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What’s the Average Travel Blogger Salary? (+ Income Reports)

How much do travel bloggers make? Let’s take a look shall we? I’ve used my experience and insider intel to work out the average travel blogger salary across the board…

I’m being nosy and have some rare time on my hands so I thought I’d try and work out the average travel blogger salary, just for… research .

To be a paid blogger is now one of the most popular career goals for kids (and adults) in these crazy online times, but how  much can you actually even earn as a travel blogger, really ?

How much does a travel blogger make?

– Be nice to have a strong enough travel blogger salary to get up to the mountains every year, hey?

It’s hard to guess by appearances – if you take Instagram accounts and blog posts as gospel. Sure, holidays, new clothes, cocktails and fancy dinners would usually mean a person was raking it in, but y’know travel bloggers get a lot of this stuff in return for coverage on their blog.

Many holidays are sponsored, clothes are gifted (or ‘borrowed’) and some travel bloggers don’t actually have homes to keep up while they go off gallivanting around the world. 

I’m talking like I’m not one of these travel bloggers, like I’m writing a study of them, but actually, I’m one too. Have been for over nine years now.

Wanna know how much I earn? 

In a minute. Let me guess at the other travel blogger salaries first.

Typical Travel Blogger Jobs

Aka, how does a travel blogger make money?

– I love nosing on travel blogger income reports!

The travel bloggers who make the most have many income streams , I can say that for certain. You can’t just write a travel blog about your thoughts and feelings in a destination and expect the cash to magically come rolling in.

You need to use every ounce of entrepreneurialism you have, every skill, and every bit of knowledge to make travel blogging make money for you. Here are some of the typical ways travel bloggers make money so they can travel the world and get paid for it. 

This is how travel bloggers get their income.

• – Translation
• – Affiliate income
• – Running tours
• – Selling products
• – Running courses
• – Writing courses
• – Presenting
• – Social media management
• – Freelance writing
• – Writing books
• – Marketing

Some of the best travel blogger income reports

One of the best ways to work out how much travel bloggers are earning, is to look at the open and honest income reports around the web. I love how people put this stuff online…

• It’s a Lovely Life March 2018 Income Report – $208,558.17
• Heleneinbetween October 2017 Income Report – $12,026.78
• Living the Dream April 2018 Income Report – $3,984
• WhereverWriter February 2018 Income Report – $3,575.05
• So between $3500 and $209k per month? Niiiice?!

Just to note though, a lot of travel bloggers have an invested interest in leading you to believe they earn more than they actually do. Whether that’s because they’re selling a travel blogging course, a lifestyle, a product or something else.

So just bear that in mind – definitely not saying the travel bloggers responsible for the income reports above do – just, y’know, some people .

Not all travel bloggers earn even close to that much though.

Let’s look at some of the top travel blogger salaries. 

Top earning travel bloggers

Like many industries, in travel blogging there are a few people at the top earning a small fortune, while there are many at the bottom earning just a few dollars a month.

If you’re a travel blogger with a successful course, with affiliates promoting it, a long standing blog, get to work with brands and have over 100k page views a month – the money could be rolling in. 

If you want to know which travel bloggers are earning the most money, check out my friend Kach’s guide over at Two Monkeys Travel.

They’ve compiled a list of the top earning travel bloggers as revealed by the travel bloggers themselves. They’ve listed the top travel bloggers’ income for all to see.

READ MORE: 30+ TRAVEL BLOGGERS EARNING OVER 5,000 USD / MONTH & HOW THEY MONETIZE THEIR BLOGS

– The travel blogger income of some of the top travel bloggers in the world

I think the only British person on that list is Monica from The Travel Hack, apart from the Monkeys, so well done her . She definitely should’ve bought the beers in Finland last month !

These are the kind of travel blogger salary figures you want to emulate hey?

Best travel bloggers earning money

If you want to read more about the top earning travel bloggers, all earning over six figures a year, you can read some of their secrets below.  I scoured some of the top travel blogs for evidence of their finances.

Let’s look at the travel bloggers income reports.

– Caz & Craig make over 6 figures a year over at the super popular family travel blog yTravelBlog.com. – Goats on the Road make over $100,000 / year.  – Johnny Ward is a travel blogger millionaire  and earns $30,000 A MONTH .  – Nomadic Matt makes over $750,000 PER YEAR .

* Just to note, the bloggers have above have entire teams behind them, so they have a lot of spends too. Here’s Matt’s Team for example.

My guesses at travel blogger salaries

So, how much does a travel blogger make per year?

First rule of getting a salary in England is that we don’t discuss the salary. I know what a few of my friends earn, the journalist ones-ish, but even some of my besties I wouldn’t have a clue.

None of my business apparently. 

– How much money can you make as a blogger?

These travel blogger salary guesstimates are based on my own experiences, an insider knowledge of the industry and from what I’ve heard.

1. Started travel blogging in the last three years, a few sources of income and some outside brand presence, at least 100 blog posts = £20,000 2. Travel blogging for a few years, focuses on blog for at least 5 sources of income, works with brands, does it full time = £40,000 3. Travel blogging for a few years, focuses on blog for at least 5 sources of income, plus some sort of successful course or product, does it full time and won’t do anything for free or in return = £60,000 4. Travel blogging since the start, super successful Instagram and / or YouTube presence, numerous sources of income, well known = £90,000 5. Travel blogging since the start, super successful Instagram and / or YouTube presence, numerous sources of income, well known, and American = £100,000+

Practical Wanderlust made $22,000 travel blogging in her first full year , although just $65.07 in her first six months. 

Travel blogger income

The ‘average blogger salary’ is kind of a ridiculous and unmeasurable calculation.. It’d be like saying ‘what does the average singer earn’?

In blogging you have the likes of Zoella reeling in the millions, and then the millions of bloggers worldwide not making a penny. The spectrum of salary has very different ends. 

As for me, with my delightful travel blog? In and around number 2, give or take 10%. I’m British, I can’t talk about my travel blogger salary – my fingertips literally won’t type to reveal the exact amount!

Earning potential of travel bloggers

Travel blogging isn’t like beauty blogging, food blogging or fitness blogging – for most people travel isn’t something they do daily. It’s something they may spend a year or two on, and then it’s back to the once to three times a year when families, jobs and finances get in the way.

This means that travel bloggers sell less through their blogs, but when they do, the value will be higher. They’re more of an information source than other types of bloggers, making it difficult to predict what they earn.

Many travel bloggers work on an affiliate basis, where they will get some sort of kickback if they manage to sell a product through their site, but travel bloggers are inspiration. Even if we do inspire or persuade someone to travel in our footsteps, it might be a year or two until they actually do it. And by then any reference to the fact that it was you who inspired them to go will be erased or forgotten.

Travel bloggers also have to invest a lot to start off, in our travels , before we start making any back. All things to consider if you’re looking at the finances of becoming a travel blogger as a career choice. A travel blogger salary is one thing, but travel blogger expenses are a whole other kettle of fish!

On the flipside though, the earning potential of a travel blogger is totally uncapped .

This excites me greatly.

How much do travel bloggers make?

The harder you work, the more creative you are, the more you think about it, the more you do – the more you can earn. 

Typical travel blogger rates

This is difficult to talk about without naming exact campaigns, bloggers, their audience sizes, and prices – but just to give you an idea…

– Travel blogger earnings totally vary from blogger to blogger

– A friend of mine with around 20k Instagram followers recently went to the launch of a new travel themed food item and was paid £800 to attend and to create an Instagram post on it.  – I’ve worked with different tourist boards for (on average) a week to create social media content, a video and multiple blog posts and been paid between £1000-£2000 a time.  – It’s normal for a travel blogger with an audience size of around 50,000 U/Vs to be paid £500 to do a product review on their blog and receive the product for free. – Travel bloggers can be paid upwards of £200 to takeover a company’s Instagram Stories for the day. – Many bloggers I know wouldn’t even consider going to a destination for a week unless they were paid at least £1000 in return for the content they produce.

But, also, they’re asked, expected and have done, loads of stuff for free.

EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 

One of the most annoying aspects of trying to earn money as a travel blogger, is that you will constantly and repeatedly be asked to work for free. It really is infuriating. 

– Most travel bloggers will plough their earnings back into their travels

7 steps to earning a good travel blogger salary

Many bloggers earning good money from their travel blogs are in that lucky position because they started early, obviously . Their blogs and sites have gained traction from years of hard work and attention online. They deserve their place on the top earning travel bloggers score board.  When it comes to the question of how much do travel bloggers make, they’re making the top dollar.

Don’t let their rich history put you off though, there are still ways to make money as a travel blogger if you start your blog now…

1. Invest your time

You’ll need to be  willing to invest your time , for no financial return. For at least two years I ran my blog as a labour of love and to practice what I was learning at work.

2. Do a highly regarded course

Get ahead and learn as much as possible. It might seem silly to pay when you can get the information online for free, but at least this way it’ll be set out in an easy to follow way, and you can just do the steps.

3. Stand out

There are so many travel bloggers now that it’s no longer enough to just be ‘a travel blogger’, you need to have a niche and some sort of direction. Think of a way to stand out from the crowd to make you the go to person for that topic.

4. Skill up

Be reeeeally good at one thing – photography, writing, Facebook, videomaking etc – and then keep working on everything else. Back up there ^ somewhere, I said how the highest earning travel bloggers have multiple income streams – remember that.

You need to be always learning, always thinking and always executing.

5.  Do cool stuff

The world does not need another  guide to Barcelona , trust me. Have some sort of gimmick, or do cool things, or go to awesome places and do cool things in those places, that no one else does, to really try and stand out.

Do something to write home about. 

6.  Have a business mind

Many travel bloggers are creative, but to make money they need to be business minded too. If you’re serious about making a lot of money from travel blogging then every decision you make needs to be business minded, even if the decision you make for your business isn’t to be business minded to look like some carefree traveller.

Read books, read well written sites, and learn about the professional side of travel blogging to give yourself the best chance.

7. Celebrate the small wins

Congratulate yourself on the small wins. As a travel blogger every day you are working towards building something bigger. You cannot expect to be the highest earning travel blogger in a few months – Nomadic Matt has been working at it for over 13 years, me, nine.

As you slowly build your empire, remember to congratulate yourself when things go right and keep your eye on the bigger picture.

Is it easy to become a travel blogger?

I 100% believe that with hard work, knowledge and enthusiasm you can come and join us mid-earning travel bloggers , earning a decent salary, working from home and travelling for a career.

Once you’ve got that nailed, then you can start thinking about bringing in those glorious six figures. 

How soon will I start earning money from travel blogging?

Anybody else happily accepting that they’re NOT going to make an income from ‘travel blogging’? Regardless of all the inspirational memes you see saying otherwise! ? #traveltribe — Steve Biggs (@biggsytravels) February 17, 2020

I started earning money after about six months – we’re talking a few quid though, not much. It took about three years – could’ve been two but I was reluctant to give up my job – for me to start making a basic full time income of it. My travel blogger salary soon eclipsed what I was earning in my job, and I knew it was time to leave so I could reap the benefits of all the travel I was being offered.

Since then I’ve travelled the world for three years and managed to top up my savings to buy a house by myself through what I’ve earned from my travel blog.

I started my blog in February 2012, back when no one really knew what they were doing and we were just muddling through. Now there are so many courses on how to make money travel blogging, and so much information and many opportunities out there, that with some hard work and a bit of luck you could be earning quicker than I did.

Or, you could set it all up, all gung ho, and then slowly drift away from it once you realise how much hard work it is to maintain. Up to you.

“Most travel blogs will be lucky if they last longer than a year”. –  Expert Vagabond

It’s impossible to say how soon you’ll start earning money from travel blogging, it depends how much work you put in, how much you know and how lucky you are. A travel blogger jobs salary is difficult to pinpoint.

Questions about travel blogger income 

1. What is the salary of a travel blogger? 

A travel blogger income varies from a big fat zero, to over a million a year. The highest earning travel bloggers I know are Nomadic Matt, The Blonde Abroad and Two Monkeys Travel. They’re all earning a blummin fortune! 

2. How do travel bloggers get paid?

Travel bloggers get paid through affiliates, brand partnerships, freelancing in writing or photography and advertising. They can also charge appearance fees, social media fees, and develop courses and speaking fees too. 

3. Can you get paid for travelling? 

Yes, as a travel blogger you can get paid to travel. I am living proof.  

4. Can anybody be a travel blogger? 

No, unfortunately not. No matter what those ads on Facebook tell you. To be a paid travel blogger you need to be resilient, hard working, good at writing and SEO, and have some sort of funds to travel in the first place. 

It takes a lot of hard work to be a travel blogger. 

5. Can you believe travel blog income reports?

I love reading travel blog income reports, but that’s just because I’m super nosey. Seeing how much travel bloggers get paid is very interesting to me, and can also give ideas of how you yourself can earn more in different markets too. I do tend to take travel blog income reports with a pinch of salt though – years in the travel blogger business has taught me you can’t believe everything you read!

Travel blogger salary

Good luck with it all. I hope one day I’ll be writing about you as one of the highest paid travel bloggers in the world. Let me know if you have any questions, and how you get on!

Pin this post on travel blogger salaries for later

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Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

18 Comments

very inspiring, I’m finally making some income after blog post number 47 YAY!

Really interesting post. I remember reading about a travel blogger once who claimed to be earning a certain figure, turns out she had like you said 5 different avenues and another blog which was getting more hits! I’d like to think that one day I’d be earning enough to make a living. I’ve just started it full time so the next year will tell.

Oh good luck! I hope you’ve been ok during this difficult time. To be honest, I take everything I read with a pinch of salt as there’s a lot of exaggeration! I think this year is difficult for us all.

Nice to read and gain more knowledge – no blog yet but thinking about it – and the information helps. Really great for all the pointers

Hi VickyFlipFlopTravels, this content is an encouragement to future bloggers. It is very informative. Thanks for this.

No worries. Interesting to see hey?! I’m happy to say my income has gone up since I wrote this post but it’s been a long road!

Hi Vicky, this article is an encouragement to future bloggers. It is very informative. Thanks

Oh I hope it’s helped inspire you! As we know travel blogging isn’t all about the money, but you’ve got to be able to pay for your flights somehow!

• Pingback: Ways to Earn Money Traveling - CleverLeverage.com

Thank you, very informative. Even though you don’t want to share exact numbers, maybe you could share a range of how much earning you’ve reached at Y+1, Y+2, … ?

You’ve done your research and posted huge amount of travel blogger contents. I’m really a fan of your writing these days. Would you mind if i share this article to my students?

Hello Michel, if it’s just IRL then yeah, sure, share away! If you’re sharing online it’d be great to know where exactly you were sharing it to. Thanks!

Sorry I hadn’t replied earlier Steve, don’t know how I missed that. Are you happy with what you’ve earned? I think there are a lot of people earning a little pocket money from their blogs, which is great. Helps with the costs. I guess it’s only if you plan to pursue it as a full time job that you need to start thinking about how to bring in the big bucks, if you’ve got your main job then there’s no need to put so much pressure on yourself to perform. Just enjoy it!

No worries, I’m glad you found it helpful. So interesting to see what people are actually earning from travel blogging isn’t it?

This is so insightful and pretty thought-provoking! It’s mad to think some bloggers are earning such huge amounts from their sites and videos etc. I think like you say, it’s good to remember they will have started small and done a lot for free!I’m starting to get lots of local attractions for free and glamping stay which I find super exciting!

Oh that IS exciting! I think it makes sense that people are earning so much, when they have such big audiences. Some bloggers’ audiences are bigger than magazines. I think as people have moved to getting their information online the blogger were ahead of the curve. It’s all interesting to watch and observe – I guess we’ll see!

This post is packed with some really fascinating insights. Thanks a lot for writing this!

Let’s start with a low bar 🙂 I’ve been travel blogging purely as an enjoyable sideline to my FT salaried digital analytics career job since the start of 2016. Blog earnings to date = £800. Directly £500 for a video I posted on Jukin Media and £75 for a sponsored blog post … & then indirectly £150 discount off a Stockholm hotel rate and a £75 free tour in Paris (both of which I was going to pay full price for anyway). £0 so far from my Amazon affiliate links.

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How Travel Bloggers Make Money: 17 Proven Strategies in 2024

WONDERING HOW DOES A TRAVEL BLOGGER MAKE MONEY?

As a profitable travel blogger — I made $272,569 from blogging in 2022 🤯 — this article shines a light on how to make money as a travel blogger.

The most well-known ways of making money online include affiliate marketing, advertisements, and press trips.

👩‍💻  If you’re serious about making money from a travel blog, I highly recommend taking a course . Head here for info on the  best travel blogging courses . If you want to read a full review about the best one I’ve done,  head here .

Still, in an increasingly content-driven society, there are more ways to make money through travel blogging popping up every day. So, if you are wondering how to make money from a travel blog , you are in the right place.

Here are 17 of the most common ways to make money travel blogging, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get creative within the business of travel blogging.

17 Ways Travel Bloggers Make Money

1. creating quality content  — a lot of it.

Quality content is essential for a successful travel blog.

As the saying goes, “content is king 👑,” and travel bloggers understand the importance of this like no other. 

If you are wondering how to start travel blog and make money, this is where you should start. 

🤔 how to generate page traffic

Travel bloggers who make a lot of money understand search intent, keyword research, and SEO optimization pe to ensure their content reaches the right audience and generates traffic.

Without traffic, there is no monetization. So when it comes to how much money can you make from a travel blog, the more quality content you have, the more potential money you can earn. 

To create quality content that will bring in the most revenue, travel bloggers should learn the ins and outs of keyword research, SEO optimization, and email marketing to connect with their niche audience.

How Travel Bloggers Make Money

2. ad networks.

After creating lots of content, how do travel bloggers get paid?

One of the most common ways to make money through travel blogging is by joining an ad network.

Ad networks act as a middleman between the advertiser and the publisher (the travel blogger).

By signing up with an ad network, travel bloggers can easily place ads on their travel blogging websites. How much do travel bloggers get paid depends partially on each pageview.

🏆 popular ad networks

Three of the most well-known Ad Networks are Mediavine, Adthrive, and SheMedia, but these higher-paying ad networks have a minimum traffic requirement to be accepted into the program. For example;

• Adthrive – 100,000 monthly pageviews
• Mediavine – 50,000 monthly sessions
• SheMedia – 20,000 monthly pageviews

If you are a smaller travel blogger, there are other ad networks, Google Adsense and Ezoic , that don’t require a minimum amount of traffic, but you will find the ePMV (pay per 1000 pageviews) is much lower. 

Now, it was a lot of hard work, and I invested in travel blogging courses so I could get on these ad networks. (The best course I took was Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures — and yes, I have scaled to multiple six figures.)

3. Affiliate Marketing  

Affiliate marketing is when a travel blogger promotes another company’s products or services and receives a commission every time someone purchases the product/service through their link.

It’s one of the most lucrative strategies for how to get paid as a travel blogger, and the highest-paid travel bloggers usually credit this as their most profitable income stream. 

Many travel companies like DiscoverCars, Booking.com , SafetyWing , Expedia , Get Your Guide , and Viator have excellent affiliate programs.

👩🏻‍💻 I teach bloggers how to find keywords with big potential to earn affiliate income in my  How to Find Affiliate Marketing Keywords Class . You can read more about my class in this  Best Courses for Travel Bloggers  article.

Once accepted into an affiliate program, bloggers place links in their blog posts leading back to products/services.

These links have cookies 🍪 that follow the user to the company’s website, and the blogger receives a commission if the user purchases something on the website. 

These cookies can last anywhere from one session to one year. 

For those wondering how to become a successful travel blogger, how to monetize a travel blog, or how to become a travel blogger with no money, affiliate marketing is often the quickest and most lucrative method for how to get paid to travel blog.

🤔 How much do I make with affiliate marketing?

A lot — Using a combination of the companies listed above, my affiliate income in 2022 was $163,706 .

💡 Note: Affiliate marketing is based on trust, so it’s essential only to promote products and services you have personally used or would recommend anyway. Your audience is WAY more likely to purchase the product or service if they trust you.

4. Paid Press Trips 

Paid Press trips are another typical result when googling how to earn money from travel blog.

A paid press trip is when a travel company or destination pays a blogger to visit a location and create content around it.

This arrangement usually involves posting on social media multiple times throughout the trip and writing a blog post about the experience upon returning.

🤔 How do TO get press trips for travel bloggers?

Typically, when you go on a press trip, you’ll receive free accommodation, meals, activities, and transportation costs in return for your services. You can also receive monetary compensation on top of that.

These opportunities can be hard to find if you’re a new blogger. They are generally reserved for more famous travel bloggers, as companies prefer to work with bloggers with a large social media following and lots of website page views.

