Tips on Starting a Travel Blog
Got a passion for traveling and enjoy sharing your exciting adventures with others? Love taking gorgeous photos of all your quests or sharing life lessons you’ve learned from local natives?
If you’re thinking of starting a travel blog, you need to keep a few key points in mind if you want to stand out from the competition.
Let’s get into them.
Starting a Travel Blog – Tip #1 – Make a Standout Name
What’s in a name? Well, a lot actually.
Let’s be real. If you’ve ever looked into existing travel blogs, how many websites have you heard of that start with nomadic, wandering, or “X” travels?
Step away from those cliches and focus on creating something that’s both memorable and easy-to-read.
A few blog name tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure the .com domain is available!
- Research social media options before buying out the domain
- Think long-term (avoid anything to do with specific years or locations)
- Create the easiest URL possible (no hyphens!)
If you’re struggling with a name, take some time and write down different options. Practice saying different words aloud together. Ask friends and family for feedback.
Related | Points to Remember While Choosing a Blog Name
Create a Personal Brand
One of the most important elements in blogging is creating a unique identity and voice. You want to be an authority in the field, but you also want to come across as a relatable human!
Think about your brand. Are you focusing on the travel locations themselves or the people you meet? Do you like to use humor when you talk, or do you prefer to use long, eloquent descriptions?
A consistent identity across all your online channels will help enhance your brand. This will, in turn, help you reach out to your target demographic and create dynamic content that appeals to your readers.
Consider a Niche and Your Passion
If you’re starting a travel blog, you need to ask yourself the following: Why am I doing this and what am I hoping to give to my audience that nobody else can?
Maybe you’re a die-hard grilled cheese fan and want to systemically rank every grilled cheese sandwich on a road trip across America. (YES!)
Maybe you’re an expert hiker and looking to break down the Kilimanjaro climb cost for other hiking fans.
Think about why you really love to travel, about what stands out ahead from everything else, and start there.
Not sure if you actually have a definitive niche? Hone in on your passion, and let your writing reflect the love and affinity you have for your travels.
After all, we all know that trends come and go. But passion is one of those lasting elements that’s here to stay.
Get Guest Posting
There are over 1.5 billion websites on the World Wide Web.
What does that mean for you? In a nutshell, when you first start yours, traffic isn’t going to organically happen on its own.
Guest posting is a great way to attract your target audience and establish a sense of authority and credibility on travel.
Check with similar travel bloggers and aim to network and build relationships. Be picky about where you post! You want to be associated with high-quality websites.
Dominate Social Media
Today, successful bloggers do a whole lot more than just, well, blog. They have an online influence, and they share their ideas on multiple platforms.
As you think about starting a travel blog, think about your approach to social media. In general, this is one of the best ways to reach out to new customers, develop your brand identity, and establish credibility.
General social media notes to consider:
- Tag all Instagram locations (you’re an expert on travel, after all).
- Ask questions to stimulate dialogue between you and your readers.
When it comes to social media, risk-taking often pays off. You don’t want to just blend in with what everyone else is doing.
You want to leave a lasting and memorable impression, one that people are excited to view and share with others.
Also Read | 6 Vital Things to do to Become a Powerful Influencer
Live, Love, and Breathe SEO
Having the greatest content in the world won’t mean much if you can’t get anyone to read it, right? SEO elevates your blog from a tiny corner of the Internet universe to the coveted top pages of Google.
Whether you want to do your own SEO or outsource to a professional digital marketing company, this is not something you want to skimp out on.
If you’re thinking about starting a travel blog and making money off it, you need to know everything there is to know about keywords and backlinks.
Must Read | H1 and H2 Heading Tags for SEO – How You Should Use Them?
Create a Useful Service
Want to really take your travel blogging to the next level? Consider beyond just starting a travel blog and start thinking outside the proverbial box.
From ebooks to travel consulting to exclusive destination guides to individual tours, there are so many different services that you can offer your potential readers.
You can also monetize your travel blog through powerful affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates. These programs allow you to generate an income through recommending products and services that relate to the content on your blog”
Think about an area that you would want to pursue and determine the need for it within the travel industry. Chances are, there is an interested customer out there looking to hire!
Final Thoughts on Starting a Travel Blog
If the world is your oyster, your blog is the place to share it!
With the following tips in mind, you’ll be joining the expert travel blogging ranks in no time.
Interested in learning more tips about sprucing up your blog? Be sure to check out our extensive directory.
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