affect their destinations.
• Meet new people —  There’s nothing like traveling abroad to diversify your personal and professional networks. The bigger your network, the more life-enriching opportunities you’ll find — be it with other people or international brands. 
• Generate income —  When I said don’t do it for the money, I’m not saying there aren’t big bucks to be made. In fact, I’ll show you some of the ways to make money travel blogging in this post.
• Build your own brand —  Regardless of niche, blogging is a surefire way to build your authority. This will open the doors to bigger things, like writing books, becoming a brand ambassador, and being an inspiration.

Feeling motivated yet?

Don’t get too excited — you still have mountains of work ahead of you.

How to Create a Travel Blog: Building Your Site

Creating your travel blog encompasses several steps. This includes coming up with a blog name, registering your domain, and building your first web page.

Step 1: Think of an awesome travel blog name

Before you worry about learning how to start writing a travel blog, you must first give it a suitable name.

This process can be broken down into three steps:

Read  How to Discover Travel Blog Name Ideas  for a detailed guide. 

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the steps you need to take:

Brainstorming possible names with keywords

A great way to discover potential keywords that align with your travel blog’s brand is to write a mission statement. 

Simply write up to two sentences that describe your blog’s content, your readers, and how they will benefit. When done, you can wrap it up by writing a short introduction of yourself. 

There are no strict rules for this. To give you an idea, take a look at this simple statement from  The Blonde Abroad :

Disregarding the blog’s name, you can see that The Blonde Abroad’s mission statement contains a fistful of keywords. Not only did the site mention who the blog is for, it also clearly defines what its content is about. 

There are several more ways to obtain additional keywords for the purpose of blog name selection:

• Looking for catchy synonyms on Google 
• Checking Google Autocomplete suggestions
• Using a tool like  SEMrush   to find keyword variations
• Using  AnswerThePublic   to find questions people are asking

For even more keywords, look at the infographic below.

Once you have a decent pool of keywords to work with, try combining them to find something that clicks. 

Let’s say you’re interested in the name “Solo Nomad Travels.”

The next step is to check if it’s available as a domain name. 

Checking the name’s availability as a domain name

Domain registration and hosting services like NameCheap and GoDaddy can help you with this. Just use the domain feature baked into these sites to validate their availability. 

As a bonus, they’ll also provide you with potential domain alternatives.

If the domain you want is available, consider registering it immediately. 

Domain registration is, after all, incredibly cheap. As you can see in the screenshot above, NameCheap lets you own the domain name for as little as $8.88 per year.

Here are a few reminders before you buy a travel blog domain name:

• If possible, go for the “.com” TLD or domain extension
• Keep your domain name short at three words or approximately 12 characters tops
• Pick a brandable domain name over keyword-stuffed one

Hosting your travel blog domain

Once you’ve finalized your domain name and registered it accordingly, it’s time to get it hosted. 

This should be a fairly straightforward process. All you need to do is look for a reliable hosting service provider and follow the steps they’ll show you.

While budget companies like NameCheap are great for domain registrations, people are having issues with their hosting service. 

That’s why budget domain registration services are best paired with a different web host. 

The question is, how exactly can you point your domain to your web hosting account? 

Don’t worry — it’s not that hard. 

Let me walk you through the steps. 

Step 2: Pointing your domain name to a different host

First things first, you need to create an account on a reputable hosting service provider. 

If we’re talking about reliability, affordability, and ease of use, one of my top recommendations would be SiteGround .

Go ahead and check out their site to see their selection of affordable web hosting solutions. 

Let me lay down the reasons why SiteGround is a great hosting service provider.

• Great customer support —  Your web hosting’s performance is one of the things you have no control over as a blogger. That’s why it’s important to pick a host with great customer support and communicates well, like SiteGround. 
• Easy website migration —  In case you’re moving your domain from or to SiteGround, rest assured that the migration process will be easy-peasy. 
• Reliable uptime —  In web hosting, “uptime” refers to the time when your domain and web assets are online. SiteGround is proven and tested to have an average uptime of 99.99 percent. 
• SG Optimizer Plugin —  The SG Optimizer Plugin is specifically designed to help WordPress users achieve maximum performance. It utilizes a variety of optimization techniques like caching, image optimization, frontend optimization, and more. 

Seriously — don’t take my word for it. 

I dare you to search the web for SiteGround reviews. Chances are, you’ll get a barrage of reviews with four to five stars.  

With all that said, I used SiteGround’s interface to show you how to use different domain registrars and hosting services. 

Updating your domain’s name servers using SiteGround’s values

To point your registered domain to a SiteGround hosting account, an easy way is to change your domain’s name servers. 

Put simply, name servers are part of a Domain Name System or DNS. A DNS functions like a database that contains a list of devices with attached IP addresses. 

Just a fair warning before you begin. 

While it only takes minutes to point your domain to your host, it may take days before your changes apply. This is called “DNS propagation.”

To find the correct values for your SiteGround hosting account, head to your cPanel, and look under “Account Information.” 

Your account’s name server details should be presented there. 

Copy these values or keep this tab open for now. The next step is to plug in your name server values to your domain registrar. 

For the sake of this guide, let’s say you registered your domain on GoDaddy. 

You can change your domain’s name servers by first heading to the “Domain Manager.”

Just click  ‘Manage Domains’  in the “Quick Links” panel of your account. 

GoDaddy should take you to your “My Domains” page, which is basically a list of all your registered domains. 

Look for the domain that you want to point to SiteGround and click the “Ellipsis” button next to it. From there, click on  ‘Manage DNS.’

This should bring up the “Domain Management” page, which has a comprehensive list of your DNS details. 

What you need to do is scroll down and look for the “Nameservers” panel. 

Click the  ‘Change’  button right next to “Use default nameservers.” 

At first, GoDaddy will remind you of the risks and disadvantages of connecting your domain to a different site. Read it as you wish, then click  ‘Enter my own nameservers (advanced)’  to proceed. 

On the next page, simply enter the name server details from your SiteGround hosting account. Click  ‘Save’  to finish the job.

Remember that, if you don’t use GoDaddy, then the steps above aren’t applicable to you. 

Each domain registrar has different interfaces and navigation systems. If you’re having a hard time looking for your domain’s name server settings, contact your registrar’s customer support.

Furthermore, it may take 24 to 48 hours for the domain propagation period to complete. While you wait, contact your registrar and web host to verify if you properly set up your domain. 

On your SiteGround account’s homepage, look for the panel “Transfer Your Domains” and click the link below. 

Step 3: Installing WordPress

Now that your domain is hosted and ready, the next step is to install  WordPress . It’s a Content Management System or CMS that essentially provides you with a visual interface for website creation. 

Here’s the cool part: most web hosting services have adopted WordPress into their ecosystem. 

This is mostly due to WordPress’s popularity for bloggers, businesses, and professionals alike.

For instance, SiteGround has an easy WordPress “autoinstaller” that can set up your site in seconds. This tool can be accessed from the control panel under the “Autoinstallers” section.

Take note that the same tool can be launched by clicking  ‘WordPress Installer’  under “WordPress Tools.”

