Ryan Biddulph Savusavu Fiji
I have to laugh.
Even though I am a blogging tips blogger I also travel blog.
Look up; that’s me in Fiji with an office assistant, from a few years ago.
Weird, colorful and humorous misconceptions seem to be associated with the travel blogging niche.
Unfortunately, many aspiring travel bloggers never bother diving in with both feet because they cling to these lies and make excuses.
I want to replace the fiction with facts so you can make a clear, informed decision for yourself whether this gig is for you.
1: Travel Bloggers Have Rich Parents
I can assure you that the Biddulph Estate has not funded my trips.
The only trust fund I had was with the Universe.
For some weird reason, unhappy, unclear people angrily believe that all travel bloggers have rich parents. As though the Tuckerton’s and Pinkerton’s and Wayne’s and Stark’s and the McDuck’s are funding their children’s forays to St. Tropez.
No way.
Most travel bloggers build their professional careers by bootstrapping, doing things on a budget because they went out on their own, and because their parents don’t have bucks to support them.
Start at zero, if need be. Just like most travel bloggers.
2: Travel Bloggers Worked Sweet Corporate Jobs and Made Serious Coin Before Becoming Pro Bloggers
Nope.
I was a broke, depressed, laid off security guard.
I am kinda rocking out the travel blogging niche now despite my humble beginnings.
I have read many travel blogger bios, some of which make you believe all travel bloggers are bankers, lawyers or dentists who retired from their prominent careers to sell everything and circle the globe….with millions in savings.
I once had 4 cents in my pocket during my blogging journey. Yet I built up my presence enough to be featured on Richard Branson’s Virgin blog.
Travel bloggers led very different lives before diving into this fray, with some humble starts peppered in there.
3: Travel Bloggers All Look Like Models
I admit it; I did used to be a physique model. One of the top physique model agencies on earth picked me out from a crowd, in NYC no less. I guess according to some convention, I have model-like looks. Whatever.
But in the same regard, how you look does not determine your travel blogging success. Toss in the fact that many travel bloggers do not look like models and you will quickly see success awaits for the diligent, compassionate, generous, patient travel blogger, independent of what they look like.
When I do not shoe polish my hair, ample grays abound. Yet I am doing OK. Even if you believe that guys are silver fox wise-handsome with gray hair, the idea is that how you help people and the energy you inject into your campaign determines your level of success, and many travel bloggers succeed without looking like models.
4: Travel Blogging Is Easy
Since mid-April of 2017 I have worked 8-10 hour days (or longer) every single day.
I mean that.
For the past 5 years – save a 6 week stretch living in the remote jungles of Costa Rica – I have worked almost every single day.
Travel blogging is fun, freeing, rewarding and sometimes, loads of work. I love the work. I love creating. I love connecting. I do not mind receiving money for my work. But get the idea out of your head – that some manipulative travel bloggers use to fool you – that every day is just an endless search for the right infinity pool to take your money shot selfie from.
We work, folks. A lot.
If travel blogging was easy, you’d seen millions of successful travel bloggers around you.
If travel blogging was easy, I’d look at my neighbor and say, “So, you just got back from a 4 month trip to Fiji too?”
Travel blogging is fun, freeing and requires persistent actions taken over years backed with the right energies to become a full timer.
Your Turn
What silly travel blogging misconceptions do you have to share?
Video
I filmed a short video from a dungeon-like setting on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. OK; the lighting is dungeon-like. But the brownstones on this block go for $17 million. So it is a pretty sweet pad.
Watch as I dissect one common travel blogger falsehood: