Although it seems like a distant dream now, it was only a year ago that the entire world was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. For some, the lockdown was brutal. For others, it was a God-given respite. Regardless, one thing is certain – we’re not the same anymore. The COVID-19 experience changed the world and people in a very profound way.
For one, more and more people are quitting their 9 to 5 jobs in pursuit of a freer life. They’ve realized the real face of wage labor and corporate jobs, which is to keep the masses entangled in a materialistic trap and control them. Traditional jobs suck the life out of you. Employees are easily dispensable for a company. With all your time taken up by meaningless work, unable to care for your family, friends, and even yourself – is it any wonder then, that people are quitting their jobs and looking for alternative ways to make a living? One, that is more meaningful, offers you more freedom and time, and which you enjoy doing? That’s where becoming a professional traveler comes in.
Hand-Picked Content: How To Find Your Dream Job
Who doesn’t dream of traveling the world, seeing all the interesting places, and not being restricted by their corporate job and finances? Fortunately, there is a way to make traveling your full-time job. Especially, in the post-COVID world where remote work is more commonplace. If you’ve always wanted to know how to become a professional traveler and make money while doing so, here are the best ways to fulfill your dream!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind About Pro Travelling
You might be wondering exactly what is a professional traveler. And frankly, there’s no such thing as a job that pays you to travel. All pro travelers are self-employed. Therefore, there’s neither financial stability nor a particular work that you can do. You’ll have to do whatever you can to afford your travels and use whatever resources available to make money.
In addition, be prepared to start living in your car as a beginner traveler. It’ll be a while before you can make some big bucks and live in 5-star luxury hotels. No one said it is easy to become a professional traveler. However, we can guarantee that it’ll be a worthwhile ride and a memorable experience.
Similarly, it would be best if you started saving early for a home base. It is easy to be a digital nomad when you’re young and healthy but not so much when you’re old. As you grow older, you’ll start missing the comfort of having your own home. Not having a secure place to come back to will make you feel homeless, displaced, and insecure.
Profitable Ways to Make Money While Traveling the World
As said earlier, there’s no one way to get paid to travel the world. Different people do different things. You should also try out various things to see what works for you. That said, here are a few suggestions that have been proven to be lucrative time and time again.
1. Vlog Your Travels on Youtube
If you’re curious about how to become a professional traveler successfully, then becoming a travel vlogger is your answer. YouTube is an amazing platform for content creators. It not only allows them to put their art out there but also build a following. There are a number of advantages to that.
First, you can create any kind of travel vlog you like. If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you can film your motorcycle road trips and connect with fellow bikers. Similarly, if you’re a woman traveling alone in a camper van, you can target your vlogs to solo travels or inspire other women. With Kpop and Korean culture at their peak popularity, you can also visit South Korea and target their fanbase. There are tons of people who live vicariously through online creators. In short, there are numerous ways you can vlog on youtube and attract a genuinely interested audience.
Moreover, as you form a good relationship with your audience, you can form a Patreon page. It allows people to directly donate to you. You can use these donations to support yourself while traveling in addition to the income from YouTube monetization.
2. Become a Travel Influencer
Being a travel influencer basically means creating content on multiple platforms and becoming a voice of authority in your niche. It is very important that you settle on a specific niche in the travel world if you want to become successful.
For example, hiking is a niche. You can travel to the best hiking trails in the world and share your experience with your followers. Influencers primarily earn from sponsorships, which is an easy way to earn money in exchange for promoting a product. However, you must be responsible with your sponsorships so as to not break your audience’s trust.
3. Run an Online Business
Most pro travelers sell their photography to make money. However, there are a number of other online businesses you can run to support your travels. For instance, you can sell handmade products such as jewelry, accessories, knitwear, etc. Though, some might require you to have a P.O Box address. Designing crochet and knitting patterns and selling PDFs online is completely hassle-free. Dropshipping is another business you can operate from anywhere in the world.
4. Freelance Your Skills to Support Yourself While Traveling
A better way to become a long-term traveler is to freelance your skills. After COVID-19, the world has shifted to a remote working model, especially the gig economy. With this, you can work for anyone in the whole wide world from anywhere. Freelance writing/copywriting is very much in demand. So are graphic design skills, SEO, social media marketing, website development, etc.
5. Earn Passive Income through Investing and Stock Trading
Even if you don’t want to become a professional traveler, stock market investing is one of the most profitable ways to generate passive income. If you do it right, you can earn millions very quickly and continue to earn without making much effort. That’s why it is highly recommended for professional travelers to learn about the stock market exchange as a way to earn money passively. Consider getting educated through online courses and skilled instructors before getting started.
6. Write Vacation Blogs or Travel Guides
Another way to make money while you travel is to write blogs and travel guides. Where YouTube and social media content creation is for building fans and a loyal following, blog writing is for casual browsers who want specific information real quick. For example, you can give helpful tips on how to prepare for a trip and road trip essentials for particular travel destinations. The crux is to put helpful, valuable, and in-demand information out there in a quick and accessible way.
Likewise, you can create digital and print travel guides to famous or underrated relaxation destinations. Talking about the pros and cons of a vacation spot in detail, giving information about local hotels and reviewing restaurants, etc is sure to make your travel guide popular. You’ll earn a lot from their sales.
7. Become an Online Tutor
Online tutoring is another popular way to earn money from anywhere in the world. You can charge a considerable amount based on your knowledge and skill set. It’s a great way for pro travelers to make a living.
Conclusion:
To sum it up, becoming a professional traveler is possible if you’re adventurous and dedicated. There are numerous ways to make money while traveling full-time, it just takes hard work, effort, and motivation to try and learn new things.