From WordPress Installer’s main page, click  ‘Install’  to initialize the software setup application. 

Be sure to install an updated version of WordPress by selecting the most recent version. To do this, click the drop-down menu next to “Choose the version you want to install.”

The highest number should denote the latest WordPress update.

Under the “Choose Installation URL,” select the domain you want to build your travel blog on. I also recommend using an “https” protocol, which stands for “Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure.” 

This protocol utilizes a Transport Layer Security or TLS to encrypt communications conducted through your website.

The rest of the WordPress setup settings are fairly self-explanatory. 

For example, under the “Admin Account” section, you can create your primary admin account. You just need to input details such as your administrator username, password, and email address. 

It’s also worth noting that hosts like SiteGround offer additional installation options. For instance, you may choose to install the Loginizer plugin, which limits invalid login attempts. 

This is a great countermeasure to brute force attacks. 

These add-ons vary from host to host. Just remember that these plugins are completely optional — you won’t miss out a lot by choosing not to install them.

Once you’re happy with your WordPress installation settings, click  ‘Install’  at the bottom of the page.

Congratulations — your WordPress travel blog should now be up and running!

You’re now ready to build your travel blog website. 

Best WordPress Themes for Travel Blogs

Installing WordPress is just one of the steps in learning how to start a travel blog website. 

You should also learn how to choose a great theme, which plugins to use, how to publish content, and more. 

The first item on that list is pretty easy to do. 

Step 1: Logging in to your WordPress admin account

After installation, log in to your WordPress dashboard by accessing the installation URL. By default, this is simply your domain plus “wp-admin” attached to the end. 

Let’s pretend for a second that you actually bought the domain “SoloNomadTravels.com.”

After registering and hosting your domain, log in to WordPress by typing in the following address:

You can log in to your WordPress account using the admin credentials you created earlier. 

Viewing the theme library

WordPress has a built-in theme library with truckloads of free themes to choose from. 

To view your options, click  ‘Themes’  under the  ‘Appearance’  sub-menu. 

WordPress comes with pre-installed themes that you can activate in a jiffy. You do, however, need to carefully consider which theme to use on your travel blog. 

To add new themes, click  ‘Add New.’  This will pull up WordPress’s theme library where you can find and install professional-looking in a snap. 

Type in the keyword “travel” or anything related to your blog’s vision to get suitable ideas. 

If you’re not in the mood to do your own digging, read  10 Best WordP r ess Themes for Travel Blogs here .

Step 2: Creating a child theme 

Found the perfect travel blog theme?

You probably feel as ready as ever to start making customizations.

Here’s a word of advice:  don’t . 

Although WordPress allows you to directly edit themes right away, it’s advised that you create a “child theme” first.

Child themes work by inheriting the appearance and basic functions of a theme — also referred to as “parent theme.” They’re created to allow WordPress website owners to make heavy customizations on any theme installed. 

You can definitely customize a theme to your liking without creating a child theme. However, you’ll most likely lose all your customizations once you install a theme update. 

In other words, child themes separate your customizations from the essential functionalities of the parent theme. 

To create a child theme, you need to access your web host’s WordPress theme directory. 

Finding your WordPress website’s theme directory

Every web host should have a built-in file manager you can use for this. In GoDaddy’s case, it’s simply called the “cPanel File Manager.”

On the File Manager interface, click on the  ‘public_html’  link. You can also find this in the directory tree on the left. 

This should open up your website’s designated directory. 

Next, click on  ‘wp-content’  and open the  ‘themes’  folder. You should see a list of folders — each named after one of your currently-installed themes.

Suppose you want to create a child theme for the “Twenty Nineteen” theme. 

You’ll need to create a folder for that. 

You can add a new folder to the current directory by clicking  ‘+ Folder’  on the File Manager’s main toolbar. As for the name, it’s best to use the same name with “-child” added to the end.

In relation to the example above, you can call your child theme’s folder “twentynineteen-child.”

Creating your child theme’s style sheet

After creating your child theme’s folder, open it and create a new text file called “style.css.”

On GoDaddy’s file manager, you can add files to your website’s directory by clicking  ‘+ File’  on the main toolbar. 

Once the file is created, edit it using the  ‘Edit’  button on the toolbar or on the right-click menu.

Since you just created this file, it should be empty once you’ve loaded up the editor. 

Copy and paste the code below to continue. 

Curious how I came up with the code? 

To be perfectly clear, only two lines of that code are actually necessary for your child theme to work. I’m talking about the “Theme Name” and “Template” lines.

You just need to modify the “Theme Name” and “Template” lines to match your theme’s name. 

If you’re bothered by it, you can simply copy information from the parent theme’s style sheet. You can find the appropriate file in the parent theme’s directory. 

Some of the information you can copy into your child theme’s style sheet are:

• Description 
• License 
• Text Domain

Don’t worry about the rest of the code. WordPress should already know how the theme looks just with the theme’s name and template. 

The file should now function as the child theme’s style sheet, which tells WordPress what the theme should look like. 

Creating ‘functions.php’

Already saved your child theme’s “style.css” file?

Nice — that’s one out of two.

There’s one more file you need to create in your child theme’s library. This time, call it “functions.php.”

Wondering what code to copy and paste into this new file?

Here you go:

Save the file to finish this step. Your child theme should now be ready and waiting for you in your WordPress theme library.

Just head back to  ‘Themes’  under the  ‘Appearance’  sub-menu. You should find it right next to the parent theme.

With your child theme highlighted, click  ‘Activate’  to make sure it works. If it doesn’t, review the steps above and check if you used the right codes.

Best WordPress Plugins for Travel Blogs

A theme creates a skeleton for your WordPress website.  

It becomes the foundation wherein building blocks, like your content and various site elements, can be piled up. 

Since content creation takes substantially more preparations, let’s focus first on WordPress plugins. 

How to install WordPress plugins

Installing plugins on your WordPress website is as easy as installing themes. 

From your WordPress dashboard, expand the  ‘Plugins’  sub-menu and click  ‘Add New.’

To look for plugins that may prove useful to travel blogs, enter a related keyword on the search field. 

A keyword like “travel” can give you a few ideas.

The must-have plugins for WordPress travel blogs

Here is a quick roundup of the top travel blog plugins I’d recommend.

Tip: you can learn more about these plugins by visiting this post . 

