” How to Travel Full Time and Make Money on Social Media” is a captivating video that offers valuable tips and insights on how anyone can become a full-time content creator and make money while traveling. The speaker, Christian, shares his own personal journey of starting as a broke backpacker and becoming a successful travel influencer. He emphasizes the need to work hard, be willing to sell oneself to the highest bidder, and keep costs low while traveling. With over 10 revenue streams, including ad revenue, selling products, affiliate linking, and Patreon, Christian provides practical advice on diversifying income sources. He also highlights the importance of developing marketable skills, building a niche and brand, and creating unique and engaging content. Whether you’re interested in photography, videography, or becoming a travel influencer, this video provides invaluable information and inspiration on how to turn your passion into a profitable career.
Tips for Becoming a Full-time Travel Influencer
Being a full-time travel influencer may seem like a dream job, but it requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to sell yourself. Here are some tips to help you become a successful travel influencer.
Work hard and be willing to sell oneself to the highest bidder
Becoming a full-time travel influencer requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You need to put in the hours to create high-quality content, engage with your audience, and build your brand. It’s not enough to just post a few pictures on Instagram and expect to make a living. You have to be willing to put in the effort to promote yourself and your content to potential sponsors and brands.
Keep travel costs low
When you’re just starting out as a travel influencer, it’s important to keep your travel costs as low as possible. This means finding cheap flights, staying in budget accommodations, and being smart about your expenses. Look for opportunities to work with brands or companies that can provide you with free accommodations, meals, or activities in exchange for promotion. This will help you save money and stretch your budget further.
Diversify income sources
Relying on just one source of income as a travel influencer can be risky. It’s important to diversify your income sources to ensure a stable and sustainable income. Here are some ways you can generate income as a travel influencer:
Revenue Streams for Travel Influencers
Ad revenue
One of the most common ways for travel influencers to make money is through ad revenue. This can be through sponsored posts on Instagram, YouTube ads, or display ads on your blog or website. The more followers and engagement you have, the more you can charge for these ad placements.
Selling products through a Shopify store
Another way to generate income is by selling products related to your travel niche. This can be anything from travel guides and ebooks to travel gear and merchandise. Setting up a Shopify store allows you to sell these products directly to your audience.
Affiliate linking
Affiliate marketing is a popular way for travel influencers to earn passive income. By including affiliate links in your content, you can earn a commission for any sales made through those links. This can include hotel bookings, flights, travel gear, and more.
Patreon
Patreon is a platform that allows creators to earn recurring income from their audience. You can offer exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and other perks in exchange for a monthly subscription fee. This can be a great way to build a community of dedicated supporters.
Consulting
If you have expertise in a specific area, such as social media marketing or travel planning, you can offer consulting services to other travel influencers or brands. This can be a lucrative income source, but keep in mind that your availability may be limited by the time you have available.
Passive Income Sources for Travel Influencers
Licensing footage
If you’re skilled at videography, you can license your footage to other content creators, agencies, or brands. This can provide a steady stream of income without requiring much ongoing effort.
Tour guiding
If you’re knowledgeable about a particular destination or have a unique experience to offer, you can work as a tour guide. This can be a well-paid source of income and allows you to interact with travelers in person.
Making videos for others
If you have videography and editing skills, you can offer your services to other content creators or businesses. This can include creating travel videos, promotional videos, or video editing services.
Managing social media accounts
Some travel influencers earn income by managing social media accounts for other individuals or brands. This can include creating content, managing engagement, and growing the audience.
Photography Gigs as Income Sources
Shooting models or weddings
If you have photography skills, you can offer your services for photoshoots or wedding photography. This can be a lucrative way to earn income while showcasing your talents.
Consistency may vary
It’s important to note that photography gigs may not always be consistent. The demand for photographers can vary depending on the location and season. However, if you build a strong portfolio and reputation, you can increase your chances of securing gigs.
Workshops as a Potential Income Source
Consider doing workshops in Bali
If you have expertise in a particular area, you can consider hosting workshops or teaching classes. Bali is a popular destination for workshops and retreats, so it can be a great place to start.
Finding Potential Income Sources
Look at what you enjoy doing and the skills you already have
To find potential income sources as a travel influencer, start by looking at what you enjoy doing and the skills you already have. Consider how you can monetize those skills or interests in a way that aligns with your travel niche.
Develop a monetizable skill
If you don’t have a monetizable skill yet, consider learning a new skill that can be valuable in the travel industry. This could be videography, photography, social media management, or marketing.
Utilize free resources on YouTube
There are many free resources available on platforms like YouTube that can help you learn new skills or improve your existing ones. Take advantage of these resources to expand your knowledge and enhance your marketability as a travel influencer.
Becoming an Expert in Videography and Editing
Importance of videography, editing, photography, and marketing skills
As a travel influencer, it’s important to have strong videography and editing skills. This will allow you to create high-quality content that stands out from the competition. Additionally, having photography and marketing skills can help you attract sponsors and grow your audience.
Work hard and learn real-world skills
Becoming an expert in videography and editing requires hard work and dedication. Take the time to practice your skills, learn from others in the industry, and stay up to date with the latest trends and techniques. It’s also important to gain real-world experience by creating and sharing your own content.
Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms
Prioritize Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
When choosing social media platforms to focus on, it’s important to prioritize those that are most popular among your target audience. For travel influencers, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are essential.
Building a niche and brand
To stand out as a travel influencer, it’s important to build a niche and brand for yourself. Find a unique angle or perspective and focus on creating content that aligns with your brand. This will help you attract a dedicated audience and potential sponsors.
Creating Unique and Engaging Content
Avoid following cookie-cutter formats
To differentiate yourself as a travel influencer, it’s important to avoid following cookie-cutter formats. Instead, focus on creating content that is unique, authentic, and showcases your personal strengths and interests.
Focus on personal strengths
Identify your personal strengths and interests and incorporate them into your content. This will help you stand out and create content that is genuine and true to who you are as a travel influencer.
Experiment with new ideas
Don’t be afraid to experiment with new ideas and push the envelope. Try different types of content, storytelling techniques, or editing styles to keep your audience engaged and interested.
Provide valuable and unique information
To attract and retain an audience, it’s important to provide valuable and unique information in your content. This can include travel tips, destination guides, insider secrets, or personal stories that resonate with your audience.
Conclusion
Being a full-time travel influencer is not easy, but with hard work and dedication, it is possible to make a living while traveling the world. By diversifying your income sources, developing marketable skills, and creating unique and engaging content, you can carve out a successful career as a travel influencer. Remember to focus on your passion, stay true to your brand, and continually strive to provide value to your audience.