You should be excited!
I am.
Today kicks off a full week where I’m promoting my flagship eBook to help you become a full time, professional blogger:
How to Retire to a Life of Island Hopping through Smart Blogging
You can click that link and pick it up if you want to build a successful blog, even if you don’t want to circle the globe.
Fun read for aspiring travel bloggers, of course.
You may think becoming a full time travel blogger feels impossible. Too hard. Not realistic.
But I was a former security guard who is writing these words from a bus in New Zealand.
You can do it! I believe in you. I see and feel your success.
The first step to become a full time travel blogger is to identify the reason why you want to do it.
This is the reason, the energy, that goads you to knife through obstacles. Knowing why inspires you to be patient, to persist and to follow your passion, diving into your fears until you become a full time travel blogger.
The process to go from blogging newbie to seasoned pro feels scary at times. So much to learn, and crazy overwhelm, right guys? I have been there. But seeing stunning farmland here in Opotiki, New Zealand, and experiencing the freedom of making the world your office feels so amazing that I know you’re down for diving into this travel blogging niche and making it work.
Let’ dive into the tips to help you live your dreams.
1: Know Why
Why do you wan to become a full time travel blogger? Write the reason on a piece of paper. Carry the paper with your everywhere.
Tie the reason to something fun and freeing. Choose ideas that make you feel alive.
Seriously; imagine if right now you were busing through New Zealand with your family? Or visualize yourself visiting a beach in Thailand? How would that feel? Play with those emotions.
Even if you want to chill in your hometown for some of the year it’d feel amazing to make your own schedule, to be your own boss and to be the shot caller in your life, right?
Choosing a freeing driver inspires you into the thoughts, feelings and actions that help you succeed no matter what obstacles you face. You become an unstoppable ray of positive mojo and love that obliterates anything in your way.
Follow this step guys; it’s the way to become failure proof and it also sets the foundation for a successful travel blogging campaign.
2: Make Sure You Love Traveling *And* Blogging
Prepare yourself to become an entrepreneur.
Being a full time travel blogger takes work, time, energy and passion to make it go.
Some bloggers fall in love with the travel aspect of blogging but shy away from the blogging aspect of…..blogging. You choose to be a small business owner the split second you buy your domain and hosting.
Does this feel scary? It is scary sometimes but fellow travel bloggers offer you support, guidance and wisdom on your journey, smoothing out rough patches.
All tools, systems and strategies are in place to help you succeed with your venture. Just be ready to have fun, to enjoy the journey and to work your ass off to become a successful entrepreneur.
3: Follow a Few Top Travel Bloggers
Mapping Megan, Wandering Earl and The HoliDaze are 3 top travel blogs to follow. Megan, Derek and Derek rock.
Before you write your first word, pay strict attention to how these folks do it. Pros know how to succeed, cluing you in to branding, how to monetize your blog and how to create content. Toss in tips for connecting with top bloggers and brands and you’ve a goldmine of knowledge flowing from these pros.
4: Be a Student
Study notes from top travel bloggers. Buy their eBooks. Hire them for coaching. Feast on their free content.
Students tend to become skilled, pro travel bloggers.
5: Buy Your Domain and Hosting
Buy your domain and hosting to set up a WordPress dot org blog.
From branding to monetizing potential to owning the freaking thing, this is a no brainer, as Alonzo Pichardo and I noted during this podcast.
Pick a domain resonant with the theme of your travel blog. Who do you want to speak to? Think of your ideal reader. Make your domain name speak to your ideal reader’s heart.
The domain name plays some part in building a rocking blog, but don’t go too bonkers guys.
6: Write 1000 Words Daily in a Word Document
Practice your writing. Become a skilled travel writer aka travel blogger.
Trash the document when done.
7: Publish Helpful Posts from the Perspective of a Traveler
Publish helpful posts geared towards travelers who wish to enjoy locations.
Top 10 lists, in-depth guides or colorful travel tales suffice, depending on the core message of your brand.
Be helpful. Put yourself into a traveler’s shoes. Flesh out key points. Craft beneficial guides.
Or if you go with the colorful travel tale route – like my blog – add details to paint a vivid picture. My readers enjoy living vicariously through me; I take them on this globe-trotting journey, painting pictures with my words.
8: Bond with Top Travel Bloggers
Comment genuinely on top travel blogs. Share their content on social media. Link to top travel bloggers on your blog.
Be a friend to become a friend.
Bonds form. Top travel bloggers endorse you, promote you, hire you, buy your stuff and spread your word, helping you reach a bigger, targeted audience, boosting your blogging profits.
9: Add 1 Income Stream Every 3-6 Months
Pick one income stream that resonates with you but avoid doing sponsored posts or advertising streams as a newbie; you need to grow your audience and establish your name for a bit to prosper through these streams.