• Divi  —  A page builder that will give you full control over your website’s appearance. Its features include a drag-and-drop builder, ready-to-use layouts, advanced animations, and pre-built website elements. 
• Bloom  —  Bloom lets you create eye-catching opt-in forms that can appear as pop-ups, fly-ins, widgets, and content gates. The best part is, both Bloom and Divi come for free with an Elegant Themes membership. 
• Genesis Author Pro  —  If you use a  Genesis child theme , Genesis Author Pro is an aesthetic and easy way to showcase your books. You can include details like the book’s price, editions, publishing date, ISBN, and so on.
• Geo Mashup  —  Some travel bloggers allow their audience to browse their content using a visual, interactive map. Geo Mashup lets you pin clickable markers on maps from services like Google Maps, which take readers to specific posts. 
• Travelers’ Map  —  Travelers’ Map is a lightweight alternative to Geo Mashup. Its main advantage is more flexibility, allowing you to change the appearance of your map using OpenStreetMap tiles. 
• Photo Gallery by 10Web  —  Photo Gallery by 10Web lets you create beautiful image galleries for your travel photos with ease. It features several transition effects, different layouts, gallery grouping, Instagram integration, and eCommerce support. 
• Social Snap  —  This is my go-to plugin for leveraging the power of social media. It lets you add sharing buttons anywhere, build a floating sidebar, integrate over 30 social networks, and more.
• Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed  —  You can showcase your Instagram photos on your travel blog using Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed. It pulls posts from your Instagram account in real-time, allowing readers to view your posts as you upload them.
• Smush  —  While photos are essential to any travel blog, they can have a negative impact on your site’s performance. The Smush plugin prevents this by compressing the file size of your images with the option to preserve quality. 
• WP Rocket  —  WP Rocket is another plugin designed to help maximize your website’s performance. Its main features include GZIP compression, browser caching, sitemap preloading, and lazy loading. 
• The Events Calendar  —  Planning to host events with your travel blog audience? The Events Calendar can help you using an interactive calendar — complete with a custom widget and Google Maps integration. 
• LinkWhisper  —  It’s recommended to build a solid internal link structure to improve your SEO and boost the discoverability of older posts. LinkWhisper can help you do this by looking for internal linking opportunities, such as unlinked related posts and “orphaned” content. 

Building Your Travel Blog’s Content Strategy

Alright — you’re done with all the necessary preparations. 

You have your unique domain ready and WordPress ecosystem going. 

What comes next is perhaps the most important part of being a travel blogger — creating a content strategy.

Keyword research for travel blogs

When creating content for a travel blog, keyword research is the first order of business.

Keyword research makes sure you create posts that people actually want to read. More importantly, it can help you determine which content ideas can give you traffic. 

You’ll understand why as you learn more about keyword research. 

Using the Keyword Magic Tool 

Let me get one thing straight. 

It’s nigh impossible to conduct data-driven keyword research without a capable tool. 

Sure, you can technically acquire potential keyword ideas with just Google. You just need to enter any relevant term and look at the Autocomplete suggestions.

Let’s give it a go with the search term “destinations in Asia.”

So, do people actually search for those keywords on Google?

You bet you can. 

Can you effectively leverage those keywords to bring traffic to your travel blog?

Only a keyword research tool can answer that. 

As far as this goes, my personal tool of choice for keyword research is SEMrush’s  Keyword Magic Tool .

It can be accessed from the  ‘Keyword Analytics’  section of the SEMrush dashboard.        

Keyword Magic Tool works by identifying keyword ideas while pulling up valuable keyword metrics. This includes each keyword’s monthly search volume, average Cost-Per-Click, and keyword difficulty rating. 

Here are the suggestions you’ll obtain using “destinations in Asia” as your seed keyword:

Pretty interesting, right?

When picking a keyword for your content strategy, remember to look at the following metrics to gauge their viability:

• Volume —  This metric measures the average monthly number of users who search for this keyword. Personally, I prefer to target keywords with a volume of at least 100.
• KD —  Short for Keyword Difficulty, the KD metric gives you an idea of how competitive a keyword is. A KD of 60 to 80 means medium difficulty, which is good for new bloggers.
• CPC —  The metric CPC or cost-per-click reflects the average amount advertisers are willing to bid for a keyword. It can help you determine the monetization potential of any given keyword.

Keywords with higher CPC are often more competitive since brands typically care more about monetization. However, long-tail keywords can provide new bloggers with more traffic and better chances at ranking.

Long-tail keywords are phrases that contain at least three terms. 

The longer they are, the less competitive they get. 

Long-tail keywords also pertain to a more specific topic and target a narrower audience. That makes them perfect to be used as content ideas for your travel blog.

For example, the keyword “honeymoon destinations in Asia” is as clear-cut as you can get. 

If I’m calling the shots, I’ll write a simple listicle that highlights the pros and cons of each destination. While I’m at it, I will also share some tips for travelers who wish to visit those locations.

Not finding keywords with decent traffic and reasonable keyword difficulty ratings?

Here’s a tip: don’t think too much about their average monthly traffic. 

It’s okay if the keywords you find only have 100 or so monthly searches. 

Remember, the goal is to target multiple related keywords in one post. If you target five low-competition keywords with 100 monthly searches each, then your content’s traffic potential is 500. 

For more information on long-tail keywords, check out  this guide . 

Getting more content ideas with AnswerThePublic

In my own content strategy, I use a mix of keyword research tools — each with specific purposes.

The Keyword Magic Tool, for example, is my favorite for acquiring valuable keyword metrics. But content idea generation, I usually get more promising results with  AnswerThePublic .

Here’s how it works. 

Just like any other keyword research tool, you enter any seed keyword into the search bar. 

Let’s try “honeymoon destinations” to see what the tool can do.

Upon clicking  ‘Search,’  AnswerThePublic will compile a list of questions that people ask around that keyword. 

The tool does this by rendering a visualization with branches for question words, like what, how, and which.

As you can see, these questions can be refined into interesting travel blog post ideas. 

Some examples are: 

• Which honeymoon destinations are best in India
• What are great honeymoon destinations
• Which honeymoon destinations are the cheapest

Other than questions, AnswerThePublic also provides phrases based on prepositions and comparisons. 

Just below the first visualization, you’ll find additional ones sprinkled with more ideas. 

You can switch to the “Data” mode for a more organized view of these ideas. Simply click on the  ‘Data’  tab on top of the results. 

Based on the results above, here are more ideas you can turn into travel blog post topics:

• Honeymoon destinations you can drive to
• Honeymoon destinations to visit in May
• Honeymoon destinations near Bangalore
• Honeymoon destinations with a baby
• Honeymoon destinations with private pool

Rest assured that these ideas came from Google searches. 

Users are looking for them, meaning you can write about them in your blog to capture people’s attention.

You do, however, need to run these keywords on a tool like Keyword Magic Tool. Doing so will provide you with additional data that can help you make informed decisions for your content strategy. 

Take a look at metrics like average monthly volume and keyword difficulty. That’s the way to maximize the value you can get from your content creation efforts.  

When you find keywords, collect them into a spreadsheet along with important metrics. You’ll need them later once you start writing your content. 

Looking at your competitors for keywords

Let’s face it: keyword research can be time-consuming. 

Sometimes, it’s tough to find keywords with good traffic and a suitable keyword difficulty range. You also need to think of what type of content to use when utilizing keywords in your blog.

For all those reasons, I always recommend doing competitor keyword research. 

Trust me — if there’s someone who cracked the code to the keyword research puzzle, it’s your top competitor. 

You should have an idea of who they are before you even decided to start your travel blog. If not, take a gander of  this list of the top 52 travel bloggers  on the web.

You can also quickly identify your competitors with — surprise, surprise — Google. 

Just enter any of the keywords you’ve collected earlier plus the keyword “travel blog.” Google’s first page should now contain your top competitors. 

