How I Make $100,000+ Every 12 months With A Journey Weblog

Do you need to discover ways 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 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 the way to 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 spanking new journey bloggers to achieve such a aggressive area of interest?
• Do it is advisable journey incessantly to keep up a profitable journey weblog, or are you able to weblog about journey with out being on the highway consistently?
• What instruments and tools are vital for working a profitable journey weblog? Do rookies want to speculate so much to get began?

Plus extra!

When you’ve ever puzzled how a lot cash journey bloggers actually make, how they receives a commission to journey, or the way to begin your individual journey weblog, this interview with Jessie is for you. She’ll break down her journey and share tips about the whole lot from internet online affiliate marketing 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 right useful resource for you. Created by Jessie, this membership presents 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 seeking 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 may be 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 per 30 days to remain a member, and you’ll 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 start out your journey weblog?

Hello, my identify 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 enable 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 could lead on me. 

Inside a few 12 months I used to be in a position to start incomes a gentle revenue from it, and in the present day 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 in a position to 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 beneath in query #5.

I additionally attempt to diversify my 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 modify my methods accordingly. 

Lastly, I automate and streamline as a lot as doable, resembling by creating gross sales funnels to promote my digital merchandise.

3. Why did you resolve to turn out to be a journey blogger?

Finally, it was my love of journey. I used to be decided to seek out—or create—a job that might enable me to earn a residing from anyplace in order that I may 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 an internet journal.

However, I noticed different vacationers—regular individuals who weren’t celebrities—doing it and truly being profitable writing about their travels on their web sites. I instructed myself that if they may do it, so may I. So I did!

4. What do you get pleasure from most about working a journey weblog?

The power to be my very own boss, receives a commission to be artistic, and journey the world. 

Working a journey weblog means attending to create my very own schedule based mostly on targets I’m captivated with and tasks I’m enthusiastic about. Moreover, I can work from anyplace on this planet—or select to take day off, as a result of I’m the one approving trip time. 😉

With journey particularly, you may select to monetize your journeys, resembling by writing weblog posts that comprise adverts and affiliate hyperlinks or working with sponsors.  

Don’t get me flawed, working any sort of enterprise, together with a weblog, is difficult work; however, there are numerous perks too. 

5. What are a few of your favourite locations that you just’ve traveled to because of your journey weblog?

My favourite place is often wherever I’ve simply been! 🙂 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 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 largest errors bloggers make is considering that writing in itself will finally result in revenue. 

Sure, your content material can—and will—be worthwhile; however, to actually earn a residing running a blog you want a revenue plan. It’s important to implement income streams, set targets, observe success, and tweak your technique as wanted.

Constructing on this, a few of the important revenue streams for journey bloggers embody:

• Internet online affiliate marketing
• Working adverts (as an illustration, 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 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 working a profitable journey weblog? Do rookies want to speculate so much to get began?

To start with, I’d advocate investing in good internet hosting with security measures and constant uptime, a light-weight theme with help, and a premium key phrase analysis device so to optimize your web site for Search Engine Optimization (search engine optimization).

As you develop, it’s possible you’ll put money into different instruments, as nicely. It simply is determined by your technique. 

As an example, 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 free of charge.

Additionally, many important instruments are free to start out. As an example, you’ll positively need an e mail advertising and marketing platform, like Mailerlite or ConvertKit, which usually provide free plans to get began.

8. What does your typical work schedule appear to be 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 important merchandise) prepared for the next month
• Creating content material and doing outreach to land collaborations and sponsorships
• Creating and scheduling any content material essential for my subsequent upcoming progress mission
  • I select one “progress mission” per 30 days that’s meant to assist me develop my visitors and/or revenue—resembling launching a brand new digital product, co-hosting a webinar with an affiliate, participating in a bundle or summit, or implementing a brand new visitors technique
• Overflow week

Moreover, considered one of my merchandise is my NYC photograph 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 after I’m in individual with these purchasers.

Once I’m engaged on the above, my day appears to be like like a fairly typical workday, although I can take a time off if I would like, transfer issues round, and work from anyplace.

