How to be a successful travel creator in 2023

My travel creator journey started back in 2016 when I created this blog to share more of my travel experiences, advice and tips to help people travel more and live a more adventurous life. It’s been nearly seven years as a travel creator, and one question I often get asked is, “HOW?”. How can you be successful as a creator in 2023? Here are some tips for you.

It’s good to keep in mind that success is relative but there is often a general idea of success for most travel creators. Working with travel brands, being paid to travel, invites to press trips, growth in impact and follower count, etc. Those mean success to me too, but my biggest success is definitely building my community and helping my audience become more travel savvy. Whatever success looks like for you, here are some tips to help you become a more successful travel creator in 2023.

I’ve worked with some of the top brands in the industry, I’m getting paid to travel, I have a 200K strong community, I get paid to travel, etc. None of it has happened by luck or chance. It takes a” lot of strategy and effort to be successful in a crowded space. Start with these tips below that will answer the question, “How to be a successful travel creator in 2023”.

What you need to do to become successful as a travel creator

1. Find your niche: The more specific and unique your focus, the more likely you attract a dedicated following. Whether it’s budget travel, sustainable tourism, solo travel or a specific destination, finding your niche will help you stand out in a crowded market. Lots of people shy away from finding their niche, but it is one of the best ways to get success in the industry.
2. Create high-quality content: With so much content available online, it’s more important than ever to create high-quality content that stands out. Invest in a good camera, learn to edit videos and photos, and put time and effort into writing thoughtful and informative blog posts and content in general. You don’t need to spend a lot of money buying the fanciest gear, but you do need to invest in your craft and find ways to improve your craft.
3. Engage with your audience: Building a community around your content is key to success as a travel creator. Respond to comments on your posts, create a Facebook group for your followers, and actively seek opportunities to connect with other content creators and travel industry professionals. One thing I love to do is host virtual workshops, free or paid, to give my audience an opportunity to get to know me and vice versa. An engaging community will help you stand out and be more valuable to brands for partnership opportunities.
4. Promote your content: To grow your audience, you need to promote your content. Utilize social media to share your content, reach out to other travel bloggers and content creators, and collaborate with other travel bloggers in your niche. You are your own marketing team, so don’t be shy about spreading the good news about your work and content.
5. Make sure you are passionate about travel. The more passionate you are, the more long-lasting your travel creator career will be. It would also help you stay focused on your goals even when things are not going as planned.
6. Be authentic: Lastly, be true to yourself and your own travel experiences. Your audience will appreciate your honesty and authenticity. Avoid creating unrealistic expectations or promoting products or services you don’t believe in.
7. Be adaptable. I used to be so stuck on only creating photos until I realized videos were the future so I learned videos too. If you don’t evolve and allow your content to evolve with you, you will be stuck. Don’t chase trends, but be willing to adapt and get better.

Steps to get started as a travel creator

What qualifies you to be a travel creator or blogger? Well, creating travel content. There is no barrier to entry and anyone can become a travel creator. You just need to have a passion for travel, a flair for photography or video, and some good storytelling skills.

1. Platform choice. Choose your primary platform where you will be creating content to. Don’t try to do too much simultaneously, or you will burn out and be overwhelmed. It can be a blog, Instagram, Twitter, etc. But choose one platform, master it and then you can expand your platforms.
2. Discover your niche and target audience. Who are you creating content for? And don’t say everybody because your content can’t please everyone. Determine who you are creating content for and serve them with valuable content every time.
3. Start small: You don’t need to have a substantial following or expensive equipment to start creating travel content. Start by creating a blog or social media account and sharing your travel experiences with a small group of friends and family. As you build your audience and gain confidence, you can expand your content and reach.
4. Learn the basics of photography and videography: Learning the basics of photography and videography will help you create high-quality content that stands out. Take a class, watch online tutorials, or read photography and videography books to learn the basics.
5. Create a content strategy: Before creating content, it’s important to have a clear content strategy. Decide on your niche, target audience, and goals for your content. This will help you stay focused and consistent as you create and promote your content.
6. Start building your network: Building a network of other travel creators, travel industry professionals, and brands is crucial for success as a travel creator. Reach out to other creators, attend travel industry events, and join online groups to start building your network.

This is how to be a successful travel creator in 2023. By following the above steps and committing to your goals. Starting as a travel creator can be a challenging but rewarding path, remember that it takes time and effort to build an audience and establish yourself as a successful travel creator. However, with the right strategies and guidance, you can be well on your way.

Want guidance? My travel creator mentorship program launches soon.

It’s finally happening. I am launching my first-ever travel creator mentorship program for aspiring travel creators who want to build a successful career. It is a four-month program that helps you build an irresistible, solid, sort-after travel brand online that is aligned with your goals, is impactful and helps you build wealth. Interested? Sign up to join the waitlist HERE and be the first to know when it launches in February.

Are you an aspiring creator? Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments!

All the best.