Some ideas; write and self-publish travel guide eBooks on Amazon, convert eBooks to audio book on Audible, iTunes and Amazon, write and self-publish eBooks on Selz (neat Australian company I use to sell 2 eBooks and 1 blogging course) offer freelance writing or blog coaching services, become a travel consultant, prosper as an Amazon Associate or through other affiliate marketing channels.
The possibilities are limitless. As is the income but guys; be realistic. 8-10 hours of work daily, doing the right things with the right energy, for a while, this sets up a pro travel blogging career. Imagine yourself opening a corner store, or bodega. 5-7 days week. 6, to 8, to 12 hour days. That’s how you roll.
10: Branding 101
Buy a premium theme or have a developer design a custom, bespoke theme like Phillip Dews designed for me.
Convey a clear, simple, powerful message through all you do on your blog.
Stand out from the crowd with smart branding.
11: Have Fun!
I see too many serious travel bloggers stressing over shit. Sure things get difficult sometimes. You need to face and embrace fears. Be human. Sit with these feelings. Embrace. Release. Sucks, but part of the game…..BUT….unless you have fun most of the time, you won’t enjoy the ride.
Fun-loving bloggers also worry less about outcomes and focus their generous energies on helping folks, the fundamental activity for becoming a successful blogger.
Enjoy the ride. Wherever this travel blogging journey takes you.
Which is your favorite tip?
What tips can you add to the list?
If you want to travel the world full time through blogging you can buy my eBook here:
How to Retire to a Life of Island Hopping through Smart Blogging
Ryan Biddulph
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14 Comments
Happy to hear it hit the mark Shubham!
This is really for me, from the very first word to the last it is written for me only. Good to know that still, there is a long journey which will take me closer to my dream. Thanks for sharing this post.
Writing a ton of words makes this gig easier Anil. Thanks for the fab comment bro!
Point #2 is vital and that’s the key behind every travel blogger who’s successful like you Ryan. Most people want to travel around the world but hate what they do (blogging or freelancing or whatsoever). If you find fun and passion in blogging and getting paid gigs, you can literally travel around the world.
Having passionate towards both travelling and blogging is the only way you can become a successful blogger. That’s really a great tip!
Another important tip that you shared here is writing thousand words every single day. It’s easier said than done especially when you are just starting out. Writing is not at all easy and most people find it really hard and that’s why you need to find fun in writing that the only way you can turn out more articles just like you Ryan.
Thanks for the write up.
Flying is pretty easy Cori. Like taking a train most of the time. With 5-10 flights under your belt, you release the fear 😉 Definitely worth conquering that one buddy as traveling is amazing! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hi Ryan,
You’ve shared some great advice here, not only for travel bloggers but bloggers in any niche really. For me, the top three are have fun, love to travel and know why is tied for 2nd and third, be a student.
I wish I didn’t have a fear of flying. I’m missing out on all the wonders of the world but thank goodness for travel bloggers like you who take us along for the ride and teach us something at the same time. I still remember that big rooster! 🙂
Thanks for always giving such great advice Ryan! Hope you’re having a great week. 🙂
Cori
Compelling content keeps engagement rolling along Moss, and engagement builds rocking travel blogs. Thanks bro!
Hi Ryan,
Is there anything more to add to the tips in this article? No! You said it all. It is common logic yo say that to become a pro at what you so, you must learn from pros who are already in the game. That is where being a student and follow other travel bloggers come in.
You have to learn the ropes in order to have success. Following others in your niche will help you set yourself up remarkably.
And what is more, creating compelling content. This is a must, as it will help you gain more targeted audience to your blog. More targeted audience means more traffic, engagement, and more ROI.
Thanks Ryan.
Having fun is the key driver buddy. Thanks YTG.
Agreed on this Dereco. When we learn, we teach effectively. Thanks buddy!
These are some awesome tips Ryan, all of these tips were super helpful. I really liked where you said be a student. This one thing has helped me so much in my blogging journey. I’m constantly searching for additional knowledge when it comes to blogging and marketing. Another tip I liked was the write 1000 words per day then trash it. Makes sense, practice makes perfect, right? Appreciate you sharing this article.
Completely agree with point 11. Fun is key, I don’t run a travel blog, but blog about the animals I love. It keeps it fresh and enjoyable which is why I’ll never quit. I think if you don’t have fun with your blog maybe its time to find another topic.
Students learn and then can teach, right Vishwajeet? You are doing the same thing in the IM niche buddy.
Hey Ryan,
I once wanted to be a travel blogger but somehow I have started internet marketing blog because I think I can contribute here a lot and help others with my knowledge and experience. You are really an awesome example of a travel blogger. You know how to live a digital nomad life. Being a student is very important to become a successful blogger as it makes you always hungry for lots of information and tips. Thanks for sharing these great tips here. Hope you have a great day 🙂
With Regards,
Vishwajeet