Do you wish to learn to flip your ardour for journey right into a six-figure enterprise? Journey running a blog is an thrilling and versatile option to earn cash whereas exploring the world. You get to share your experiences, encourage others, and create a enterprise that matches your life-style. However how do you go from simply writing…
Do you wish to learn to flip your ardour for journey right into a six-figure enterprise?
Journey running a blog is an thrilling and versatile option to earn cash whereas exploring the world. You get to share your experiences, encourage others, and create a enterprise that matches your life-style. However how do you go from simply writing about your journeys to truly making $100,000+ per 12 months?
At this time, I’m excited to share the story of Jessie Festa, a profitable journey blogger who began her weblog, Jessie on a Journey, with the aim of serving to vacationers. Jessie went from incomes nothing to constructing a six-figure journey running a blog enterprise.
On this interview, I ask Jessie questions on begin a journey running a blog enterprise, like:
- How a lot cash can a journey blogger realistically earn, and what are the principle revenue streams?
- Is there nonetheless room for brand new journey bloggers to achieve such a aggressive area of interest?
- Do you should journey regularly to take care of a profitable journey weblog, or are you able to weblog about journey with out being on the highway continuously?
- What instruments and gear are essential for working a profitable journey weblog? Do inexperienced persons want to take a position quite a bit to get began?
Plus extra!
In case you’ve ever puzzled how a lot cash journey bloggers actually make, how they receives a commission to journey, or begin your individual journey weblog, this interview with Jessie is for you. She’ll break down her journey and share recommendations on the whole lot from online marketing to working with manufacturers and tourism boards.
And, if you happen to’re prepared to show your love for journey right into a thriving enterprise, Travel Blog Prosperity is the perfect resource for you. Created by Jessie, this membership gives 100+ programs and workshops, and a supportive neighborhood that will help you develop your weblog right into a worthwhile enterprise. Whether or not you’re a newbie or trying to scale, Journey Weblog Prosperity supplies the instruments and techniques to make it occur.
Technically, the doorways are closed, however if you happen to use my affiliate hyperlink, you possibly can be a part of proper now. It’s also possible to use coupon code “MAKINGSENSE9” to get your first month for simply $9. After that, it’s $49 monthly to remain a member, and you’ll cancel at any time – even earlier than your trial month is over.
Please click here to learn more about Travel Blog Prosperity.
Let’s dive into how Jessie makes $100,000+ every year as a journey blogger, and how one can get began too.
How I Make Cash With A Journey Weblog Enterprise
Beneficial studying: How To Start a Travel Blog and Make Money
1) Inform me your story. Who’re you, and what impressed you to start out your journey weblog?
Hello, my title is Jessie Festa, a journey blogger, photographer, and weblog coach from New York.
I began my first journey weblog, Jessie on a Journey, in 2011. On the time, there weren’t many sources on-line for solo vacationers, and after going via the difficult strategy of planning a 3-month solo backpacking journey via Europe, I wished to assist others extra simply plan their very own solo journeys.
Moreover, I wished to create a enterprise that might enable me to proceed touring.
I graduated with my BA/MA in Communication throughout a recession, so jobs have been scarce. Whereas it was a scary and unsure time, it additionally gave me the area to pursue journey running a blog and see the place it may lead me.
Inside a couple of 12 months I used to be capable of start incomes a gradual revenue from it, and right this moment it’s my full-time job. Together with Jessie on a Journey, I personal the web sites Epicure & Culture (sustainable tourism and tradition weblog) and NYC Photo Journeys (my picture expertise web site that will get most of its reserving via the weblog).
2. How a lot cash do you make as a journey blogger?
I’m proud to say I’ve been capable of create a 6-figure enterprise for myself via running a blog—which I attribute primarily to treating it like a enterprise, which I share extra about under in query #5.
I additionally attempt to diversify my site visitors and income streams as a lot as doable to assist shield my enterprise.
Moreover, I monitor what’s working—and what isn’t—so I can regulate my methods accordingly.
Lastly, I automate and streamline as a lot as doable, comparable to by creating gross sales funnels to promote my digital merchandise.
3. Why did you determine to turn into a journey blogger?
Finally, it was my love of journey. I used to be decided to search out—or create—a job that might enable me to earn a residing from wherever in order that I might hold exploring the world.
Humorous sufficient, I didn’t actually know what running a blog was earlier than I began mine. Once more, this was 2011, and running a blog as a profession wasn’t frequent but. I’d all the time assumed a weblog was simply a web-based journal.
However, I noticed different vacationers—regular individuals who weren’t celebrities—doing it and really creating wealth writing about their travels on their web sites. I instructed myself that if they might do it, so might I. So I did!
4. What do you take pleasure in most about working a journey weblog?
The power to be my very own boss, receives a commission to be inventive, and journey the world.
Working a journey weblog means attending to create my very own schedule primarily based on objectives I’m obsessed with and initiatives I’m enthusiastic about. Moreover, I can work from wherever on the earth—or select to take day without work, as a result of I’m the one approving trip time. 😉
With journey particularly, you possibly can select to monetize your journeys, comparable to by writing weblog posts that comprise advertisements and affiliate hyperlinks or working with sponsors.
