Comments on: Why I’ll Never Be a Professional Travel Blogger

By: Nicky_wanderlust_

Nicky_wanderlust_ — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 07:53:42 +0000

So glad I stumbled upon this post and your site! Interesting discussion in the comments too.
I have recently started my own blog, even though I’ve been living as an expat and traveling around for the past 6 years. I made a deal with myself, that I wouldn’t lose sight of my passion for traveling by trying to treat my website as a full-time money-maker! I want to keep traveling the way I do, focusing on the moment and the sights without worrying about the next Instagram pic or whether other people would be interested about that place/experience! If a passion becomes your sole source of income, then constant worrying takes the fun out of it, and I wouldn’t want that to happen to me.

Thanks for being an inspiration to keep doing what I love and grow as a writer without succumbing to the dilemma of aggressive monetizing (what is a “professional” travel blogger anyways? If it means they only focus on social media, SEO and what’s hot on the tourist board that month, then they can keep that profession to themselves 🙂 )

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 20:13:12 +0000

I’ll start off by saying that for the most part, I like your post. It really opens people’s eyes to the realization that professional traveling blogging is not all fun and games. It’s only getting to see things the tourism companies pick for you, which is something I wouldn’t like. It’s being too busy thinking about your next blog post instead of enjoying the place. I understand why you wouldn’t want to be that kind of blogger. Neither would I. But why look down on and insult the people who DO like professional travel blogging? Why are you calling them illiterate because they have a few typos, or saying that taking a lot of photos is somehow bad? Also you go on and on about how much work is involved, and then say it isn’t hard? Obviously it’s not for you, but there’s no reason to be so nasty towards the people who do like doing it.

By: Randy

Randy — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 08:58:08 +0000

I suck at writing

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 07:59:10 +0000

Really enjoyed this article! I feel like these days the internet is oversaturated with posts about “get paid to travel the world by blogging.” It’s super tough work, and besides creating content, takes years of constantly engaging on social media. I really feel many travelers have forgotten to live in the moment whilst travelling because they’re too busy snapping/instagramming/talking to their gopro for their youtube video…

By: Mia

Mia — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:09:37 +0000

Being a travel blogger not an easy job 🙂

By: Theodora

Theodora — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 01:05:21 +0000

Nice to hear from you! I wear many hats – I’m a journalist, and a copywriter, and a blogger. Mine is just five, but I do love it and it has been great for me – albeit not in the way I thought it would originally, that it would magically turn into a book because it was sooooo original to be a single parent taking a year out, lol. It has and does get me travel writing gigs (I write a lot in the booze and bars sector and I don’t think I could have moved into travel as well without this) and connect me to editors.

It makes me some money. It has enabled me to meet many people who are now friends. It also allows me to write at inordinate length about whatever I feel like, and people read it, which is rewarding in itself. You hit the nail on the head about folk who are solely dependent on one single blog – as distinct from websites. Maybe I should have added “full-time” to the title….

By: Camels & Chocolate

Camels & Chocolate — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:08:50 +0000

Just stumbled upon this link, and I must say I’m extremely glad I am a journalist with a blog (that has occasional but limited partnerships) and not a “professional travel blogger” (whatever that means exactly) because then I can pick and choose which make sense and don’t have to take everything that comes in the inbox out of fear of not making ends meet, you know? I’ve always looked at my blog, which is now eight years old, as a good creative outlet, a way for me to share the behind the scenes from my travels that don’t make it into print (and other travels that are simply “for fun”), and a way for new magazine editors to find me–and if it results in mutually beneficial partnerships with brands I love (like Microsoft), then great: added bonus. And if not, no harm, no foul. But I definitely would NOT want it to be my full-time gig!

By: Dunja

Dunja — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 13:16:45 +0000

True words!

By: Duncan Ridgley

Duncan Ridgley — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 18:52:37 +0000

Great and humorous read. I think the problem with ‘travel blogging’ is, thats what you see the other person doing in the hostel, so the ‘would be me too’ factor kicks in. I have a web site with 1,000’s of hosts needing real skills from travellers – like how to get rid of their mosquitos or fix their sewage system. People need to look around and see the real opportunities of getting paid work where they are going. After all, your a traveller and you have knowledge they do not have. Every one has their own camera and pics of them on a camel, seeing someone else do it it is like… and? Write a blog about how you fixed 100 hotels mozzy problem, you will get an amazing following and sell your ” get rid of mozzies in a week” ebook for 20 euro a pop. I rest my case 🙂

By: Theodora

Theodora — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 13:23:09 +0000

In reply to Diane.

I should also link up to this one, which is recent: http://grrrltraveler.com/reviews-2/real-world-santorini-museum-spa-wellness-hotel-santorini/. That said, I’ve so far only found one negative review of a paid experience – the one from Turnipseed Travel, up above – and I’ve not found anyone disclosing they’re being paid, either: if you come across one, do let me know.