When you find a potential competitor, fire up SEMrush or anything similar and run a domain analysis. 

You simply have to paste their domain address and click  ‘Search.’  The tool should do the rest. 

Let’s pretend for a minute that  While I’m Young   is your top competitor. 

After entering their domain address into SEMrush, the tool will generate a data-packed domain overview report. 

It should look something like this:

To take a peek at your competitor’s keywords, scroll down to the “Organic Research” section. 

Their top keywords, along with their keyword rankings, should be presented to you on a silver platter. 

Clicking  ‘View details’  will give you a deeper look at your competitors’ keywords. 

Under the  ‘Positions’  tab, you’ll see the full list of your competitor’s keywords and their metrics. 

There you go — a fresh batch of potential keywords for your content strategy.

The good news is, you’re free to repeat the same strategy over and over again for every competitor you find. 

That translates to heaps and heaps of proven target keywords that can bring quality traffic to your travel blog. 

Long story short, you’re reaping the benefits of the keyword research that your competitors did. 

How crafty is that?

Apparently, there are more ways to take advantage of the research your competitors have done. 

Other things to look for in your competitor’s website

Apart from keywords, you can also harvest more ideas for your content strategy from your competitor’s blog. 

By this, I mean looking at certain aspects of their content and adopting them into your content strategy:

• Content types —  What kind of visual content does your top competitor use? If you want to outperform them, be prepared to utilize the same content types — be it videos, infographics, or slideshows. 
• Internal links —  Give your competitor’s content a thorough read and you should find a couple of internal links to their own posts. This will help you unearth even more topic ideas you can cover in your travel blog.  
• Content length —  There’s more than enough evidence that proves the positive effects of high word counts on SEO. Just remember that adding fluff is not the way to bolster your blog content’s average length. 
• Link sources —  Using SEMrush or anything similar, you can also find other sites that link to your competitor’s posts. This is important if you want to employ  link building strategies like the Skyscraper Technique . 
• Essential pages —  How did your competitor create their “about,” “work with me,” and “contact” pages? Are there any other useful pages and resources you can replicate in your blog?

I’m pretty sure there are more things in your competitor’s site you can use as inspiration for your travel blog. It all depends on what you find appealing and your specific objectives at this very moment. 

For example, what colors pop in your competitor’s blog? Do you like their blog post layouts, font choices, and navigation? 

I’m not encouraging you to blatantly copy every single facet of your competitor’s blogging strategy. 

All I’m saying is, beginners sometimes need to see how things are done in order to hatch original ideas themselves. 

How to use keywords in your content

Now that you have a list of keywords in hand and some content ideas, let’s piece them together. 

The first rule is to make sure your target keywords appear in the right places. 

Here are the specific content elements where you should put your target keywords at least once:

• Page or post title —  Your blog post’s title is one of the elements that absolutely need your target keyword. It’s also the first thing your readers will see upon discovering your blog, so pay close attention when creating it. 
• Main headline —  After users click on your post’s title, the next thing they’ll look at is the post’s main headline. Seeing a matching, keyword-optimized headline reassures them that they found the content they wanted. 
• Subheadings —  Keywords in subheadings are also shown to improve keyword rankings. Not only that, they’ll also make your content more skimmable and readable to readers. 
• Main body —  The main body text is where every primary and secondary keywords should appear. Several authoritative SEO brands like  Yoast   recommend putting them right in the introduction. 
• Images —  To optimize images for SEO, give them keyword-optimized filenames, alt text tags, and surrounding text. This will help make your website more discoverable to people who use image search. 
• Link anchor texts —  It doesn’t matter if you’re optimizing an internal link or a backlink from an external source. Using a keyword-optimized anchor text will help search engines understand what your post is about. 
• Permalink —  The permalink is the URL that readers can use to access your content. You can edit this straight from WordPress’s post editor to contain your focus keyword.
• Meta description —  While the meta description doesn’t directly affect keyword rankings, it can increase organic click-throughs to your content. I currently use the  Rank Math   plugin to optimize meta descriptions here in Master Blogging.

I know — it can be tiresome to consciously think about these content components when writing blog posts. But I assure you that it becomes second nature when you’re working on your third or fourth post. 

It’s all about being consistent with these keyword optimization practices.

Once you nail keyword placements, keep in mind that there are other on-page SEO strategies to remember. You can read the full guide on  on-page SEO techniques right here . 

How to create killer travel blog content

Just a heads up in case you’re still looking for good content ideas for your travel blog. 

I compiled a grand total of 138 post title ideas for your brand-new travel blog .

Feel free to use that list to fuel your travel blog content strategy. Just remember to tweak the titles a little so you won’t have the same posts as everyone else!

Now — going back to your travel blog content creation. 

It takes a lot more than just a good content idea to make the cut. 

Let me break down the essential content guidelines that I abide by myself. 

Create user-oriented posts

The best articles are the ones that address the readers’ pain points. 

Think of the objectives that your audience will accomplish after they read your travel-related post. Combine these objectives with your target keywords to come up with valuable post ideas like:

• Packing tips for a specific type of trip
• Things to do when visiting a certain destination
• How to stay safe when doing a specific outdoor activity

Use a task management app

If you really know me, you should know that I’m a big fan of productivity tools.

An important piece of my everyday writing ritual is  Trello   — a task management application with a lot of uses. 

I use Trello to consolidate all my content plans and ideas. 

There are separate lists for general reminders, topic ideas, ongoing tasks, completed tasks, and so on. 

Here’s a glimpse of how busy my blogging life really is: 

Trello also has a handful of useful tricks up its sleeve. 

With checklists, I can track my target keywords for a specific post. I can also create deadlines to help me stay right on schedule. 

Want more tips on staying productive? Read  23 Productivity Tips for Bloggers .

Take a lot of high-quality photos

In a travel blog, words can help describe the details of a story. 

Photos, however, bring that story to life.

If you’re clueless on travel photography, I suggest taking up online classes. You may also bank on free YouTube tutorials on smartphone photography, which is a practical approach for beginners.  

Just search “how to take travel photos smartphone” and you’ll find a long list of free tutorials. 

To show off your travel photos, you can insert them in your articles or use a gallery plugin. You can also refer to your competitors’ posts for ideas on how to incorporate photos in your blog.  

Create custom blog banners

To become an authoritative figure in any niche, a rule of thumb is to never use generic stock photos. 

Use a tool like  Canva   to create custom blog banners to make your travel blog posts more eye-catching. 

Canva is a user-friendly, drag-and-drop image editing tool with a bunch of time-saving features. For one, it has pre-made blog banner templates you can customize with text, visual elements, and image filters. 

You can also use Canva to customize the travel photos you’ll upload on social media, including Pinterest and Instagram. Just be sure to use the ideal format for the specific site by selecting the suggested design dimensions.

Use automated proofreading tools

As a travel blogger, you don’t need flawless grammar and spelling to make great content. 

I say that for two reasons. 

First, a lot of travel bloggers use a conversational writing tone to give their content a unique flavor. This makes their travel stories more genuine, impactful, and entertaining to read. 

Second, you can always rely on proofreading tools to iron out the basic grammar and spelling mistakes you’ll make.  

