Do you need to learn to flip your ardour for journey right into a six-figure enterprise? Journey running a blog is an thrilling and versatile solution 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 need to learn to flip your ardour for journey right into a six-figure enterprise?
Journey running a blog is an thrilling and versatile solution 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 really making $100,000+ per yr?
Right now, I’m excited to share the story of Jessie Festa, a profitable journey blogger who began her weblog, Jessie on a Journey, with the purpose 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 tips on how to begin a journey running a blog enterprise, like:
- How a lot cash can a journey blogger realistically earn, and what are the primary revenue streams?
- Is there nonetheless room for brand new journey bloggers to reach such a aggressive area of interest?
- Do you must journey regularly to take care of a profitable journey weblog, or are you able to weblog about journey with out being on the highway always?
- What instruments and tools are vital for operating a profitable journey weblog? Do newbies want to speculate quite a bit to get began?
Plus extra!
Should you’ve ever puzzled how a lot cash journey bloggers actually make, how they receives a commission to journey, or tips on how to begin your personal journey weblog, this interview with Jessie is for you. She’ll break down her journey and share tips about all the pieces from affiliate marketing online to working with manufacturers and tourism boards.
And, should you’re prepared to show your love for journey right into a thriving enterprise, Journey Weblog Prosperity is the proper useful resource for you. Created by Jessie, this membership presents 100+ programs and workshops, and a supportive neighborhood that can assist you develop your weblog right into a worthwhile enterprise. Whether or not you’re a newbie or trying to scale, Journey Weblog Prosperity gives the instruments and methods to make it occur.
Technically, the doorways are closed, however should you use my affiliate hyperlink, you’ll be able to be part of proper now. You too can use coupon code “MAKINGSENSE9” to get your first month for simply $9. After that, it’s $49 per thirty days to remain a member, and you may cancel at any time – even earlier than your trial month is over.
Please click on right here to be taught extra about Journey Weblog Prosperity.
Let’s dive into how Jessie makes $100,000+ annually as a journey blogger, and how one can get began too.
How I Make Cash With A Journey Weblog Enterprise
Really helpful studying: How To Begin a Journey Weblog and Make Cash
1) Inform me your story. Who’re you, and what impressed you to begin 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 assets on-line for solo vacationers, and after going by means of the difficult strategy of planning a 3-month solo backpacking journey by means of Europe, I needed to assist others extra simply plan their very own solo journeys.
Moreover, I needed to create a enterprise that might permit me to proceed touring.
I graduated with my BA/MA in Communication throughout a recession, so jobs had 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 few yr 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 & Tradition (sustainable tourism and tradition weblog) and NYC Picture Journeys (my photograph expertise website that will get most of its reserving by means of 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 by means of 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 defend my enterprise.
Moreover, I monitor what’s working—and what isn’t—so I can alter my methods accordingly.
Lastly, I automate and streamline as a lot as doable, equivalent to by creating gross sales funnels to promote my digital merchandise.
3. Why did you resolve to change into a journey blogger?
Finally, it was my love of journey. I used to be decided to seek out—or create—a job that might permit me to earn a dwelling from anyplace in order that I might preserve 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 an internet journal.
However, I noticed different vacationers—regular individuals who weren’t celebrities—doing it and really getting cash 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 operating a journey weblog?
The power to be my very own boss, receives a commission to be artistic, and journey the world.
Operating a journey weblog means attending to create my very own schedule based mostly on targets I’m enthusiastic about and initiatives I’m enthusiastic about. Moreover, I can work from anyplace on this planet—or select to take break day, as a result of I’m the one approving trip time. 😉
With journey particularly, you’ll be able to select to monetize your journeys, equivalent to by writing weblog posts that include adverts and affiliate hyperlinks or working with sponsors.
Don’t get me mistaken, operating any sort of enterprise, together with a weblog, is tough work; however, there are loads of perks too.
5. What are a few of your favourite locations that you simply’ve traveled to due to your journey weblog?
My favourite place is normally wherever I’ve simply been! 🙂 Just lately, I visited Kyrgyzstan and Tanzania—each of which had been completely unimaginable.
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 primary revenue streams?
I do know journey bloggers incomes nothing and journey bloggers incomes a number of six figures, so it actually relies upon.
For my part, one of many largest errors bloggers make is pondering that writing in itself will finally result in revenue.
Sure, your content material can—and may—be worthwhile; however, to actually earn a dwelling running a blog you want a revenue plan. It’s important to implement income streams, set targets, monitor success, and tweak your technique as wanted.
Constructing on this, a number of the fundamental revenue streams for journey bloggers embrace:
- Online marketing
- Operating adverts (as an illustration, I’m a Mediavine writer)
- Launching services and products
- Working with manufacturers and tourism boards on paid campaigns and press journeys
- Freelance writing and creating content material for manufacturers (whether or not by means of 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 tools are important for operating a profitable journey weblog? Do newbies want to speculate quite a bit to get began?
To start with, I’d suggest investing in good internet hosting with security measures and constant uptime, a light-weight theme with help, and a premium key phrase analysis instrument with the intention to optimize your web site for Search Engine Optimization (search engine optimisation).
As you develop, it’s possible you’ll put money into different instruments, as properly. It simply relies on your technique.
As an illustration, I personally pay for Later to schedule my Instagram posts and plan my feed; nonetheless, I additionally know many bloggers who use Instagram’s native scheduler or publish in real-time without spending a dime.
