Stuck, even before starting. I'd like some opinions

While I'm not an expert in this field, I think you should write about everything that concerns travelling. Since you like to travel, I suggest you make an Instagram account, that goes with the blog. It will be double the exposure, and Instagram loves good travel accounts.

You didn't once mention what the CPA is selling and to be honest I doubt you'll find a CPA that's relevant to your blog content. Even If you find a CPA offer that's relevant (doubtful), CPAs are usually short shelf life meaning you'll always be looking for another CPA to replace the last offer.

I don't think this (CPA + travel blog) will make any money.

IMO, If you want to focus on travel content you need to be selling something else/better.

Monetizing and Social Media Advertising is much later. Write the first 10 posts that your friends on Facebook will love to read. They should find it share-worthy.

As the niche, you are trying to write on is about travel and lifestyle, so focus more on the topics that has some real insights or provides value. Don't write "just another blog".

If you are really confused then just think of 10 things you would like to tell to your friends and start publishing.

Also, let me tell you a secret about get going. Just publish your first blog and start taking feedback from your friends and family.

Technically, there will always be a scope of improvement but first, focus on the inital 10 content and publish it.

I hope this helps!

I would recommend to you to start growing an Instagram account as well along side with your blog and to have a goal to become an Instagram influencer in your niche... That would open up a lot of added opportunities for you when it comes to monetizing your knowledge ... Also since you cover a lot of different sub-niches that would help you get a lot of followers.

Ryan Biddulp, a prolific Warrior should be someone you study.

As you also want to look at Natalie Sisson, the Suitcase Entrepreneur.

Matt Karsten, the Expert Vagabond.

And that barely scratches the surface. There are so many models to look at, and if you were to spend two weeks going over successful sites, it would probably help you focus in on what you want to do.

The real SECRET to monitizing a blog, is NUMBERS. You need either lots of viewers, or very tageted and passionate viewers who spend money.

My opinion, is you haven't put enough thought into this.

GordonJ

PS. Start here: https://bit.ly/2BtutPi

Without doing the research myself, my gut reaction is that you have the niche pretty well defined -- "travel with the intent of personal growth."

You can cover a lot of related topics, but be careful to keep them grouped in relevant categories. Using your post, for example you might have categories on destinations, activities (like meditation courses or retreats), practical considerations (how to live in a van). Given your nine years "on the road" you should also have some great stories you can tell. Tell them.

It's a niche with a lot of potential -- everything from "Eat, Pray, Love" to the whole off-grid, tiny house thing to ecotourism.

You've gotten a couple of excellent pieces of advice -- fit your monetization to your niche and not vice versa (I agree you won't find many relevant CPA offers) , and study what those already successfully doing what you want to do are doing.

Hay,

Your ultimate goal to make money with your interest niche than why depend on one/two strategy or platform.
You should do whatever required to deliver results.
Don't put all Eggs in one Basket.

CPA may leverage low or not constant but think some affiliate & other way to related to your niche.

As per me you should use all available sources & platform but highly recommend start with one & master it.

There are different ways you can leverage more & track all, if need more help

Feel free to contact,

best of luck,

Regards,

Pratik Patel

Hi FrancescoM,

May I ask if you are into internet marketing just to make money like most newbies?

Or are you in it to provide value by helping others?

If your answer is the first, I am not surprised. I used to think like you exactly 10 years ago and I believe most of you guys will feel the same when starting out.

However, one important thing I like you to understand about MARKETING - which I put in caps for a good reason I will explain is -

That it is not just about SELLING to people.

Sure you need to sell to make money but that is the final step.

The steps you need to take prior are:

1. Knowing Your Niche - As In Your Interests, Knowledge And Strength

2. Finding And Connecting With People In That Niche - FB Groups, Forums and Meetup Events

3. Help And Build Relationships With Those People

4. Then Form Your Group And Invite Those People In.

Once they joined, you provide more value in what you know can help them further in that niche before recommending products.

Can be Clickbank, JVZoo, WarriorPlus or any other affiliate network selling digital products.

Most marketers - even so-called gurus - talked about FREE or Paid methods as the best and yet have a 50-50% chance of earning while minimizing their time and money spent in the process.

But I can tell you nothing beats connecting and building relationships with people in your niche.

Am saying this because that is what my country Singapore is based upon.

Social and community values.

Here are my thoughts:

What do people who are looking to travel and grow value the most? What is the pleasure, or the
meaning they are looking for.
In general, I would think people in this niche disdain too much materialism, value exploring, discovering new things over sedentary life-styles. They are probably more prone to do backpacking than the average traveler who needs his air-conditioned room and comfortable bed. (those are just my wild guesses).

But based on your post, you would have to determine, what is that one thing that your typical customer would absolutely jump for. This is a niche where I believe people have very strong convictions about their life choices, so you probably need to tap into that.