To get started with press trips, connect with tourism boards or local businesses in the area you wish to visit. You should also create a media kit that details your blog’s statistics and potential reach when making a pitch.

So, if you are wondering: how to get free trips as a travel blogger , then press trips are definitely the way to go. But remember, it’s work too, so make sure the exchange is fair

5. Ambassadorship 

Ambassadorship programs are when companies give travel bloggers free products or services in exchange for promoting them. This benefit could be anything from a free hotel stay to free travel gear or clothes.

In exchange, bloggers usually need to post about the brand or product on their social media channels and their blog – every agreement is different. 

To become a brand ambassador, research companies that fit your niche and contact them directly.

📝 Pro Tip : Create content around a specific brand before contacting the company. This content will show the brand that you are serious and will give them an example of the quality content they would get by working with you.

6. Sponsored Posts 

Sponsored posts are articles a travel blogger (or another person/company) writes about a particular product, experience, or service in exchange for payment.

These deals involve either the blogger or a third-party person writing an honest and unbiased review of the item/experience while providing their opinion, usually in favor, and a personal recommendation to readers. 

How much do travel blogs make from sponsorships? It depends. 

Companies typically pay bloggers per post or negotiate a monthly rate based on website traffic.

To get started with sponsored posts, you’ll want to create a media kit and outreach to brands in your niche. You can also join influencer networks such as TapInfluence (IZEA) to promote your services.

📝 Note: If you do a sponsored blog post, it’s essential for SEO to mark it as a sponsored post on the back end of your website and check that all links are no-follow.

7. Sponsored Links 

Sponsored links are a type of affiliate marketing , but instead of getting paid for clicks or purchases, you get paid for each link you place on your website.

Initially, this is hard to do, but if you have any popular blogs that make money, these deals are relatively easy to score.

Bloggers can use banner ads and hyperlinks or include the links in their email marketing campaigns.

🤔 how bloggers make money from sponsored links 

Generally, brands will reach out to bloggers ranking for keywords for which their company meets the demand. 

So, if you are ranking for the keyword “Renting a Car in Miami,” car rental agencies may reach out and ask if they could pay to place a link to their company within your post.

You can also contact those companies directly and ask if they would be interested in promoting their business on your blog post. 

Note: Again, for any sponsored links, it is very important that this like is marked No-follow and Sponsored. Make this clear when agreeing to sponsored links.

8. Organizing & Hosting Trips 

Organizing and hosting trips for your readers is an excellent way to nail down how to be a travel blogger and make money on your travel blog.

This monetization method involves researching destinations, choosing accommodations, planning activities, and setting up travel itineraries to places you have been and are familiar with. 

Some bloggers simply set up itineraries and help people plan their trips, but others will host the holiday themselves.

People love this because they get to travel with an expert who knows all the best tips and tricks for enjoying a destination to its fullest.

✈️ how to organize trips

The best way to find people interested in traveling with you is through your email list. These people already like you, trust you, and have taken action on your blog in the past.

You can charge a fee that covers the cost of their trip, a portion of your trip, and compensation for your time. You can also use your affiliate links to make bookings for the group and receive extra commission.

⚠️ Remember to always make sure all your attendees have travel insurance!

9. Selling Travel Photos or Videos 

If you’re a talented photographer or videographer, another strategy for how to make money travel blogging is by selling your travel photos or videos.

It’s possible to work directly with companies for their marketing campaigns, but an easier way to break into selling travel photos is with stock images.

📷 where travel bloggers Can contribute images

You can become a contributor on stock image websites like Shutterstock , iStock , and Foap . Other people can purchase and use your image royalty-free, and then you earn a commission for each image sold/downloaded. 

Or, you can also start your own online store to sell digital downloads of pictures, video clips, and even physical prints that people can buy directly from your website.

10. Monetize Your Social Media 

A website is usually the most significant income stream, but how do travel bloggers make money on social media? If you have a large social media following, you can absolutely use it to make money.

It usually involves ambassadorships and sponsored content . We have already touched on this, but creating content specifically for brands or companies and getting paid to post it on your social media channels is a great way to make money.

Whenever you post sponsored content, it’s essential to be transparent. Mark the post as sponsored and if you can use hashtags like sponsored or ad, so everyone knows the brand paid for the content.

11. Monetizing a YouTube Channel

Another way to make money as a professional travel blogger is by starting a YouTube channel and vlogging (video blogging) about your experiences.

I don’t personally have a YouTube channel, but I know a ton of travel vloggers who make a living from their travel videos. It’s a great way to earn income if you’re wondering how to make a travel blog and make money.

📷 how bloggers can make money on YouTube

Travel blogs that make money on YouTube do so through sponsorships and allowing ads to play in their videos.

The catch is you must be a part of the Youtube Partner Program to begin monetizing your channel, which requires at least 500 subscribers and either 3,000 watch hours in the previous 365 days or 3 million shorts views over the previous 90 days.

At least three public uploads in the last 90 days are also required.

12. Monetizing a Travel Podcast 

Podcasting is hard work. I know firsthand from when I started travel blogging podcasting with my podcast, Dream To Destination , in 2020.

But I also learned one of the best travel blogger tips: podcasts help your reach and domain authority. Plus you can make money with a travel podcast.

Podcasts have become extremely popular over the last few years for many reasons. People love to listen to their favorite hosts talk about their experiences and discuss the world of travel with experts from various fields.

I wrote a detailed guide, How to Start a Travel Podcast for Free (Like I Did) , so if you want a deep dive into this topic, you can check it out.

You can monetize your podcast similarly to how you monetize travel blogs, including advertisements and leaving affiliate links & promo codes in the description.

Then, if your podcast is successful enough, you may find sponsorships from travel companies who want to feature their products or services on your show.

If you don’t mind public speaking, this is an excellent option, but it also has one of the highest upfront costs since most people need to buy recording equipment before they can begin.

13. Selling Digital Projects 

Selling digital products is an excellent way for travel bloggers to monetize their content.

By creating digital products such as eBooks, printable travel planners, travel guides with travel tips, courses, and calendars, bloggers can earn a steady passive income stream from the sales of these items.

You can feature these products on your site, but highlighting them in your email list can be much more profitable. That’s because you already have a grasp on what your audience enjoys.

Digital products are great because you create them once, and then you can set up systems to sell them passively with hardly any additional work or product creation (although updating/optimizing these products regularly will increase sales)

Many bloggers use platforms like Canva to create their digital products quickly and easily; although the free version may be sufficient for some, the paid version is well worth the $13 USD per month. ▶︎ Sign up for Canva here .

Then for processing the sale of the product, I love using Gumroad and ThriveCart .

14. Selling Merch 

Selling merchandise is another strategy to get income from and have travel blog success.

You could sell anything from t-shirts and hats with your logo to reusable water bottles and notebooks. You can also create custom artwork with your logo or quotes from your blog to put on stickers or patches.

Bloggers also use their merchandise in giveaways to help build their email list or social media following.

While dipping your toes into selling physical products is a big step, there are ways to do it these days that require very little overhead with services like Printful , which will handle the printing and shipping for you.

15. Developing Travel-Related Products

If you’ve been blogging for a while and have become a successful travel blogger, you can consider creating your own product or service.

You could create an online course teaching people how to start their own travel blog or how to be a travel blogger on Instagram. You could even design custom itineraries for clients with specific interests. Be creative with it!

It’s important to understand that creating your own product or service requires more effort than other ways of making money as a travel blogger, but it can be very rewarding to provide personal coaching or travel planning for your audience. 

16. Offer VA Services

If you’re comfortable working with clients, becoming a virtual assistant (VA) is another great option for monetizing your travel blog.

It’s also a great way to continue growing your blogging skills since you will be working in close quarters with bloggers who are already successful.

VAs are in high demand and provide services like social media management, website maintenance, content writing/editing, email marketing, and more.

The great thing about this approach is that it allows you to be flexible with your schedule and work from anywhere. You can also choose which clients to take on, your working hours, and your location.

Rates vary depending on your experience and the client’s needs, but if you have been running your own blog for a couple of years, you probably have all the necessary skills to be a great VA.

You can then start to look for clients through job boards like Upwork , Freelancer , and Fiverr, but the best way to find gigs is to join Facebook blogging groups and offer your services.

17. Freelance Writing 

Freelance writing is one of the most popular travel blogger jobs for anyone who is at the beginning of their blogging journey.

It involves ghostwriting for other bloggers and businesses who are trying to publish a lot of content on their websites (typically more than they have time to write themselves). 

You will need to write from the perspective and in the voice of your client, as well as know how to write an SEO-optimized blog post to be a great freelance writer. 

👩🏻‍💻 freelance writing enhances your skills

The best part is that if you’re a current blogger, you already write a travel blog and therefore have a resume for freelance writing.

A travel blogger who sees and loves your blog is likely to hire you over another candidate because they want you to do the same for them.

Writing is one of the most popular ways travel bloggers make money before their own blog has an income high enough to sustain themselves. 

You can find freelance writing jobs on job boards such as ProBlogger , Fiver , and Contently , or you can also contact bloggers directly and ask if they have any writing projects available.

How much can you earn from a travel blog?

The sky’s the limit when it comes to making money through travel blogging. There is no set travel blogger salary. It’s similar to asking how much artists make – while some may become millionaires, others are content with a small Etsy shop. 

Successful travel bloggers achieve a high income by taking the proper steps toward monetizing their blogs. This travel blogger success often comes through coaching and courses that specialize in becoming a successful travel blogger. 

Making money from a travel blog is a lot of work, so successful bloggers regularly invest in learning to optimize their blog for SEO, learn affiliate marketing, and use their skills as leverage to score partnerships & freelancing opportunities.

What’s the average travel blogging salary?

Some bloggers have provided yearly income reports of over 1 million dollars, while others only make a couple hundred dollars each year.

 Since most bloggers do not disclose their travel blog salary, it’s hard to know the average travel blogging salary.

🏆 Here are My Blogging Stats

• I made $ 272,175 USD in 2022.
• I made $40,106 USD from blogging in December 2022 — $24,151 from affiliate marketing, $9,382 from ads on my site, and $6,572 selling my own products, like this Affiliate Marketing course .
• My main website (not this one) received 205,000+ page views in December 2022, and more than 2.6 million page views in 2022.
• Want to know how I did it? Join my email list , where I share tips on how I make such a crazy amount of money after just 2.5 years of blogging.

How to Become a Travel Blogger

Like most things, I believe there’s a right and wrong strategy for how to start a travel blog and make money.

If you want to learn how to become a travel blogger and make money, I highly suggest investing in a travel blogging course with step-by-step instructions so you start it off right.

The best blogging course I’ve done is Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures — and I’ve done quite a few courses .

There is a system to travel blogging success, and you either know the system or you don’t. 

You’re either writing SEO-optimized content with high volume, low competition keywords that will rank on Page 1 of Google, or no one will see your content. In fact, stats say only 25% of users even go to Page 2 of Google.

Through travel blogging courses, I learned that how to become a travel blogger and get paid means I need to write the articles that people want to read, not just the articles I want to write.

I learned how to get my content on Page 1 of Google with search engine optimization (SEO) — in fact, that’s likely how you found this article!

The way I see it, you can spend time, or you can spend money.

You can either spend your time trying to find good free content, which could take years and still not pan out, or you can pay a professional to learn what they’re doing, so you can simply replicate their success.

Ready to invest in a travel blogging course? 👉 Head here to see the best ones!

How Travel Bloggers Make Money: FAQs

Ready to make money blogging? Here are some frequently asked questions about how much does a travel blogger make and how to earn money from travel blog. Ready?

How much money can you make as a travel blogger?

There is no ceiling to how much money you can earn. Travel bloggers can make anywhere between zero and seven figures, depending on their monthly traffic, the products/services they recommend, and how well their affiliate links convert to customers.

Do travel blogs really make money?

Yes — travel blogs really do make money through various sources like affiliate marketing, joining ad travel blogger networks, selling digital products, and paid sponsorships. 

It takes dedication and hard work to build up an audience and monetize your blog, but it can make you a lot of money over time.

Who is the highest-paid travel blogger?

It’s hard to know who the highest paid travel bloggers are, but some of the top travel bloggers like Matt Kepnes (Nomadic Matt) , Dave & Deb (The Planet D) , Kiersten (The Blonde Abroad) likely make upwards of $100 000 per month from their travel blog and services.

Is it hard to make money as a travel blogger?

Making money as a travel blogger is hard work. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and it often takes a couple of years before you have an established travel blog making a lot of money. 

However, with the right strategy, it is absolutely possible. The best way to speed up the process is by hiring an experienced blogging coach like me — I offer 1 on 1 coaching services.

Is it too late to start a travel blog?

No — It’s never too late to start a travel blog. The travel space is constantly evolving, and there are always new opportunities for aspiring bloggers. 

Established blogs are better positioned for gaining traffic and making money from their blog, but there are millions of keyword opportunities, and new bloggers rank #1 on Google every day!

How Much Do Travel Bloggers Make: Income Report Roundup

How much do travel bloggers make with their blogs? As this question is often on the minds of aspiring bloggers and marketers, we’ve gathered a roundup of 12 income reports from small to top-earning travel blogs. Keep reading to learn about the most efficient ways to make money from your travel blog and understand how much time you need to dedicate before you start seeing results.

How Much Does a Travel Blogger Make?

Blogging is becoming so popular because it offers unlimited earning potential. Some travel bloggers are known to make six and seven figure incomes every month. Naturally, it takes a lot of time to grow such a revenue stream, but even newbies can start making money after a few months of dedicated work.

In fact, the income potential of a blog depends on several factors, such as your niche and topic, the number of blog posts, content quality, monetization strategies, and more. However, some bloggers do not think about ways to make money with a travel blog when starting out, so it takes them longer to receive their first earnings.

In this post, we will look at the income reports of renowned bloggers, discuss how long it takes to start making money with a blog, and share tips on how to earn a decent revenue faster.

Travel Blogger Income Reports

Below, we have gathered 12 income reports from travel bloggers from all walks of life. You can see their monthly income, blog age, and niche to understand the full scope of earning opportunities.

How Long Does It Take To Start Earning Money From Travel Blogging?

Research indicates that, on average, bloggers start earning money after 24 months of work and are able to convert their blog into a full-time income stream within four to five years. The exact time you need to spend blogging before generating your first earnings depends on many factors, including your niche, traffic sources , the offers you promote, and more.

Notably, your niche is not often the main factor that determines your success. While there is research that compiles the most and least profitable blogging topics, you can find ways to make money in each and every niche, as long as you share valuable content and monetize it correctly.

If you want to start making money quickly, you need to dedicate enough time to your blog, but also spend that time efficiently. Blogging for 10 hours per week can bring you more earnings than blogging for one hour per week; however, what you do during these hours is no less important.

There are several monetization strategies that you can use to monetize your blog . To learn about the most profitable strategies, watch this video from Travelpayouts Academy.

Earning Potential of Travel Bloggers

How much do travel bloggers make on average? The graph below presents the typical monthly income based on each blog’s age. You may expect to earn about $1,000 per month after one year of blogging. However, some bloggers start earning within the first six months of work and turn blogging into a full-time career within two years.

Fortunately, you don’t always need to spend 10 years blogging before you start earning $3,000 per month. Amy Fillinger earns over $4,000 per month, but only started her blog four years ago. Adam Enfroy is one of the greatest examples of how to make money online, as he earns over $200,000 per month. You can find more inspiring income reports from top travel bloggers at this link .

Tips on How to Earn a Decent Travel Blogger Salary

Blogging is a great way to earn money online. You can start a blog as a side hustle or try to grow your blog into a full-time venture. In any case, you will benefit from developing a particular skillset that will help you stand out in the blogging niche and build a loyal community around your website. Below, you will find a few crucial factors that are behind the success of almost every blog.

Invest Your Time

It is only common sense that the more time you dedicate to blogging, the more results you can achieve. Time plus hard work and discipline will help you create an awesome blog.

The necessary time varies according to many factors, but consistent posting will surely draw in an audience faster. Readers will know that they always have new posts to look forward to when they visit your blog and, if the materials are trustworthy, you will grow your authority in your niche. Regular SEO and marketing efforts will also help grow your blog much faster than occasional promotions.

You should also invest time into analyzing your audience . Try to understand who your ideal reader is, what interests and pain points they have, and how you can bring value to them. This will help you develop an efficient content marketing strategy .

If you want to grow a large community around your blog, you need to learn how to stand out from the crowd. Make sure to reflect upon your personal qualities to develop a unique product. For example, you may be a very dedicated person for whom it will be easy to create a blog with in-depth materials on your topic. Or you may be very sociable, in which case, networking can be to your advantage in contrast to other aspiring bloggers.

To better understand the market, be sure to analyze your competitors and research your niche. This will allow you to notice content gaps and find better ways to target your audience. Then, try to develop an approach based on your unique personality, interests, and the existing market demand.

Learn New Skills

Blogging is one of those fields that is changing all the time, so to stay afloat, you will need to remain up-to-date on the blogging field and beyond. Networking will help you share experiences and learn from other bloggers, while finding opportunities for cross-promotion and growth.

SEO is of utmost importance for every blogger these days. Search is one of the most reliable and sought-after traffic sources. So, to grow a blog, you will need to master search engine optimization.

Other important skills for every blogger include writing and editing, marketing, analytical skills, as well as design and photo/video editing. Don’t worry if you are inexperienced, you will you’re your expertise along your blogging journey. To master some of these skills, join Travelpayouts Academy to take free courses from niche experts on SEO, marketing, and other important aspects of blogging.

Learn Financial & Business Skills

Every business needs accountability to stay afloat, so developing a financial skillset is highly beneficial and can prevent you from making unreasonable decisions and investments.

For example, to set achievable goals, you need to plan your budget and understand what opportunities are available to you. Earning money from a travel blog also requires proper accounting, as you will have to pay taxes on your earnings. To widen their reach, many bloggers leverage advertising. If you choose to take this route, you will also need to calculate how much budget you can dedicate to generating paid traffic .

Can Anybody Become a Travel Blogger?

Travel blogging is a multi-million dollar industry that you can join from anywhere in the world. It’s not rocket science. Passion, discipline, and a well-developed roadmap will allow you to reap major benefits. So, yes, anybody can become a travel blogger if they are ready to dedicate time and effort. But you do need a good strategy and support along the way. To gain access to some of the best travel brands, promotional tools, and expert advice, join Travelpayouts and start earning with travel affiliate programs today!

How Travel Influencers Make Money? 9 Strategies

• Post author: Cyrus Nambakhsh
• Post published: June 6, 2022
• Post category: Influencer Marketing

Page Contents

Travel is one of the most popular hobbies for people all across the globe. People love to go on new adventures and see new places, and many of them turn to travel influencers . 

These bloggers usually have a lot of experience traveling and can share their knowledge with their followers in a way that makes it easy to understand. They also tend to have a lot of interesting stories to tell, which can make their followers want to travel as well.

There are many ways for travel influencers to make money while traveling. In this article, you will get to know some of the most popular strategies to make money as a travel influencer and find out about other travel bloggers’ salaries. 

But first, let’s see who you can call a travel influencer!

What is a travel influencer?

For many, it can be difficult to figure out where to start when planning a trip. That’s where travel influencers come in. 

Travel influencers focus on creating content about traveling, tourism and culture by sharing their experiences on social media, writing articles, or even creating videos. 

They usually partner up with airlines, travel agencies, tour companies, and local businesses on said destinations. This helps travel-related brands boost their brand awareness and reach their target market.

By using your skills and knowledge to help others enjoy travel, you can become a well-paid influencer. 

There are many different strategies to help you make money as a travel influencer, so find out what works best for you.

Before we jump into strategies, there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to make money as a travel influencer:

• It’s important to have a strong social media presence.
• Focus on promoting unique or interesting destinations that haven’t been heavily advertised yet.
• Be sure to produce high-quality content that is informative and engaging.

9 Strategies to get paid as a travel influencer and travel around the world

1. brand partnerships.

Brand partnerships offer travel bloggers a chance to collaborate with some of the world’s most well-known brands. These partnerships can range from small deals where the brand provides content or a discount on products to full-blown sponsorship agreements that give bloggers access to special events, tours, and more.

Collaborating with a brand can help increase blog traffic, build an audience of loyal followers, and of course have a great impact on a travel influencer salary.

For travel influencers who make money from brand partnerships, it’s not as simple as it may sound. It requires negotiating with a brand, clarifying exactly what the expectations are and when those are due to be delivered. 

Networking and selecting brands that are a good fit for your followers is a daunting task. Influencer marketing platforms play an important role here. 

