Now that you can travel safely, you probably have a list of destinations you want to catch up on following two years of being stuck indoors. Not only is this the chance for you to see the world, but it’s also your chance to live out your dream of being a travel influencer.
Sure, the influencer market seems far too saturated, but when has that ever stopped passionate globetrotters from having a great time? This still means that you will have plenty of competition, which is why it’s useful to know the best tips to make it as a travel influencer.
Start your socials now
You can’t be an influencer without social media. Whether you prefer Instagram, TikTok or another platform, you need to start these socials now. While you may not be travelling yet, you can still fill these pages with photographs from previous adventures to establish yourself as a travel influencer.
Juggling several platforms can be tricky, and you don’t want to get locked out of any accounts before you get the chance to show the world where you have been. Using a password manager for Mac can prevent this and it also helps to protect your accounts as you won’t use the same password for each page.
Choose your niche
Every travel influencer needs to find a niche and a mission. It feels like everything has been done, which makes it challenging to determine how you’re going to stand out.
The good news is that you don’t need to come up with something unique. There are hundreds of vegan or sustainable influencers, while luxury travel influencers are a dime a dozen. You can look at how these influencers approach their niche and mission and consider how you want to present yourself.
Build a backlog
Getting your accounts off the ground can be tricky at first, so you’ll need to be as active as possible. In the first few weeks, it’s best to post around twice a day to keep people engaged in your content. To make sure you don’t forget, you can set up scheduled posts which means you won’t miss popular times that can boost engagement.
You can increase this backlog through more adventures, but as your content will be slim at first – especially if you’re only focused on stunning scenery – think about other posts, such as outlining your adventure or highlighting travel safety tips.
Make your content shareable
Valuable and shareable content is essential no matter what business you’re in. You want to get as many eyes on your posts as possible, so choosing unique photos and getting the hashtags perfect will help you reach other people.
A simple sunset or poolside photograph is not enough. You need to back these pictures up with explanations, including location tags, as this increases the chances of local businesses seeing and sharing the post, which means more people see it.
Learn how to use your phone’s tools
In the past, you needed a top-of-the-range camera to get superb snapshots of your travels. But, nowadays you can take excellent pictures with just your phone. As long as you have a recent camera, especially an iPhone or Pixel, you can take incredible shots to post on your pages.
It helps if you know how to use your phone’s tools, too. Make the most of filters as well as editing software that can bring out the colours and create the perfect scenery. If you are in a busy area, many phones come with background delete tools that make it look like you’re completely alone.
Connect with fellow influencers
Fellow influencers are a fantastic way to help you build your following and even make friends along the way. If you’re planning to become a travel influencer, you probably follow a variety of popular accounts already. Don’t be afraid to like and comment on these posts and even send them a follow request to encourage a connection.
But don’t be that kind of influencer
There are so many horror stories of influencers going too far and facing backlash. They believe they are better than everyone else or deserve something for free because they have however-many followers. Influencers looking for handouts are not the ones, and businesses will laugh you back to your hostel if you even try to suggest getting freebies. While you should put yourself out there, you should also be respectful.
Invest in a domain name
A recognisable domain name can help you build your travel brand and increase your chances of globetrotting success. The domain name should be easy to remember, which could be your name combined with some words related to travelling. If you’d prefer to stay more anonymous (and therefore build mystery), a brand name combined with a logo could be an option. Make sure you provide a link to your website on every post and add widgets for visitors to check out your other channels.
Learn SEO
Search engine optimization is a superb way to build a following since potential fans will use Google to learn more about you. If you want to be more than a standard photo blogger, learning SEO for blog posts will increase engagement and help you reach a much larger audience without the need to purchase followers.
Get a flexible day job
Everyone always wonders how people can travel the world for so long without needing to come home. Unless your family is minted and can pay for every flight and fancy hotel, you’ll need to find ways to make money while travelling.
A flexible job is the best way to do this, and there are many options to consider. If you run a blog, affiliate marketing can be profitable, while anything you do on a computer – as long as you have a WiFi connection – can keep you seeing the world for as long as possible. Plus, you won’t need to explain any gaps in your CV if you ever decide to come home.
See the world
Many people dream of being a travel influencer or at the very least, being able to travel the world without a care. While it will take plenty of hard work, these tips can help you build your brand as a travel influencer and perhaps enjoy all the perks that come from being a well-known face in the industry.
