How To Start A Travel Blog And Make Money On a Budget
One of the questions I get asked most frequently is, “How do you afford to travel so much?” Today, much of my travel is funded through brand deals and comped hotels, but it wasn’t always this way! When I started, I was traveling without any sponsorships. I’m a firm believer that anyone, regardless of their budget, can start a travel blog and make money if they have passion and drive. Let’s talk about how to start a travel blog AND make money.
How To Start A Travel Blog And Make Money:
Many aspiring travel bloggers believe that travel is too expensive to pursue their dreams. The truth is that you don’t need a huge budget to start a travel blog and embark on exciting adventures. With strategic thinking and cost-effective tools, you can start a travel blog and earn money quickly, create impressive travel content, and connect with others.
Here are seven practical tips to help you run a successful travel blog on a budget, making your travel dreams a reality.
1. Specialize in Local Adventures
When starting your travel blog, focus on exploring and showcasing the hidden gems in your local area. Specializing in local adventures sets you apart and allows you to offer unique insights and experiences.
I live in the New York/Philly area, so I’ve created tons of content centered around the “best of” these areas and worked with local photographers to get some great images right in my hometown. As you grow, you can expand your reach to cover your state or even your country, supporting local businesses and contributing to the economic growth of your region.
Promoting local attractions can also open doors for collaborations with local businesses. They might sponsor your content or pay you to promote their products or services, providing an additional revenue stream for your blog.
2. Use Your Smartphone for Photography
You don’t need an expensive camera to capture stunning travel photos. Modern smartphones offer impressive photography capabilities that can help you start a travel blog and make money without the need for heavy investments.
Most of my photos that grew my Instagram following were national park photos I took on my iPhone. Apps like Adobe Lightroom CC and Photoshop Express can enhance your smartphone photography skills, enabling you to produce high-quality images for your blog and social media channels.
Sharing these photos on social media can attract more followers and potentially lead to sponsorships. As you build your online presence, companies might pay you for social media posts featuring their products or destinations, helping you earn money through sponsored content.
These are the lightroom presets I use!
3. Travel to Less Expensive Destinations
Stretch your travel budget by choosing less expensive destinations. Research budget-friendly options like hostels, affordable flights, and off-peak travel seasons to save money while still enjoying enriching experiences.
For example, I spent many days in the desert during peak heat seasons, when prices were considerably lower than during fall or winter. We went to Zion in the heart of summer—it was hot, but the hotels were cheap!
Traveling to off-the-beaten-path locations can also attract a unique audience interested in exploring unconventional destinations. This niche appeal can boost your blog’s visibility and affiliate marketing potential, allowing you to earn affiliate income by recommending budget-friendly travel options.
4. Look for Web Domain Deals to Start A Travel Blog
While starting on social media is an option, having a website with a proper domain gives you more control over your content. Look for discounted deals from top web domain service providers to save money when purchasing a domain.
I use Bluehost for my website. I signed up when I saw a discount code another blogger posted. Bluehost is one of the most established and well-known hosting brands on the internet. They host over 2 million WordPress sites and are excellent for beginners because their platform is easy to use. Click here to sign up for as little as $2.95/month (this discount deal is only available to my readers through my blog!).
Here is a discount code for Bluehost, the webhost I use! I signed up when I saw a discount code another blogger posted.
Having your own domain makes your blog appear more professional and can help you get accepted into ad networks like Google AdSense, enabling you to earn money from ads displayed on your site.
5. Use Social Media Wisely
Utilize social media platforms to connect with potential readers and promote your travel blog. Choose platforms that align with your target audience and focus on building a presence on one or two networks to maximize your efforts.
Experiment, remain consistent, and learn from your experiences to grow your social media following organically. Successful travel bloggers often use social media to share their latest blog posts, travel tips, and personal stories, creating a strong connection with their audience.
Engage with your followers and network with other travel bloggers to increase your visibility and potential for collaborations. Cross-promotions and guest posts can introduce your blog to a wider audience, helping you grow your following and income streams.
6. Show Your Readers How to Travel on a Budget
Position yourself as a budget travel expert by sharing tips and insights on how to travel affordably. Cover topics such as staying in hostels, finding local eateries, and experiencing destinations like a local.
Offer practical advice and unique recommendations to engage your audience and provide value. By demonstrating how you save money on travel, you can build trust with your readers and inspire them to follow your budget travel tips.
