Hands up if you’ve ever seen headlines like these:
“Why I Quit My Job to Travel the World”
“Man Who Quit 9-to-5 Job Makes $1 Million While Traveling the World”
“3 Ways to Quit Your Job and Travel the World Without Going Broke”
My guess is that you have, because I see these headlines around everywhere. I’ve even written a few of them (hint: the last one).
And let me guess …
When you see a headline like that, you’re a bit skeptical. You check Google Analytics and with your meager traffic, you can’t imagine ever being able to quit your day job to go on an epic adventure, let alone make money while doing it.
But I have news for you.
It’s possible.
Not only that, but more bloggers than ever are doing it.
They’re doing it without having to pinch pennies, without having to stay in cheap, bed-bug-ridden hostels, and without going broke.
In this article, we’ll meet 16 bloggers who are doing this exact thing. We’ll take a look at how their blogs make money, where they’re choosing to spend their time, and even the downsides of building a location-independent lifestyle.
Let’s jump in.
Blogger #1: Paula Pant from Afford Anything
If your bank account balance makes you shudder every time you look at it, you might not agree, but …
You can afford anything. Just not everything.
At least, that’s what Paula Pant thinks.
Paula went from an office job in Colorado, earning $25,000 per year, to a personal finance blogger earning a 6-figure income.
Her blog is focused on financial independence, and has helped her take 14 trips last year alone — 5 international and 7 within the US.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQWGqGcA4si/
On a typical travel day, Paula spends about half of it working (maintaining hardcore focus), and the other half exploring with her partner, Will. At the end of the day, she typically clocks almost 8 hours of productive work (and just to be clear, while the average office worker is at work for 8.8 hours per day, they’re only productive for 3), proving that bloggers don’t get a free pass to do nothing even when they’re traveling.
Let’s look at a few awesome-to-sucky ratios from the day:
- Time Gawking at Gorgeous Mountains: 80 minutes
- Time Cursing the Crappiness of Powerpoint: Constant
Here’s another one:
- Time Spent in Hot Springs/Hiking: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Time Spent in Transit: 8 hours, 45 minutes (includes work overlap)”
So make no mistake, blogging while traveling the world involves work. But those moments in the mountains and hot springs sure are worth it.
Her special blogging power: Paula’s special power is simple: producing less crap, and more massively useful content, publishing only when she has something amazing to put out.
Blogger #2: Nat Eliason from NatEliason.com
You may have heard rumors that the “riches are in the niches”, and that may be true … for some bloggers.
But not for Nat Eliason.
Nat runs the popular blog NatEliason.com, and his claim to fame is a lack of an overarching theme. He’s proving that you don’t have to be Tim Ferriss to blog about what you’re interested in, as long as you put in the work.
Nat moved to Argentina after a stint of digital nomading across the world: Paris, Austin, New York, Colombia, Florence, and even the Antarctic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPTfAEgA3oo/
But it’s not all pretty.
There’s what he calls “the void.”
After he took his blog full-time and built his own four-hour work week, he found that he just wasn’t happy.
“As soon as you get that freedom, you realize that a fundamental part of being human is doing things, and once you have no things you need to do you can get listless and depressed.”
So while freedom is a worthwhile goal, keep in mind that you’ll need to fill that void somehow.
His special blogging power: Nat’s special power is his understanding of marketing. Without it, his blog wouldn’t have been successful and neither would his products.
Blogger #3: Michelle Schroeder from Making Sense of Cents
We’ve seen one example of a personal finance blogger already, but this personal finance blogger does things just a little differently.
Michelle Schroeder from Making Sense of Cents started her blog in 2011 and since then has grown it to become a massive success. She blogs with her husband and two dogs from the road, putting a whole new meaning to the term “location independent.”
Michelle and her husband travel from place to place in their RV, taking their dogs on adventures and exploring national parks.
That means that they explore in the daylight and work in the evening as much as possible.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS4WWDZg-oa/
Michelle is in it for the long-term game. She knows blogging isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It took her years to earn the income she does from her blog.
She inspires her readers to persevere and stick with their own goals so they can reach the success she has.
Her special blogging power: Consistency and transparency. She’s been writing on her blog for six years and has maintained massive consistency. Since she’s publishing regularly, she’s developed a massive audience.
Blogger #4: Amber Fillerup from Barefoot Blonde
Think that most bloggers who are able to travel the world have the privilege of little responsibility?
This next blogger might change your mind.
Amber Fillerup Clark is the blogger behind the massively popular lifestyle blog, Barefoot Blonde.
She lives in Hawaii when she’s not traveling to places like Paris, Australia, and Japan, and she runs her blog and social media accounts from wherever she happens to be at the time.