Ainfluencer is an influencer marketplace that connects brands and influencers 100% FREE with no hidden fees. You can sign up as an influencer in your niche and be discovered by many brands and get the most related offers.

2. Run a Travel Blog

If there’s one thing travel bloggers know, it’s that having a great blog is essential for promoting your trips. Whether you’re documenting your travels with photos and videos, or writing about the places you visit and the people you meet, a blog can be a powerful way to connect with potential travelers and increase brand awareness .

The following five tips will help you get started as a travel blogger: 

• Choose a niche that interests you. There are many different travel blogging niches, so find one that intrigues you and focus on writing about it. 
• Get organized. Keep all of your travel documentation in one place, such as airline tickets, hotel reservations, and photos.

If you have a knack for writing and good photography skills, then you could try selling advertising space on your site or working with travel companies to promote their products.

3. Freelance Photography and Videography

Freelance photography is a vital part of any travel blogger’s path. Not only does it give you the opportunity to explore new places and capture amazing shots, but it can also be a great way to supplement your income. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, there are many ways to market your work and make some extra cash.

Check out this video by Lost LeBlanc, a famous travel blogger and videographer giving practical tips on how to improve your videography skills while creating travel content.

4. Become An Affiliate Marketer

As a travel blogger, it is important to get your content out there as widely as possible. One not so risky way to do this is affiliate marketing . 

In fact, affiliate marketing is a safe way to increase a travel influencer’s salary.

By linking to products or services that you think your audience may find useful, you can earn a commission on sales generated. 

This can help cover the costs of your travel blogging activities and give you the financial security to continue writing about your favorite destinations. However, it is important to be careful about how you use affiliate links. 

Only include affiliate links where they are relevant and helpful to your audience.

There are so many brands that would love to have a travel blogger on board. From big brands such as Airbnb to local businesses such as coffee shops or restaurants, there’s something for everyone interested in trying out this exciting niche. 

5. Advertising

If you are a travel blogger who owns a YouTube channel or a blog, you can monetize your passion by using ads. Initially, it can seem out of place to add advertising to your website, as you assume that nobody desires to see it.

Currently, ad networks have extremely accurate quantum key intelligence, so the ads on your website relate directly to you, your content, and your audience.

6. Sponsored Content

Many travel bloggers are now turning to sponsored content as a way to make money. Sponsored posts are when a blogger agrees to write about a product or service in exchange for money, gifts, or paid travel. 

It’s a common way for brands to reach out to bloggers, and it can be a lucrative source of income, as many brands will pay travel bloggers to write about their products or services. 

Sponsored content can also be a great way for bloggers to network and build relationships with potential employers. For example, in this post, Jennifer Tuffen known as izkiz is promoting a hotel in Turkey and capturing every moment while staying there.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Tuffen (@izkiz)

7. Develop courses 

As a travel blogger, you can develop courses to teach others how to travel the world like a pro. By teaching others how to save money on flights, hotels, and other expenses, you can help them travel more cheaply and enjoy the experience more. 

You can access many courses created by pro travel bloggers on YouTube and Udemy .

8. Copywriting

One of the most popular and well-paid income streams for travel influencers is copywritng. Traveling exposes you to different cultures and lifestyles, making it the perfect fodder for you to write for travel and tourism companies and get paid.

Create a ‘work with me‘ section on your blog to make sure people know that you’re in the market for work and you are open to new opportunities.

9. Consulting

Offer to consult in your area of expertise either to your audience or companies. Providing one on one or group sessions at a set hourly rate is possible in person or remotely via video conference. 

It’s not always just consulting your clients on how to become an influencer , but also travel planning for clients, photography and videography, or even influencer marketing.

How much do travel bloggers make?

A report released by Hopper has cleared travel bloggers’ salaries and the money travel influencers make per sponsored post. 

Whether it’s promoting a hotel or a product, there’s big money to be made in exchanging a photo and an Instagram post or Story.

With anywhere from 1M to 4M followers, these influencers can make up to $31,000 per post. If they post just one sponsored photo per week, adds up to $1.6 million over a year. 

That’s pretty much good money, right?

In May 2022, another report by Ziprecruiter clarified that the average annual travel blogger salary in the United States is $63,173 a year.

While is seeing annual salaries as high as $126,500 and as low as $16,500, the majority of travel blogger salaries currently range between $34,500 to $90,500 with top earners making $110,500 annually across the United States.

The average range for a travel blogger’s salary varies greatly based on skill level, location, and years of experience.

Most people are nosy about how travel influencers make money for their time away from home!

As you read in this blog, Travel influencers make money in a variety of ways, and a travel influencer’s salary can vary based on the skills, popularity, and the relationship built with the audiences.

But the point is not to concentrate on only one source of revenue, which is always risky. 

Select multiple revenue streams on which to focus. Keep on testing new ideas, and give new revenue streams a chance as you never know which is best for you and your audience.

If you are interested in becoming a travel influencer, then start by creating content that is high quality and engaging. Then reach out to brands and other businesses who may be interested in working with you.

Travel blogging Brand partnerships Affiliate links Advertising Developing courses Freelance Photography and Videography Copywriting Sponsored posts Consulting

Murad Osmann, one of the top 3 travel Influencers by Forbes, is among the high-paid travel influencers.

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Cyrus Nambakhsh

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Travel Blogging Salaries: How Much do Travel Bloggers Make?

Oct 16, 2023 | Blog , Featured-4 , Travel Affiliate Guides

Do you wonder how much money travel bloggers make? Are you considering a career move into travel writing full-time or wondering if you can make some money through the travel blog you created as a hobby? Maybe you’re just curious how your favorite travel bloggers sustain their glamorous lifestyles. Is it possible to make a living by just writing about travel?

Multiple Ways to Earn Income as a Travel Blogger

Travel blogging is not a one-size-fits-all career, nor is the compensation. In this piece, we’ll look at three different forms of travel blogging and provide income ranges for each. These are not the only ways to earn money as a travel blogger, but they help illustrate how compensation varies based on factors like who you’re writing for (yourself or someone else) and prior writing experience.

Our goal is to show that, while not everyone can expect free trips around the world in exchange for a few Instagram posts, there are ways to monetize a passion for exploration and high-quality writing. If you’re inspired to write by the time you finish reading, let this post be a starting point for continued research.

Path #1 – Blogging for other companies

Today, most companies recognize the value of having a blog and have invested resources to build authority on specific topics through this channel. Travel companies often use their blogs to offer customers a more authentic and personal perspective on their products or services. 

Writing for a travel company blog provides a high level of financial stability and regularity of work because it is the most traditional of the three pathways we’ll discuss. A travel blogger is a company employee and receives the same benefits and job security as a worker in any other department. 

In exchange for stability, writers usually have less control over their subject matter and the overall creative process. The blog is a marketing tool for the company, not a platform for a writer to express their opinions.

Income ranges:

According to Glassdoor, the salary range for a Travel Writer * in the United States is $51,000 – $86,000, with an average salary of $66,000. This figure varies slightly from city to city. Below, we provide the breakdown for the top 5 metropolitan areas in the United States.

*Someone who writes full-time for a company’s blog usually has the title “Writer” or “Copywriter.” To provide the most accurate comparisons in this post, we collected Glassdoor data on “Travel Writers” as a proxy for “Travel Bloggers.”

Path #2 – Freelance travel blogging

Freelance travel bloggers are hired as needed to complete writing assignments for travel companies or publications. These bloggers often work for multiple companies and can choose which projects they will work on. In most cases, they can use their own writing style and voice and receive credit for writing in their piece’s byline. Freelancers create and manage their own schedules, and their workflow is constrained only by the requirements of the brief and submission deadlines. 

Like other freelance professions, travel bloggers must proactively seek paid writing opportunities. Self-promotion and relationship-building are as important to a freelancer’s success as the writing itself. Freelancers use portfolios to showcase their writing ability and prove to companies that their writing will be a worthwhile investment.

For freelancers, there is no standard frequency of writing assignments. Their workload depends on how aggressively they seek out jobs, how many companies they have in their work rotation, and the companies’ editorial needs.

Freelancer travel writers can charge by project, hour, or word. The amount they can charge depends on their reputation and the quality of their published writing. The more skilled and experienced the writer, the higher the rate they can command. Writers can also charge a higher rate for more labor-intensive writing that requires original research or investigation.

The top freelance travel writers on Upwork charge rates from $10.00 to over $125 an hour, though most writers fall into the $20 to $60 range. Glassdoor provides similar figures with rates from $21 to $40 an hour when searching  “ Freelance Blog Writers .”

Path #3 – Blogging for Yourself

This is what most people think of when they hear “travel blogger.” A travel blog gives a travel enthusiast the most creative control of the three options and the most variability in earning potential.

Maintaining a travel blog requires considerable work in addition to writing. Bloggers must be webmasters, designers, copywriters, copyeditors, and marketers for their blogs. Technical tasks, such as updating WordPress plugins or SEO optimization , are all part of the job. 

Three popular ways that travel bloggers monetize their blogs are through affiliate marketing, selling ad space, and creating sponsored content. The amount a travel blogger can earn from each revenue stream depends on factors like blog traffic, audience buying power, and content quality. We’ll briefly define those digital marketing terms below:

Affiliate Marketing: With Affiliate Marketing, writers promote a product or service on their blog and earn a commission when purchases are made through their link. Many travel bloggers have successfully monetized their blogs in this way through Viator’s Affiliate Marketing Program .

Advertising : Blogs that receive a certain amount of monthly traffic can sell advertising space on their page through display ad networks such as Mediavine or Google AdSense. Think of this ad space like a newspaper or billboard advertisement. The RPM , or revenue per mille (revenue per thousand impressions), determines the amount a blogger receives per advertisement on their blog.

Sponsored Content : Depending on a blog’s popularity and reach, bloggers may be paid or receive free products or experiences in exchange for creating original content. The lucky few bloggers who receive all-expenses-paid trips in exchange for a write-up or mention on their blogs fall under this category.

Monthly Income Reports from Travel Blogs

Below, we’ve compiled a list of high-performing travel blogs and broken out monthly earnings by source: Affiliate Marketing, Advertising, Sponsored Content, and Other. This data represents one month of self-reported earnings for each blogger at different points in time.

A few notes about these examples:

We compiled these monthly income reports as examples of how the highest performing travel bloggers monetize their blogs. Recognizing that these results are exceptional, though possible to replicate, is important. 

Each blogger describes their growth timeline and career journey on their own blogs. For more information about their experiences, we encourage you to read about their personal experiences in their own words.

Tips for Choosing Your Career Path as a Travel Blogger

By now you should understand that the answer to the question “How much do travel bloggers make?” is a resounding “IT DEPENDS!”

If you’re seriously considering entering the world of travel writing, ask yourself the following questions to help you decide which pathway to take:

Am I a good writer?

Answer this question honestly. Though you might be passionate about travel, travel writing may not be for you if you cannot translate your feelings into compelling copy. 

While this eliminates travel blogging for a company and freelance travel writing as viable professional pathways, this shouldn’t stop you from creating a blog. If you’re a skilled photographer, use your blog to showcase your travel photography. You could even earn extra income by licensing your images for commercial use.

How much creative control do I want to have?

Do you have a specific vision for blogging? If so, you might feel creatively stifled by a company’s work processes and brand guidelines. As mentioned earlier, a company blog is a marketing tool for the company first and foremost. It is not the place for a writer’s creative experimentation or self-expression.

How much time can I realistically dedicate to travel blogging?

When sharing their success stories, the above bloggers all stress the importance of a strong work ethic, self-discipline, and patience. They all mention that they only started earning after months of hustling- tweaking their website design, writing regularly, and developing unique perspectives. If you aspire to their level of success, you must give yourself ample time to get there.

The more time you spend working on your blog, the more likely you are to earn the traffic needed to monetize your blog, even in small ways.

Conclusion / Summary

The goal of this post was not to encourage or dissuade anyone from pursuing a dream of travel blogging. Rather, it was to provide actual numbers to help you make informed decisions about which career path best suits your interests and skillset.

We believe that if you have a story to tell, you should tell it. Your story may stay a part-time hobby that eventually grows to provide some supplemental income through affiliate partnerships . Or, that story may become the next My Global Viewpoint, subsidizing your worldwide travel. 

As we hope you’ve learned, there are types of travel writing to fit every work style and risk tolerance. If you enjoy the security of an office, explore full time roles as a travel writer. If you have writing experience, build up your portfolio and start pitching ideas for freelance travel projects. And if you’re starting from scratch, use your own blog to tell your story. Just get writing and see where the journey takes you.

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Emma Higgins | 15 April 2015

Get paid to travel – become a travel blogger.

Could you build a successful career as a travel blogger? This expert guide could help you on your way...

Becoming a travel blogger seems like a great idea in theory, but as you get the ball rolling the process can get increasingly overwhelming. To be full time and make a living from your travel blog, it's not quite as simple as just throwing up a few posts and having a Twitter account or Facebook page. Being successful in blogging takes a lot of strategy and good business sense, as well as talent for telling stories and presenting them in a way that inspires people to see the world. From finding your niche to website design, social media tips, and knowing your audience inside and out, this guide is designed to take you from the beginning stages right up to how to make money from your blog, with advice from some of the most successful travel bloggers in the industry.

1. Start with your passion

Consider what you enjoy about travelling – people, food, wildlife, history – and make that the central theme of your blog. Passion is at the root of great writing, and making that shine through in your blog will keep readers interested. Sticking to what you love will keep your enthusiasm and motivation up, too. Remember, you don't have to cover everything about travel on your blog. If you don't go to museums when you're travelling, don't bother writing about them; if you love camping but hate hostels, stick to camping advice. You don't need to catch everyone in your net – do what you love to speak to the people who love it too.

2. Experiment

You might not have a blog topic that you want to fully commit to right away – and that's fine! In these first stages, the most important thing is that you're writing something. Don't be afraid to experiment and play around with different ideas. Write often and about a range of different things – what you find the most enjoyable will quickly make itself known. "Finding your niche sounds really complicated, but it's really just about finding your passion and distinctive voice, and then pursuing that relentlessly,” says Bret from Green Global Travel . “It's OK if you don't find it right away, or if the path meanders a bit along the way. It's more about following your instincts, trusting your gut, ignoring all of the noise that says 'successful bloggers have to do this or that', and blazing your own trail. “It takes time, energy, experimentation, passion, patience and persistence to build a brand you truly believe in. But once you do, it makes all of the other elements that make up the business of blogging fall into place a lot more easily and organically." Bret and Mary from Green Global Travel are some of the industry's most influential voices on the topic of deciding a focus for your blog, having spoken and written about blog branding many times.

3. Put some thought into your design

First impressions are key – and this philosophy also applies to websites. Creating a strong design for your blog – one that's easy to navigate and understand – is important as this is one of your first chances to hook in a reader. And this is the travel industry: visuals are key. Travel bloggers Charli and Ben from Wanderlusters have put a huge amount of work into their own blog design, giving them plenty of top tips to share... “A unique and engaging design can set you apart from the wealth of new travel blogs vying for a place in the industry. Stand out from the crowd with a distinctive logo or cutting-edge blog theme, publish engaging photography and video within your posts, and construct a concise and navigable menu to catalogue your content. “Make it easy for your readers to interact with your articles by activating a social sharing plug-in and commenting system if they're not already implemented within your chosen theme. And put together a captivating ‘About Me’ page to grab your readers' attention and inspire them to follow your adventures.”

4. Identify your audience

Knowing exactly who you want to speak to will help guide your every blogging move – from the kind of stories you're writing and which social networks you're most active on, to which brands you partner with in the future. Having the reader in the forefront of your mind is an effective way to stay focused. I've personally found a lot of success in having a specific idea of my audience for my own blog, Gotta Keep Movin' . My first piece of advice would be to start by asking yourself a lot of questions: How old are my audience? Are they mostly male or female? What kinds of things interest them when they travel? How do they behave on the web – do they like long stories or quick posts? What other travel publications do they enjoy reading? Try to answer questions like these as precisely as you can, and create an ideal reader profile. Use this profile to guide your content, blog design, social media strategy... everything. Your reader should be the first thing you consider when making any decision for your blog.

5. Don't get bogged down in the technical stuff

As you become more experienced with blogging, you'll start to hear words like 'Google page rank', 'affiliate marketing', and 'SEO' (search engine optimisation). Running your own website is quite technical behind the scenes,  and that can be overwhelming for beginner bloggers. It's tempting to try to learn it all, but getting too deep in all the technicalities will draw your attention away from your writing and readers and towards Google slavery instead – not a place you want to be. Stay focused on publishing outstanding travel content, but reserve just a small chunk of your blogging time to learn the tricks of the trade. Moz's Beginners Guide to SEO is a strong starting point – work through it bit-by-bit and begin to implement the strategies into your work.

6. Social media

Social media is the means by which you get your content out there, so setting up social profiles once you have a few posts up is key. Dave and Deb of The Planet D were among the very first travel bloggers in the industry, having started their blog in 2008. The adventurous duo have since won awards for their inspiring website, and worked hard to build a huge social media following. “To start building your following, concentrate on quality and consistency”, says Deb. “Don't get caught up in quick ways to build followers, but be patient and let your audience grow organically and naturally. It takes a lot of dedication to get your work noticed on social media: interact with influencers and brands, and consistently share quality information with them. Over time, they will begin to notice your work. “Post daily on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, tweet regularly, and join Twitter chats to meet new people and followers. Post on social media a little bit each day, using scheduling tools like Buffer, Tweetdeak, or Hootsuite to help make it easier. Use insight tools like Commun.it and ManageFlitter (Twitter), Iconosquare (Instagram) and Facebook analytics to learn more about your followers and when they're online. But don't rely on tools entirely – listen to your readers and try new things for yourself, too. “Most of all, have fun with it! Write and share the things you love, and your readers will feel that energy. People want to be inspired – so inspire them.”

7. Be knowledgable and research

One of the most aggravating travel blogging myths is that because it's a less established form of 'new media' and can include a personal perspective, the quality of the content doesn't need to be as polished as a newspaper or magazine. With that outlook, you may as well send the world of blogging down the toilet and flush it away forever. Quality needs to be a top priority, and as the industry is becoming more crowded, it's needed more than ever to make you stand out. Take the time to research the subject you're writing about – look at it like a reporter or journalist would (because you are one, remember?) Be informed and authoritative to attract readers and potential industry partners who trust you as a source of travel information. Assume your readers' intelligence and come up to their level with engaging, useful, and creative posts.

8. Work with the suitable brands

Once you've got the ball rolling and built an audience, you can start thinking about working with other travel brands. Successful partnerships rely on pitching to brands that share your values and travel style, so you have to be strategic about who you choose to work with (instead of taking anything you can get!) Becki Enright has been a consumer brands PR consultant for 13 years, and is also a British Travel Press award-winning blogger for her site Borders of Adventure . Having working in both worlds, Becki has developed expert knowledge in working for and with travel brands. “A professional blog is a media outlet – treat it as such,” Becki explains. “Don’t chase after a brand for a quick freebies, but instead formulate a campaign idea and mutual relationship that has longevity. Make sure your pitch includes a solid overview of how your blog aligns with the client, and that your idea is on-point with the key messages of the destination or product, i.e. don’t pitch for luxury brand if you write about budget travel. “Do your research and know that brand in its entirety: browse their website and social accounts, find previous campaigns, and familiarise yourself with their product – show this knowledge in your pitch. Golden rule: the blog and brand should complement each other, and offer mutual benefit to a shared audience.”

9. Monetise your blog

The big question on everyone's lips: 'How can I make money from my blog?' Money won't come quickly, in huge amounts, or without doing any of all of the above, but it will come if you've taken the steps to create an engaged, loyal audience. There are a number of ways you can leverage that audience in order to make you some cash – affiliates, brand partnerships, freelance writing work, consultancy, creating your own products... to name a few – and the most successful monetisation techniques will always keep that audience in mind. Full-time adventurers Dan and Audrey of Uncornered Market have worked hard over the years to build their blogging brand, allowing them to live off the opportunities their website has lead them to.  "We look at monetisation strategically and holistically: monetise not only your blog, but your platform, your brand”, the pair explain. “Take a look at your strengths and consider ways to turn those into income generation opportunities – publish an ebook on a subject where you've got expertise, pursue freelance writing opportunities that fit with your brand so you can use your blog as a portfolio, or pitch partnerships and ambassadorships with travel brands that complement your blog and are a good match with the interests of your audience. “With brand ambassadorships be sure that there is a strong alignment in values between your blog and the company as these are long-term and deep relationships (We've been part of the Wanderers in Residence brand ambassador program with G Adventures for almost five years). Assemble a strong media kit for approaching brands, including not only your numbers (blog traffic, social media statistics, newsletter subscribers), but also your niche/story angles and the products you offer."

