By skyforbes 
There are many ways a travel blogger can get paid.
Below are 10 ways to monetize a travel blog.
1. Hosting Ads on Your Site
Hosting ads on your site is like inviting guests who pay rent just for showing up. With Google AdSense, you can start earning money as soon as people visit your travel blog.
You place the ads and get paid when visitors click or see them.
It’s a way to make cash while you’re out exploring the world.
Choosing the right ad network matters too.
MediaVine and AdThrive are big names that tailor services for bloggers, but they require high traffic numbers before you join.
If you’re just starting out, networks like SHE Media, Monumetric, and Ezoic welcome beginners with open arms and help grow that passive income stream from day one.
Keep in mind every ad network has different rules; some focus more on display advertising while others might offer higher payouts per view or click.
2. Joining Affiliate Marketing Programs
You can make money with your travel blog by getting into affiliate marketing.
This means you team up with companies and suggest their products to our readers.
When someone clicks on one of your special links and buys something, you earn a commission.
It’s like telling a friend about a great pair of hiking boots and then getting paid when they buy them!
For travel bloggers, there are loads of affiliate programs out there.
You could share links for hotel bookings, tours, insurance plans for travelers, or even camera equipment that helps us capture those stunning landscapes.
Some affiliate programs to consider include:
- Amazon
- Impact
- Clickbank
- Booking.com
- GetYourGuide
- FareHarbor
- Klook
- RentalCars.com
- SkyScanner
Just be sure to pick stuff that matches what your travel blog is all about, so it feels genuine to our audience.
Although, affiliate marketing does present money making opportunities for travel blogging, it does require effort.
I cover this aspect in my blog – Is Affiliate Marketing Hard.
3. Selling Digital Products
This is a fantastic way to earn income through your travel blog.
You can create ebooks packed with your best travel tips, courses that guide others on how to start their own blogs, or videos showcasing breathtaking destinations.
With tools like Canva for design, Gumroad for sales, and Thrivecart for managing online transactions, getting your digital store up and running is simpler than you might think.
Think about the amazing photos you take during trips; they could be making money for you!
Sell them as prints or license them out. The key is to make products that reflect what you love about travel—and what will help your readers in their journeys too.
Digital products have no inventory issues and provide passive income once set up.
They keep earning even while you’re off exploring new places!
4. Landing Paid Press Trips
This can be a game-changer for us travel bloggers.
Imagine going on dream vacations where companies foot the bill for flights, hotels, and tours!
In return, we create awesome content like blog posts or videos that highlight their services.
Here’s how you make it happen:
You start by creating amazing content that really shows off our unique style.
This makes brands take notice of our work. Next, we go to travel blogging conferences and women in travel summits to meet with potential sponsors face-to-face.
It’s all about making connections!
When pitching, having a Media Kit handy is key.
It showcases the value we bring with traffic numbers and our target audience demographics.
Always aim to deliver more than promised.
This builds lasting relationships that could lead to even more exciting opportunities down the road!
5. Sponsored Posts
Writing sponsored posts can be a solid way to earn money with your travel blog.
To get these opportunities, you must work hard and stay committed. It’s crucial to show companies what you can do.
Create an impressive portfolio of your best writing. This will help attract brands willing to pay for exposure on your site.
As you build relationships and grow your audience, more doors open for sponsored content deals.
Make sure each post adds value for both the reader and the brand sponsoring it.
Keep improving your skills in creating quality SEO content to maintain high standards in every collaboration.
Sidenote:
The main problem with paid content is it might change the feel of your blog.
If you’re a well-known blogger, your readers get your style and how you usually write.
So, when you post paid content, it can seem too much like an ad to your fans.
And because these sponsored posts can make you more money, there’s a temptation to do too many.
If you do that, your blog will just seem like a big ad. Your readers will see that you’re not really trying to help them like before.
So, when it comes to sponsored posts. Less is better.
6. Sponsored Links
Just like crafting stories for brands, selling sponsored links can be a smart move.
Brands pay you to include links in your blog posts that point to their websites. Why do they want this?
These backlinks help improve their search engine rankings, especially if your travel blog gets good traffic and has a high domain authority.
You place these links carefully into our content so it feels natural and helpful for our readers.
Always remember to follow Google’s guidelines – use “no-follow” tags on sponsored links.
This tells search engines not to pass along SEO benefits from your site to the advertiser’s site.
It’s a way to play safe with search engines while still earning from your blog!
7. Networking with Other Travel Bloggers
Meeting other travel bloggers can open doors we never knew existed.
Engaging in groups like “Affiliate Marketing for Travel Bloggers” and “SEO for Travel Bloggers” on Facebook lets us exchange tips, find support, and sometimes even collaborate on projects.
Attending conferences such as TBEX or TravelCon also puts you in touch with folks who understand the grind and glory of travel blogging.
You learn from each other’s successes and challenges, shaping our own blogs to be more effective.
Working together might lead to guest posting opportunities, which boosts both our visibility and domain authority (DA).
Also, being a VA for seasoned bloggers could help us sharpen skills that we can later offer as services.
Each connection we make is a step toward growing our brand and income streams.
8. Monetizing Your YouTube Channel or TikTok
Networking isn’t just about collaborating.
It also paves the way for you to make money from your video content. Let’s talk about YouTube and TikTok.
To start earning with these platforms, you must first hit their criteria.
Like a specific number of subscribers on YouTube or watch hours.
Don’t worry, it’s doable!
Many travel bloggers have found success here.
Once you’re in, join the YouTube Partner Program or TikTok’s Creator Fund.
That means ads can run on your videos and you get paid for views! Think about linking products in your video descriptions too.
This is affiliate marketing and can lead to more income every time someone buys through your link.
Keep creating great content that people want to see and share, stay engaged with fans online, and before long, you might see real money flowing in from your travel tales!
9. Working as a Virtual Assistant for Other Bloggers
We know how tough it can be to make money as a new travel blogger. But, have you thought about working as a virtual assistant?
It’s a fantastic way for us to earn income while learning from seasoned bloggers.
You’ll offer your skills, like social media management or content writing, to help them out.
Plus, your own blog serves as the perfect showcase of what you can do.
Many bloggers need support managing their day-to-day tasks so they can focus on bigger things.
If we step in as virtual assistants, we not only make money but also build valuable connections and gain insights into successful blogging strategies.
This hands-on experience is like an informal apprenticeship – perfect for understanding the nuts and bolts of the travel blogging world!
10. Using Your Blog to Get Freelance Work
Your travel blog can open doors to freelance jobs.
Share your trips and tips, and soon, potential clients might notice your talent. They could offer you writing gigs or ask for help with their blogs.
Make sure your posts shine with good SEO to stand out.
You can even create videos or post pictures that grab attention.
If people like what you do on YouTube or Instagram, they may want to hire you. Keep making awesome content and connecting with readers online.
This is how you turn a blog into freelance opportunities!
And on that note. Let me ask you this, “Can you make money travel blogging?“.
YES.