How do you get into travel vlogging?
So, You Want to Be a Travel Vlogger
Vlogging has become an incredibly popular hobby and career move over the last few years. People have started to share daily stories about everything from what they eat to how they organize their homes.
One of the most popular vlogging genres, however, is travel. It gives viewers the chance to see the world from the comfort of their own homes, and typically offers tips and insight into how to make the most of different travel experiences.
Whether you have the travel bug, you love social media and content creation, or you’re ready to take a leap of faith and try something completely new with your life, becoming a travel blogger might check all of your boxes. But, it’s not as easy as quitting your day job and hitting the road. If you want to become a successful travel vlogger, there are a few things to keep in mind as you get started, and a few tips that can make the experience easier and more fulfilling.
Let’s dive into the ins and outs of social media and how to acquire followers. We’ll also talk about what you can use as a home base during your travels, and how to transition to life on the road.
Fans, Followers, and Figuring It All Out
There are thousands of travel vloggers around the world. Some have found great success, while others are typically just making videos for family and friends. If you want to turn vlogging into a career, it will require more than just picking up your smartphone and hitting the road.
First, consider establishing a niche or something that will help you stand out. The highest-paid travel vlogger in the world goes by “Nomadic Matt”. He’s traveled to over 100 countries in the last fifteen years and has even written a best-selling book giving people tips on how to travel the world on just $50 a day.
Once you’ve discovered what makes you unique, educate yourself on things like production and equipment. The more aesthetically pleasing your content is, the better. Today’s viewers can quickly tell the difference between a quality video and something put together in a matter of minutes. By creating high-quality videos, you can eventually join YouTube’s Partner Program, and monetize your content. That’s often the best way for vloggers to make money doing what they love. The more subscribers you get, the more money you’ll make. If you’re still struggling to get subscribers, try some of the following tips:
- Be consistent with your content
- Create thematic thumbnails
- Create a channel trailer
- Host contests
- Optimize your videos for search
- Directly ask viewers to subscribe
Of course, YouTube isn’t the only social media platform you should engage in. Connect with your fans and followers as often as possible using Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more. The more direct engagement you’re a part of, the better.
Setting Up Your Home Base
Some travel bloggers prefer planes, trains, boats, and whatever other form of transportation they can hop on to see the world. That can be fun and exciting if you’re heading to different countries and want to explore multiple cultures. But, if you’re more interested in showing your fans and followers what it’s like to be a sort of “digital nomad” and travel the country, having a home base is your best option.
An RV is one of the best ways to travel without having to spend extra money on lodging. You can also use it as an opportunity to show other people how to make the most of their RV road trips and travel experiences by turning your rig into a real home on wheels. Some of the benefits of RV living include:
- Fewer living expenses
- A simplified life
- The ability to be spontaneous
- Sustainable living
Consider sharing tips on how to save money on gas, or how to decorate your RV to make it feel homier. People love little tips and tricks, especially if they’re unique and helpful. Because most people aren’t familiar with RV living, you can also share tips on what to look for when purchasing a rig. The more information you can provide, the more authoritative you’ll appear to your followers, and they’ll continue to come back for more interesting and informative content they can trust.
How to Transition to Life on the Road
If you want to be a travel vlogger, you’ll put a lot of time and effort into creating great content for your subscribers and fans. But, don’t forget to pay attention to your own needs, while you’re at it. Transitioning to life on the road can be challenging, at first, and it’s important to know how to do it in a healthy way.
One of the best ways to make the transition to full-time traveling is to prioritize self-care. Set up your living space in a way that makes you feel comfortable and calm. Try to keep a consistent routine each day, and make sure to include things like exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep in that routine.
You can also use your own self-care practices and habits to help your viewers. Maybe you’ve found creative ways to save money while traveling that you can pass on to others. Maybe you’ve come up with a few fitness hacks that can keep you in shape on the road. Other people would love to see that. Noticing a theme? The more genuine and “real” your content, the better. By taking care of your physical and mental well-being. You’ll be able to connect with your viewers and followers more easily, and they’ll feel a closeness with you that can’t be manufactured.
Ready to take the plunge and hit the road? Be ready for a few bumps and detours along the way, but don’t let them stop you from living out your dream and seeing the world.
How do you get into travel vlogging?