Want more travel blogging advice?

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Travel blogger salary – 28 Ways travel bloggers make money

In this article you will read about a travel blogger’s salary and how bloggers have successfully turned they travel blogging job into full-time careers where they not only make enough to backpack around Southeast Asia, but also to live in some of the world’s most expensive cities like Singapore, Sydney or San Francisco. 

We will delve into how travel bloggers make money, not just into how I make money, and look at a reasonable travel blogger salary.

You will also find a handy travel blogger income calculator that should help you gauge how much you could make if you started a travel blog .

This post is not about how influencers make money, that is a pretty straightforward discussion which we will discuss later, but about how travel bloggers make money.

HINT : There is no one size fits all approach, and you can make money travel blogging in many different ways.

I will venture to say that this is the most comprehensive and exhaustive post about ways travel bloggers make money I have found and it is full of tips and advice from peers who are succeeding at monetising their travel blog in a variety of ways. I hope you find a new revenue stream you didn’t think of.

JUMP directly to How travel bloggers make money

Can you make money travel blogging? Some considerations

Before we get started, two pieces of advice.

Diversification is king.

Making money from a travel blog is perfectly possible and lots of people do it successfully, many in the six digit range annually (that is a minimum of USD8,000 a month).

But the most successful ones have diversified their portfolio significantly. 

Contrary to regular jobs where one employer will pay your salary, being in the digital world and trying to make a living off a digital property like a blog requires you to diversify tremendously because most of the revenue streams are unpredictable and constantly changing.

They also *could* largely depend on someone else’s business decisions (aka Google, Pinterest, etc.)

For example, if your income is mostly coming from ads and, suddenly, the platform which serves ads on your website decides to change its policy your income could go down to zero .

If you rely exclusively on selling Amazon products and suddenly Amazon stops working with the third party seller that you were advertising, your income could go down to zero.

You get the gist.

Depending on one revenue source in a world that is rapidly evolving is not a good idea. You need to hustle and you need to diversify. Most people will have their toes dipped in at least 4-5 different areas to guarantee a minimum income every month.

Secondly, and slightly related to the above, most bloggers have variable monthly income .

This is related to the fact that the industry is in constant flow, that is affected by seasonality and where some revenue streams are campaign-driven and one-off.

This is the scariest part of taking the leap and becoming a full time travel blogger: Not knowing how much you will make every month .

Dispelling the myths of a travel blogger job

Thanks to the overhyped media coverage of the influencers’ and travel bloggers’ life, everyone has an idea about what a travel blogger job looks like and that image is almost always incorrect.

It is important to go into this industry with a full understanding of what it entails. So here are a few myths about a travel blogger job that we need to dispel.

Most of the work happens on a computer not by the beach

Every single travel blogger will tell you this: Don’t be tricked into believing that bloggers are living a life of constant travel and no work .

Working online is tough and it requires an incredible level of commitment and very long hours . You actually (surprise surprise) need to work, probably longer hours than with a regular job for someone else, because you need to generate an income. 

And this is especially true at the beginning, when you are starting out and have no baseline passive income to live off.

Don’t assume that because you see a new photo every day from a blogger where he or she is having fun somewhere that this is how they spent their days.

Heck, most times, the photo may have been taken at another point and when you see it posted the person is probably behind a laptop typing away somewhere far less fashionable.

Let me reveal a dirty little secret about a travel blogger’s job .

We may travel for 3 days then be home for two weeks just working non-stop, 15h days, in front of a computer.

In the 3 days, we collected enough material to last us the two weeks, so our online persona is traveling for two weeks. 

And let me add, this is not because we like to create an illusion, but because posting all the materials we collect in a day at once would bombard our feed and followers, so it is best to spread it out a little. Also, because when we are traveling, we try to enjoy the moment and spend time trying to create the content we will share. The editing and posting happens after we return to the office.

When I held a full time job at Google I wrote about how I spent about 40% of my time on the road . But that did not mean that my days were spent by the pool sipping a margarita, primarily because you cannot work on a laptop in the sun, it overheats in no time!

You rarely disconnect

Another side effect of having a digital, always-on life is that I rarely disconnect from it.

When I had a full time job at Google, weekends were my most productive time on the blog.

I was fresh and I could focus on the blog entirely. When I was at my day job at Google, I was usually disconnected from the blog. Now that the blog is my full time job, because of the nature of the job, I  almost never switch off from the many social media channels I have.

This only ever happens when I visit a country that has no internet.

Keeping up with three email addresses, an Instagram account ( OIALJ ), a Facebook page ( OIALJ ), one Twitter  profile, one Flipboard , one YouTube , one Pinterest and many other smaller networks such as Quora means everyone expects me to be online all the time.

Clients are in all time zones, other peers too, and the messages and emails come in at all times of day and night, 7 days a week.

The time fallacy

When I started to pay attention to my income report I focused on “value for time” and on fostering the passive income streams as opposed to the active ones.

The travel blogging income you can generate is directly correlated to the time you can invest plus the passive income you have been able to build.

To make more money you can either generate active income more efficiently (charging more or woking faster) or increase your passive income streams.

Because the objective of any travel blogger is not to work more but to work less, passive income is the key to success.

How much travel bloggers make

The salary of a travel blogger can vary dramatically from blog to blog and depends on how many revenue streams you play with and how successful you are with each.

The following sections are split into Passive income and Active income.

For the purposes of this blog, passive income is the one that is generated even when you are not working. If you take a holiday for a week, your passive income will continue to bring in a salary.

Active income is the income you generate when you work on a campaign or do something for a client. 

So let’s take a look at all the possible components of a travel blogger’s salary.

Travel bloggers passive income

As discussed, passive income is the ideal revenue source .

You want it to have as much weight in your overall income as possible.

Sadly, this is also the hardest to master and to grow . If it was so easy, everyone would do it.

But don’t get discouraged, it’s not that hard. 

By being a travel blogger you can generate passive income through your blog (obviously) and also, by using the assets and skills you have developed to generate income in other ways. For example, by selling your travel photography.

I call them passive, but the reality is that if you truly left your blog untouched, these revenue streams would eventually die out too so they are passive because you do not have to do anything to make them happen but they do rely on a successful and updated blog .

And this is more and more relevant because the industry is becoming more competitive every year so it takes a shorter amount of time of a blog to become obsolete if left untouched.

Display advertising (USD200 – USD1,000+)

This is the most obvious salary source for almost every travel blogger.

Display ads are those banner images that you find everywhere online which advertise a given brand, product or offer. Just check the ads on this blog post.

A lot of bloggers will proudly say that they do not like ads and that they have decided not to “clutter” their side bars with ads.

However, I would argue that we are all so used to ads being everywhere that we are not bothered by them. As long as you do not overdo it, you should be fine.

When setting up ads on your site you need to consider a few things :

• Will you use an ad serving platform or get in touch with direct advertisers ?
• What ad serving platform you will sign up for?
• How many ads would you want to show?
• Do you show them on desktop or also on mobile ?

Let me answer them all one by one.

Some people decide to have ads they have directly negotiated themselves with the advertiser . For example, if they are running a sponsored post for a hotel chain, they may also include a banner ad for that hotel for a month after the article is up.

These are not really passive income streams per se as you need to constantly find new advertisers and renegotiate contracts , but they may generate higher income than if you just use a third party ad serving platform.

Talking of which. Ad serving platforms are those which broker the relationship between advertisers willing to advertise their product or service and publishers (aka the bloggers) who are willing to take ads and show them to their readers. The most commonly known platform is AdSense , from Google.

AdSense is easy to set up and you get approved almost immediately after applying it if your blog is at least six months old. After you are approved, you need to include the ads on your site by copying and pasting a small piece of code on your articles or side bars. A very easy thing to do, even I can do it.

After that, Google will show ads to your visitors depending on who they are and their preferences. AdSense shares a percentage of their revenue from advertisers with you , usually based on the amount of people who click on the ads shown on your site. For every click, you will get a commission. In my case, with about 60,000 page views I used to generate about USD150-200 from Adsense every month.

If your blog is large enough there are higher end ad serving platforms that will offer more commission and which may work on impressions (number of people who see the ads) as opposed to clicks.

MediaVine is a well-established one which a lot of people use and are happy with, including myself.

They offer much higher commissions and returns because they are more targeted. As soon as I moved to Mediavine my ad revenue increased 10 fold overnight.

You can see the monthly evolution in my Income Reports section so you get the most updated values and how it evolved since I moved over from AdSense to Mediavine. Within the first month, my ad revenues were up four-fold .

To get on Mediavine, you need to have a minimum of 25,000 monthly sessions so as soon as you start a blog, this should be the objective.

How much you make from ads this way can vary from $10 to $40 per 1,000 sessions depending on your niche and on the location of your audience.

US/UK/Australia audiences pay higher RPM (revenue per 1,000 sessions). That mens that if you hit 25,000 sessions and they are all US-based you could be up to making $1,000 from ads .

Sell online (USD50 – USD10,000+)

A major revenue stream for some people are online product sales, for example, merchandising or packing lists with the things to take on a trip.

You may have seen that a lot of blogs have online stores .

Usually, the blogger is not sitting at home packing and shipping your orders but rather a third party company is. Here are some of the types of things you can sell on your blog.

1. Own products

Selling your own products online is a good idea if you have a specific skill or product that is unique . Doing it through your blog is a means to monetise the traffic that you are already generating.

If you decide to setup an online store page on your blog, you have three options:

• Do the end-to-end fulfilment yourself
• Outsource it to companies like Amazon who would receive your stock, keep it in consignment and then shipping it every time there is an order
• Or use third party fulfilment companies without any stock

If you do the end to end fulfillments yourself then you would have to keep stock at home, setup all the shipping and customer care functions and take the order.

This is unpractical if you are a travel blogger.

It would also not make it a passive income stream because you would be tied to the business 24/7.

If you do not do that yourself, you can either create the product and have Amazon do the selling for you – this is how all sellers on Amazon do it, or you could use a third party to manufacture the items every time there is a sale.

If you sell via Amazon, you need to make sure you take care of the manufacturing and give Amazon enough inventory at all times but they do all the end-to-end fulfilment of each other and even handle customer service.

If you use a third party fulfilment company then you don’t hold stock anywhere.

For example, Jodi from Legal Nomads , generates most of her income this way. She has been selling her own designs on t-shirts, bags and posters through her Shopify store. She designed the prints and got a friend to hand draw them beautifully.

Her designs are related to food and travel, her niche, so they perfectly align with her audience and she is able to monetise the visitors to her blog this way.

What is more, Jodi draws additional income from her Gluten-free cards which she sells on Gumroad because Shopify does not let you sell digital products.

She designed the cards herself and got them properly translated into other languages to help Celiacs on the road eat safely .  

To replicate Jody’s model, you can use Shopify to create the online front store (they charge USD20 per month) and then use third party companies like Printful , Merchify or CafePress to manufacture the item with your artwork every time a customer places an order.

These third party companies fulfill your sales and print to order so there is not stock maintained and you do not have to worry about shipping or handling orders.

This formula allows you to sell standard products like phone covers, t-shirts, posters, mugs, etc. with your own artworks so they are unique and aligned to your niche.

The downside here is that you will have to manage the customer service part and if there are issues with the address or returns, the printing company will only take responsibility for faulty products and not for wrong orders, etc. so you need to make sure your T&Cs are specific.

2. Third party products as an affiliate

A lot of people have gone the Amazon way via the Amazon Influencer store.

The difference between selling third party products and having your own store is that when you resell third party products you are basically only getting a commission whereas with your store you get the margin you decide based on what the printer gets and your selling price.

Setting up a third party store is possible through Amazon because they give you the tools to create an entire store on your blog that looks like it is yours but is in fact powered by Amazon .

Your job here would be to curate a selection of products that you would recommend to your visitors and then place them on your online store following Amazon’s guidelines.

Every time someone orders from your Amazon store you get a 4-6% commission.

The effort is much lower but so is the return.

You don’t do anything else here so, once the store is setup, you just need to ensure your Amazon sellers and products are not discontinued and let Amazon do the rest.

A good example is Mapping Megan . She set up her Amazon store selling adventure gear and products . This is directly aligned to her Adventure Travel Blog motto and helps her visitors locate products she likes.

Even though the store is new, she is already able to make USD50 a month this way, totally passively, except for keeping an eye on broken links if a product she is promoting is discontinued on Amazon.

Despite having a full blown store, Megan is more successful at monetising the contextual links because her articles are heavily promoted and rank high on Google Search results, as opposed to her Store page which is visited by her regular loyal audience.

3. Merchandising

This is a bit like Jodi above in the sense that you can use the same channels and tools to make it happen but, instead of promoting a destination or artwork, you promote your brand. It is a common revenue stream for celebrities.

Take Doug the Pug .

Not a travel blogger. For one, he is a dog, but I completely love him and since the girl who owns the dog must have struggled to find ways to monetise her close to 10 million followers across Instagram and Facebook, and the dog is such a personality, merchandising makes sense for her. If your brand is such that you can monetise it, then this can be a great revenue stream that also builds free advertising for you .

Affiliate marketing (USD100 – USD10,000+)

Affiliate marketing is basically the same as referral marketing, it’s the way to monetise word of mouth .

When someone comes to your blog and clicks on an affiliate link to a website you are referring, you will get a commission if the reader buys something. This is perhaps the panacea for most bloggers, the true passive income.

Affiliate revenues apply to almost every online blogging industry and make up for the entire travel blogging salary of many people.

You can make thousands every month through affiliate.

For example, I have been following Matthew Woodward ever since he started and it has been impressive to see him go for USD2,000 a month to over USD20,000, a month.

His blog is a great example of how an open-affiliate-links and honest approach can work well . He reviews digital services and tools for hosting, email marketing, outreach, etc. extensively, tells you all the goods and the bads and then clearly explains how he makes money if you buy it through his referral link.

His reviews are honest and have all been fully tried, many with A/B tests over several months, so he adds real value. Therefore, you are happy to use his referral code.

In fact, I have learned so much from him that I always go to his site to find his referral codes when I am buying a tool I know he must have reviewed, it is my way of paying him for sharing his knowledge for free.

On the flipside, there are plenty of people who will recommend a product just because of the affiliate revenue they get, even if it’s a product they do not use and would never recommend to a friend.

Everyone needs to make their decision here.

These are some of the most common affiliate programs used by travel bloggers to generate an income.

1. Accommodation booking

Hotel booking engines are one of the easiest and most convenient affiliate programs there are.

Almost every blogger generates some income from hotel booking sites.

The most commonly used are:

• HotelsCombine which is a meta search engine, that is, they show you the prices on all the booking sites and then you click to book directly on that site. You can make money per lead (ie. every time someone clicks on a HC link on your site, or per booking made by those who click.
• Booking.com as the largest hotel booking site is a very popular choice. The downside is that they don’t have a cookie, that is, your reader has to read your article, click and book for you to earn. During th same transaction.
• Agoda is a popular booking affiliate used for those with a lot of content from Asia because it has high recognition there.
• Airbnb pays a referral fee like it does to any regular person but it is known to limit that to $5,000 at which point you will stop earning and may have to create a new account (you never heard that from us). You don’t get cash out here but Airbnb credit so you need to be a user of the site to benefit

2. Amazon affiliates

Similar to the stores I mentioned in the previous point but instead of setting up a separate front end store, you just sell products in your posts . There are two strategies here: contextual links, adding them when talking about a product in an article, or full-blown stores.

Contextual links are the most common. A good example is packing guides where you can include links to products on Amazon you are recommending to take on a trip. This may work well if you have an engaged audience and a specific niche.

A lot of blogs make significant revenue streams from having very optimised sites that review products.

Foe example, you could write a very optimised post that reviews all the best travel scarfs and recommends the best. Those that land on your page are looking to buy one so they have purchase intent.

Some bloggers set up specific Niche Sites that are primarily optimised just for affiliate sales of Amazon products, for example sites that are focused on camping equipment, or kayaks.

The advantage with Amazon is that they will give you a commission on anything your reader purchases after arriving at the store through your link, whether that was a product you recommended or not.

It is easy to get lost down the rabbit hole on Amazon because the site is so optimised to make a sale that you get bombarded with other things you didn’t know you needed and end up making a purchase. At which point,

You will get a commission.

There are also a few downsides to Amazon too.

If you do not have your audience in one of the main Amazon countries you may experience issues with the products you want to recommend not being shipped there.

This happens to me in Singapore where there is no local Amazon store and a lot of the sellers on Amazon do not ship to Singapore. Even though Amazon is global, you will need to set up a different account in each of the countries you want to advertise from.

In my case, I have UK, US and Spain because these are three countries where Amazon and my audience coincide. Amazon is only in Spain, UK, US, Mexico, India, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, China and Brazil.

Lastly, Amazon only makes payment via bank wire if you have a bank account in the country where the store is. So if your audience is from the US but you do not have a bank account there, the only way for you to get paid is with a cheque or using TransferWise account.

There are other sites that work similarly to Amazon like Lazada in Asia or eBay, but Amazon is the best known.

3. Travel Insurance

Another great affiliate program for travel bloggers or nomadic people in general is World Nomads .

They have a great rapport and customer reviews and I personally know a lot of bloggers who use them and have successfully and painlessly submitted and received claims.

They are highly recommended and have a very generous affiliate program, so hat makes them a great affiliate.

4. Affiliate portals and aggregators

Although I usually prefer to sign up directly with the affiliate program of the company I want to promote, there are aggregator portals for affiliate programs.

Some of the most popular ones are Share a Sale , Awin  (previously Affiliate Window) and Commission Junction (CJ).

A lot of individual companies don’t set up heir own programs instead using the services of one of these aggregators.

They work like Amazon in that they will provide you with the links to be added as contextual links and you can also include banner ads to go with it. They collect payment from the brands, aggregate them, and pay you.

The advantage of using an aggregator is that a lot of individual programs will have either geographical constraints or require commissions to reach a minimum thresholds to make payment (eg. $100 or $500).

With an aggregator you can achieve the minimum payment amount faster because you can accumulate sales from several companies, and they may offer a wider range of payment methods like Paypal or international bank transfers.

Additionally, their reports are usually much more detailed as this is their bread and butter, and focused on helping you optimise your links.

The downside?

Some of these programs are constantly removing and adding new companies so you may have added all the links from CJ in your article only for the company to leave CJ.

This has happened to me and it is incredibly frustrating so make sure that the links you add are from long standing companies.

Also, if you do not reach a minimum number of sales they may drop you from the program which is even more frustrating.

Lastly, make sure that the geographical reach of the program matches that of your audience’s (going back to my previous comment on the Amazon stores) so that you don’t waste your audience’s time by referring them to a site where they cannot buy what you told them was so great.

5. Teaching English abroad

Teaching English as a foreign language is great if you want to work and travel the world. 

A good way to leverage this experience and create a passive revenue stream is through affiliate sales of the companies who offer courses to become a certified English teacher abroad.

Alice from  Teacake Travels , has several articles on her blog about  teaching English abroad  including five articles on each of the countries she has taught English in and also a comprehensive guide to getting started.

She also helps people who email her directly with tips and advise. Every time somebody decides to purchase the course from MyTEFL she used and recommends, she earns a $35 commission.

The commission is usually higher than what you will get from other affiliate programs and once the guides are set up correctly and rank with the right keywords, they should convert better as well.

Donations and tip jar

This may sound either obvious or strange but you are providing a value to your audience, for free, and you are trying to make a living of all the possible ways except from the people who get value from your site.

Why not ask them to contribute?

For example, The Guardian does that at the end of each and every article and with a pop-up.

If what you are providing is unique, not easily and freely available elsewhere and you offer a genuine value your audience appreciates, implementing such donation boxes may help with paying the bills.

Like The Guardian, you may choose to appeal to people’s honesty and integrity and simply ask them to support you with or without a stipulated fee or recurrence in payment.

A lot of people think this is begging, tacky or cheap but you could also see it as a way to let people who enjoy your content support you. I have never seen a problem in asking for what you are worth.

Another interesting idea in this realm is what Jean from Traveling Honeybird does just that on her Patreon page . Patreon allows her to set different levels of contribution and she offers to send the subscribers her posts first and also to send postcards from her travels. She makes around USD100 a month this way.

Subscription services

Nowadays we are not used to paying for anything that comes from the online world but the word Freemium or Paywall still rings a bell for many companies who offer a range of online services for free and then have a subscription-based area only for members who may pay a small fee.

This is usually the case for newspapers and online magazines like The New York Times but may also include members-only reviews, offers, in-depth content or value that cannot be found elsewhere for free.