As a journey blogger I additionally journey so much, so some weeks I’m on the highway. As an example, I simply obtained 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 spanking new journey bloggers to achieve such a aggressive area of interest?

Completely, although I’d area of interest down extra than simply “journey”. Actually goal to construct a enterprise that helps a selected viewers and in a selected manner.

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’ll all be an extension of your mission.

10. How has your strategy to search engine optimization developed as Google’s algorithms have modified through the years?

I’m lucky that I’ve all the time been targeted on rising and nurturing an e mail record, as I believe that is extra vital than ever. This fashion, you may flip one-time readers into devoted neighborhood members and seize that visitors on an inventory you personal.

Moreover, I like to recommend diversifying your visitors sources in addition to eager 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 rookies?

Don’t overthink pitching. Go into as should you’re having a dialog and sharing an concept for a mutually useful partnership (vs asking the model to present you one thing).

Earlier than you do that, attempt to pinpoint what you convey to the desk. Possibly it’s affect, a selected viewers, a artistic content material creation fashion, or one thing else.

You’ll be able to watch a latest YouTube video I shared for an precise pitch template that I am going over step-by-step beneath:

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 advocate 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 important matters—usually referred to as “content material pillars” —that you just’ll create content material round. This may provide help to hold your content material cohesive and construct topical authority. You would possibly 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 anticipate to be in your weblog—and then you definately’ll do key phrase analysis to seek out low-competition key phrases (ie search queries) you may create content material round and rank for. Beneath is a useful video I made:

Whereas optimizing your web site and content material for search engine optimization is vital, I like to recommend implementing a couple of different visitors methods—like Pinterest, Fb, and Flipboard—and constructing an e mail record to seize your visitors and switch one-time guests into repeat readers.

Your e mail record may also help you develop each your visitors and revenue, as you may 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 use your content material to develop your visitors to develop your revenue.

As an example, you may monetize content material straight by means of affiliate hyperlinks and adverts. Or, you probably have your individual product, you may create content material that might appeal to your preferrred consumers and get that product in entrance of them.

13. Do it is advisable journey incessantly to keep up a profitable journey weblog, or are you able to weblog about journey with out being on the highway consistently?

It is determined by your particular area of interest. As an example, should you run a weblog about Paris journey and you reside in Paris, you gained’t have to journey in any respect. 

Nevertheless, should you cowl many locations you’ll need to be sure you’re both touring repeatedly 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 will not be eager about their weblog as a enterprise. 

Many bloggers merely assume they’ll optimize their content material for key phrases, develop their visitors, and monetize with adverts and affiliate hyperlinks.

To essentially construct one thing sustainable and long-lasting, I like to recommend eager about your weblog as an precise enterprise—together with having your individual merchandise/companies—and your content material as a device for rising the enterprise.

15. What are the challenges of working 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 example, within the final 12 months, we’ve seen quite a lot of huge Google algorithm updates which have fully shifted what exhibits up in Google search outcomes. 

Whereas some blogs grew from this, others misplaced some—and even all—of their visitors. Additionally, some who misplaced 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 repeatedly change the way in which their algorithms work.

Due to this, it’s vital to:

• Sustain with adjustments and be adaptable
• Diversify your visitors and income streams
• Have an e mail record, 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 spanking new bloggers?

Journey Weblog Prosperity is an internet membership devoted to serving to journey and life-style bloggers develop their visitors and revenue by means of a mixture of training, collaboration, and neighborhood help. 

When you login, you’ll have fast entry to 100+ programs and workshops. This contains the Core Curriculum, which takes you from setup to wage and teaches you the way to get setup for visitors and revenue success.

From there, you should use the included Running a blog Technique Roadmap to convey 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 visitors, rising 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 adverts, creating workflows, enhancing productiveness and mindset, and extra. 

Plus, there’s 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 very supportive and nurturing neighborhood that might like to welcome you!

Bonus: As a Making Sense of Cents reader, I’ve obtained 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 spanking 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’ll be able to click on right here to be taught extra about Journey Weblog Prosperity.

Are you curious about beginning a journey weblog?

Really helpful studying: