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    6 Things I Didn’t Know Before Starting A Travel Blog

    November 30, 2016

    Two whole years.  I still can’t believe I started my WordPress blog two years ago on December 1.  No, I haven’t sold all my possessions (which would really only be a phone and a laptop) or stormed out of my 9-5 office job to travel the world, but I have learned a thing or two in these several years. I didn’t know I’d go on to create an online travel budgeting course with more than 2,300 students enrolled and create a video series to help new bloggers set themselves up for success.

    I didn’t know I would look at life differently. 

    My love of travel began when I went on a European tour in 2014.  I kind of kept a travel journal, ate a lot of gelato and made a scrapbook (in that order).  When I decided I wanted to start a blog and then that it would be all about travel, I realized I needed to look beyond the surface.  And it was months after I returned from Europe that Round Trip was born.  I’m so glad I had the opportunity to visit Europe, but I wish I would’ve taken better notes.  I wish I would’ve gone deeper and really taken in the experience not just as an educational or vacation opportunity.  I wish I would’ve taken better note of the things I ate, the emotions I felt, the laughs I shared. 

    But it gave me perspective for the trips I would take after Europe.  Starting Round Trip has given me the opportunity to practice looking as life as a way to improve myself and continually learn.  It’s helped me learn to absorb every drop of life—to not just travel flippantly, to not eat something without tasting it, to not leave without reflection.

    I didn’t know I’d learn to live life to the fullest. 

    I began to look at life as an adventure.  It’s not about waiting in line for rides at Disney World or moving to the next place.  Starting this travel blog and looking at travel through a different lens have taught me to drink it all up and to not waste experiences.  You’ve seen those cheesy movies and read those low-qual books where the main character raves about how they “just want to the travel the world.” 

    And you roll your eyes because hey, don’t we all, buddy?  You probably think they’re crazy and going to end up homeless or kidnapped.  But travel is so much more than just backpacking Europe or braving the jungles of Costa Rica.  It’s living life in the moment and choosing to engage the unknown.

    I didn’t know I’d eventually give myself some credit.

    Why would anyone want to read my travel posts?  When I first started blogging, I didn’t know how I would come up with content.  I loved travel, but I hadn’t dropped everything to travel 24/7, 365.  Stop right there if you’ve been thinking that way.  First off, it’s not entirely realistic for most to quit their day job to adopt a nomadic life.  Second, if you had a friend who recently visited Los Angeles and you’re headed there next month, it’s only natural that you’d ask for recommendations.  Just by visiting the city with an attentive mind, your opinion matters, so share it.

    I didn’t know how great of a conversation starter it would be.

    Few people will hear you’re a travel blogger and look at you as if you want to be a middle school math teacher.  (Except for my grandmother who would rather look at a picture than actually travel there.)  But for the most part, they’re going to ooh and ahh.  Yes, it’s nice to rake in the admiration, but even more, it’s a fantastic to relate to people.  Where have you been?  Did you go to Crab Island?  Did you try escargots?  You may have just met this person five minutes ago, but you instantly can bond, discuss the different neighborhoods of L.A., debate the best park at Disney World and weigh the pros and cons of paying to go up the Eiffel Tower.  I didn’t know I’d look at travel as more than just a hobby or a fun thing to do; it unites people by showing them places and people beyond their own circle.

    I didn’t know I could help people.

    When I started Round Trip, I did it to develop my writing skills.  But the longer I’ve done this and learned more about journalism, I’ve learned it’s not about bragging on your 5 star trip to Europe.  It’s not just a silly travel blog.  My mission is to encourage readers to step out there and try something new whether or not they can hop on a plane.  My passion is for people to be authentic and to push themselves to be the best they can be.  When I started my blog, this vision was not even on my radar.  But as I’ve developed as a traveler and writer, I’ve experienced the beauty of travel and the major impact it can make on my life.  Some posts may not receive as many views as others, but when a reader comments and tells me how it encouraged them, that’s when I’m reminded that yes, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.

    I didn’t know I’d learn how to better market and network. 

    My blog used to be “a thing I did.”  Now it’s honestly a part of my daily routine whether I’m posting something on Insta or whipping out my phone really quick to write an idea floating around in my head.  I believe each person has great ideas whether it’s related to travel or exercise, beauty or cooking, but if you don’t know how to market it, readers will have a hard time stumbling across it.  Over the months and years, I’ve learned to be more direct and lay out information in a clear way so as to achieve #5. 

    And I’ve also learned to network.  I casually met Cate in passing, but once I found out she blogged (and fan-girled hardcore), I gushed to her about how much I loved her blog.  (Did I mention she collaborated with her local Anthropologie?!)  Mind you, I think I’d known her for a week at this point.  But a deep friendship followed via lunch dates, heart-to-hearts and, of course, A Cinderella Story.  (Because Hillary Duff, duh.)  The blogger community understands each other’s writer’s block, brainstorming and the not-so-occasional obnoxious photo-taking at restaurants.  You learn to network, exchange tips and maybe even guest post.

    For more tips on taking your blog to the next level and getting more traffic.

    Version 2

    When you hit publish for the first time on your new blog, you’ve signed up to join a community of hardworking creatives who are addicted to social media and photography.  Your blog evolves from something you do to a big piece of your heart.  Yes, you need passion for something to write about it on a fairly regular basis, but the passion only grows and takes on a life of its own.  So, buckle up.