Don’t get me incorrect, working any kind of enterprise, together with a weblog, is difficult work; however, there are plenty of perks too.
5. What are a few of your favourite locations that you simply’ve traveled to because of your journey weblog?
My favourite place is normally wherever I’ve simply been! 🙂 Lately, I visited Kyrgyzstan and Tanzania—each of which have been completely unbelievable.
Subsequent week I’ll be heading to Nova Scotia for a partnership, which I’m very enthusiastic about.
6. How a lot cash can a journey blogger realistically earn, and what are the principle revenue streams?
I do know journey bloggers incomes nothing and journey bloggers incomes a number of six figures, so it actually relies upon.
In my view, one of many greatest errors bloggers make is pondering that writing in itself will ultimately result in revenue.
Sure, your content material can—and may—be worthwhile; however, to actually earn a residing running a blog you want a revenue plan. It’s important to implement income streams, set objectives, monitor success, and tweak your technique as wanted.
Constructing on this, among the predominant revenue streams for journey bloggers embody:
- Affiliate marketing online
- Working advertisements (for example, I’m a Mediavine writer)
- Launching services
- Working with manufacturers and tourism boards on paid campaigns and press journeys
- Freelance writing and creating content material for manufacturers (whether or not via UGC collaborations or being a ghost author/creator for his or her channels—the latter of which I’ve discovered pays extra)
7. What instruments and gear are important for working a profitable journey weblog? Do inexperienced persons want to take a position quite a bit to get began?
At first, I’d suggest investing in good internet hosting with safety features and constant uptime, a light-weight theme with assist, and a premium key phrase analysis instrument so as to optimize your web site for Search Engine Optimization (search engine optimisation).
As you develop, you might spend money on different instruments, as effectively. It simply is determined by your technique.
As an illustration, I personally pay for Later to schedule my Instagram posts and plan my feed; nevertheless, I additionally know many bloggers who use Instagram’s native scheduler or publish in real-time free of charge.
Additionally, many important instruments are free to start out. As an illustration, you’ll positively need an e-mail advertising and marketing platform, like Mailerlite or ConvertKit, which generally supply free plans to get began.
8. What does your typical work schedule appear like as a journey blogger? What number of hours per week do you dedicate to sustaining your weblog?
I like to interrupt up my month into 4 weekly “sprints”. These embody:
- Getting the content material and occasion schedule for my Journey Weblog Prosperity membership (considered one of my predominant merchandise) prepared for the next month
- Creating content material and doing outreach to land collaborations and sponsorships
- Creating and scheduling any content material vital for my subsequent upcoming progress challenge
- I select one “progress challenge” monthly that’s meant to assist me develop my site visitors and/or revenue—comparable to launching a brand new digital product, co-hosting a webinar with an affiliate, collaborating in a bundle or summit, or implementing a brand new site visitors technique
- Overflow week
Moreover, considered one of my merchandise is my NYC picture excursions and shoots, which I launched after having so many readers asking me to point out them round New York. This implies there are days once I’m in particular person with these purchasers.
After I’m engaged on the above, my day seems like a reasonably typical workday, although I can take a break day if I would like, transfer issues round, and work from wherever.
As a journey blogger I additionally journey quite a bit, so some weeks I’m on the highway. As an illustration, I simply acquired again from spending two weeks touring round Tanzania.
Whereas touring, I’m probably not on my laptop computer; nevertheless, I’m taking notes, images, and video clips to make use of in future journey content material I’ll create as soon as I’m again house.
9. Is there nonetheless room for brand new journey bloggers to achieve such a aggressive area of interest?
Completely, although I’d area of interest down extra than simply “journey”. Actually intention to construct a enterprise that helps a particular viewers and in a particular approach.
As soon as you recognize who you assist and the way, it’ll be a lot simpler to decide on what matters to cowl, which associates and types to work with, and which services to create—as they may all be an extension of your mission.
10. How has your method to search engine optimisation advanced as Google’s algorithms have modified over time?
I’m lucky that I’ve all the time been targeted on rising and nurturing an e-mail checklist, as I believe that is extra essential than ever. This manner, you possibly can flip one-time readers into devoted neighborhood members and seize that site visitors on an inventory you personal.
Moreover, I like to recommend diversifying your site visitors sources in addition to interested by your weblog as a enterprise (vs merely writing over-optimized posts to attempt to rank).
11. How do you pitch manufacturers or tourism boards for paid partnerships or press journeys? Any suggestions for inexperienced persons?
Don’t overthink pitching. Go into as if you happen to’re having a dialog and sharing an thought for a mutually helpful partnership (vs asking the model to provide you one thing).
Earlier than you do that, attempt to pinpoint what you deliver to the desk. Perhaps it’s affect, a particular viewers, a inventive content material creation fashion, or one thing else.
You may watch a latest YouTube video I shared for an precise pitch template that I am going over step-by-step under:
12. Are you able to define the steps somebody ought to take to start out a journey weblog and switch it right into a worthwhile enterprise?