This is not an easy revenue model to master which is why it is not a typical element of a travel blogger salary, but there are some successful cases.

Here are the variants of this model:

• Membership – Where access to a reserved area is only accessible to monthly paying customers
• Freemium – Where a part of the content is free and part is paid for
• Micro-payments – Where you pay per piece

Selling photography

A lot of travel writers started off with strong photography backgrounds . Others, had to learn the hard way.

Travel writing is closely linked to appealing visual images and videos so it is logical that a lot of bloggers generate an income from selling them online.

Often, the photos that sell best online are not those which are more stunning. A bowl of apples or a landscape can sometimes do best.

A popular site tos ell your images is Shutterstock . As a photographer, you get a commission every time someone downloads your image.

The amounts are low, USD0.25 per photo downloaded, but this is basically a long-term passive income stream that will survive whether your blog is active or not.

The good news is that the more you sell the higher the individual payout per photo you will earn.

To join Shutterstock you will first need to apply by submitting your first 10 images and then wait for them to be approved before you can upload an unlimited amount. Every photo uploaded is approved by their staff so it may take some time but their tagging capabilities are intelligent and allow you to tag away quite quickly.

Bear in mind that photos need to be a minimum of 20 MG and that models in the shots need to sign release forms for the photo to be on sale – without the release form the photo will be rejected. Shutterstock also has a referral program (<- this is my link) where you earn USD0.04 per photo your referral sells for the first two years.  

Publish a book

Most bloggers are good at one thing: writing. Unless you are a social media maverick or a photographer/videographer, words are still the strongest weapon for most of us. Communicating a thought, conveying a message or telling a story is what we do best so it comes as no surprise that a lot of us have decided to put pen to paper in a real book in order to monetise our writing skills.

When it comes to writing a book there are two types of topics: related to the blog or unrelated to the blog. There are also two ways of selling it: on the blog or on third party stores.

If you are writing about a topic that is directly related to your blog, you will most likely consider marketing it to your audience through your channels.

If you are writing about a topic that is not directly related to your blog audience’s interests, you may choose to sell it primarily via third party stores. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Writing about a topic that is in your domain makes it easier to market it and it gives you an additional revenue stream to monetise the eyeballs on your site. However, when you write about a topic that is not related to your blog you are opening doors to new audiences.

Most bloggers will use a combination of own channels and third party distributors , harnessing the power of Amazon and other publishing networks’ reach with the engaged audience and higher profit of a direct sale.

What needs to be considered is that your publishing and marketing strategies will be different depending on the channel.

If you are thinking of self-publishing on Amazon , CreateSpace will be a useful resource to help you edit the book, design the cover, convert to a kindle-friendly version and create the paperback.

What is more, CreateSpace will also print the paperback version on demand so you do not need the budget to make a print run and pay for storage, a copy will be printed every time someone orders the book.

To illustrate, I wanted to share two different approaches to self-publishing books: a food travel guide series and a prolific, bite-sized writer.

Amber, from With Husband in Tow , wrote and published a book on Emilia Romagna’s food which she sees sales of every day. As her blog is primarily aimed at food and travel, this is a topic that is very much on point. To publish and review the book, she used PressBooks. She had used them before for her guide to Myanmar and is happy enough that she will use them again. Her book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

On the other hand, Ryan from Blogging from Paradise , has published over 120 books on blogging life and coaching on three storefronts: Amazon, Selz and iTunes.

His books are also available in audible version and are concise and specific. Instead of publishing in-depth books, Ryan focuses on getting out short, topic-based ebooks with a specific objective in mind, like helping you write your first ebook or overcoming writer’s block. He uses ACX to create and distribute the audibles for iTunes and Amazon.

They shared their experience writing and publishing ebooks with me.

For Amber, the process was not easy as it required an in-depth understanding of the region and detailed research on the ground . Her and her husband Eric spent six weeks in Emilia Romagna in an 18 month period, talking to local producers, restaurants and business owners, which they complemented with talks with the tourism board.

Ryan has taken the opposite approach. He focuses on creating short, 6,000-word ebooks that can be written and published quickly , even within the day. Over the years, Ryan has focused on honing his writing skills and is able to produce thousands of words per day. Depending on which type of book you are looking to write, your approach may be more like that of Amber or like Ryan’s.

But regardless of how you get to the final product, the promotion is what will determine whether you succeed or fail at creating a passive revenue stream. Amber and Eric agree that publishing an ebook is not a fully passive income stream as promotion is a time-consuming always-on effort. They leverage their social media reach as well as the local and national tourism boards looking to promote the area to reach relevant audiences. And are constantly promoting the book.

Ryan believes that the secret is to build the relationship with your readers through valuable free content on the blog so they keep coming back and are ready to buy your product when you have one. He uses his mailing list and social media channels to promote the ebooks.

I also decided to embark on publishing a book: 100 tri ps of a Lifetime . My first ebook was a compilation of my best trips of a lifetime most of which I have never taken as this was my curated travel wishlist.

I decided to self-publish it as a PDF sold on Gumroad on my website. My biggest learning is that writing a book is going to take much longer than expected . I also learned that books which contain formatting (tables, lists, etc.) as well as high quality images, are not suitable for Kindle so if you plan to sell mostly books through that channel, make sure your ebook is text based.

Update : I have also completed my second ebook to date which is titled  30 Proven Ways to Make Money Online with or without a Blog   and is a comprehensive look at how anyone can make money from the internet. It’s basically a more in-depth and detailed version of this article. So if you’re enjoying this post and you want a more structured way of making money online, give my new book a try. Get it on Amazon here .

Podcast or audio books

Like with books, podcasts are a good revenue stream you can monetise by selling them online or through your blog.

Although there are lots of free audiobooks and podcasts available, creating something engaging and unique could warrant a revenue stream . The advantage of a podcast is that the editing is minimal, significantly lower than with a book or a video so they are low cost to produce and distribute as they are light.

You can sell your podcasts on iTunes as well as on Amazon. Who knows, you may create the next Serial .

Active Income generation

This section includes the bread and butter of a blogger, the 9-5 part of the blogging job , even if that is only a couple of hours a day in the case of part-time bloggers. This is the part that does not get done if you are on holidays because it requires active involvement and effort.

Just like with passive income, you may generate active income from the blog or from other sources.

Destination Marketing (USD500+)

Directly promoting a destination , instead of a property or hotel, is called destination marketing. A destination can be promoted via:

• Group set trips: These can also be called Press Trip and are usually organised by either the Tourism Board or a Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) who represents them. They tend to come on set dates and with listed deliverables and include a group of influencers, sometimes both from online and traditional print media
• Individual trips : Where the campaign is tailored-made for the blogger

Although most trips organised by tourism boards and the DMOs who represent them tend to be free, they rarely include daily fees or payment for the services. However, if you pitch your idea and are a good fit, you might be able to command a marketing fee for the work.

The Crowded Planet draws most of their income from destination marketing campaigns charging anything from USD1,000 for a weekend trip to USD5,000 with photography and videography deliverables. A good example is their Stopover Finland campaign with Finnair and Visit Finland. These campaigns are usually integrated and cross-channel and may include photography, videography and articles as well as social media.

Marketing campaigns for brands

As opposed to a destination, when a campaign is made for a specific brand, they are the focus. A destination may also be included as part of the campaign, but the main promotional effort is devoted to the brand.

Marketing campaigns for brands are specific to the blog’s audience, focus and the brand’s objectives . They may include anything from articles reviewing the property to social media campaigns or even the sale of photography or videography services. In this case, bloggers will define their fees based on either daily rates or detailed rack rates per service. The preference is entirely personal.

I prefer to charge daily rates including a type of coverage because I will price the inclusions per day depending on my equivalent daily rate. My rates can be anything from USD300 to USD700 depending on what is included in the package. I may then price additional services like photography or video editing on top as additional costs.

My friend Scott Eddy makes a full time living with this . He promotes luxury hotels, airlines, wineries and destinations on fully comped extended trips including a daily rate. Most of his coverage will be on social media where he has a combined 1,4 million followers with the biggest portion coming from Twitter where he has 1,1 million. He has been named one of the most influential people on travel on the platform and so he can command high daily rates reaching up to USD1,500.

Looking through his feed you can easily see the campaigns he works on. I particularly like the Star Alliance Round the World campaign where he went on a wine and luxury themed round the world trip with the Star Alliance airline partners.

Influencer Events

Like celebrities, some bloggers also make money from making appearances at events .

Although this is not a very common revenue stream , it is possible in cases of people who promote specific destinations and are based there. For nomadic travelers with global audiences, this is more difficult. I have been invited to numerous events in Singapore because of my Singapore-focused blog, Singapore n Beyond .

If you are a highly regarded and very engaged influencer with an audience that truly listens to your opinions you may be able to command a fee to attend certain events. I have been told that Lady Iron Chef, from Singapore, will do so. He (it is actually a man) has one of the most highly engaged audiences I have ever seen and so when they promote a place the business feels it straightaway and people come queueing.

Brand ambassadorship (The sky’s the limit!)

Brand ambassadorships are a more comprehensive form of influencer marketing . The ambassador represents the brand in several fronts and may also provide content for the brand to reuse. Each ambassadorship is different and will include some elements or other.

Cacinda, from Points and Travel , has acted as ambassador to several brands such as Travelocity , Yahoo Travel, Delsey Luggage , Rocky Mountaineer , TripAdvisor , Club Carlson or FlipBoard .

You can click on the links for an example of the work she does. She tells me that each contract varies significantly based on what the brand wants.

S ometimes, she provides content for the brand including photography or write-ups for their sites. Other times, she has represented them at events.

Because the conditions and the work varies significantly, so does the pay. From some she gets free products whereas others can pay up to USD40,000 annually and include other perks.

Brand ambassadorships are a relatively new income stream for bloggers and a very nascent strategy for brands looking to tap into the potential of influencer marketing without the hefty tag of a celebrity.

Finding them is not easy as there aren’t established channels for this. Cacinda has found hers though Facebook forums, Craigslist, and Classified Ads but the largest source is word of mouth. Once her status started to become more visible, it was easier to find and successfully win the contracts.

Social media campaigns (USD150+)

Social media campaigns are the most widely spread of all the online marketing campaigns . They have existed for some time and even the social media platforms have finally added tools and ways to make these collaborations smooth (even if that often means that you will have to advertise a campaign to get any reach).

Once your presence and vanity numbers reach a certain level , you will start receiving offers from brands. The certain level may vary depending on the niche you are in and the fit with the brand. If you are a perfect fit, have a small but engaged audience and a very specific segment, you may be able to monetise your channel early.

Lots of large social media celebrities make a full time living off this even without any other online presence. There are several tools to calculate your approximate fees based on reach and engagement but, ultimately, it will come down to your ability to negotiate.

If you are looking to proactively reach out to brands or to expand your outreach efforts beyond the offers you receive, there are dozens of influencer marketing platforms which aim to do just that: connecting brands with influencers.

There, brands are able to post offers and get influencers to apply or directly shortlist influencers they are interested to work with and send them a personalised offer. I have made the most money from these platforms.

1. Social media sponsored posts (USD100+)

Social media sponsored posts are the most basic of all the brand collaborations .

A brand wants you to promote them with a video or a photo on your channels and will pay you to do so. Some brands will also include a budget for advertising so they reach more of your audience. The post may be provided by the brands (like this campaign I did with Avoya ) or they may give you the chance to come up with the post yourself in keeping with your personality, brand and tone.

2. Twitter chats (USD250+)

Some bloggers with large Twitter reach make money hosting twitter chats. If you have a good following and you co-host it with another Twitter user you could be making it a weekly or monthly activity that you get a new sponsor to pay for. Twitter chats are usually themed, they have a maximum of 10 questions which are numbered (and so are the answers) and a hashtag you can follow.

Some of the longest running and largest Twitter chats you can have a look at for reference are:

• #TTOT (Travel Talk on Twitter) which uses the hashtag #ttot hosted by Travel Dudes (270k+ followers) and Roni Weiss (founder of TravFest and other travel companies) on Tuesday at 9:30am/pm GMT
• #RTWChat hosted by BootsnAll on Tuesday at 3:30pm PST
• #TL_Chat hosted by Travel + Leisure on Tuesday at 2pm ET

3. Product placements (USD150+)

Mostly common for platforms like Instagram or Pinterest , which are more visual, product placements are the online world version of the TV product placement of your childhood.

Some Instagram influencers can charge up to USD1,000 just for one photo (celebrities like the Kardashians charge more than USD200k for a photo!) where the product in question is mentioned . The fees vary vastly depending on your reach but someone with 20,000 followers could easily command USD150-250 per photo and much more if it is a video.

Barbara, from Jet-Settera , has thousands of followers on Instagram and occasionally posts photos for brand collaborations. She started to work with brands when she reached 25k followers and the work has kept coming. In order to determine her prices she uses Influencer Marketing Hub’s Instagram calculator . To find opportunities she signed up to influencer marketing sites.

Like Barbara, you should remember to indicate when a post is sponsored – i.e. someone paid you do it. If it is something you genuinely love and recommend, studies prove that you will get the reach and engagement anyway so play fair.

4. Social media take overs (USD150+)

Another way of monetising your online influence is by taking over social media channels of other brands.

As a brand, it is difficult to keep generating new and original content . Some brands resort to reporting the content from their customers and some of them have started to engage with influencers to let them take over their online social media channels and publish their own content.

Usually, the take overs will also include cross-promotion on their personal channels so the brand gets both the content, the endorsement and the reach out to the blogger’s social media followers.

Social media take overs usually involve little extra effort on top of the regular coverage you would provide on a given campaign so they are a great added revenue.

On the downside , the administrative part of it may require defining the details as the brand is unlikely going to give the login details to their social media channels so you either get a phone they provide that is logged in already or send your posts and hashtags to a contact person who posts them as if he or she was you, in the case of Instagram or Twitter.

Social media take overs are usually charged on a daily fee based on deliverables specifying the number and angle of each post. If you include sharing on your own channels as well then you should adjust your fee based on your social media promotion rates as well.

5. Contests on social media (USD150+)

Another way in which you can monetise your reach is by hosting a giveaway with a brand willing to reach your audience.

Giveaways differ from direct promotion in that there is something in it for the audience too. People are very used to giveaways and the noise makes it hard to get traction unless what you are giving away is of very high value, very relevant to your audience and they have a high chance of winning.

Giveaways are usually charged in bulk with a list of services which detail the number of posts for promotion, the costs of running the giveaway (I always use WooBox) and whether there are any associated articles on the blog linked to it.

Advertorial posts (USD100 – USD1,000)

This is perhaps the most traditional way of advertising.

Advertorial posts are the online version of the print magazines and newspapers’ ads . Typically, advertorials will include a write up about a brand along with a review and relevant information.

Most bloggers provide advertorial services that can start at USD50 depending on the size, reach and audience of the blog. 

Advertorial posts help brands with awareness. As a blogger, you should not be expected to endorse the service or product and can openly describe it, or you can test the product or service and provide an honest and open review of its pros and cons. I do some of these and charge USD450 per post including social media and full disclosure to my readers. 

As these are sponsored posts that a brand paid for, the links must be marked “No follow” in the HTML code. This is so that it aligns with Google’s guidelines for SEO and Search results. By marking them “No Follow” you are telling Google that you have been paid to write the post.

This is important, as Expedia found out when Google penalised it and it disappeared from the search results . However, brands will insist that they want “Do follow” links because this is one of the main reasons they are paying for a sponsored post. This is an ongoing battle in the online publishing world. If you decide to leave the links “Do follow” and take the risk because it is the prerequisite for the brand, do so understanding the risks.

Link building (USD100 – USD1,000)

I make a point to differentiate the sponsored posts from the pure link building strategy, especially when talking to brands about their Influencer Marketing efforts, because the objectives are very different.

Link building is perhaps the most talked about concept in online marketing , together with SEO, which is closely related.

Everything in the digital world starts with driving traffic to your blog. Once you have the traffic, it is easier to monetise a blog. The best way to grow the traffic to your site is through organic ways. That is, by appearing top on the Google search results page when somebody is looking for information.

As Google is very customer oriented, it shows search results based on what it believes will give you the best answer to your question. And this accuracy and relevance is determined by millions of aspects in Google’s algorithm among which is how knowledgeable you are on the topic, something which we call Authority.

For example, if your website talks exclusively about how to boil an egg in New York City it will likely have a lot of people linking to it when they talk about boiling eggs. Because it is exclusively devoted to the subject and a lot of external websites have linked to it, every time somebody living in NYC searches “How to boil an egg” the chances of the egg boiling site appearing at the top of the search results page are high because Google will consider you an authority on egg boiling.

In order to tell Google that you are an authority on your subject , your site needs to be about the topic being searched for and you need to have a lot of inbound links (links to other articles on your site) because that is considered an endorsement by Google. A lot of endorsements means higher authority.

By now you realised why brands would pay to have links pointing to their websites and this is what they are paying for when they are buying a link. Sometimes they do not really care where the link is and they might be happy to include it in an existing post, but they will be keen to decide the text where the link is placed. In this case, the only value of a link is in the endorsement hence the link will be “Do follow”. A “No Follow” link is of no value, so wanting to disclose this is probably a deal-breaker for them.

Email marketing (USD500+)

In my opinion, Email marketing is making a comeback .

After years of near-death, email marketing seems to be reviving into one of the higher return rates there is. However, building a marketing list is tough , takes time and a lot of consistency and perseverance. Once you have it, if it is an engaged and targeted audience, it can be a source of income both as an advertising channel, like social media, or as a way to upsell and promote your products or services further.

Those with a valuable audience will be able to monetise this in very high figures given the low return that other social media channels produce as a result of their algorithms. But be careful not to alienate your audience with newsletters filled with ads or irrelevant content or they may unsubscribe.

Some good examples of monetisation of this channel can be found in the traditional media publications which had a relevant base of subscribers and are now monetising it by sending them email offers. Conde Nast will send you daily emails where they promote new and old content and regularly send sponsored newsletters. So will DestinAsian.

Travel planning services (USD50+ per session)

I have decided to include this in the section that is related to a blog, but you could also offer this service standalone. However, having a front store that shows your knowledge on a destination is the best business card you can have.

One of the most common things travel bloggers get asked for (after how do you make money!) is help with organising a trip . As a result, some bloggers have started offering trip planning services for the destinations they know well or live in. There have also been a number of startups that focused on brokering this service.

Backpacker Banter set up two travel booking services: Epic Gap Year focused on surf, dive, snow and adventure and RTW Backpackers, focused on travel in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Southeast Asia.

Freelance remote work

Most bloggers will utilise their skills in a variety of ways to freelance, these are some of the most common freelance opportunities.

1. Article writing (USD50 – USD800)

Article writing can take the shape of a ghostwriting assignment or a submission as a contributing author to well-established sites who pay writers for their work.

I have written for BBC Travel before and they pay anything from USD400 to USD800 per piece and you do get authorship . They are very strict in their editing though, so for the first few times you will spend a lot of time revisiting the piece.

There are a number of sites that provide writing opportunities. The most common ones are:

• Upwork – a freelancing website with all manners of jobs not just writing. The issue here is that competition is fierce so price becomes the decision factor as there are people willing to do it for less and the jobs are assigned based on bidding
• Fiverr – everything for USD5 but you can also list jobs for more than that, the rates are set by you and you can choose to list a 100 word post for USD5
• CopyPress – a well known and used writing site which will send you jobs after you have been approved. To be approved you must pass a test. They are known to pay late
• ProBlogger – its job board is full of remote jobs including writing and other
• BloggerPro Jobs – which is a job board, also has other opportunities beyond writing
• Freelance writing jobs – consolidates job opportunities from other sites like Indeed and Craigslist plus adds its own
• Guru – specializes in, well, gurus, so you need to pass a test and interviews on the skill you want to offer services in then you get paid better rates
• Matador network Marketplace is always open to submissions that are short and listicle format so they are quick to write. However, they pay a flat fee of SGD50 so unless you can write one an hour it is not such good pay. You need to be a student of one of their programs to have access to these opportunities. This is also a great place to find other writing opportunities for travel media companies that pay well

Some bloggers make several thousands of dollars a month from writing. It is all about having the right content and contacts with the publishers who pay the best and then making sure to minimise the editing loops after that. If you are able to score writing opportunities at USD250 for a 1,000 word post (that is USD0.25 per word), then you need to produce one a day to make USD5,000 a month.

2. Translation work

Some bilingual bloggers have sites on two languages and sell their translation services online. Some of the sites listed above also advertise translation jobs. Guru, for example, will offer good rates for experienced translators. 

