This is a question! It has been 2 years since I started my blog and called myself a professional travel blogger for the first time. I have learnt some important tips along my journey, by learning at first hand, constantly trying new tools and mastering a bunch of skills.
Of course, I am not perfect and it has been times that I considered myself as the worst travel blogger ever. But this is a topic for the next post.:)
Obviously, they are thousands of travel bloggers. Today, the idea of traveling and working at the same time, seems to be a dream combination. And, it surely is. However, the world of travel bloggers is often very far from what you can see on Facebook or Instagram.
Having a travel blog is like having any other business. It takes a lot of time, hard work and effort to grow a successful business. Businesses create a business plan that they follow all the way to the top. In blogging, you need a plan of strategy on how to make your blog standout, popular, and more importantly, how you can influence your readers to follow your travel tips.
Here is a list of 8 tips, which should help you to become a professional travel blogger.
1. Create interesting and useful content
No one is going to visit your website, if you post low quality and useless content. And of course, it doesn’t mean that it should be always perfect, but most importantly should be informative and helpful. Whether it comes to pictures, videos, design or text, always do your best. Instead of posting seven times a week an average articles, write 2 or 3 good quality and valuable posts. Readers will come back, trusting your professionalism.
2. Don’t be like others
Create your unique and extraordinary website and be yourself. Today, it is hard to stand out from the crowd, as there are lots of good bloggers and content creators. However, remember to always show your true self and don’t copy anyone. Once you connect with your followers and give your articles a personal touch, they will appreciate your uniqueness and stories.
3. Invest in yourself and your business
Whether, it’s inventing in your new website temple, developing yourself professionally or buying a new camera to provide better quality pictures, you need to do it for yourself and your business, before receiving anything.
If you want to consider yourself as a professional travel blogger, treat your blog as an investment.
You have to be willing to spend money to make money.
Your role is to grow, develop your travel blog and promote it in every possible way. This could be anything from hiring a social media manager, using printing services to get your unique business card printed or promoting your website on other blogs.
4. Create your media kit
Media kit is like a resume of your website. It contains important information about you, your website and social media, which should leave a long lasting impression. You customize your unique media kit to meet the needs of your future clients. By showing your statistics, reports and previous collaboration, you are more truthful and authentic. It not only shows that you are professional, but also helps you to get more clients and sponsorship.
5. Get things done
Blogging it’s extremely challenging and it requires lots of self-discipline. However, no matter how hard your day was, try to get all necessary things done at the end of the day
Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today.
If you want to be a professional travel blogger, because you think it’s the easiest way to earn money and travel the world, I will tell it now – You are wrong. Having your own travel blog, it’s very difficult and it requires a lot of hard work. Sometimes or quite often, you spend more time in the front of your laptop than you would spend in your daily job. There is no one, who will hold your hand. You need to take challenge after challenge and face your fears, with one goal – to inspire others. However, after all it’s all worth it.
6. Create a professional email
When you are running a travel blog, it is important to create a professional email address. What is a professional email? Professional email is the one, which contains your business name in it. Using an email like hello@adventurecatcher.com, looks much more professional than adventure2345@gmail.com, doesn’t it? Statistic shows that 75% of clients will more likely work with a company with a professional email address than the one with basic email account.
7. Collaborate with other creators
Let’s stay clear here. Every travel blogger wants to expand, and the collaboration is a powerful tool to do so. By meeting other inspiring creators, you not only learn, grow your community and challenge yourself but also you safe your time and money. It is one of the best ways to promote your website and gain more followers as well. If you still don’t have any travel bloggers as friends, try to reach them via Instagram. They are many travel bloggers willing to collaborate, so don’t be shy to send the message, say hello and introduce yourself.
8. Build an email list
If you are serious about growing your travel blog, you need to focus on the best ways to reach easily your followers. Building an email list is essential. It is one of the most beneficial assets you can have to get traffic to your blog.
Readers who put a little effort and subscribe to your email list, will stay with you. Believe me.
In fact, it is more likely that your followers will see your new article, when they get it in their email inbox! Today, Instagram posts are getting much less exposure, than few years ago. It is said that only 10% of your readers are able to see your new post. Moreover, the content shares on business pages on Facebook are far less noticeable, than posts shared between friends and family.
Obviously, they are thousands of travel bloggers. Today, the idea of traveling and working at the same time, seems to be a dream combination. And, it surely is. However, the world of travel bloggers is often very far from what you can see on Facebook or Instagram.