Do you have pictures, and videos of places you would have gone? Some of the experiences you would have had? Telling your story on Instagram via pictures and videos could be something to explore. Users on Instagram and Facebook tend to like habits. For example you could do a live event every Friday or Saturday within that topic, and your audience will see that pattern and start expecting that.

Travel is a very visual experience, so I agree that Instagram would be a great place to start just by sharing your content and experiences, and following those who are equally in a similar niche.
but I would really go for minimalistic travel and keep that as my central theme, and then add spirituality to that based on the results you get from your tests.

The travel niche is a very broad niche, and so niching down as you have is really pretty good. Check out what I found in terms of people searching about clutter and declutter. I am assuming these people are looking for a simpler way of living.

Here is what I found on Google keyword planner and suggestions

Keyword:clutter Monthly Search: 22200 CPC: $ 10.27 Competition: 0.12
Keyword: declutter Monthly Search: 27100 CPC$ $1.71 Competition: 0.15

So, if the PAIN is clutter and the benefit or pleasure is a life changing minimalistic trip and destination, then you have something you can test with a few landing pages to start with before spending the hours and the energy to build up your blog. You want to make sure that your blog will have actual fans who are really looking for active solutions to their aching pain.

You could probably add a paid subscription newsletter where you cover meditation retreat destinations, the benefits etc....

You are on the right track! Just be sure to really test before throwing yourself heart and soul into your blog only to hear "crickets".

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Richard

Hey,

I would start by writing about 'everything', as you have stated and with time, you'll be able to figure out what your audience is into, via emails and the posts that get the most shares. Let your audience do the work for you Create an Instagram account as well, a popular SM platform for travel bloggers. A great way to monetize would be via affiliate marketing. You might think that affiliate marketing is a monetization method that you'd consider down the road but why not start now? No need to leave money on the table provided you're recommending products that you're readers will love.

As for bloggers to follow, I recommend Helene Sula of Heleneinbetween.com.

All the best!

What narrowed down niche sounds most fun to you? Run with that. As a blogging tips travel guy, I do cover the odd travel post but found doing 1 thing for 1 reader - offering blogging tips - most of the time helped me see greater success.

I am HONORED with all the replies and suggestions.

Your words are very helpful and full of very valid points. Everyone's got a bit of a different point to the subject. Many suggested to go along with IG and SM platforms, yes, that is vital for this project I think.

I had the chance to have a look at other traveling blogs, as aswell ryanbiddulph , don't get me wrong but It seems to make that a lot of those blogs are more focused on the idea of making money while traveling and so., how to start a blog. I don't know if I want to really follow along that setup, even tho I understand that that is what the people want and that's what brings in most visitors.

MMMH.... Reading your answers along with doing some more research led me to another idea.
I am also a certified import-export manager, and that, along with the fact that I am a leatherworker too (I know too much ) unlocked another big passion of mine which is FAIR TRADING.

Build something that gives information about the matter (blog), that brings together agents, artists or growers (forums) and maybe even a membership area that revolves around having directories and super useful tools and documents.
This is a whole new idea , somehow I find it "easier" to expand upon....
Would you gus like to give a comment on it please?

p.s. this is what I mean when I say that I am a bit confused, ideas just pop in my mind, but 1/10000 of them are executed. I think I am on the right track tho, it's the beginning stage and it needs it's time I get it, but I feel like to me it's the hardest step, since after I have a good foundation then it's all about build up from there, I am just lacking of a solid base which I am building now also thanks to you guys. Any answer please, all most welcomed to give an opinion.
Cheers

You do need to niche down. It is easier to become an authority by starting this way and expanding later.

You also need to do some research on your niche - sub niche. You need to find out if there is a demand for what you intend to offer. If there is a demand you then need to figure out if there are products and services to promote. You can have the best blog in the world but if there is nothing to sell on the topic then you cannot monetize it.

After doing research and finding that it has a demand and has products then get to work.

Focus on your passion and find some CPA or affiliate offers that you can have the subject to write on.

Same was with me a few days back. What did I do? I just kicked it on. Sometimes, you cannot start with a perfectness, you may have to achieve it.

Honestly, STOP thinking, START doing!

Who cares about the market, don't get stuck, just start something and go from there. If it doesn't work out, then try something else - don't over think it. Don't get stuck in thinking and not doing!

The idea of starting your own blog seems fantastic to me..

However, what you are looking forward to would take some time to monetize itself.

You should focus on building a blog with good content. try to have a good number of posts in there.

Focus on promoting the blog through multiple channels. Until you build some credibility and traffic to your blog, CPA would not give you much result.

Speaking in Spiritual Sense.. "Focus on sharing your knowledge, Wealth will flow back to you in return.."

Shubho

The thing I have learned about writing is JUST START! The content is better that way. Don't try to "think" so to speak, just do it. When you are being yourself without trying too hard things fall into place better when you try to sort everything out in your head first.