So you want to become a travel blogger. Where do you begin? Where does one start? Here’s a basic guide to get you started and what I’ve learned to-date.
1. Choose a focus or strategy.
Are you going to write about travelling on a budget? Focus on a particular continent? This is something I failed to do myself and am now trying to refocus after the fact (which is really hard!).
2. Choose your URL and email.
Having your own URL makes your site look more professional than a free site like www.xxxxx.wordpress.com and if you choose wisely it’ll probably be easier to remember as well. Same goes with email. What looks better and more trustworthy? firstname@gmail.com or firstname@raintravels.com?
Think all this is too expensive? You can get your own URL for $4.99 to $9.99 a year through sites like Go Daddy. Once you have a URL, setting up your email is relatively easy. If you want to use Gmail as your email client, it’s only about $6/month.
3. Choose a theme.
Go to sites like WooThemes and Theme Forest to pick a website WordPress template. Don’t worry, you can change the colours, add your own logo, and even customize it to your liking.
4. Get web hosting.
Your site has to live somewhere right? Just like a domain, it’s pretty cheap to get shared hosting through sites like Go Daddy, Media Temple and Hostgator starting at $5/month!
It is recommended that you get CPanel with your hosting (usually included in the monthly fee) and sites like Hostgator offer tools to help you install WordPress themes quickly and easily.
5 (Or Maybe it should be 1?). Start writing.
Posts don’t have to be a specific length. It can be long, short, just pictures, etc. Get into the habit of posting as often as possible and writing (or at least coming up with ideas) during your downtime.
6. Spread the word.
Join the conversation online on Twitter and Instagram (don’t spam!) or go out and meet other travellers at local events like Travel Massives. The only way people will find out about your blog is if they get to know you first.
For more in-depth advice, be sure to check out Will’s Travel Blog Breakthrough blog for some really great insights!