And also takes care of her one- and two-year-old children, Rosie and Atticus.
She started her blog with a very different focus: to document a service trip to Fiji. When she returned to the US, she continued updating her blog from school, having to borrow her dad’s digital camera to take pictures.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSZU0I9hoed/
After getting a couple of brand sponsorships, she decided to take her blog more seriously and focus on it full-time.
Now, her husband works with her on their blog business, managing photography logistics, and they spend much of their days taking photos for Barefoot Blonde’s Instagram and Pinterest accounts.
Her special blogging power: Amber’s special power is visual content and social media. She and her husband pour their energy into creating a visually appealing brand to inspire readers through photography.
Blogger #5: James Clear from JamesClear.com
Let me guess.
Building the freedom to travel into your career wasn’t the only reason you wanted to start blogging.
You probably also wanted to start blogging to make an impact. Right?
If you’re nodding along, I have good news: this next blogger proves that both of these outcomes are possible.
James Clear is the blogger behind JamesClear.com, a self improvement blog that helps his readers lead better lives through habit change. He’s a weightlifter, photographer, and international traveller.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLLsxn8Bvg1/
At the beginning of his blogging career, he published articles every Monday and Thursday, and his consistency paid off. He amassed an email list cult following of over 400,000 people.
He did this while traveling to places like the Bahamas, Iceland, Peru, Scotland, and Vietnam … all in one year.
His special blogging power: His special power is simplicity and massive productivity. James doesn’t get distracted by the million things he could be doing. He focuses on what’s working and does more of it.
Blogger #6: Brandon & Dan from Zen Dude Fitness
Let’s say you wanted to start a blog about fitness.
But you weren’t sure how to monetize it in a way that would still give you that sense of freedom and flexibility you crave. After all, personal training isn’t exactly location-independent.
Enter Zen Dude Fitness.
Zen Dude Fitness is run by Brandon and Dan, two friends who lost 130 lbs. combined after years of struggling to do so.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMb9-vPBDwX/
They’re the type of location-independent bloggers who aren’t always on the move. They packed up their life in the US to move to Colombia, where they create YouTube videos to inspire their audience to get fit.
If you don’t value always being on the go and want to explore one place more deeply while also living a location-independent lifestyle, look to Brandon and Dan for inspiration.
Their special blogging power: Their special power is executing. Even if they have to push past their limiting beliefs to do so.
Blogger #7: Benny Lewis from Fluent in 3 Months
Benny Lewis, blogger at the popular language learning blog Fluent in 3 Months, is a “full time globetrotter”, traveling to exotic places like Brazil, Belgium, Taiwan and China.
He travels cheaply, blogging from the road and holding events in whatever locale he ends up in.
But it wasn’t always this way.
Benny started his blog after six years of full-time travel. His main motivation for starting his blog? A challenge he made for himself: learn Czech in 3 months. He began to blog for accountability, with the intention of growing his readership.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BM3_gESgl6-/
Benny admits to not getting much sleep, waking up early to work and staying out late to enjoy the city he’s in. But, there’s no “normal” for a traveling blogger:
“In Rio I worked most of the day from a penthouse apartment with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and in India I had a hut with no hot water or kitchen where the power would go out several times a day. There is no typical for a traveling blogger!”
From struggling to find Wifi to traveling to cities with power outages and unreliable transportation, it’s not always a walk in the park, but the pros outweigh the cons.
His special blogging power: Benny’s special blogging power is mastery. He’s done exactly what he teaches his readers to do on his blog, and his deep knowledge of language learning helps him create compelling and useful content for his readers.
Blogger #8: Steve Kamb from Nerd Fitness
Some people build a business from their blogs and find themselves in the fortunate position of being able to live a location-independent lifestyle.
Others, like Steve Kamb from Nerd Fitness start their blogs with the intention of building a location-independent career in hopes of fulfilling their travel dreams.
After reading Tim Ferriss’s 4-Hour Workweek, Steve started building his now-popular fitness blog so he could achieve more freedom and flexibility in his career.
By 2011, Steve had built his blog up enough that he was able to take off on a round-the-world trip, visiting 4 continents, 9 countries and 15 cities over the span of 35,000 miles.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOkHAvxgtAj/
The downside?
Steve was traveling alone during that initial trip, and while he enjoyed it, he found it to be lonely. Not only that, but the limited amount of work he did on the road (while following the 4-Hour Workweek model) taught him that he actually enjoys working on his blog … and wanted to do more of it.
His special blogging power: Steve’s special power is uniqueness. Steve saw a need in the blogosphere for something that didn’t exist when he was looking for it: information on getting fit that could be communicated in a way that it could be understood by anybody.
