For the final ten years, I’ve been capable of journey the world and receives a commission.
Positive, the pandemic has put a dent on my journey plans for the final 12 months or so, and I’m not the one one.
However with most international locations now open for vacationers and even Australia wanting prone to open its borders within the new 12 months, I believed now could be time to share with anybody serious about doing the identical, precisely how I did it.
I’ve no real interest in retaining this data to myself. Actually, I’ll even present you the precise emails I ship to resorts and tourism boards after I need to keep without spending a dime.
As somebody who grew up in a small city and had excessive hopes for travelling the world solo, I’m not solely excited to share with you the way I made journey my full-time job, however really feel a way of obligation to make this kind of factor extra accessible.
So with that, right here goes nothing!
I began in 2012
I began my weblog, World of Wanderlust, in 2012.
The web was totally different again then and social media was nonetheless in its early days.
Instagram had been round for 2 years, however solely actually grew to become fashionable in April 2012. It was round this time just a few style bloggers dominated Instagram. Celebrities had barely began utilizing the app, with a lot of them not creating accounts till the next 12 months and past.
This was a time earlier than influencers, as they’re now recognized.
There have been a handful of style bloggers constructing audiences on the app. These included the likes of Tuula Classic, Gary Pepper Lady and The Blonde Salad, to call just a few that come to thoughts. These style bloggers have been jetting round Europe staying in swanky resorts and attending style exhibits, in every single place from Milan to Paris. They have been snapping their outfits candidly on the streets by day, attending totally hosted Dior dinners by the night.
However I cherished following these accounts for a distinct motive. As somebody who grew up in a small city in Tasmania, on the backside of Australia, the glitz and glamour of the style world was past me.
I noticed a chance.
I adopted these style bloggers journey throughout Europe for style weeks and summer time holidays, however was extra within the background than the garments they have been carrying.
So I made a decision I’d begin my very own Instagram account, specializing in the locations quite than Dior.
World of Wanderlust was born
Whereas I began my weblog in December 2012, it didn’t turn into a right away success. Nothing ever does. However the reality is, it in all probability took lots much less time than you’d think about.
For the subsequent 12 months, I traveled on and off between finishing my final 12 months at college. I went from being a full time enrolled scholar to turning into a distance training scholar, so I may journey all through the semester. I launched into a handful of journeys that 12 months – to Vietnam, Bali and Europe.
I paid for my flights to every of those locations, however my lodging was sponsored. Sure! In my first 12 months as a blogger, I already had resort sponsorships for all of my adventures.
I’m positive you’re questioning, how? Why? Why would anybody need to sponsor somewhat recognized blogger (the truth is, I’m pretty sure it was simply my family and friends studying my weblog presently).
Three phrases: return on funding.
Every of the resorts that hosted me in my first 12 months as an novice author and photographer noticed an ROI (return on funding). As a substitute of asking for one thing from them, I instructed them what I may do for them.
I listed my experience in writing and images, my experiences touring, and what I would offer for them in return for a free night time at their resort. I’d be particular. I’d define the variety of images I’d take, the size of the weblog submit, and the moment publicity they might acquire by that includes on my Instagram and Fb pages.
And so they mentioned sure.
Positive, quite a lot of resorts and advertising and marketing executives mentioned no. Actually, I’d say just one in 4 resorts even bothered to return my emails. However the ones who did have been encouraging and no less than half of them mentioned sure. It was all I wanted to get my foot within the door.
The early days of journey running a blog and influencers
Quite a bit has modified since then. Journey running a blog and influencing has turn into a full fledged profession.
Again then, it was totally different.
What I used to be doing was thought of extraordinarily totally different – an actual change to the established order. There have been a handful of journey bloggers already getting paid to journey, but it surely regarded lots totally different again then. Journey blogs have been extra targeted on prolonged weblog posts, which have been phrase heavy with just a few images dispersed all through the textual content for reference.
So, what did I do otherwise?
I mixed the style bloggers’ method to Instagram (stunning images) with a conventional journey weblog (characteristic articles) to create an aesthetically pleasing nook of the web that may encourage journey of your individual.
Then I offered this concept to firms – the likes of Apple, GoPro, Samsonite, 4 Seasons resorts, Mandarin Oriental Accommodations, to call just a few.
What did I promote them? A direct hyperlink to my viewers. Somewhat than throwing promoting {dollars} at {a magazine} characteristic, they have been throwing promoting {dollars} at me. This stored me touring longer, which stored me within the sport of making content material.
It was a triple win state of affairs.
I received to journey the world full time. My readers received to dwell vicariously by means of my adventures to plan their very own. Manufacturers received fast entry to an engaged viewers.
So the key?
Present firms you’re their means to an finish. Present them what they’ll get from you, quite than the opposite manner round. Use knowledge and a rigorously crafted media equipment to point out a return on funding. And don’t be afraid to place your individual pores and skin within the sport to get began.
If you wish to be part of my full course on turning into a journey blogger, join right here.
If you wish to buy my electronic mail templates to method resorts, tourism boards and types, you’ll be able to see them right here.
