The American dream of millennials is now far from the old “buy a nice house in the suburbs and establish a small family” – now we are thinking about traveling the world and making a living out of it. The new American dream is being a travel writer. This is not a new job – in fact, it’s one of the oldest, as travelers started to document their adventures as soon as they had the opportunity to travel and write. In the last years, this new job is more and more common, as more and more people have access to internet and blogging platforms. Even so, not all people who dream of becoming a travel blogger do achieve their dreams, most of the times because they lack the know-how. To help you out, here are the elements you need to make your dream come true and start traveling the world as a travel blogger.
Find your own niche
Creating a blog is pretty much like giving birth to a baby: you need to provide it with all the best in order to ensure a great future, including a name. You want to find a representative name for your blog; something that can individualize you and show readers what is all about. Think of who is going to be your reader and find your own niche. We are all different, so there is always a niche you can address. When you have a niche and a name, get your domain and stick to your unique theme.
Build you website
Before you start hunting for destinations, you need to set up your website. This can be done either by asking/hiring someone to code it from scratch or creating it by using a website builder app. Either way, make sure you link it to all the major social media accounts. While you are building your website you can also take some classes on marketing and social media, as you are going to need them in the future. If you can’t invest in something like this, use Google to learn more about promoting your website.
Learn to make awesome pictures
Now that you have a travel blog up and going, you can start posting on it. Images are very important for a travel blog, as they can help you develop your blogger outreach and engage your audience. Most people run and buy the most expensive professional camera out there, but this is not going to help you with your photography skills. Before you book your first travel, pick your smartphone and walk around the city, experimenting with the built-in camera. You can also take some tutorials online and learn the basics of photography, then practice, practice, practice until you can make amazing photographs.
Make friends online and offline
As you prepare your website and yourself for the big moment when you will be on the road, do connect with travel bloggers. You will be able to chat with them, ask them for advice and support them, no matter if you are home or on the road. Because travel bloggers are amazing people, they will do the same for you. Besides, you can join forces to create valuable content and organize meetings. In fact, one of the best ways to start your traveling adventure is to travel to a blogger’s conference!
Setup your revenue
Apart from the blogging, all travelers rely on additional revenue, because life is unpredictable and you never know when you will need more money. If you have some savings, great, it’s a good start, but don’t expect those savings to last forever. Most travel bloggers have online businesses, write books or take up writing or consulting on a remote schedule. Follow their example and set up an alternative income for the time you will be on the road.
Travel, write and have patience
Start traveling and write your content, in your own voice. Don’t trade your own words for anything: your audience is going to learn how to recognize you and love you, so your voice is your brand. Be authentic and keep working. One day you will be able to travel for free, due to sponsors and deals, but you need to be patient for that day to come. As soon as you will create a recognizable brand online and your audience will start talking about you and your travels, the perks of being a travel blogger will start showing. Featured photo credit: Unsplash via unsplash.com