Blogger #9: Anthony Metivier of Magnetic Memory Method
If you’ve ever wondered whether you niched down a bit too much, Anthony Metivier’s blog might put those fears to rest.
Unlike many of the other bloggers I’ve mentioned who run blogs in popular niches, Anthony Metivier took a different path.
Anthony is the blogger behind Magnetic Memory Method, which teaches people how to improve their memories.
Not exactly your run-of-the-mill blog topic, but Anthony has turned his blog into a massive success.
Originally from Canada, his blog has helped him move to Germany and then travel to places like Israel, Egypt, Australia, and more.
His special blogging power: Anthony’s special power is masterful productivity. He never stops producing; from blog content to books and courses, he doesn’t rest on his laurels.
Blogger #10: Cait Flanders from CaitFlanders.com
In 2011, Cait Flanders was deep in credit card debt, and had one goal: to get herself out.
She started her blog to keep herself accountable to paying it off, and since then it’s evolved from a debt blog to a minimalism and slow living blog.
Cait took off on a road trip across Canada and the US in 2016, covering over 17 States and 6,900 miles, and and has been exploring North America since she quit her job in 2015.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BJc_pdWA9SG/
As far as what life looks like for Cait while she’s traveling, it’s not all glamorous.
Conflicted between working and exploring the cities she found herself in, she quickly found that nobody talks about the difficulties of the location-independent lifestyle.
“I couldn’t have gone on this road trip at all, if I still had a full-time job. But working for yourself is still a job — and trying to work on the road is even harder than working at home.”
Still, if you’re willing to make some sacrifices and put in the work, you can do it, too.
Her special blogging power: Cait’s special power is authenticity and genuine connection. She listened to her audience to build products that they really wanted.
Blogger #11: Colin Wright from Exile Lifestyle
In 2009, Colin Wright sold everything he owned that wouldn’t fit in his suitcase, scaled down his business, and started his blog, Exile Lifestyle.
This was a drastic change from the corporate career and consumerism excess he left behind.
Since then, Colin has traveled full-time, spending a few months in each country before moving onto the next destination.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQMVehjhGvs/
He’s visited over 60 countries, and lived in 8, all while running his businesses from the road.
Exile Lifestyle is where he publishes articles about his life and businesses.
His special blogging power: Colin incorporates his personal strengths into his blog for his special blogging power — simplicity. Colin doesn’t complicate blogging; even his blog design is simple, attracting a strong readership.
Blogger #12: Jodi Ettenberg from Legal Nomads
Ever want to visit Siberia?
Yeah, me neither, but Jodi Ettenberg from the popular travel and food blog Legal Nomads did — so much so that she quit her six-figure job as a lawyer to do so, turning her blog into her new career so she could travel as much as she wants.
She used to live on the road, living out of a backpack and traveling to locations like Italy, Japan, Vietnam, and Spain while working on her blog. Now she lives in Mexico and travels for just 4-6 months of the year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPakxYIBQ8n/
Jodi lives and works where she wants, enjoying the flexibility she built into her blog business. That’s not to say there are no challenges with living the lifestyle she does; she just deals with them as they come.
Her special blogging power: Jodi’s special power is storytelling. Jodi’s commitment to storytelling in blogging allows her readers to feel as if they can build a deeper connection with her.
Blogger #13: Matthew Kepnes from Nomadic Matt
In 2006, Matt Kepnes quit his cubicle job and took off on a round-the-world trip.
A round-the-world trip that he’s still on to this day.
Matt is the blogger behind the ultra-popular travel blog, Nomadic Matt, where he blogs about his travels across 80 countries and territories, helping his readers travel more for less money.
His corporate escape plan included starting his blog, finishing his MBA, and booking a one-way ticket to an adventure around the world.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKUKUjigz8B/
When he’s on the road, he works in the morning and early evening to leave time for him to sightsee during the afternoon and after dinner.
His special blogging power: Matt’s special powers, as you can easily tell from the testimonials on his site, is his ability to inspire. Just like he was inspired by five backpackers he met in Chiang Mai to fulfill his dreams of full-time travel, he pays it forward by inspiring his readers and helping them realize their own travel dreams.
Blogger #14: Josh and Ryan from The Minimalists
Most of the bloggers in this guide travel because their blog businesses allow them to have built a location-independent career.
Josh and Ryan from The Minimalists travel because their blog business requires them to.
What do I mean?
Well, the two friends who started the popular minimalism blog together in 2011 have monetized their blog by writing a book — one that required them to go on 100-city book tours across the country.
They also tour America to host events (live versions of their podcast, The Minimalist), and plan to take their tours overseas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPVRr4VANcH/
Packing everything they need in a carry-on bag, with the 20/20 rule in mind where they “don’t bring anything [they] think [they] might need that can be replaced for $20 in less than 20 minutes,” they hop in their car and take off.