I’ve seen a lot of tools that do a good enough job through the years. But since I’m not one who’ll settle for “good enough,” I reviewed the absolute  top 4 proofreading tools right here . 

My top pick would be  Grammarly , which is the one I still use to this day. 

What won me over to Grammarly is its speed, user interface, and customizable proofreading goals. 

It lets you tailor the tool’s proofreading algorithms to suit your travel blogging style. It doesn’t matter if you wish to create humorous posts with colloquial language or strictly professional articles. 

As for its actual reliability and accuracy, I think Grammarly is definitely capable of helping you create 100% polished posts. 

Just bear in mind that you’re not obliged to approve all of its correction suggestions, especially those unrelated to correctness. Use your own discretion when approving suggested changes in your post to retain your personal blogging voice. 

Build a resources page

Want to make it easier for readers to find your travel blog’s essential content?

Here’s a four-word piece of advice: build a resources page.

Think of it as the starting point of every new visitor who stumbles upon your page. Ask yourself, what are must-read articles that will familiarize guests with your brand?

After listing these articles down, create a page with all the necessary links. Here’s an example from  Nomadic Matt : 

What makes resource pages useful are the internal links that take readers to useful content. 

Speaking of which, now might be a good time to plan your travel blog’s internal link structure. 

Build a solid internal link structure for your travel blog

Links are internal if they point to content within the same site. 

Creating resource pages with links to your own content is an example of internal linking. In addition to helping readers find the information they need, internal links are also crucial to on-page SEO. 

Below are some ground rules on how to effectively create internal links in your travel blog:

• Always set internal links to open in a new tab 
• Don’t put internal links to unrelated posts
• Make sure every post is accessible within three clicks — not just with internal links, but with menus as well
• Don’t put internal links on images
• Avoid using too many internal links, especially ones that are too close together

To create internal links in your travel blog, start by planning the categorization of your content.

Most travel blogs create different categories for specific aspects of traveling. This includes travel equipment, destinations, packing, and budgeting. 

Building internal links between posts under the same category is a surefire strategy. However, see to it that they’re created contextually — meaning they should not distract readers from the current topic. 

Let me give you a real-life example right now. 

For the nitty-gritty of internal linking, read  this guide . 

Promoting Your Travel Blog Posts

Successful travel bloggers who make thousands of dollars are expert marketers — make no mistake about it. You can’t just upload high-quality travel blog content and call it a day. 

To learn how to become a travel blogger, you should also learn how to promote posts like one. 

And to do that, you need to be familiar with a professional travel blogger’s go-to content promotion channels. 

Build an Instagram page

For some bloggers like  Melissa Hie of Girl Eat World , Instagram is one of the cornerstones for success. 

Instagram is a fun and easy way to turn your travel experiences into shareable stories that people will love. You just need a modern smartphone, a destination, and the patience to diligently upload photos to your feed. 

Instagram is great for travel bloggers because it basically lets you tell travel stories through your photos. 

A strong caption for each image will definitely go a long way, though. So, think of something creative and use branded hashtags whenever you can. 

Another advantage of using Instagram is that your followers also get to see your uploads in real time. This creates the feeling that you’re taking them along in your journey, especially if you regularly share Instagram “Stories.”

Instagram tips for travel bloggers

• Create a business account for features like analytics and ads
• Formulate a recognizable, travel-related hashtag for your brand
• Pick a color palette or filter configuration to make your Instagram page look cohesive
• Link to your travel blog in your Instagram bio

Create a YouTube channel

The biggest travel blogs use video content to maximize the engagement of their audience. 

It shouldn’t be hard to see why. 

When it comes to telling stories, nothing beats videos since your audience can both see and hear what’s happening. 

Videos also give you the opportunity to introduce how you act in public and who you are as a person. And if you share your videos through YouTube, you can leverage the platform’s potential for brand building, traffic, and monetization. 

California Through My Lens   is an example of a travel blog that heavily relies on YouTube to build authority. 

YouTube tips for travel bloggers

• Upload everything on YouTube and embed videos in your blog
• Learn about YouTube SEO with tutorials from other travel blogs like  The Endless Adventure
• Engage your viewers in the comments
• Leave your website and other contact information on your YouTube channel page
• Always promote your YouTube videos on other channels as you upload them 

Promote more visuals through Pinterest

Pinterest is another image-sharing social network with tools tailored to the marketing needs of brands. 

With a “ Business ” account, you can leverage features like real-time analytics, domain integration, and bulk pin creation. 

Check out this Pinterest business page by  The Blonde Abroad   to see what your account can look like: 

Pinterest tips for travel bloggers

• Whatever you do, don’t forget to use a Pinterest business account for your travel blog 
• Customize your photos with a tool like Canva to add CTAs, links, and other text overlays 
• Link your travel blog to your Pinterest business account
• Read my Pinterest traffic guide for more tips.

Build your travel blog’s community on Facebook

While the social networks above are great for sharing content, Facebook is perfect for community building. 

Facebook lets you join groups, jump into conversations, and react to other people’s posts with your brand front and center. It can also serve as the central hub for your content distribution efforts — be it through videos or blog posts.

As a Facebook page owner, you can also use advanced features like “Mentorship” to build a great community. I personally use this feature on the private  Master Blogging community   — check it out and consider joining!

For ideas and inspiration, take a look at the Facebook page of  A Dangerous Business  travel blog:

Facebook tips for travel bloggers

• Join Facebook groups to connect with a wider audience and potential influencers
• Create and promote CTA buttons on your Facebook page
• Set up Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs to provide quick information 
• Create automated responses for people who contact you through Facebook Messenger
• Don’t ignore comments and direct messages — Facebook isn’t the place for that

Join travel-related subreddits

Reddit is a popular network that isn’t often discussed in blogging guides and tutorials. 

The main reason is that Reddit users are typically tech-savvy and can easily tell if you’re being spammy.   

However, it’s still an excellent platform for raising brand awareness and forming valuable connections that can grow your travel blog. You just need to live by a few golden rules if you want positive recognition from the community.  

One of these rules is to avoid mentioning your travel blog unless it naturally fits the conversation. It’s also important to join the right subreddits where your travel blog content can be appreciated. 

r/SoloTravel   is an example of a travel-related subreddit you can join and share travel posts on. 

Reddit tips for travel bloggers

• Never be overly promotional — Reddit users have a keen sense for spam
• Only post travel-related content on travel-related subreddits
• Prioritize adding value to conversations even if you don’t have to mention your blog
• Let Reddit users naturally become interested in your blog by answering questions and providing insightful advice

Answer travel-related questions on Quora

If there’s one place you’ll find people who need your expertise, it’s a Q&A website like Quora. 

Loyal Master Blogging readers will know that I already wrote  a post dedicated to Quora marketing . There, I unveiled a step-by-step strategy that will help you turn questions into high-quality blog traffic. 

The plan here is simple: look for relevant questions, offer solutions, and mention your blog if necessary. 

Quora’s user interface should be simple enough for you to figure out how to look for questions to start with. Just enter a keyword and wait for suggestions to pop up. 