I’d suggest new bloggers first pinpoint their mission (ie who you assist and the way).
When you’ve outlined this, break your mission up into 2-3 predominant matters—usually referred to as “content material pillars” —that you simply’ll create content material round. This can show you how to hold your content material cohesive and construct topical authority. You would possibly even go onerous on one content material pillar to begin to develop faster.
From there, create content material that matches inside your content material pillars. Ideally, you’ll first create your foundational posts—these posts that readers will count on to be in your weblog—and you then’ll do key phrase analysis to search out low-competition key phrases (ie search queries) you possibly can create content material round and rank for. Under is a useful video I made:
Whereas optimizing your web site and content material for search engine optimisation is essential, I like to recommend implementing a number of different site visitors methods—like Pinterest, Fb, and Flipboard—and constructing an e-mail checklist to seize your site visitors and switch one-time guests into repeat readers.
Your e-mail checklist may also help you develop each your site visitors and revenue, as you possibly can share your free content material (like weblog posts and YouTube movies) with subscribers in addition to paid merchandise and affiliate hyperlinks (with disclosure).
Which brings me to an essential piece of the technique: monetization.
As talked about above, it’s essential to implement and develop income streams. Then, you should use your content material to develop your site visitors to develop your revenue.
As an illustration, you possibly can monetize content material instantly via affiliate hyperlinks and advertisements. Or, you probably have your individual product, you possibly can create content material that might entice your excellent consumers and get that product in entrance of them.
13. Do you should journey regularly to take care of a profitable journey weblog, or are you able to weblog about journey with out being on the highway continuously?
It is determined by your particular area of interest. As an illustration, if you happen to run a weblog about Paris journey and you reside in Paris, you received’t must journey in any respect.
Nonetheless, if you happen to cowl many locations you’ll wish to be sure to’re both touring often otherwise you contract or rent writers who may also help create content material.
14. What are some frequent errors new journey bloggers make, and the way can they keep away from them?
The most typical mistake new bloggers make shouldn’t be interested by their weblog as a enterprise.
Many bloggers merely assume they’ll optimize their content material for key phrases, develop their site visitors, and monetize with advertisements and affiliate hyperlinks.
To essentially construct one thing sustainable and long-lasting, I like to recommend interested by your weblog as an precise enterprise—together with having your individual merchandise/companies—and your content material as a instrument for rising the enterprise.
15. What are the challenges of working a journey weblog, and the way do you overcome them?
One of many greatest challenges for journey bloggers is maintaining with altering algorithms.
As an illustration, within the final 12 months, we’ve seen numerous massive Google algorithm updates which have utterly shifted what reveals up in Google search outcomes.
Whereas some blogs grew from this, others misplaced some—and even all—of their site visitors. Additionally, some who misplaced site visitors within the first replace bounced again within the third replace.
And it’s not simply Google. Pinterest, Instagram, Fb, and different social media platforms often change the best way their algorithms work.
Due to this, it’s essential to:
- Sustain with adjustments and be adaptable
- Diversify your site visitors and income streams
- Have an e-mail checklist, which you personal (vs your social media followers, which you don’t)
16. Are you able to inform me about Journey Weblog Prosperity? What number of members do you could have? How can it assist journey bloggers? Is that this for brand new bloggers?
Travel Blog Prosperity is a web-based membership devoted to serving to journey and life-style bloggers develop their site visitors and revenue via a mixture of training, collaboration, and neighborhood assist.
When you login, you’ll have rapid entry to 100+ programs and workshops. This consists of the Core Curriculum, which takes you from setup to wage and teaches you get setup for site visitors and revenue success.
From there, you should use the included Running a blog Technique Roadmap to deliver the whole lot collectively and create a marketing strategy for your self.
That will help you construct this out, there are extra workshops and trainings that educate methods associated to branding your weblog, rising your site visitors, growing your e-mail subscribers, launching and advertising and marketing services, rising your affiliate revenue, working with manufacturers and tourism boards, freelance writing, seeing success on social media, scaling with advertisements, creating workflows, enhancing productiveness and mindset, and extra.
Plus, there may be no less than one new reside workshop taught each single month—replay included.
Different perks embody a 15-minute onboarding name that will help you create an motion plan, month-to-month reside teaching calls and bonus occasions with visitor specialists, weekly paid alternatives despatched to your inbox, over $2k value of included bonuses, and extra.
We at present have over 200 members. It’s a extremely supportive and nurturing neighborhood that might like to welcome you!
Bonus: As a Making Sense of Cents reader, I’ve acquired a particular coupon code so that you can strive Journey Weblog Prosperity out for simply $9 in your first month.
➡️ Click on right here and use code “MAKINGSENSE9” at checkout to snag the deal.
Simply be aware that the coupon is legitimate for brand new members solely. After your trial month is over it’s $49/month to remain a member and you’ll cancel at any time—even earlier than your discounted month is over!
You can click here to learn more about Travel Blog Prosperity.
Are you curious about beginning a journey weblog?
Beneficial studying:
