Becoming a Travel Content Creator – All You Need To Know

When we talk about travel content creators, there are a few questions that everyone wants to know:

1. How to become a travel content creator?
2. What does it take to be a travel influencer?
3. Where to find travel content creator jobs?

Nowadays, consumers are 71% more likely to purchase products and experiences based on social media referrals according to Hubspot’s report. In the travel industry, how can we become more creative and have the right strategy to win brands and customers? It takes some planning and imagination to achieve personal goals while pleasing the fast-scrolling attention spans of content consumers.

In this article, we covered all you need to know for a travel content creator. Let’s dive in! 

Source: Hubspot

Introduction to becoming a Travel Content Creator

What is a Travel Content Creator?

A travel content creator is someone who produces engaging and informative travel content, including photos, videos, and written pieces, for social media platforms and other online channels. The rise of social media has had a significant impact on the travel industry, with travel influencers reaching millions of followers and driving consumer behavior. 

According to Skift insights on being a travel content creator post pandemic, brand and destination marketing dollars will favor those who get hyper-creative, hyper-local and hyper-talented in video and storytelling content. There’s a boom coming — for those playing the long game.

The impact of travel content creators on the tourism industry is substantial, with their recommendations leading to nearly 50% of consumer purchases for products and services. As travelers increasingly rely on social media for travel inspiration and planning, travel content creators are playing an essential role in shaping the industry’s future.

Is there any difference between a travel content creator and a travel influencer?

While a travel blogger may not necessarily be an influencer, a big travel influencer may not even own a website or blog. The main difference between these two types of content creators is the intention behind their work. 

Bloggers curate editorial travel content from a personal viewpoint, or write about experiences they had while traveling that others may find useful or inspiring. Social media influencers usually stick to promoting their own lifestyle and demonstrate how travel fits into it. Additionally, there are many different methods of creating travel content, including short-form video content, user-generated written or photo content, and more. 

Travel companies may see the potential rewards of working with these creators, but the question of how to sell travel content creators‘ own content  is becoming the new trend. Curious and ambitious creators are actively looking for new ways to make money online in addition to brand sponsorships.

Where to find travel content creator jobs?

First, let’s review the different ways a creator can make money online:

• Brand deals
• Sell travel content
• Ad share revenue
• Affiliate links
• Monetary tips
• Course / consultancy
• Subscriptions & Memberships
• Merch 
• Others

According to CB Insights, as of 2021 content creators depended heavily on brand deals for revenue. But many brand deals are subject to the amount of followers you have and your engagement rate. An increasing number of travel content creators are looking for ways to monetize their posts directly. Being an influencer or creator has evolved into a full-fledged career for many people in the Creator Economy,  and indirect monetization is proving to be insufficient. 

Source: CB Insights

There are other platforms like Gumroad who support content creators to make direct revenue but they are more focused on selling a designer’s existing digital products.

For Travel Influencers specifically, NanoWhat is the best one-stop-service for travel content creators to make money by converting their content (i.e. posts, blogs or YouTube Videos) into digital products which serve as a digital Travel Itinerary Map. 

There is no extra effort to sell your travel content. You just post content like you normally do. Creators only need to tag @nanowhat_locals when posting cool places or travel itineraries on Instagram. Your tagged post or blog will be converted by NanoWhat and listed under your own shop with a unique & shoppable product link. Sell your travel content to earn direct revenue now! 

But if you want to find a job opportunity as a travel content creator, there are several platforms available to find jobs. 

• Indeed, the world’s largest job site, offers over 1,200 open remote Content Creator positions with detailed job requirements and employer history. 
• Influencity provides deep insights into influencers, including their content style and niche topics, making it easier to pick the right travel content creator talent.
• Freelance marketplaces such as Upwork and Fiverr, and social media platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn are also popular resources for job-seeking content creators. 

With so many options available, content creators can choose the best platform that fits their needs to find their next job opportunity. Or they can choose to sell content as direct revenue and grow their personal brand. 

How to become a successful travel content creator?

The importance of learning different skills in travel content creation

The importance of learning different skills in travel content creation cannot be overstated. Building a career as a travel content creator takes time and effort, and it requires a wide range of capabilities to succeed

• Writing 
• Visual storytelling 
• Photography
• Video production 
• Social media marketing
• Community building

These are just some of the essential skills that every travel content creator needs to master. 

Being able to research the travel content creation landscape, develop one’s writing and visual skills, network with other creators, and select a niche that shows your authenticity and passion all play a part in the longevity of your career as a travel content creator.

60% of companies use social learning strategies – it has become mainstream for organizations wanting to succeed in today’s transitional age. If your potential customers are constantly improving their knowledge and skills, to excel as a travel content creator, producing higher quality content than your peers may be necessary to attract brands who want to cooperate.

The ability to create engaging and relevant content that resonates with readers and viewers is a vital soft skill that brings success to travel content creators. It is vital for aspiring travel content creators to never stop learning and improve their skills constantly.

Breaking down the five steps to become a successful travel content creator

Becoming a successful travel content creator can be challenging, but breaking down the most important steps can make it more achievable. 

#1: Determine a niche by choosing a specific focus for your travel content. Do you want to focus on a destination’s hidden gems, or explore the best local food? Obsessed with antique shopping or finding secret beaches? Pick the niche you’re interested in and consistently produce high quality content.

#2: Create a memorable name for your accounts and blog. It is essential to build up brand recognition. 

#3: Pick a platform to host your content. Although you can post the same content on different social media outlets, it’s highly recommended that you take time to learn and understand different social content platforms in order to take advantage of the mechanism behind its rewards and penalties. Your visibility depends on it. If you’re producing a blog, make sure to use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to increase visibility. 

Source: Creator Economy – Creator Earnings Benchmark 2021

#4: Produce content consistently and provide value for your audience to build a loyal following. You don’t need to post your content every day, but it has to be enough to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more. Look at your own schedule and make a weekly goal for the number of posts, then stick to your plan.

#5: Lastly, networking with other travel creators and businesses, and collaborating with them can help to gain exposure and attract sponsorship deals. 

Keep learning along the journey, each day, continue to improve your skills and knowledge. Remember, it takes a year or even more to become a successful travel content creator. Nothing comes easy, but if you can dive deep into an area of travel where your personality can shine, there is a good chance that your persistence will pay off eventually.

How to be a travel influencer?

What skills should a travel influencer have that are different from a content creator?

A travel influencer should possess several skills that differentiate them from a content creator. While content creators mainly focus on creating informative articles and other forms of media, travel influencers have to attract and maintain a sizable following on various social media platforms. 

They need to have the ability to capture stunning imagery and portray the visited places with a unique, descriptive voice. In addition, proficiency with technology, writing, and communication skills are crucial for creating engaging travel content. Understanding keyword research and search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for maximizing audience reach. 

Travel influencers also need to be skilled in incorporating brand messaging into their content. Unlike content creators, they aim to inspire and impact their audience to make travel seem more attainable by sharing travel tips, discount codes, and local recommendations.

The Role of Influencers in the Travel Industry

Becoming a successful travel influencer is no longer a far-fetched dream. With the internet’s growing popularity, anyone can make a name for themselves. 

To become a travel influencer, it’s crucial to share valuable information consistently. This means creating high-quality content that showcases your personality and the things you love. 

A successful influencer knows the ins and outs of the industry and recommends the best destinations to their followers. They add value by providing recommendations, tips, and advice. Building a strong social media presence is key to becoming a top travel influencer. 

To achieve this, influencers must focus on creating customer-centric and reader-focused blogs or posts that deliver valuable content.

Conclusion 

Whether you have your sights set on becoming a travel content creator or a travel influencer, both roles must possess traits like openness, playfulness, problem-solving, and a thirst for knowledge.   These characteristics help to capture and articulate your unique experiences through compelling storytelling and striking visuals.

Get ready to constantly seek out new adventures – gaining insights into different cultures and perspectives, and reflecting them through your work. As a result, travel content creators play an important role in inspiring and guiding others who are seeking to explore the world. With the rise of social media, creator influence has grown, making your work even more pivotal in helping travelers plan their next trip.

Cultivating curiosity and passion for travel is the foundation for creating top-quality content in the travel industry.