If there are no suggestions right off the bat, select  ‘Search: your keyword’  for a list of posted questions. 

Quora tips for travel bloggers

• Build a detailed bio with links to your travel blog
• Create a Quora topic using your travel blog name
• When answering questions, provide a lot of valuable paragraphs and slide in the link naturally
• Turn questions into content ideas 
• Due to the number of marketers on Quora, consider using paid ads to cut through the content noise

Build an email list

As a professional blogger, you absolutely can’t forego email marketing. 

Building an email list is a great way to collect and nurture potential leads. Additionally, it’ll give you a steady source of quality traffic if you do lead segmentation and content promotions right.  

To create an email list, you’ll need an email marketing platform.

Popular platforms like ActiveCampaign  allow you to automate emails, manage your lists, create subscription forms, and more. In simpler terms, they provide everything you need to have an email marketing campaign up and running. 

For more information on ActiveCampaign along with possible alternatives, read  11 Best Email Marketing Services for Bloggers . 

Email marketing tips for travel bloggers

• Automate a welcome email with links to your travel blog’s top content
• If you sell products, automate birthday emails that offer special discounts 
• To generate more subscribers, try offering an opt-in bribe like a free eBook, template, or Lightroom presets
• Never use your audience’s emails to send spam
• Try to use plain text emails more often since they’re  proven to generate more click-throughs
• If you’re sending newsletters, try to keep the word count low and include links to useful resources instead

Use Google Analytics to integrate data into your decision-making process

If you purchased a SEMrush for keyword and content research, you already have a capable analytics tool for your blog. 

If not, use  Google Analytics  to track important website data. 

Google Analytics is a free service that will equip you with tools to stay on top of your blog’s performance. It can track your traffic, bounce rate, top traffic sources, session duration, conversions, and more. 

The platform can also give you a closer look at your blog audience. In the  ‘Audience’  section, you can learn things like their estimated lifetime value, preferred browsing device, demographics, and interests. 

For steps on how to use Google Analytics on your blog,  visit this guide . I also shared a bunch of tips that will help you turn numbers into actionable plans. 

 Google Analytics tips for travel bloggers

• Identify your top traffic sources so you can funnel all your content promotions there
• Set goals to track your conversions
• Find the pages that lose your audience’s interest and try to patch up their problems
• Learn how to use industry benchmarks to see how your blog fares against competitors

The strategies above make up the best content promotion strategies for travel bloggers. If you’d like to try something else, refer to  this list of 17 blog promotion tactics . 

How to Make Money as a Travel Blogger

A lot of aspiring travel bloggers are probably looking forward to this section. 

That’s completely understandable. 

If you truly enjoy travel, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it a sustainable lifestyle. 

There are multiple ways to make it happen.

Making money with advertisements

The easiest way to make money off of a travel blog is to show ads.

True, it may not be the most lucrative monetization strategy. Being irresponsible with ad placements can also hurt the user experience on your site. 

But if you do things right, ads can provide you with enough funds to keep your blog running. 

There are two ways to make money with ads on your travel blog: 

Partnering with an ad network

An easy way to start making money with ads is through an ad network like  Google AdSense .

The main advantage of joining an ad network are the instant connections with potential advertisers. You just need to worry about creating an account and designating ad spaces on your blog. 

Networks like AdSense will do most of the work from there — supplying ads that match your content.  

Selling advertising spaces directly

You can make more money with advertisements by selling ad spaces directly to other companies.

There are a few differences between this strategy and working with an advertising network. 

For one, you control which brands get to advertise on your travel blog. You’re also in charge of the appearance and formats of your banner advertising spaces. 

It sounds like a lot of work. But with a plugin like  Advanced Ads , you can set up these ad spaces with ease. 

How can you promote your advertising spaces to brands? 

It’s as simple as writing an “advertise with us” or “work with us” page and mentioning your offer. 

Here’s an example from  Getting On Travel : 

Promoting affiliate products to your readers

Full disclosure :  affiliate marketing  is my go-to monetization strategy for my own blog. 

In a nutshell, affiliate marketing lets bloggers earn commissions by promoting another company’s products or services.  

I can probably write a complete listicle that discusses everything I love about affiliate marketing. But to keep this post short, I’ll just highlight the best benefits of being an affiliate marketer. 

• Work with companies you love —  Affiliate marketing is the best way to promote products that you’d personally vouch for. If you truly care about your readers, you’d help them acquire the tools to accomplish their goals. 
• Generate decent passive income —  There are affiliate marketing programs for travel bloggers that offer up to 80 percent commissions. This income is passive, which means you can make money from your affiliate marketing content as long as it’s live. 
• Earn based on your performance —  There’s a science to running affiliate marketing campaigns. You’ll be handsomely rewarded if you can zero in on factors that affect conversions and click-throughs.  
• Get free incentives —  Apart from the commissions, being a profitable affiliate marketer in the travel niche has a few other perks. An example would be the free trips, cash bonuses, and other incentives for performing at a certain level. 
• Free marketing materials —  Most affiliate marketing programs provide their members with free marketing materials for promotional purposes. There’s no need to spend time and money creating those materials yourself. 
• Low barrier to entry, high ceiling —  Believe it or not, even the biggest affiliate marketing networks don’t charge their members a single cent. Other than that, you can join as many affiliate programs as you can manage to multiply your profits.
• Connect with established brands in the travel industry —  Being affiliated with well-known companies is good for your personal brand. Not only that, but you can also connect with like-minded people who joined the same affiliate programs. 
• Promote products without being too salesy —  Affiliate marketing lets you hit the sweet spot between your content’s profitability and reader experience factor. Just write a product review, comparison post, or product listicle and your affiliate link should fit right in.

To get started in the affiliate marketing industry, look for programs that pique your interest  in this list .

Selling digital products 

If you want to make a name in the travel industry, you won’t settle with just selling another company’s products.  

You need to put your thinking cap on, develop an idea, and build something to plaster your name on. 

Creating digital products , be it an eBook or online course, is a great entry point for new bloggers. 

eBooks, in particular, won’t cost a fortune to make. As for online courses, there are platforms like  Teachable that will help you develop eLearning products from the ground up. 

Selling your travel photos

Being a travel blogger obliges you to, at least, make an effort to improve your photography skills.

It’s not something every travel blogger does. But if you can consistently take professional-quality photographs, you can make money by selling them on your website. 

Jonathan Look Jr. of  Life Part 2   does this by allowing users to purchase photos straight from their blog. 

Writing sponsored posts 

Travel bloggers can also make a good sum of money by publishing sponsored posts on their blog. 

This is a monetization opportunity that isn’t limited to the travel niche. 

The premise is simple: you get paid for publishing content that puts another brand on a positive light. It doesn’t matter who creates the sponsored content to be published.

Some travel bloggers refuse to publish sponsored posts because they think it makes their blog disingenuous. Others, however, are more open to the idea as long as they stick to a few rules: 

• Mention that a post is sponsored upfront
• Write the sponsored post yourself so it stays on-brand
• Be honest and use real opinions — mention this to the brand sponsoring you

Getting paid to travel through press trips

Press trips allow travel bloggers to make money doing what they love. 

In this arrangement, a company plans and pays for a trip to a specific location. In exchange, the travel blogger agrees to provide them with exposure, featured content, or both. 

You can say that a press trip is somewhat similar to publishing a sponsored post. The main difference is, press trips actually require you to travel to the destination you’re writing about. 

Sponsored posts may also cover products, services, and people — not just travel destinations. 

There are two ways to get opportunities to do press trips with organizations. 

If you’re already a big-shot travel blogger, watch out for proposals in your email inbox. Otherwise, your best hope is to pitch press trip proposals to organizations yourself. 

What you should remember is to put the growth of your travel blog first before cold pitches for press trips. Building an authoritative brand in the travel niche will make you more attractive to prospects, anyway.

Running social media promotion campaigns 

For travel bloggers who manage to build a sizeable blog readership, establishing a social media presence should be relatively easy. 

That puts you on the radar of organizations that need a hand in the tricky world of social media marketing. 

Just like sponsored posts and press trips, social media promotion campaigns can start with either you or a prospective brand. When a deal is struck it usually ends with you receiving payment for certain deliverables on social media. 

As for the deliverables, it can be any form of social media content promotion over a specific period of time. It could be anything from a single Instagram post to a social media takeover. 

The bigger your name is on social media, the more you can charge for social media collaborations.  

Taking on brand ambassadorships

You may offer both sponsored posts and managed social media campaigns as individual packages. 

But what if your prospect wants to do a little bit of both?

As a brand ambassador, you can offer them regular promotions through your blog, social media, and other content distribution channels. In turn, you’ll make more money than you would if you accept sponsored post and social media campaign proposals separately. 

To get the attention of brands, I advise  putting together a blogging media kit . You can then mention your willingness to accept brand ambassadorships on your blog. 

This is how Yulia of  Miss Tourist   does it: 

Organizing tours and events

If travel planning is your passion, you can turn it into a money-making machine by organizing travel events. 

This can be done with or without the collaboration of a local tour company. 

For the DIY route, a feasible idea is to organize planned tours of your local area. That’s given you’re already settled in a region or country with well-known travel spots. 

There are, of course, travel blogs that take this idea to a whole new level. 

The Adventurists , for example, organize wacky outdoor activities on an international scale. For one, they host “The Mongol Rally” where participants traverse 10,000 miles of rough road in a car or bike. 

It’s not exactly a monetization strategy you can plan and roll out over the weekend. But if you can grasp the logistics and execution of such events, it’ll put your travel blog on the map.

Offering content writing services

There is a clear line between publishing sponsored posts and being a content contributor for hire. 

With sponsored posts, you agree to publish content you may or may have written on your own blog. As a content writer for hire, you offer your skills to produce content for another website.

Your travel blog has all you need to prove that your content writing skills are up to par. All that’s left to do is offer your content writing services in your “work with me” page.

You may also choose the type of brands you want to contribute content to. It can be an online magazine, another travel blog, a destination, and so on.

Naturally, the way you present this service is entirely up to you. It can be mentioned in a bulleted list or highlighted with a simple visual, like what  A Broken Backpack   does.

Attending public speaking engagements

Speaking at your first event is indeed one of the most memorable milestones in the blogging career path. 

I’ve been to a few speaking engagements myself. And from my experience, being on stage for the very first time changes you. 

It reminds you that, as a blogger, you are given the privilege to inspire other doers. 

Remember, most if not all people who attend these events have big ideas themselves. A speaker encourages them to take action and bring about positive change to the world. 

Such instances are where a successful blogger can truly find fulfillment. 

If you’re interested in speaking gigs, I recommend signing up for a service like  Agent . 

Of course, you should also mention that you’re willing to take on public speaking engagements on your blog. 

Offering consultancy services 

Finally, a handful of accomplished travel bloggers offer to share experienced-based, expert insights to companies for a price. 

Being a consultant in the travel industry encompasses a range of project types. This includes product development for tour companies, staff training for destinations, marketing for online travel sites, and so on. 

Uncornered Market   is one of the few travel blogs that can offer consultancy services for a range of areas.

Congratulations — you now know all about how to be a travel blogger and make money along the way. 

My last piece of advice for you is to go and get started today. 

Head on to a website like Bluehost , host your blog, and claim your success. Your blogging career can’t go anywhere if you don’t take the first step!

If you have questions, try searching for them in my blog. I probably already wrote a full-length guide about them. 

Good luck — I’m rooting for you!

You Might Also Like: 

• 89 Proven Ways to Make Money with Your Blog in 2024
• 19 Best Affiliate Marketing Courses for Aspiring Affiliate Entrepreneurs
• All Blogging Tools I Use and Recommend (Including Books!)

Disclosure: This article includes affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting us.

Ankit Singla

Ankit Singla is a full-time blogger, YouTuber, author, and public speaker. He founded and leads Master Blogging . With over 13 years of blogging expertise, he has assisted numerous aspiring bloggers in achieving their dreams of creating successful blogs.

Popular Posts by Ankit Singla ( see latest )

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Master Blogging, powered by Ankit Singla’s 13 years of blogging expertise, is your reliable resource for building a profitable blogging business. Here, you’ll gain the insights and support to thrive in blogging.

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What Makes a Good Travel Blog?

Working at National Geographic is an awesome learning experience, in which I’m constantly surrounded by real talent, sound wisdom, unique minds and artistic people (I love it).

Among the strong and creative team that I work with is one-of-a-kind internet princess Marilyn Terrell ( @Marilyn_res ), Chief Researcher at National Geographic Traveler and a host of many other things, like a mother to five children (and one squirrel ). Marilyn makes sure every issue of the magazine stays 100% accurate and authentic, a responsibility that has taken her all across the infinite spans of the internet. Honestly, I don’t know anyone else in the world who knows the web like Marilyn knows it.

I really am quite lucky to work so closely with Marilyn, and she is one of the many behind-the-scenes people that keep my blog happy, tidy, and fresh.

This week I cornered Marilyn in her office and asked her to share some of her knowledge on all things travel blogging. Unfortunately, neither of us could make it to TBEX this year, but if anyone knows the world of blogging, it’s Marilyn and bloggers everywhere can benefit from her intelligent insights.

For that reason, I urge you all to watch this full video clip. Here’s a few excerpts of Marilyn’s thoughts on blogging:

When traveling:

• Look for the unusual
• Explore a place
• Talk to people

When blogging:

• Read great travel writing
• Avoid jargon and cliche
• Keep posts short
• Write strong and startling headlines
• Always include a great photo
• Be committed (write regularly and for the long-term)
• Nat Geo Expeditions

Marilyn also recommends some great travel blogs and bloggers to learn from and I can add my voice of support for all of the following:

David Farley ( @DavidFarley ), Pam Mandel ( @NerdsEyeView ), Jenna Schnuer ( @JennaSchnuer ), Spud Hilton ( @SpudHilton ), and Uncornered Market ( @umarket )

If perchance there are any bloggers out there who live under a rock and have somehow failed to connect with Marilyn (impossible to conceive!), then you need to change that now. So follow @Marilyn_Res and enjoy the ride!