    Happy 2nd birthday, Round Trip, and here’s to many more.

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    25 Comments

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    Comments

    1. nadine cathleen (@karateandcaviar) says

      December 7, 2016 at 3:53 am

      Love this post. I recently did a year long trip around the world and am still writing up my posts about all the beautiful destinations and experiences. At the same time I also started reading lots of travel blogs, it’s such an inspiring community and so much fun to be part of it!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        December 7, 2016 at 7:01 am

        Wow, that’s so inspiring, Nadine! I can’t wait to check out some of your posts. Where was your favorite destination? (I’m sure it’s hard to pick just one!)

        Reply
    2. Forever Travel Bug. says

      December 8, 2016 at 6:37 am

      Great post – I love you’re writing. Starting a travel blog is definitely a learning curve for sure!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        December 8, 2016 at 7:10 am

        Thank you for the read! Hope you got some inspo for your travel blog 🙂 happy travels!

        Reply
        • Forever Travel Bug. says

          December 8, 2016 at 11:00 am

          I did! You too 🙂 x

    3. thegreyeye says

      December 20, 2016 at 9:30 pm

      I so agree with you

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        December 21, 2016 at 6:42 am

        Thanks so much!! I appreciate you reading 🙂

        Reply
    4. OhLavenderblue says

      January 7, 2017 at 1:33 pm

      Kristen, this is just what I needed to read! Thankyou 😊 I have such a passion for travel and have just published my First post! However I still am extremely new in this blogging world and would love and help or tips you could give me? X

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        January 7, 2017 at 1:40 pm

        Aww that speaks volumes to me! I read your first post, and may I say that you have incredible voice?! I literally laughed out loud at meeting certain specimens 🙂 I love that you don’t just take trips; you analyze them and think big picture. Which I am ALL about! Keep writing and seeing how your individual experience can help and grow others to step outside their comfort zones! Happy travels!!

        Reply
        • OhLavenderblue says

          January 7, 2017 at 1:53 pm

          Thankyou so much! I was so unsure whether to go for it, but thought why not! I must say I am dubious Bantu others wanting to read my post, but why wouldn’t they 😂Travelling is definitely something we can all learn through and I would Love other people to embrace it as much as we have! I love how you have written your posts and look forward to reading more! 😊

        • roundtriptravel says

          January 7, 2017 at 1:57 pm

          Of course! As any trip, writing a travel blog is a journey. But it’s allowed me to better embrace and reflect upon my trips. Hold tightly to your genuity and desire for adventure. If you read some of my first posts, I held back so much of my voice in writing, and I love that you don’t hold back. There are lots of travel blogs out there so make your blog YOURS. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels in your posts!

        • OhLavenderblue says

          January 7, 2017 at 2:03 pm

          That is very true! I will read some of your earlier blogs and compare them to your blogs now! Thankyou so much, I will keep posting and hopefully improving! Here is to 2017 😊🌏

        • roundtriptravel says

          January 7, 2017 at 2:13 pm

          you WILL improve! I can’t explain how it works, but over time, you’ll read more blogs and take your next post deeper. Some blogs of my favorite blogs for inspiration: World of Wanderlust (http://www.worldofwanderlust.com) and Helene in Between (http://heleneinbetween.com).

        • OhLavenderblue says

          January 7, 2017 at 2:17 pm

          Fantastic! Thankyou so much, I shall check them out x

    5. lottieflint says

      January 9, 2017 at 3:27 pm

      I would love to write a travel blog one day and this is very inspiring! i love it! 🙂 🙂

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        January 9, 2017 at 3:35 pm

        Hi Lottie! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 the beautiful thing about blogging is you don’t have to have it all figured it out when you start. PS we have the same DSLR camera!! I didn’t use it much at first, but the more I blog, the more I realize what an investment it was! Happy blogging!

        Reply
    6. planitaroundtheplanet says

      February 7, 2017 at 1:44 pm

      Awesome Post!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 7, 2017 at 2:40 pm

        Thanks for stopping by! Hope these tips help 🙂

        Reply
    7. 'Jadore says

      February 14, 2017 at 8:46 pm

      This was great, I recently started a travel blog and I share many of the same sentiments. Keep it up!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 14, 2017 at 9:32 pm

        Hi! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 We travel bloggers gotta stick together! Looking forward to reading your blog. I like your photos–very classy!

        Reply
        • 'Jadore says

          March 9, 2017 at 9:12 am

          Thank you! I look forward to reading future posts

    8. The Business of Life Club says

      February 16, 2017 at 8:13 am

      Great post – looking forward to reading in the future!

      Reply
      • roundtriptravel says

        February 16, 2017 at 8:31 am

        Thanks for stopping by! Happy blogging!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

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    2. How to Start a Blog – round trip says:
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      […] best way to learn how to blog is reading other blogs. If you’re wanting to start a travel blog. If you’re wanting to make money through your blog. Some of my favorites are Helene in […]

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    Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator living and working in southern France. You can find me planning my next weekend trip, sharing my best expat trips and sipping iced coffee.
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    Hey there, I'm Kristin, a Missouri girl living and working in southern France. I love planning weekend trips, sharing my best expat tips and sipping iced coffee.

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