Additionally, many important instruments are free to begin. As an illustration, you’ll undoubtedly need an e-mail advertising platform, like Mailerlite or ConvertKit, which generally provide free plans to get began.
8. What does your typical work schedule appear to be as a journey blogger? What number of hours every week do you dedicate to sustaining your weblog?
I like to interrupt up my month into 4 weekly “sprints”. These embrace:
- Getting the content material and occasion schedule for my Journey Weblog Prosperity membership (one among my fundamental merchandise) prepared for the next month
- Creating content material and doing outreach to land collaborations and sponsorships
- Creating and scheduling any content material mandatory for my subsequent upcoming progress challenge
- I select one “progress challenge” per thirty days that’s meant to assist me develop my site visitors and/or revenue—equivalent 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, one among my merchandise is my NYC photograph excursions and shoots, which I launched after having so many readers asking me to indicate 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 appears like a reasonably typical workday, although I can take a day without work if I want, transfer issues round, and work from anyplace.
As a journey blogger I additionally journey quite a bit, so some weeks I’m on the highway. As an illustration, I simply bought again from spending two weeks touring round Tanzania.
Whereas touring, I’m not likely on my laptop computer; nonetheless, 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 residence.
9. Is there nonetheless room for brand new journey bloggers to reach such a aggressive area of interest?
Completely, although I’d area of interest down extra than simply “journey”. Actually purpose to construct a enterprise that helps a selected viewers and in a selected means.
As soon as you understand 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 and products to create—as they’ll 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 listing, as I believe that is extra vital than ever. This fashion, you’ll be able to 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 enthusiastic about 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 ideas for newbies?
Don’t overthink pitching. Go into as should you’re having a dialog and sharing an thought for a mutually useful partnership (vs asking the model to offer you one thing).
Earlier than you do that, attempt to pinpoint what you deliver to the desk. Possibly it’s affect, a selected viewers, a artistic content material creation model, or one thing else.
You possibly can 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 begin 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 fundamental matters—usually referred to as “content material pillars” —that you simply’ll create content material round. This may assist you preserve your content material cohesive and construct topical authority. You may even go exhausting 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 then you definitely’ll do key phrase analysis to seek out low-competition key phrases (ie search queries) you’ll be able to 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 vital, I like to recommend implementing a number of different site visitors methods—like Pinterest, Fb, and Flipboard—and constructing an e-mail listing to seize your site visitors and switch one-time guests into repeat readers.
Your e-mail listing may help you develop each your site visitors and revenue, as you’ll be able to 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 vital piece of the technique: monetization.
As talked about above, it’s vital to implement and develop income streams. Then, you should utilize your content material to develop your site visitors to develop your revenue.
As an illustration, you’ll be able to monetize content material instantly by means of affiliate hyperlinks and adverts. Or, if in case you have your personal product, you’ll be able to create content material that might appeal to your ideally suited patrons and get that product in entrance of them.
13. Do you must journey regularly to take care of a profitable journey weblog, or are you able to weblog about journey with out being on the highway always?
It relies on your particular area of interest. As an illustration, should you run a weblog about Paris journey and you reside in Paris, you received’t must journey in any respect.
Nevertheless, should you cowl many locations you’ll need to be sure you’re both touring often otherwise you contract or rent writers who may 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 will not be enthusiastic about their weblog as a enterprise.
Many bloggers merely suppose they’ll optimize their content material for key phrases, develop their site visitors, and monetize with adverts and affiliate hyperlinks.
To actually construct one thing sustainable and long-lasting, I like to recommend enthusiastic about your weblog as an precise enterprise—together with having your personal merchandise/providers—and your content material as a instrument for rising the enterprise.
15. What are the challenges of operating a journey weblog, and the way do you overcome them?
One of many largest challenges for journey bloggers is maintaining with altering algorithms.
As an illustration, within the final yr, we’ve seen a lot of huge Google algorithm updates which have utterly shifted what exhibits 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 way in which their algorithms work.
Due to this, it’s vital to:
- Sustain with adjustments and be adaptable
- Diversify your site visitors and income streams
- Have an e-mail listing, 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 have got? How can it assist journey bloggers? Is that this for brand new bloggers?
Journey Weblog Prosperity is an internet membership devoted to serving to journey and life-style bloggers develop their site visitors and revenue by means of a mixture of schooling, collaboration, and neighborhood help.
When you login, you’ll have rapid entry to 100+ programs and workshops. This contains the Core Curriculum, which takes you from setup to wage and teaches you tips on how to get setup for site visitors and revenue success.
From there, you should utilize the included Running a blog Technique Roadmap to deliver all the pieces collectively and create a marketing strategy for your self.
That will help you construct this out, there are further workshops and trainings that educate methods associated to branding your weblog, rising your site visitors, growing your e-mail subscribers, launching and advertising services and products, rising your affiliate revenue, working with manufacturers and tourism boards, freelance writing, seeing success on social media, scaling with adverts, creating workflows, enhancing productiveness and mindset, and extra.
Plus, there may be a minimum of one new reside workshop taught each single month—replay included.
Different perks embrace a 15-minute onboarding name that can assist 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 presently have over 200 members. It’s a very supportive and nurturing neighborhood that might like to welcome you!
Bonus: As a Making Sense of Cents reader, I’ve bought a particular coupon code so that you can strive Journey Weblog Prosperity out for simply $9 to 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 may cancel at any time—even earlier than your discounted month is over!
You possibly can click on right here to be taught extra about Journey Weblog Prosperity.
Are you curious about beginning a journey weblog?
Really helpful studying:
