Want to become a popular travel blogger? Here are 7 tips from an expert!

By Rita

Traveling while writing—how romantic!

In recent years, blogging has become a hot career, with bloggers racking up millions of views and earning tens of thousands for a single sponsored post. But with more and more people entering the field, standing out is no easy feat. Many make the mistake of trying to copy others’ successful formulas, which only makes them less distinctive.

Matthew Kepnes, a professional travel writer based in New York who has published articles in media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, National Geographic Channel, and The Wall Street Journal,shares his own experience and offersseven pieces of advice for those interested in running a blog. These insights might burst your “travel-and-write” bubble, but the practical suggestions may give you some ideas—so start writing!

1. Research the industry first
Many bloggers produce dull content because they simply write in a diary-like, uninteresting style. Millions of people around the world are traveling and writing, and many assume that “since I’m traveling and writing, I must be a travel writer.” The problem is, that doesn’t mean you can do both well at the same time.

Great travel blogs are thoughtfully crafted, not just filled with sponsored posts. The stories should focus on the “destination,” not on promoting the author.

You might wonder how you can stand out in this crowded space. Perhaps you should ask yourself, “Even though there are many bloggers, there are only a handful of truly outstanding ones—how can I compete with them?” Understanding what works, what doesn’t, and where you fall short can help you find your niche.

2. Run your blog with a service mindset
The key to a travel blog isn’t what you did or who you met, but the places you visited and how you help readers imagine being there themselves.

Apart from a small group of readers, few people really care about the details of your travel adventures. Writing effectively is actually about “providing a service.” No traveler wants to miss out on amazing sights or experiences, so before you write, put yourself in the reader’s shoes: “What’s special about this place?” “What cultural differences did you observe?” “What practical advice can you offer?” Can you replace “I” with more “you”?

3. Tell an exclusive story
Many travel tips have been written countless times, but your unique story will help you stand out. For example, some websites focus on fitness around the world because the author is a fitness enthusiast, and their blog documents their personal journey. This attracts like-minded readers. Even if someone asks, “Who cares where you work out?” ultimately, when you write about your personal feelings, the article becomes deeper and more relatable.

▲ Travel (Photo / Dazi / Illustration)

4. Choose a non-traditional medium
If everyone uses the same methods and styles to gain exposure, think outside the box. Different people visiting the same destination won’t have the same experience, so use your unique strengths. For instance, if everyone in your niche tends to be serious, can you present things in a humorous way? Just like Taiwanese artist Belle, who traveled extensively on cruise ships and used illustrations to capture attention.

5. Build your expertise first!
Many people set up a blog account even before they depart—but don’t do that. First, establish yourself as an expert in a certain place or region. The more effort you put into this, the more likely you are to stand out. Trying to comment on everything is becoming less effective, especially in the competitive travel space. With terms like “budget travel expert” becoming overly common, you need to figure out how to carve out your own niche.

6. Don’t limit yourself to travel
If you want to grow your readership, don’t confine your network to just the travel sphere. Look for overlapping areas related to your content. For example, publish articles like “budget travel tips” on lifestyle, finance, or business management sites. The readership you build this way can far exceed that of a travel-only blog.

7. Create your own product
If you want to make a living from blogging, you’ll need to start selling something: books, courses, or consultations. If you’re not sure what you can offer, ask your readers—their most common questions are areas where you can help. From these questions, you might also identify potential products (goods), such as teaching travelers how to use frequent flyer miles to get free flights.

Remember, people often lose interest in travel topics right after their trips and only regain it before their next journey. So don’t design your courses or products as long-term investments. The best products are: travel books, pre-trip planning consultations, destination guides, and tour packages.

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