3. Copyediting and proofreading (USD15+ for 500 words)

The same as above. Most of the writing sites also offer copywriting services as this is a very similar skill. Copyediting is usually low priced quick work, unless the writing is terrible, in which case you might have to get very involved in correcting it.

Before I hired a full time content manager for the site I used a company to do the copyediting for me and I paid a monthly fee to review all the articles that I was publishing.

The best way to find such opportunities is to go directly to the publishers because intermediaries are a sure way to reduce prices. Most companies needing copywriting will need it on an ongoing basis (like me) so aiming for that ensures a regular revenue stream with the added flexibility of being able to do your work whenever and wherever.

4. Video and Photo editing (USD1-10 per photo)

Many of the freelancer sites will also sell photo and video editing services . I have in the past used Fiverr for photo editing. The good thing in this case is that you can showcase your skill easily if you already have a blog with a photography portfolio.

If you are a videographer you can easily charge anything upwards of USD250 for a 1min video editing job. Your contact list is a better way of selling this service as the skill is even more relevant than with photography so referrals and business colleagues (or other bloggers) who may be looking for such services will be more inclined to go with someone whose work they like and follow. Freelancing sites are a good place to list your services.

5. Graphic design (USD500+ for a logo)

A lot of bloggers were graphic designers in a past life and still make a living from offering this service to others.

Although there are a lot of sites (namely the ones in point 1 above) who also list graphic design jobs, the best way to get opportunities is to network in the Blogosphere as a lot of bloggers will eventually need this service and referrals are the best way to grow in these circles.

If you go to Fiverr there are hundreds of them offering anything for SGD5 so it is not a good place to make a decent living.

Content Creation (USD120+)

Another way of utilizing your skills is to create content for destination marketing organization (DMOs) and companies.

This goes beyond just the written word and may include image and video. To maintain a travel blog, you always need fresh content which means you are creating material all the time. You can then use these enhanced content creation skills to generate material for other people.

Inma from A World to Travel says that once you have developed your own style, understand the workflow and are ready to keep learning and in the know; you might as well create content for others. As you are traveling to a destination or using some products already, it could be beneficial to pitch some content to be published through other companies.

There are a variety of factors determining what you can charge for these services , such as your experience, the hours you will be putting in, the equipment you might need to make it happen, the deadline and the actual value you are providing.

Inma charges upward of USD120 per day, but this will grow depending on the factors mentioned above. The most important part of content creation is the quality that you provide. As the content will be broadcast somewhere else than your website and social media networks, your quality needs to be top notch if you’d like to generate content frequently. If the content you produce has good quality, no matter how big your blog is, you can make a significant amount of money if you put yourself out there.

Here’s a video A World to Travel did for Aptece  in  2014 for a great example.

Mentoring of other bloggers (USD50 per hour)

Some bloggers get asked for help planning trips. Others, like me, get asked for coaching on the business of blogging .

Consulting services in the wide sense of the word, are a great revenue stream, especially once you have developed the base materials and knowledge from where to pick and choose the areas that each client needs the most help on.

It will take time to set it up the first time around, but then the additional production cost with every new client will be marginally lower and you will learn and improve the materials with every consultation.

If you are good at what you do and you have done it successfully you are the best banner sales ad for yourself . A lot of people ask me about tips for success and I offer such support on an hourly fee basis.

There are weeks when I spend 2-3h with different people sharing things that worked for me, other weeks I spend no time as I am traveling and have no time. I do not proactively market this so people approach me in an organic manner. Many are interested in juggling a corporate job with a profitable blog. I had a full time job and my two blogs for 3,5 years before going full time in February 2018 so I have a lot of experience in trial and error.

Some bloggers have formalised this, like Trisha from PS I’m On My Way who offers travel coaching services .

She covers areas like digital nomad life, volunteering, itinerary planning and professional blogging and charges hourly rates between USD50 and USD175. Her services are so popular that all the slots she makes available every week are quickly filled up. Her success is the result of building a strong relationship with her readers, who she interacts with on a regular basis and constantly offers value for free. When they need her, she is there.

Ryan, from Blogging from Paradise , has also branched into live blogging coaching. He offers one-on-one hour-long sessions for USD200 or an 8-week package including eight sessions of one hour and unlimited email support. If you are only interested in the advice part but already know your way around, Ryan offers a comprehensive report to help customers build their blog successfully for USD1,000.

Your hourly rates can be anything you set it up for, going back to my initial statement, so be sure to charge what makes sense to you. Something to consider is the local timezone of your audience and that of your own, as these coaching sessions tend to be in real-time.

Blogging retreats (USD1,000+)

For those looking to offer this coaching in a more structured manner , the idea of a blogging retreat may be appealing.

Here, the teaching happens in a group environment in a physical location and for a duration so learning is more intense and concentrated. There are lots of retreats that are educationally focused and some have sprung up to offer blogging coaching either to those looking to start up or to those looking to take their businesses to the next level.

Digital Marketing Agencies – Consulting to brands (USD1,000+)

The same way you can coach bloggers you can consult companies in digital marketing. The type of consulting is different because their objectives are different but a lot of hospitality brands have not yet fully landed in the digital world and need a lot of help, sometimes just to start up.

Consulting to brands tends to be focused on social media where a blogger is strongest and has proven success but it can also be more integrated and look into online or influencer marketing and its various aspects. At the core, a consulting project will answer a problem that a brand has so you just need to decide where your expertise is and where you can help.

Some topics that I have engaged with brands on which will hopefully stir your imagination:

• Startups looking to launch their social media presence and needing help to set off
• Brands looking to work with influencers and not knowing where to start
• Improving social media presence and driving more traffic
• Content strategy: how to generate, promote and convert content
• Designing and implementing marketing campaigns
• Strategies to target a specific audience (i.e. Millennials)
• Improving visibility and SEO

I consult to brands on a regular basis. Sometimes, this is as a follow up to a campaign, sometimes it is the starter for a campaign. After you have showed you know what social media and influencer marketing is, a brand will be keen to test out your knowledge and expertise with your audience , if you fall in their segment.

Consulting services can be charged at varying prices because they are normally tailor-made for the client. Usually, the project is scoped for focus and duration, then priced based on team and daily rates.

I was a management consultant for eight years (this is how I got to travel the world on a weekly basis) so I have extensive experience in consulting.

Consulting fees are usually charged either by the day or by the hour . More senior people or experts who may only come for the project at certain times are charged by the hour whereas the core project team is charged by the day. The more senior a consultant, the higher the daily rate he/she commands.

As projects bloggers work on are sometimes part-time and with a very narrow scope, the price can be set based on deliverables instead , although you will be calculating your effective hourly rate in the background to make sure it is a profitable project for you without a high opportunity cost – i.e. you could not be using your time to do something with a higher hourly rate instead. Either way, your consulting proposal should have a problem statement and a suggested approach and end with credentials and fees.

Sarah, from Deep Blue Digital Marketing , quit her job to travel the world and shared her experiences at Gluten-free Travellers while continuing to freelance as a digital marketing expert through sites like Upwork.

She realised there was a large opportunity to offer these services in a structured manner so she set up her digital marketing agency to offer copywriting, web design and development, SEO, social media, content creation, influencer marketing, email marketing, Facebook ads/lead generation and Google Adwords among other.

Sarah charges a monthly fee starting at AUD1,000 and including some of the services above which she delivers through a roster of freelancers who are experts in their domain. She takes care of content writing for Rad Season, Instagram marketing for Go Real Escapes, SEO work for Scuba Shane Diving and digital marketing strategy for One Life Adventures. She has found her clients via SEO, Facebook ads, email marketing, networking, word of mouth, referrals and LinkedIn.

Speaking arrangements (USD500+)

Some bloggers have made a name for themselves in a specific area and are able to command a speaking fee at conferences . In the travel world, most conferences are unpaid. But there are opportunities to speak about your niche if you have managed to create a public persona who has a unique skill others will be interested to hear about. The best way to get these opportunities is to start practising at conferences which may be free. Once you have a few under your belt choose a topic that you can be an expert in and pitch to get paid for conferences.

A good example is Scott Eddy who has built a strong social media brand, especially on Twitter, and is regularly speaking about this. Here is a sample of his speaking. For those looking to offer this coaching in a more structured manner, the idea of a blogging retreat may be appealing. Here, the teaching happens in a group environment in a physical location and for a duration so learning is more intense and concentrated. There are lots of retreats that are educationally focused and some have sprung up to offer blogging coaching either to those looking to start up or to those looking to take their businesses to the next level.

Leading or hosting tours (USD5,000+)

A few of the large travel bloggers have moved to the real world by leading tours to some of their favorite places. One that I love is Wandering Earl , one of the best known and longest traveling bloggers. He has been offering tours since 2013 as a response to his audience asking for it . In 2017 he will offer 10 trips. He also offers private planning, though I’m not sure he would be leading those. Although his travel style is that of budget, his trips are not cheap, they start at USD 2,100 and above for places like India or Romania.

Shane from The Travel Camel , has also started to lead tours with the help of local travel agencies . He would design the itinerary in conjunction with a tour company and market it via his channels. Traveling with him means exploring a country he has been to before with the extra knowledge and anecdotes of someone as well-traveled as he is.

I have been approached by several brands to lead tours as well. If you have the right audience and niche, this can be a very successful revenue stream. You get to travel to a destination for free, all expenses paid, make additional revenue from the commission on each customer and the brand gets your endorsement and your marketing power.

Localised tour sales

Some travel bloggers are static. They have chosen a locale and have specialised in that destination . As a result, they are able to forge close ties with local travel companies and broker bookings of their tours or services. My Tan Feet is a good example of that. They have a discount page where you can book a lot of the local Costa Rican tours and they get a commission from that. Their readers also get a discount so it is win-win for everyone.

This is only possible if you know a place so well that you can develop these relationships as a lot of them might require manual booking in the back end rather than directly connecting to the booking sites of the local tour companies. On the flip side, your commission on these tends to be higher than with any other passive income stream like Amazon or affiliate marketing because you are able to negotiate them directly with companies who don’t have access to affiliates.

Online courses or webinars (USD100+)

I talked about the fact that passive income is the ultimate objective to most.

The second most important objective is that of scalable revenue . That is, revenue that you can make with low additional marginal cost. Passive and scalable revenue streams are the panacea for any blogger.

Webinars and online courses are some of those. Once you have created the materials, you only need to tweak them minimally to re-sell them again. There are different types of online courses :

The best ones are those on demand because you do not need to be there for them to happen. Revenues come in passively. However, live courses tend to be the most successful ones because the audience has the chance to ask questions.

Having social reach and a mailing list is the starting point to marketing these courses.  But you can also promote these courses without any reach if you are good at getting the word out there and you have enough referrals and endorsements. Some of the largest online marketers will have such courses. In the travel blogging world, some of the most popular courses are related to starting a travel blogging business or taking yours to the next level.

Nomadic Matt , the internet’s largest travel blog, started the Super Star Blogging online school for bloggers . He has courses on starting a blog, photography, videography and taking your blog to the next level.

But you don’t have to be the largest travel blog to make a living out of this revenue stream. Lots of smaller bloggers have done so with niche and segmented approaches. If you are good at a specific skill, you can create webinars or courses on that one specifically. If you want some experience and also practice, you can offer a free webinar on Travel Massive’s platform and test the waters for your content then move it in-house and sell it to your audience.

There are also bloggers who have created online conferences. Meg and Tom from Food, Fun, Travel did that with their Travel Blog Summit where they aired the summit over two days with speakers from all domains and then put the course online for anyone to buy it. In their case, the content wasn’t even their own but created by the speakers they hired, in a true conference style.

Host or presenter

Some bloggers make a full time living out of hosting travel shows for brands .

On a campaign with Accor and Scoot I met Boy Eats World mum and kid. Raffles, the boy, is a TV host for Accor hotels in-room TV travel channel and has a crew following him on his trips and recording the episodes. Talk about being a celebrity. Of course, he has a personality that is incredible for a kid his age, but there are other bloggers like Fly with Maggie who have also done it. She hosts her own Chinese travel show and is a bilingual vlogger having also hosted programs on other channels.

Influencer Marketing or Blogger outreach (USD20+ per link placed)

Similar to consulting services, some bloggers have started offering outreach and influencer marketing services to brands .

It probably started with a conversation with a brand they approached who was keen to getting more bloggers come stay with them. Thanks to the connections and the tight knit community of bloggers, sourcing others for brand campaigns is easy.

A blogger may not have the tools and data that an influencer marketing company has, but the accumulated knowledge based on experience, pedigree and professionalism observed through hours reading threads and seeing people behave are hard to codify in an algorithm.

In this case, outreach campaigns can be for sponsored posts or contextual links where the blogger takes a cut for sourcing other sites willing to host the links.

You may wonder “Why don’t brands do that themselves?” From years of interacting with brands you realise that most don’t even know where to start and that, what may seem trivial and obvious to a blogger, is an opaque world to brands.

This revenue stream can be unofficial and informal or it can evolve into a full fledged social media management company.

Social media management (USD150 – USD1,000)

If the blogger outreach efforts work and you start to devote more and more time to this you may find yourself getting wider scope requests from clients and offering social media management services may make sense. This is the case for many bloggers who take care of social media accounts of other brands formally or informally, and may or may not couple this with integrated online marketing companies.

For example, Love and Road have been managing social media accounts of hotels and brands for a few years. The work here may come from previous campaigns with brands or from directly pitching to those who may benefit the most from professional help. They change monthly fees including a certain number of posts and social media channels and get the content from the brands themselves.

Transitioning out of the blogging life

Although many bloggers go from regular jobs to a digital nomadic life, a few are also going back .

This is the case for Mark Anthony and Camille, both from the Philippines, who embarked on an 18-month honeymoon they documented at 365 Travel Dates only to return to the Philippines and put all their experience to work by building a tented glamping camp in Palawan .

The Birdhouse El Nido is where they set up shop and settled down. However, the learnings and experiences they gathered traveling across the world and talking to hoteliers has helped them make sure their beautiful home is permanently fully booked with happy guests.

Because a life on the road is not always a permanent solution but an adventure we embark on to finally find ourselves.

Are you a digital nomad or blogger? Do you have experience on any of the above revenue streams or perhaps a different one? Share it with us!

Read further : You might also be interested in my 2019 Professional Content Creator Survey which shows exactly what a content creator does and how they work, busted the myth that they are all sipping cocktails on the beach.  

Pin this 28 ways to make money travel blogging post to your #digitalnomad Pinterest boards. It’s going to help you a bunch!

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How much money do YouTube Travel Vloggers make in 2023?

Venture into the exciting world of YouTube travel videos and discover the potential earnings that await those who dare to dream and explore.

WeAndOur team

We're all bitten by the travel bug, right? But have you ever wondered about those who've turned their passion into paychecks, all thanks to YouTube? Yeah, you got it. We're talking about YouTube travel videos. The green landscapes, the sun-kissed beaches, the mesmerizing cityscapes - these videos take us on a virtual globe-trotting adventure. But the real adventure lies in the potential earnings of these YouTube travel videos. Ready for a journey into the world of money-making via YouTube? Buckle up!

The Landscape of YouTube Earnings: Breaking it Down

First, let's clear up a misconception. Money doesn't start rolling in as soon as you post a video on YouTube. It's like climbing Mount Everest, requiring time, persistence, and a whole lot of hard work. Let's break it down, shall we?

The Golden Goose: Ad Revenue

Ad revenue, that's the golden goose for most YouTubers. When a video reaches a threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within a year, it's eligible for YouTube's Partner Program. This means ads can run on or around the videos, earning the YouTuber a piece of the pie.

Case Study: Mark Wiens

Take Mark Wiens, a food and travel vlogger who runs the YouTube channel "Mark Wiens." He's clocked over 9.9 million subscribers and billions of views, putting him at the top of YouTube earners.

Sponsored Videos and Affiliate Marketing

Ad revenue is only one side of the coin. The other side is sponsored videos and affiliate marketing . Companies pay YouTubers to showcase their products or services, or to include an affiliate link in their video description. Each purchase through that link earns the YouTuber a commission.

Case Study: Kara and Nate

Consider the case of Kara and Nate , a couple who traveled to 100 countries and documented their experiences on YouTube. They've incorporated sponsored content and affiliate marketing in their videos, supplementing their income.

Making a Living or Making a Fortune?

Here's the million-dollar question (pun intended): How much money can YouTube travel videos make? The answer isn't straightforward. The earnings can vary vastly, from a modest side income to a full-fledged fortune.

Factors Influencing YouTube Earnings

Several factors influence these earnings, including the number of views, the type and quantity of ads, viewer demographics, and additional income streams like sponsorships and merchandise sales.

How do YouTube travel vloggers earn money?

YouTube travel vloggers primarily earn money through ad revenue, sponsored videos, affiliate marketing, merchandise sales, and Patreon donations.

How much can a YouTube travel vlogger make?

The earning potential varies greatly, with top vloggers earning up to a six-figure income annually. However, for many, it's a modest income supplementing their regular job.

Can I start a YouTube travel channel and make money?

Absolutely! But remember, success doesn't come overnight. It takes time, dedication, quality content, and a touch of luck.

Conclusion: Your Journey to YouTube Stardom

So, there you have it folks! The world of YouTube travel videos is as exciting as the destinations they cover. Remember, like any journey, the road to YouTube success is paved with trials and tribulations. But hey, isn't the journey more fun than the destination?

If you're itching to start your own YouTube travel channel, why not give it a shot? Who knows, you might just be the next big thing in the world of travel vlogging! Remember, every big journey begins with a small step. Take that step today.

And remember, no matter how much money you make, never lose sight of your passion for travel. After all, isn't that what it's all about?

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Travel Blog Salary: How Much Do Travel Bloggers Earn?

• September 1, 2023

Wondering what a typical travel blog salary is?

You’ve come to the right place.

The Business Research Company reports that the global online travel agent market share grew from $664.42 billion in 2021 to $761.90 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7% [1] Travel blogging is a significant part of the juicy pie—no wonder you are keen to discover travel blog income figures.

This guide will break down the travel blogging salary figures, with as much hard data as possible. You will also get plenty of examples from practicing bloggers along the way.

Let’s cut to the chase.

Understanding travel blog salary numbers

To understand the average travel blog salary, we can look at two types of information:

• Salary reports from platforms like ZipRecruiter and Salary.com
• Income reports from individual travel bloggers

However, it’s important to understand that there’s a lot of variation in the numbers. Whenever possible, we’ll try to present averages. Just remember that there are a lot of travel bloggers earning both more and less than these numbers.

How much does a travel blogger get paid a year?

According to ZipRecruiter, travel bloggers earn $86,518 a year in the United States [2] .

Top travel blog earners go as high as $222,500 annually [3] .

The lowest travel blog salary recorded on ZipRecruiter is $13,500.

New York leads the pack countrywide for travel blogger salaries with a juicy $94,199 annual income.

The New York salary is $7,681 (9%) more than the national average yearly salary of $86,518.

How much do travel bloggers make a month?

Salary.com pegs the monthly travel blogger salary at $3,548 per month or $20 hourly [4] .

In comparison, the ZipRecruiter data shows the monthly salary is $7,209, double the $3,548 average figure presented by Salary.com.

That’s a massive difference. So what’s the real answer?

To better understand what different types of travel bloggers are learning, we can look at some real travel blog income reports:

• Practical Wanderlust blog made $22,000 (or $1,833 monthly) during its first year [5] . Most income came from paid advertising and familiarisation (FAM) trips.
• Two Wandering Soles made $74,000 in Q4 in 2019 [6] . This figure translates to $24,666 per month. Affiliate marketing and paid advertising significantly drove this blog’s income.
• Living The Dream blog generated $5,050 in January 2023, with CPM display ads and affiliate marketing as the major contributors [7] .
• It’s A Lovely Life grossed an astonishing $2,233,236.40 in 2019, with the bulk of the income coming from online courses, affiliate programs, and sponsored posts [8] . This figure comes to a jaw-dropping $186,103 when you break it down to a monthly payment.
• The Travel Mexico Solo blog netted $272,569 in 2022, translating to a significant $22,714 monthly average [9] . Affiliate marketing dominated the earnings, though Mediavine display ads also account for around one-third of the blog’s monthly income.

Once again, the wild differences are apparent. A travel blogger can earn anything from a couple of thousand per month to a six-figure monthly salary for A-list players.

The discrepancy in travel blog earnings shows there is a golden opportunity to make money as a travel blogger. Where you fall in the salary spectrum depends on several factors.

Six details that might affect your travel blog salary

How much you earn as a travel blogger depends on the following:

1. Location

First, where you live affects your potential travel blogging income. Some areas in the country pay more than others because of differences in the cost of living in various states and the maturity of the blogging industry in the area.