  . . . and thank you, Marilyn.

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Wild Wonders

High Definition ROAR!!! Wild Lion: Majestic, Close up, Powerful, FANTASTIC!

Posted: August 10, 2024 | Last updated: August 10, 2024

One of the three remaining members of the Mapogo coalition communicating with his brothers at night.Filmed in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa A roar is a deep, bellowing outburst of sound forced through an open mouth. It is produced by animals of certain species. A roar is usually made using the hyoid, a small bone which is not completely rigid in adults. Animals roar for various reasons, including territorial proclamation, communication with other members, and anger. Additionally, the roar of an animal such as a lion is used in the process of finding and competing for a mate.The roar pattern is composed of three overall segments - a beginning segment sounding like moaning, a middle segment with low frequency loud tones and a final segment which sounds much like grunting. The lion's roar is familiar to many through its inclusion in the MGM opening sequence. This roar segment consists only of the middle portion of the roar, omitting the first and last portionsSubscribe:​ ​https://bit.ly/30a0IRM​ ​| Merch: ​http://teespring.com/stores/robtheranger Watch the newest videos: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1booI-NVZ7lZxheEp8UMFRYEFollow">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1booI-NVZ7lZxheEp8UMFRYEFollow</a> Rob The Ranger:TWITTER: ​http://goo.gl/U8IQGfINSTAGRAM: ​https://instagram.com/robtheranger BLOG: ​http://goo.gl/yJJ3pTFACEBOOK: ​http://goo.gl/M8pnJhSTEEMIT: ​https://steemit.com/@robtheranger TUMBLR: ​http://goo.gl/qF6sNSWatch ​more videos!Lions, Lions, And More Lions: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpPTGnTaR798fdsHNJ7ZNGtAfrican">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpPTGnTaR798fdsHNJ7ZNGtAfrican</a> Elephant (Loxodonta africana): <a href="https://.youtube.com/playlist?v=qzINZPv7PMc&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpUo_KWtwJ3ck3Q1-xfMmkh&playnex">https://.youtube.com/playlist?v=qzINZPv7PMc&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpUo_KWtwJ3ck3Q1-xfMmkh&playnex</a> t=1African Wild Dogs/Painted Wolves: <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?v=DXQc_v5qjS4&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bocK9_hokQ5Z8tpEOukHJnv&playnext">https://youtube.com/playlist?v=DXQc_v5qjS4&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bocK9_hokQ5Z8tpEOukHJnv&playnext</a> =1Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius): [​https://youtube.com/playlist?v=nDgIt9QF_IM&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bqhsVIGpg5YgS4-prwujiKq&playnext=1 Most Popular: ​https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpQ4T4enPPMkf_5cK26VouwAbout Rob The Ranger Wildlife Videos:The purpose of the channel is to show what it is like to experience seeing wild animals on an African safari. Nature Documentaries are often highly edited to tell a story, wildlife safaris are not, and the idea here is to show the wildlife sightings the way they were seen. Safari tours in Africa are generally suitable for all ages and this channel can be considered an educational channel about incredible nature, some scenes in the nature videos may be more graphic than people are used to but this is the reality of nature and is what you would see if you were present on such a safari in person. Safaris in Kenya, South Africa, or any other African country are an unrivalled experience for anyone with a passion for nature, wildlife photography, and travel. Hopefully the animal videos on this channel can provide a glimpse into what the nature experience is like and encourage more people to take a wildlife safari one day. Make sure to subscribe and enable ALL notifications!#robtheranger #roar #lionroar

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What is Travel Vlog and How to Start It

Traveling is a great way to get to know yourself and the world around you. In addition, you can talk about your experience by making vlogs. Learn a few tips about it before starting!

How to become a travel vlogger

Do you travel a lot and want to enter the world of travel vloggers but don’t have an idea where to start? Let us help you out!

To get started, choose a format for your travel videos, such as:

• Travel notes. In this format vloggers share their general impressions, tell and show what they see and what they are interested in. The main advantages of the format are the possibility for the narrator to talk about their thoughts honestly and, as a result, the trust of the audience.
• Travel guides. These are stories about cities and countries, tips on where to eat, how to find accommodation, and how to get from one place to another. This format is useful for viewers who are looking for verified information. On the other hand, it requires careful preparation and studying of the topic, so one can’t just jump into using this format immediately.
• Niche topics. The emphasis on the expert sphere of the blogger is important here. Yoga, cooking, photography, extreme sports, baby traveling, and any other topic that you can and want to talk about in an interesting way. The plus of using this format is a clear definition of the target audience and, as a result, high conversion rates. However, you’re also required to professionally understand the topic.

When you decide on a format, you can move on to equipment. The problem of what to use for recording videos is always relevant.

Filming gear

Best camera for travel vlogs? Nowadays, even the most simple and cheap gadgets have the function of shooting video. On the other hand, the more you shoot, the better and more expensive the equipment you want. But just as expensive running shoes don’t turn a runner into a champion, expensive tech doesn’t turn you into a successful vlogger on the spot. Start simple and later you will know which direction to go.

Travel videos can be shot on different gadgets, but the smartphone wins because it’s always on hand, so you can quickly capture an interesting moment. Shooting with a smartphone doesn’t require pre-training, and there is no need to carry heavy filming equipment with you. And if you don’t bring a laptop with you, editing travel videos is possible on iOS and Android as well. So you can quickly process them and immediately publish the finished material on social networks and your travel channel on YouTube.

In short, the minimum set of equipment for a novice travel vlogger is:

• Any smartphone with an HD shooting option.
• Additional battery for a smartphone.
• Several memory cards for 32 or 64 gigabytes. Cards sometimes get wet and break, so it’s better to have a spare.
• Selfie stick or a tripod for a phone.

Endorsing videos

After you’ve learned how to shoot interesting travel vlogs, you have to also promote them. Gain followers, share posts on social networks, participate in affiliate programs with other popular bloggers and find your own style to stand out and be remembered by the audience.

When adding a video to a channel, carefully fill in all the fields: not only the title but also the description, keywords, location, and recording date, category. All this in one way or another affects the rating. In the description, indicate links to your social networks, and in networks, share videos and invite friends to subscribe to the channel.

Now that we have dealt with the most basic requirements, what about the very essence of the content about traveling?

Travel vlog ideas and tips

The most vital component of any video is the story. Take beautiful shots and make a slideshow with music, and after a minute of watching such a video, the viewer would want to turn it off. It can be spectacular and technically perfect, but if there is no story in it, it is boring to watch.

Storytelling is extremely relevant in various fields. Plus, a story that evokes emotions is a win-win – you implement an interesting idea, and the viewers get a thoughtful result that will remain in their heads for a long time.

In addition, you need to decide whether you yourself will be present in your video or not. Obviously, audiences are much more immersed if they can see the author and feel their personality. But it doesn’t mean that you must be the main character of the story if you don’t feel like it. You can talk about a local resident or speak on their behalf, use a media character or invent your own hero. Be observant because when you travel, you come across such incredible stories that there is no need to come up with anything.

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