This approach also opens opportunities for affiliate marketing for travel bloggers. You can include affiliate links in your posts to products or services you recommend, earning a commission when readers make purchases through your links.
7. Put Together a Saving Plan for Future Trips
Dream big and plan for bigger trips in the future. Set aside money specifically for your bucket list destinations and consider ways to increase your income, such as negotiating a pay raise or taking on higher-paying freelance clients. Utilize savings features offered by mobile banking apps to help you reach your travel goals.
Creating a detailed savings plan can make seemingly unaffordable trips a reality. By sharing your saving strategies on your blog, you can inspire your readers to follow suit and demonstrate the feasibility of traveling on a budget.
Moreover, planning and saving for future trips can help you manage your finances better, allowing you to continue creating content without financial strain. As your blog grows, diversified income streams, such as affiliate programs and sponsored content, can turn your passion for travel into a full-time income.
8. Monetize Your Blog Through Multiple Income Streams
To maximize your earnings, explore various ways to monetize your blog. Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Affiliate Marketing: Join affiliate programs and promote products or services you genuinely recommend. This can include travel gear, booking platforms, or even financial tools for travelers. You earn a commission on sales made through your affiliate links.
- Sponsored Content: Partner with brands for sponsored content. Companies may pay you to write about their products or services or to feature them in your travel experiences.
- Ad Networks: Sign up for ad networks like Google AdSense to display ads on your blog. You earn money based on the number of ad impressions or clicks.
- Digital Products: Create and sell digital products like travel guides, eBooks, or photo presets. These products can provide a steady stream of passive income.
- Freelance Writing: Offer freelance writing services to travel publications or other blogs. This can be a great way to earn additional income while building your writing portfolio.
- Consulting Services: Use your expertise to offer consulting services to other aspiring travel bloggers. Share your knowledge on blog setup, content creation, or social media growth strategies.
Diversifying your income streams can provide financial stability and enable you to continue traveling and blogging full-time. As you build a reputation as a successful travel blogger, these income sources can grow, allowing you to travel the world and earn money as a travel blogger.
9. Network with Other Travel Bloggers
Connecting with other travel bloggers can open doors to new opportunities. Networking allows you to share experiences, collaborate on projects, and learn from each other’s successes and challenges.
Join travel blogger communities, attend blogging conferences, and engage with fellow bloggers on social media. Building a network can lead to guest posting opportunities, cross-promotions, and valuable insights into the industry.
Networking can also help you stay updated on the latest trends and monetization strategies, ensuring you remain competitive and informed in the ever-evolving world of travel blogging.
10. Invest in Continuous Learning and Improvement
To stay ahead in the competitive field of travel blogging, continuously invest in learning and improving your skills. This can include:
- Taking Online Courses: Enroll in courses on blogging, photography, SEO, and social media marketing.
- Reading Industry Blogs: Stay informed by reading blogs and publications focused on travel blogging and digital marketing.
- Experimenting with New Tools: Try out new blogging tools, plugins, and social media strategies to enhance your blog and reach.
Continuous learning helps you refine your approach, adapt to changes, and discover new ways to grow your blog and income.
Conclusion
Running a successful travel blog doesn’t have to be expensive. By specializing in local adventures, using your smartphone for photography, choosing affordable destinations, leveraging social media wisely, providing budget travel tips, planning for future trips, monetizing your blog, networking with other bloggers, and investing in continuous learning, you can create a thriving travel blog on a budget.
Don’t let financial limitations hold you back from pursuing your passion for travel. Start your blog today, and embark on exciting adventures while inspiring others to do the same. With determination and smart strategies, you can start a travel blog and make money, turning your travel dreams into reality.
s while inspiring others to do the same.
Do you want to start turning your posts into profit?
Not sure how to start getting paid for your posts? Where to start? What to say to brands?
Great tips, going to less expensive places is definitely will help. I don’t have a travel blog yet but would love to start one soon.
Great suggestions! When I first started travel blogging, I was definitely a victim of thinking I had to travel to far off lands to have something to write about so when the pandemic happened and I wasn’t traveling, I thought: do I even have something to write about? Then I realized like you mentioned about all the hidden gems locally and previous trips I’ve taken that I hadn’t written on yet.
Thank you so much for sharing