Location can also affect travel blog salary in a few other ways:

• Audience location – for display ads, the geographic location of your visitors plays a huge role. Visitors from the USA have the highest CPM rates by far. Countries like the UK, Australia, Singapore, and others sit somewhere in the middle. And traffic from countries like Indonesia or Thailand pays very little.
• Affiliate commissions – for affiliate earnings, the travel destinations that you write about will affect your earnings. For example, let’s say you earn a 5% commission on hotel bookings. Getting someone to book a $300 hotel in Paris, France will pay you a lot more than getting someone to book a $50 hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Because hotels are a lot more expensive in Paris (on average), it’s a lot easier to generate these high-value bookings.

2. Experience level

Second, the longer you’ve been in the travel blogging game, the more likely you will earn more.

Novice bloggers still learning the ropes earn lower salaries than veteran bloggers who have been blogging for many years.

3. Blogging skill level

Next, highly skilled bloggers engage their audience more deeply than those with average skills.

The more engaged an audience, the higher the chances they will take up the offers made by that blogger, which results in higher income.

4. Commitment level

A full-time blogger who gives their best hours to blogging is probably going to make more money than a dabbler who blogs on the side after knocking off from work.

Generally, full-time bloggers who blog consistently out-earn part-time bloggers who infrequently blog whenever they can.

5. Monetization methods

How you make your blogging dollars determines how much money you make. Travel monetization methods like affiliate marketing and selling digital products like courses can have higher profit margins than pay-per-click earnings methods like Google AdSense.

Similarly, using premium ad networks like Mediavine and AdThrive will pay a lot more than AdSense – but you need to meet the traffic requirements to join these networks.

Speaking of traffic…

6. Traffic size

Last, a blog’s income ties directly to the number of people who visit your site. All things being equal, the Math is simple:

📈 High traffic = high income

📉 Low traffic = low traffic

That’s it.

To boost your travel blog salary, work on the above factors.

How do travel bloggers make money?

It’s all well and good to know you can earn a fat travel blog salary, but the big question is: how do travel bloggers make money? That’s what we will talk about next.

Six simple ways travel bloggers make money

1. sponsored content.

Sponsored content is when companies pay you to write content for them on your blog. You promote the brand’s product or service in sponsored posts. A sponsored post could be a product review or writing about a topic closely related to a problem the company solves and presenting the paying company as the solution.

Global Viewpoint generated $3,000 from sponsored posts in November 2022 [10] .

2. In-content advertising

In-content or contextual advertising involves placing relevant ads in your travel blog posts. You get paid whenever a reader clicks the advert. Some leading ad networks that pay well are Mediavine , Ezoic , AdThrive , SHE Media , and Google AdSense . The blog A Passion With A Passport made an impressive $30,000 in its first year with Mediavine [11] .

3. Affiliate marketing

Another simple way of making cool cash as a travel blogger is selling other people’s products. In the affiliate marketing monetization model, you advertise company products on your blog and get paid a cut for every sale you generate. For travel bloggers, common affiliate products include hotels, tours, transportation, and courses. Blogger Amy Fillinger got a $1,739.51 travel blog salary in June 2022 from affiliate marketing [11] .

4. Selling digital products

Digital products like courses and ebooks are a goldmine for travel bloggers. Online courses, ebooks, and other digital products are lucrative because they have low input costs, so you can keep most of the cash from each sale you make. The It’s A Lovely Life blog made a mouthwatering $1,028,374 from online courses alone [12] . They have a lovely life indeed. 🙂

5. Paid press tips

Paid press trips, aka FAM trips, are another way travel bloggers make money. FAM trips are a double delight. You get paid to travel and/or tour a hotel or any destination and share about the company’s product or service. But they are hard to land, especially if you are a new blogger. Goats On The Road gets paid anything from $500 – $7,000 for a week-long trip depending on the deliverables requested [13] .

6. Selling services

Another common travel blog monetization is selling services. Blogging establishes you as an authority. Travel bloggers cash in on that audience trust by selling services like travel industry social media management, coaching, courses, and ghost blog writing.

How do travel vloggers get paid?

Travel vloggers or YouTubers get paid primarily through monetizing their channels by joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

Vloggers get 55% of the advertising revenue from their channels [14] .

YouTubers earn $1,154 per week or $4,616 monthly on average [15] . Not too shabby if you ask me.

To join the YPP, you must meet two eligibility thresholds:

1. Get 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months, or 2. Get 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

How long does it take for a travel blog to make money?

It takes anything from six months to a year for a travel blog to make money.

It all depends on how much consistent effort you put into your blogging side hustle (or full-time career) and which blog monetization strategies you use.

Fancy a fat travel blog salary? Launch a blog today!

To wrap up, you can make good money as a travel blogger if you play your cards right.

Whether you blog full-time or part-time, you can generate substantial income from travel blogging.

The travel blog salary scale varies widely from $3,000 to over $7,000 monthly. Many established travel blogs earn $100k annually.

These are inspirational figures. You can reap handsome rewards if you put in the work consistently and be clever with your monetization tactics.

So if you’ve been mulling over the idea of generating income, move in for the kill. Launch a lucrative travel blog today.

To get started, name your future travel blog. For practical advice on how to name your blog, you can read our guide on how to choose a blog name . Then you can follow our guide on how to start a blog to launch the actual website.

[1] https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/press-release/online-travel-agent-market-2022 [2] https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Travel-Blogger-Salary [3] https://domainwheel.com/how-to-write-a-travel-blog/ [4] https://www.salary.com/research/salary/hiring/travel-blogger-salary?pay=Month [5] https://practicalwanderlust.com/travel-blogging-income-report/ [6] https://www.twowanderingsoles.com/blog/travel-blog-income-report-q4-2019 [7] https://www.livingthedreamrtw.com/income-and-traffic-report [8] https://itsalovelylife.com/online-blog-and-business-income-report-2019-year-in-review/ [9] https://travelmexicosolo.com/scale-your-travel-blog-to-six-figures-review/ [10] https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/travel-blog-salary/ [11] https://www.amyfillinger.com/june-travel-blog-income-report/ [12] https://itsalovelylife.com/online-blog-and-business-income-report-2019-year-in-review/ [13] https://www.goatsontheroad.com/sustaining-travel/ [14] https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72902?hl=en [15] https://financebuzz.com/how-much-youtubers-make

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How to Become a Travel Blogger and Make Money in 2024

Wondering how travel bloggers make money?

As a profitable travel blogger — I made $272,175 from blogging in 2022 — this article shines a light on how to make money as a travel blogger.

There are 10 common ways to make money travel blogging, but the most successful travel bloggers also think outside the box.

👩‍💻 If you’re serious about making money from a travel blog, I highly recommend taking a course! Head here for info on the best travel blogging courses . If you want to read a full review about the best one I’ve done, head here .

But, Isn’t blogging dead? That’s something I see come up a lot, and a question you may have as well.

I am personally making over $40K+ per month ( click here to see how) , and I know plenty of other travel bloggers making that and even more — so if blogging is dead, we didn’t get the memo 🤷‍♀️ 

Now, plenty of travel bloggers don’t have a monetization plan for their blog, and therefore, don’t make money.

Unfortunately, this is the vast majority of travel bloggers. In short, if you don’t have a plan to use proven strategies to make money blogging, you likely won’t. 

Ready to discover how to make money as a travel blogger? Let’s get to it!

How to Become a Travel Blogger and Make Money

How to become a travel blogger.

Wondering, How to start travel blogging?

The first question to consider is: Do you want to make money with your travel blog, or will this be a hobby blog?

If you have no interest in making money, starting a new travel blog is easy! If you want to make money blogging, that’s more involved.

How to Start a Travel Blog

Easy — You can start a blog from home with a free Blogger account right now!

All you need is a travel blog name (you’ll also want to take the corresponding handles on any social media channels you use). Next, start sharing your best travel tips, epic stories and more — and you have a travel blog.

How to Start a Money-Making Blog

Like most things, I believe there’s a right way , and a wrong way to start becoming a travel blogger.

If you want to make your own travel blog to start earning money, I highly suggest investing in a travel blogging course with step-by-step instructions, so you start it off right.

The best blogging course I’ve done is 👉 Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures — and I’ve been in quite a few courses .

There is a system to travel blogging success, and either know the system, or you don’t.

You’re either writing SEO-optimized content with high volume, low competition keywords that will rank on Page 1 of Google, or no one will ever see your content. In fact, stats say only 25% of users even go to Page 2 of Google.

Through travel blogging courses, I learned that I need to write the articles you want to read, and not just the articles I want to write.

I learned how to get my content on Page 1 of Google with search engine optimization (SEO) — in fact, that’s likely how you found this article!

The way I see it, you can spend time, or you can spend money.

You can either spend your time trying to find good free content, which could take years and still not pan out, or you can pay a professional to learn what they’re doing, so you can simply replicate their success.

Ready to invest in a travel blogging course? 👉 Head here to see the best ones!

How to Make Money From a Travel Blog

If you’re wondering how to make money with a travel blog , there are really countless ways.

You can pursue the ones that work best for your blog and your ideal audience, but whatever income streams you go after, know that multiple income streams are essential for success.

Below, I will show you 10 common ways to make money from a travel blog — but they by no means represent the only ways to make money blogging about travel.

1. Ads On Your Site

Did you notice the advertising on my site? Those ads account for 45% of my income right now.

The coolest thing about them is they are completely passive income, meaning as I sleep, I still earn money from the ads simply being on my site.

Yep: I do nothing, and collect money. There are few better feelings in the world than this!

To have ads on your site, you’ll need to sign on with an ad management company. Below, I will compare the six companies that can place ads on your site.

1. Mediavine

Among bloggers, many consider Mediavine and AdThrive (#2 on the list) the best because they pay the most and have great customer service.

To apply for Mediavine, you need 50,000 sessions per month (50K people visiting your site in a 30 day period), which is a lot.

🤑 How much I make on Mediavine: About $9,000+ USD per month with 250,000 monthly page views and mostly U.S. traffic (U.S. traffic pays the most).

When you first start out travel blogging, 50,000 seems impossible. As a new blogger, I also thought it was impossible, but eventually, I got there!

Now, it was a lot of hard work, and I invested in travel blogging courses so I could get on Mediavine fast.

On a personal note, before I was on Mediavine, I was with SHE Media (#3 on the list).

The month I switched, I 6X’ed my ad income going from SHE Media to Mediavine — though from what I hear, most bloggers only double or triple their ad revenue doing the same.

2. AdThrive

Besides Mediavine, other top-level travel blogs that make money are on AdThrive .

To apply, you’ll need 100,000 page views in a 30 day period. This means that in total, the visitors to your site have visited a total of 100,000 separate pages on your site.

3. SHE Media

For bloggers with less traffic, there’s SHE Media . They say you need 20,000 monthly sessions to apply, though some bloggers get approved with less.

The thing many dislike about SHE is they require you sign a one-year contract, something no other company asks for.

I was with SHE Media for about four months in late-2021. If you read other reviews of SHE Media, you’ll see that most bloggers say their payments are good, but their customer service is hit or miss.

I completely agree with the majority of this — that overall SHE wasn’t terrible, and they also weren’t great.

🤑 How much I made on SHE Media: About $800 USD per month with 30,000 monthly page views and mostly U.S. traffic (U.S. traffic pays the most).

4. Monumetric

For bloggers with less traffic, Monumetric only requires 10,000 monthly sessions.

The thing many dislike about Monumetric is they require a $100 USD set up fee to put the ads on your site, something no other company asks for.

Before SHE Media, I was on Ezoic . At the time, they required 10,000 monthly sessions, but now have no traffic requirement — so you can join Ezoic with basically no traffic.

Now, the more traffic you get, the more you make, so don’t expect much of a payout with low traffic.

While all ads on your site will slow down your website speed, Ezoic is known as the worst with this.

They have tried to make strides in this area with their Leap tool, but if you look through travel blogging forums, you’ll see a generally anti-Ezoic sentiment.

I was on Ezoic for about four months in early-2021, and have nothing good to say about this company. They offered basically nothing in the way of service, and it took me a few weeks to figure out (on my own) how to get ads set up.

🤑 How much I made on Ezoic: About $185 USD per month with 10,000 monthly page views and mostly U.S. traffic (U.S. traffic pays the most).

6. Google AdSense

Like Ezoic, there is no traffic requirement with Google AdSense . From what I understand, you make a few dollars a day, at most.

If you’re considering Ezoic vs AdSense, it seems you’d definitely make more with Ezoic — though I in no way recommend them.

2. Affiliate Marketing

First off, What is affiliate marketing? If you’ve ever recommended a product, restaurant, great book, or anything to another person, you’ve actually done affiliate marketing without knowing it. 

Affiliate marketing is when I recommend hotels, tours, rental car companies, travel gear, etc., on my website.

I’ll then insert what are called affiliate links that go to these products, places or services, and when someone buys anything through my affiliate link, I make a commission.

You can learn more about all this in my How to Find Affiliate Marketing Keywords Class .

🏆 Best Affiliate Marketing Networks

Most travel bloggers are signed up with a few affiliate networks that make sense for your niche. Head here for a list of the 50+ best affiliate marketing networks for travel bloggers .

Since my blog only covers Mexico, you’ll find Mexico tours, Mexico hotels, Mexico rental cars and products for traveling to Mexico.

• Best Car Rental Affiliate: Discover Cars
• Best Travel Insurance Affiliates: SafetyWing (I used to recommend World Nomads, but no longer do)
• Best Hotels Affiliate: Booking.com , Expedia and Hotels.com
• Best Home Rental Affiliate: VRBO (Airbnb doesn’t have an affiliate program)
• Best Tours Affiliate: Viator and Get Your Guide
• Best Affiliate for Physical Products: Amazon

Using a combination of the companies listed above, my affiliate marketing income in 2022 was $162,871 . In 2021, I made $5,217 total from affiliate income all year — so 31X more money in just one year.

I attribute a lot of my current success to working one-on-one blog coaching with Laura of Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures . But make no mistake, I am successful because I worked hard, and I worked smart.

3. Selling Digital Products

With affiliate marketing , you’ll only get a commission or a percentage of the sale. When you sell your own products, you get all the profits (minus some fees).

For this reason, many bloggers create digital products like eBooks, printable travel planners, travel guides and more.

You can list the products on your website, or work on building up your email list, so you have direct access to those who have an interest in your content.

Digital products are a great way to make money as a blogger because you create them once, and sell them forever!

Many bloggers will use a site like Canva to create a digital product. There is a free version, but the paid version is well worth the $13 USD per month. ▶︎ Sign up for Canva here .

To sell the products, sites like Gumroad or ThriveCart are both great options.

4. Paid Press Trips

On a press trip, you’ll essentially be paid to travel! How cool, right? Well, sort of.

Personally, I find these too time consuming to arrange, and when I travel, I want to enjoy it; not work. However, many travel bloggers make money while traveling with press trips.

To secure paid press trips, you’ll contact tourism boards (sometimes called a national tourism office) or local travel-related companies.

There’s often a lot of back and forth hammering out the details, and contracts everyone will sign, before the actual trip.

✈️ How do you get press trips for travel bloggers?

Let’s say you want to get paid to travel to Morocco. You’ll first contact the Morocco tourism board, and see if they’d pay you to come to Morocco and create content for them.

If so, you’ll both come to an agreement, then you’d take the trip and blog about it afterwards.

Is it really that easy? That depends.

If you have a large social media following, high-traffic blog, or blog with a completely focused niche (if you have a Morocco blog, the Morocco tourism board is more likely to say yes), getting paid press trips is actually easy.

With a Mexico niche site, I do get tour companies and hotels that contact me for free travel — so this is just one reason to have a niche blog, which is a travel blog with just one focus.

In truth, most bloggers just starting out will get a lot more no’s than yes’s for paid trips. 

5. Sponsored Posts

Another way you can make money travel blogging is with sponsored posts.

This is when a company pays you to write a review of their tour company, or a hotel review, or review of a great travel product, or even just write about the company itself.

They are basically just paying you to promote them on your site, but they want it in your voice — the one that resonates with your audience.

If you think about it, no one knows better how to speak to your audience than you, so companies usually give you creative control.

You can reach out to companies yourself and offer to write a post to promote their products or services.

In some cases, they will contact you, especially if you have a Contact page or Work With Me page on your website (like this one ) that connects to your email address.

6. Sponsored Links

Some companies will also pay you to put a link to their site in one of your existing posts.

Say you have a post ranking in spot #1 on Page 1 of Google titled “Best shoes for travel.” A shoe company might see your post, and offer you money to link to their website.

As it only takes 30 seconds to insert a link in a post, these will earn you far less than a full blog post dedicated to one specific place or thing.

How much you charge depends on a lot of factors, but you can expect $50-100 USD for a link, though some bloggers charge more.

7. Networking With Other Travel Bloggers

Another one of the best ways to make money blogging, is through leads from other bloggers about paid opportunities.

This might not be a direct payout at first, but the best travel bloggers have a large network of colleagues, who will send jobs their way from time to time.

👯‍♀️ Private Facebook Groups

One benefit to all the travel blog courses I’ve taken is access to a private Facebook group.

In these, you can both ask the teacher or mentor questions you have about the course material, and also network with your fellow classmates, who just so happen to be travel bloggers!

I am in a few, and can attest that the quality of information you get in private Facebook groups for travel bloggers is much better than what you get in public groups.

People also tend to be nicer since the teacher has a presence in the group, and no one wants to get in trouble.

👯‍♂️ Best Free Facebook Groups

If you want to check out some free blogging travel groups, there’s Affiliate Marketing for Travel Bloggers , which is my group, and SEO For Travel Bloggers , which is my friend Nina Clapperton’s group.

Looking for the best SEO course for travel bloggers? Check out Nina’s SEO Roadmap , which I can’t recommend enough.

There’s also Women Travel Bloggers , Women Travel Creators and Digital Nomad Wannabe , and all five of these are some of best and most active Facebook travel blogging groups out there.

As with most Facebook groups, you’ll want to take all the info you get with a grain of salt.

✈️ Best Travel Blogging Conferences

I started this travel blog during Covid in 2020, so all blogger conferences have been on hold.

Now that the world has opened back up fully, I plan to attend some travel blog conferences like Travel Blogging Summit (where I was a speaker in 2022), TBEX , Women In Travel Summit , and TravelCon .

Note: Sadly, TravelCon from Nomadic Matt has been canceled indefinitely after the May 2022 conference.

8. Monetize Your YouTube Channel

There are many travel vloggers, like Hey Nadine and The Bucket List Family , who make great money off their YouTube travel videos.

To apply for the YouTube Partner Program and monetize your channel, you’ll need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year.

Note: I don’t have a YouTube channel.

9. Monetize Your Travel Podcast

I had a podcast called Dream To Destination , for one year from 2020-2021. It was a lot of fun, but definitely a lot of work. However, many travel podcasters do make great money podcasting.

I only had the podcast as a hobby, and still made a bit of money from it because it was monetized with ads.

I wrote a detailed guide, How to Start a Travel Podcast for Free (Like I Did) , and if you want a deep dive into this topic, please check it out.

10. Work as a VA for Another Travel Blogger

VA stands for virtual assistant, and it means you can work virtually from anywhere. This is a great entryway into the digital nomad lifestyle or location independence so many want from being a travel blogger.

You can sign up to UpWork or Fiverr to find virtual assistant jobs with travel bloggers, or join some free Facebook blogging groups and offer your services.

As someone who’s in quite a few of these Facebook groups, I always see successful bloggers to hire a VA.

What’s the average travel blogging salary? 

When it comes to making money travel blogging, there’s no average amount. It’s much like asking how much the average singer makes — obviously Adele makes much more than a wedding singer.

Similarly, there’s no answer to how much does a travel blogger make?

🤑 Here are My Stats

• I made $ 272,175 USD in 2022.
• I made $40,106 USD from blogging in December 2022 — $24,151 from affiliate marketing, $9,382 from ads on my site, and $6,572 selling my own products, like this Affiliate Marketing course .
• My main website (this one) received 205,000+ page views in December 2022, and more than 2.6 million page views in 2022.
• Want to know how I did it? Join my email list where I share weekly tips on how I make such a crazy amount of money after just 2.5 years of blogging.

There are some travel blogger salary articles out there, so we know The Blonde Abroad and One Step 4 Ward , both have $1 million+ per year blogs.

In 2017, Nomadic Matt was making multiple-six figures, but I’d assume he too has a $1 million+ travel blog these days.

By contrast, some bloggers make $0.

When I got serious about monetizing my blog, I decided I will absolutely hit seven figures one day, and I started taking steps to do so — like investing in the best travel blogging courses I could find.

I mean, if The Blonde Abroad can, so can I!

What’s the earning potential of travel bloggers?

This really is a better question to ask than How much do travel bloggers make? , or Do bloggers make good money?

I look at this blog (and my other blogs, Travel To Merida , Travel To Oaxaca , Tulum Travel Secrets ) as small businesses, and with your own blog business, the sky’s the limit on how much you earn.

For me, I only want to work 20 hours a week. If I were working a full time 40 hour workweek, I could make a lot more money than I am right now.

In short, when you’re a small business owner (yes — bloggers are! ) you set your own ceiling on earnings.

Travel Blogging: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a travel blog?

A travel blog is a website with information on traveling — like this one!

There are many niches, or sub-genres of travel blogs. Mine is focused on Mexico travel, while some travel blogs focus on Paris travel or, or camping travel, or cruises, or solo travel; the list goes on and on.

What is a travel blogger?

A travel blogger is the person who’s running the travel blog, or someone who writes travel blogs for other people’s blogs. I am actually a multiple six-figure travel blogger who makes a full time income from my blogs.

If you’re a woman, you’ll usually be called a female travel blogger; though the term male travel blogger is pretty much never used.

If you’re unsure how to be a travel blogger, it’s quite simple! In fact, all you need to do is start a travel blog website, then write some travel blog posts.

If you only want to document your travels, this will suffice; if you want to make money, consider a travel blogging course . The one I always recommend is Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures — which I have done!

How to Start a Travel Blog Without Traveling

When we all lost the ability to travel freely in 2020, many travel bloggers still thrived. How? , you might be wondering — By blogging about where they live.

While the place you live is familiar to you, it’s a full-fledged travel destination for the people who don’t live there. 

Is it Worth Starting a Travel Blog in 2024?

As someone who makes a full-time income from my travel blog, works only about 20 hours per week, from any location on Earth I want to — FU+K YES it is!

However, setting up a Wordpress blog and learning how to blog properly takes time. Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.

My blog did nothing in year one; it was basically a place to hear crickets.

In year two, I invested in the best travel blogging courses I could find, and made $7,762.22 dollars ($2,435.18 in December 2021 alone).

Now, in year three, I made $ 272,175 USD in 2022.

While my numbers may seem impressive if you’re making $0 from a blog, I’m still a small time blogger. (OK, maybe a “medium time” blogger 🤣).

There are so many bloggers who make more than me, but since I know blogging is a marathon, not a sprint , it’s only a matter of time before I get there too.

Final Thoughts: How to Become Travel Blogger and Make Money

There are many ways to make money blogging, and the top travel bloggers are doing many of them in tandem.

The one thing to always keep in mind about travel blogging and any blogging is that it will take time to get there. 

The highest paid travel bloggers who make more than $1 million have been blogging for a decade or more before they saw numbers like that.

To really make money as a travel blogger, you need to be in it for the long haul.

From my personal experience, I didn’t start seeing any income for more than one year. When money started finally coming in, it was not much — but I kept at it.

This year, 2024, is my fifth year blogging, and I made $ 272,175 USD in 2022 . My goal for 2022 was $250,000 USD, but I surpassed that.

For the record: I’m not special . I think anyone can be a successful travel blogger, if you have a solid plan.

I learned a lot of what I know from the Scale Your Travel Blog to Six Figures course. (👩‍💻 Read my honest review of the course here .) However, even with the best course, know that blogging takes time.

Ready to invest in a travel blogging course? 👉 Sign up for the FREE live webinar to meet my coach Laura, who helped me grow my blog fast!

What Does a Travel Blogger Do?

Find out what a Travel Blogger does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Travel Blogger.

Embarking on a journey as a Travel Blogger involves weaving narratives around various destinations, cultures, and experiences to inspire and inform a diverse audience. This role transcends mere storytelling; it encompasses the art of capturing the essence of travel through engaging content, photography, and social media engagement. By sharing personal insights, practical tips, and immersive stories, a Travel Blogger not only fuels wanderlust but also serves as a guide, helping readers navigate the complexities of travel planning and decision-making. Through their explorations and reflections, they contribute to a global conversation about travel, offering a window into the world’s myriad landscapes, traditions, and communities.

Travel Blogger Job Duties

• Research and plan travel itineraries to diverse destinations, ensuring a mix of popular and off-the-beaten-path locations.
• Create engaging content, including blog posts, videos, and social media updates, documenting travel experiences and providing travel tips.
• Photograph landscapes, cultural events, and local cuisine to visually complement written content and social media posts.
• Network with tourism boards, travel agencies, and local businesses to arrange travel logistics and secure partnerships or sponsorships.
• Review accommodations, restaurants, and attractions, providing honest opinions and recommendations to the audience.
• Analyze website and social media analytics to understand audience preferences and adjust content strategy accordingly.
• Manage the blog’s technical aspects, including website design, SEO optimization, and troubleshooting issues to ensure a smooth user experience.
• Organize and lead group travel experiences or tours for followers, handling logistics, itineraries, and on-trip content creation.

Travel Blogger Salary & Outlook

Factors affecting a Travel Blogger’s salary include audience size, engagement rate, content quality, niche specialization, monetization strategies (affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales), brand partnerships, and experience level. Diversified income streams, such as ebooks or online courses, also significantly impact earnings. Social media presence and SEO skills are crucial.

• Median Annual Salary: $80,325 ($38.62/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $162,000 ($77.88/hour)

The employment of travel bloggers is expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

This growth is driven by an increasing demand for authentic travel experiences among consumers, who seek personalized and immersive content. Travel bloggers fulfill this need by providing unique insights, destination guides, and visual storytelling, making them invaluable to tourism industries and digital marketing strategies.

Travel Blogger Job Requirements

Education: A Travel Blogger typically has diverse educational backgrounds, with many having some college coursework, often in journalism, communications, or marketing. High school diploma holders succeed by leveraging strong writing and storytelling skills. Those with bachelor’s or associate degrees may have majored in English, creative writing, or digital media, enhancing their content creation and SEO knowledge. Education in photography or videography is also beneficial for creating compelling visual content.

Experience: Travel bloggers often start with varied levels of experience, ranging from beginners to those with up to a year of dabbling in the field. Key experience areas include writing, photography, and digital marketing, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and audience engagement. On-the-job learning is common, as bloggers continuously adapt to new trends and platforms. Many also benefit from informal training programs or workshops focused on SEO, social media strategies, and content creation to enhance their skills and grow their online presence. Networking with fellow bloggers and attending travel-related events can also provide valuable insights and opportunities for growth in this dynamic field.

Certifications & Licenses: No specific certifications or licenses are typically required for the job of a Travel Blogger.

Travel Blogger Skills

SEO Optimization: To rank highly on search engine results pages, incorporating relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and tags is necessary. For travel bloggers, keeping abreast of the latest algorithm changes and trends in travel search queries ensures their blog posts attract both globe-trotters and casual vacationers.

Photography: Through their lenses, travel bloggers capture the essence of destinations, transforming fleeting moments into timeless narratives. This skill not only enhances the visual appeal of their content but also connects the viewer’s imagination to the reality of far-flung locales.

Video Editing: By turning raw footage into visually compelling stories, travel bloggers create engaging narratives that captivate audiences and inspire wanderlust. This skill boosts viewer engagement and retention, making it a crucial part of their digital storytelling toolkit.

Social Media Engagement: Engaging content that resonates with followers, coupled with active interaction through comments, shares, and direct messages, expands a travel blogger’s reach and influence. This interaction fosters a loyal community and elevates the blogger’s brand, increasing its attractiveness to potential collaborators and sponsors.

Storytelling: Travel bloggers craft captivating narratives that transport readers to distant lands, cultures, and experiences. Their ability to weave the fabric of their adventures into engaging, relatable stories establishes a loyal following eager for the next journey.

Destination Research: By exploring the cultural, historical, and social nuances of destinations, travel bloggers offer stories that resonate deeply with their audience, providing insights beyond typical tourist experiences. This approach not only enriches the content but also positions the blogger as a trusted source of travel wisdom.

Travel Blogger Work Environment

Travel bloggers often find themselves in a dynamic work environment, where the world serves as their office. This means their physical setting changes frequently, from bustling city cafes to tranquil beachfronts, depending on their current destination. The essential tools of their trade include a reliable laptop, camera equipment, and a strong internet connection, allowing them to document and share their experiences in real-time.

Work hours for travel bloggers are far from the conventional 9-to-5, offering a high degree of flexibility. They may find themselves working odd hours to catch the perfect sunrise for a shoot or to meet deadlines across different time zones. Despite the lack of a strict dress code, the need to adapt to various cultural norms and climates influences their attire.

The nature of their job requires a significant amount of travel, making interaction with diverse cultures and communities a routine part of their work. This exposure not only enriches their personal experiences but also enhances the content they create, making it more engaging for their audience. However, this constant mobility demands a strong emphasis on work-life balance to prevent burnout.

In essence, the work environment of a travel blogger is characterized by its variability, autonomy, and the continuous opportunity for personal and professional growth through the exploration of new places and cultures.

Advancement Prospects

Travel blogging offers diverse advancement prospects, primarily through audience growth, monetization strategies, and niche specialization. Successful bloggers often expand into related fields such as freelance writing, travel photography, and social media influencing, leveraging their established platforms and audiences.

To accomplish these advancements, a travel blogger should consistently produce high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their target audience. Specializing in a niche within travel blogging, such as eco-tourism or luxury travel, can help in standing out and attracting dedicated followers. Monetization strategies, including affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product sales, are crucial for financial sustainability and growth.

Expanding into visual content by mastering travel photography and videography can significantly enhance a blog’s appeal, opening doors to partnerships with travel agencies, tourism boards, and brands. Engaging with the audience through social media and email newsletters helps in building a loyal community, further fueling growth and opportunities.

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Travel Jobs: Satisfy Your Wanderlust and Your Wallet

Travel jobs offer an incredible opportunity to combine work and wanderlust, allowing individuals to explore the world while earning a living. From becoming a flight attendant and jetting off to new destinations to working as a travel blogger/vlogger and documenting your adventures, numerous roles let you earn money while traveling.

Travel jobs provide a unique blend of adventure, culture, and personal growth, making travel jobs an enticing choice for those seeking to expand their horizons and embrace the world.

Flight Attendant

Flight attendants travel extensively as part of their job, visiting various destinations around the world. Becoming a flight attendant requires a unique set of skills, qualities, and dedication. Apart from meeting the basic requirements such as age, education, and language proficiency, aspiring flight attendants must possess exceptional customer service skills and a genuine passion for helping others. Salary estimates for flight attendants range from $37,690 to $97,170.

Travel Bloggers/Vloggers

Travel bloggers and vloggers are content creators who document their travel experiences and share them with their audience through various online platforms such as blogs, YouTube, Instagram, and social media. Income is highly variable, typically generated through sponsorships, advertising, and collaborations. Income can range from part-time income to six figures or more.

Cruise Ship Staff

Cruise ship workers typically live and work onboard the ship for extended periods, often in shared accommodations. One of the major perks of working on a cruise ship is the opportunity to travel to various destinations around the world. Crew members can explore different ports of call during their time off and experience diverse cultures and sights. Salaries can vary greatly depending on the position, cruise line, and tips.

Teach English Abroad

Teaching English as a foreign language in different countries allows you to immerse yourself in new cultures while earning a living. One popular program is the Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, which equips individuals with the necessary skills and qualifications to teach English in various countries. You can earn $2,000 to $5,000 per month in top-paying countries. 

Travel Nurse

Travel nurses have the opportunity to work in different healthcare facilities around the world, providing temporary nursing support. Salary varies based on location, experience, and demand. Travel nurses often receive higher pay rates due to their temporary assignments. According to ZipRecruiter, the current average salary of a travel nurse is $105,021 or $50/hour. 

Interpreter or Translator

From attending international conferences to working on exciting projects abroad, the experience of traveling as a translator allows you to explore new places, connect with people from various backgrounds, and contribute to global communication and understanding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), interpreters and translators make an average salary of $49,110. 

Volunteering

Traveling as a volunteer provides an incredible opportunity to make a positive impact while exploring new destinations. Whether participating in community development projects, conservation efforts, or humanitarian work, volunteers engage directly with local communities, gaining a deeper understanding of their cultures and challenges. Paid volunteer salaries vary depending on the position, experience, and destination. Websites like GoAbroad.com can help you find opportunities that fit your skill set. 

Travel Agent

As a travel agent, you can visit destinations firsthand, gaining valuable insights to better assist your clients in planning their trips. From scouting out hidden gems to experiencing different travel options, traveling as a travel agent allows you to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and offerings in the industry, ensuring you can provide exceptional service and tailored recommendations to your clients. According to the BLS, the average salary of a travel agent is $43,810.

Travel Photographer

From scouting locations and understanding lighting techniques to mastering composition and post-processing, travel photographers must possess technical skills and a keen eye for storytelling. Additionally, building a strong online presence, marketing their work, and maintaining a professional network are essential aspects of establishing a successful career in travel photography. The average salary for a photographer, according to BLS, is $38,950. 

Web or Graphic Designer

Being a web or graphic designer offers the flexibility to work remotely, enabling you to travel while pursuing your career. With a laptop and an internet connection, you can create and manage websites from anywhere in the world, whether in a bustling city or a serene beach. This freedom allows you to explore new destinations, experience different cultures, and find inspiration to enhance your design skills and perspectives. According to the BLS, the average web designer’s salary is 79,890, while graphic designers make a median income of $50,710 a year. 

Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant job provides the unique advantage of location independence, allowing you to work from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility enables you to travel and explore new destinations while still fulfilling your professional responsibilities. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a freelance virtual assistant is $51,531.

Destination Wedding Planner

Being a destination wedding planner allows you to combine your passion for weddings with the thrill of travel. As you assist couples in creating their dream wedding in picturesque locations around the world, you have the opportunity to experience breathtaking destinations firsthand. From scouting enchanting venues to coordinating logistics in exotic locations, being a destination wedding planner offers a fulfilling and exciting career that lets you explore the world while celebrating love. According to BLS, the average salary for an event planner is $49,470.

Travel Jobs to Fuel Your Wanderlust

Travel jobs offer a unique and exciting avenue for individuals to combine their passion for exploration with their professional pursuits. Whether working in the tourism industry, becoming a digital nomad , or embracing remote work opportunities, travel jobs provide the freedom to experience new cultures, broaden horizons, and create unforgettable memories.

These careers enable individuals to break away from the conventional nine-to-five routine and embrace a lifestyle that fosters personal growth, cultural understanding, and a deep appreciation for our world’s wonders.

This article Travel Jobs: Explore the World while Getting Paid originally appeared on Wander With Alex .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandrea Sumuel is a nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of the Wander With Alex travel blog. Her work has appeared on MSN, YAHOO!, Euronews, and FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates across the United States. 

Alex travels to experience, eat, explore, and occasionally escape! She collaborates with destinations, vacation property management companies, and hospitality technology firms to provide her readers with exclusive insights and information.

8 Unique Jobs For People Who Love To Travel

F or those passionate about experiencing different cultures , a traditional 9-to-5 office job can feel like a cage. Fortunately, there are unique career opportunities that allow travel enthusiasts to turn their wanderlust into a livelihood. If you’re someone who loves to travel and wants to make it an integral part of your life, here are eight unique jobs that you should consider.

Travel Blogger/Vlogger

The digital age has opened up a world of opportunities for travel enthusiasts. Many people now make a living by sharing their adventures through blogs, YouTube channels, and social media. As a travel blogger or vlogger , you can explore new destinations, try unique experiences, and share your stories with a global audience. Revenue can come from sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and advertising, making this a viable career option for those passionate about travel and storytelling.

Travel Nurse

If you have a medical background and love to travel, becoming a travel nurse might be the perfect career choice. Travel nurses work in various healthcare facilities across the country or even internationally. They fill temporary positions, often in areas with shortages of healthcare professionals. This job not only allows you to explore new places but also provides job security and competitive compensation.

Flight Attendant

Working as a flight attendant is an obvious choice for travel enthusiasts. Not only do you get to travel to different destinations, but you also get to see the world from the skies. Flight attendants ensure passenger safety and comfort during flights, and they often have layovers in various cities, allowing them to explore different cultures and cuisines during their downtime.

Travel Photographer

Combine your passion for photography with your love for travel by becoming a travel photographer. This career involves capturing the beauty and uniqueness of different places and cultures, and your work can be published in magazines, books, and online platforms. Travel photographers are in high demand, especially for travel agencies, magazines, and websites looking for eye-catching visuals.

If you have an in-depth knowledge of a particular region or city, consider becoming a tour guide. Leading groups of travelers through historical sites, cultural landmarks, or natural wonders is a rewarding way to share your passion for travel and knowledge about a specific location. Whether you work in your home city or guide tours in far-flung destinations, being a tour guide allows you to explore and learn continuously.

Cruise Ship Worker

Cruise ship jobs offer a unique opportunity for travel enthusiasts to visit various destinations while working on the high seas. You can find employment in multiple roles, such as restaurant staff, entertainment, housekeeping, or even as a ship photographer. The job comes with the added perk of experiencing the destinations the cruise ship visits during your time off.

Travel Consultant

If you have extensive travel experience and a talent for planning and organizing, consider becoming a travel consultant. You can help others plan their dream vacations, offering advice on destinations, accommodations, activities, and more. Being a travel consultant allows you to immerse yourself in travel while helping others create memorable experiences.

Archaeologist or Anthropologist

For history enthusiasts with an adventurous spirit, becoming an archaeologist or anthropologist could be a fascinating career choice. These professions involve researching and exploring ancient cultures, uncovering hidden treasures, and conducting fieldwork in remote areas. While it requires extensive education and training, these jobs can lead to exciting travel opportunities and the chance to make groundbreaking discoveries.

Here's what 93-year-old Warren Buffett and YouTuber Ryan Trahan, 25, have in common

• Warren Buffett, 93, has more in common with YouTuber Ryan Trahan, 25, than you might think.
• The investor prizes resourceful people who can build fortunes from scratch without cheating anyone.
• Trahan specializes in turning a penny into hundreds or even thousands of dollars within days.

Warren Buffett loves to bet on resourceful people who can turn nothing into something and succeed against the odds . If the 93-year-old investor watched YouTube, he might be a fan of Ryan Trahan.

Buffett's late business partner, Charlie Munger , said the Berkshire Hathaway CEO prizes ingenuity and scrappiness during Wesco's annual meeting in 1987. That's according to Gurufocus , which cited an issue of "Outstanding Investor Digest" that year.

"His definition of a wonderful person is somebody who could fall out of a freight car with no money in a strange town and without cheating anybody become rich without waiting too long. And when he finds one of those, why naturally he's very pleased to back him."

Trahan, a content creator with about 15 million YouTube subscribers, has built his brand around his ability to turn a penny into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in a matter of days.

In 2022 , starting with a single cent, he managed to travel from California to North Carolina in the space of 30 days. He did so by swapping the penny for a pen from a passerby, selling the pen for a dollar to another stranger, using the dollar to buy a bottle of water then selling it on for $2, and so on.

Trahan funded his bus trips, Uber rides, and flights by delivering food, walking dogs, mowing lawns, cleaning cars, washing windows, telling jokes, and drawing caricatures for cash.

The celebrity vlogger also borrowed from Buffett's childhood playbook by hawking soda and candy , and finding and flogging used golf balls.

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Moreover, in true Buffett style , Trahan lived frugally to make his money stretch further, and even showed the same love of fast food and aversion to vegetables.

He often slept in a hammock to save on accommodation, ordered a lettuce-less McChicken at McDonald's virtually every day, and showered at a gym using a free trial membership.

Trahan also nodded to Buffett — who owns $131 billion worth of Berkshire stock — by investing in assets that would retain their value even if he ran out of cash, such as gift cards, a blanket, and a bicycle.

During one of his earliest penny challenges in 2017, Trahan subscribed to Buffett's value-investing philosophy by sniffing out bargains in thrift stores and online marketplaces, then flipping them for a profit.

There are clear similarities between Buffett and Trahan, including investment savvy and hustle, a taste for junk food and dislike of anything green, and a willingness to live cheaply.

Buffett even hailed the power of a penny during the HBO documentary "Becoming Warren Buffett": "I was delivering 500 papers a day and I made a penny a paper but in turns of compounding that penny's turned into something else," he said.

Trahan may well have taken inspiration from the legendary investor.

"I love this guy's voice," he said about Buffett in a video last fall, in which he jokingly invited the Berkshire chief (with the promise that Coca-Cola would be served) and a raft of other billionaires to his birthday party.

Buffett and Trahan may be several generations apart, but they show that whether you're starting with a cent or you're already a centibillionaire, the ability to make money never gets old.

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