But in 2010, their lives looked different. Instead of having a thriving blog that allowed them to spread a message they were passionate about and travel while doing it, they both worked in traditional careers where they scaled the corporate ladder, accumulating “stuff” as status symbols.
But when Ryan was laid off and Joshua quit, each from a six-figure career, they banded together to build a better life for themselves.
Their special blogging power: Clearly, their special power is the face-to-face connection that live events provide.
Blogger #15: Chris Guillebeau from The Art of Nonconformity
You may have already heard of Chris Guillebeau.
He’s the best-selling author behind The $100 Startup, Born for This and The Happiness of Pursuit.
He’s also the mastermind behind some of the digital world’s best conferences, like the World Domination Summit and The Art of Nonconformity.
He’s travelled to every single country in the world, launched several online businesses, and has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, The Globe and Mail, and on NPR (to name a few).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCFAhdkKaT8/
But before the books, the conferences, and the Internet fame, there was his blog.
Chris started The Art of Nonconformity in 2009 as an experiment: could he become a full-time writer online in under a year?
It turns out he could — it took him 279 days to become an “overnight success.”
His special blogging power: Chris’ special power is his approachability. From responding to reader emails no matter how full his inbox may be, to featuring reader stories on his blog, he makes sure he’s accessible for his readers.
Blogger #16: Sean Ogle from Location Rebel
Eight years ago after going on a trip, Sean Ogle decided he wanted to travel more.
So after a lot of research, he worked up the nerve to ask his boss at his financial analyst job to work remotely. But despite asking nicely, Sean’s boss shot down his request.
So he did what any sane person would do:
Quit his job, sold his car, and booked a one-way ticket to Thailand from which he spent the next seven months traveling Southeast Asia, building his blog, and earning money through freelance SEO as he travelled.
Sean’s story proves that you don’t have to have an already-successful suite of product offerings on your blog to make this lifestyle work.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNI2rL-FVJx/
He started with the lowest-hanging fruit: finding freelance clients and working one-on-one with them while he built his blog business on the side.
Now he teaches his readers how to do the same (from wherever he is in the world) on Location Rebel.
His special blogging power: Sean’s special blogging power is cohesiveness. Sean’s brand is focused, clear, and cohesive, attracting a strong readership that’s never left confused.
Blogger #17: You
Traveling the world while you blog isn’t a privilege specific to these 17 bloggers.
They weren’t born with the successful-blogger gene, and most of them started exactly where you are now: with an idea, a few articles under their belt, and a passion for their topic.
It doesn’t matter if you started your blog last week, last year, or in 2010.
It’s not always glitz and glamor, but if you focus on building an audience, choose the right model to make money from your blog, and maintain massive discipline, you can earn enough money with your blog to become a digital nomad and travel the world in style, too.
Just make sure your passport is up to date!
Hi Sarah,
Glad to see you at Smart Blogger again! Thank you for the inspiration, and for introducing us to some amazing entrepreneurs. (I’m familiar with a few of them, but the rest are brand new to me!)
Off to tweet and send some social media love your way.
Hope you have a great day, Sarah.
– @kevinjduncan
Hey Kevin! Thanks for sharing – so glad you were able to discover a couple more awesome people!
@Sarah want to send some love your way too. I have been on @Jon Morrow email list for over a year now and you are the one that got me to comment on this blog, I have a complex news website that I run and trust me it’s not easy and to see these bloggers travel and do what they love, my heart want that too
Hey Sarah,
Greetings from this Unsettler looking to build the type of lifestyle these 16 bloggers have (17 if we include you!)
Paula Pant wrote one of my favorite blog posts ever. In it, she debunks the idea that “renting is throwing money away.”
I love how you share exactly how each blogger earns. With travel hacking and a dedication to building a bog that earns, the lifestyle is more than possible. The discipline is the only true prerequisite to blogging success.
Off to share!
Paula’s one of my favorites 🙂 Ah yes, travel hacking – a discussion in and of itself!
Hi Sarah.
Wow. This is amazing to me. I’m sure everyone who reads this article will be amazed and want this lifestyle can also happen to them. Just like me. Want a “free” life to go anywhere and can continue to make money from traveling. It’s amazing. This is my dream. Hopefully I can realize my dream come true in the next 5 years.
Thank God I have found this very inspirational and empowering information to have the life I dreamed of, to be a traveling person around the world, and still be able to earn enough or more money for me and my whole family. Like them – 16 people above.
Thanks also to Sarah, for sharing this precious information.
Kind regards,
Richard D.
I can’t thank you for this amazing & inspirational post ever.
I’ve been reading your blog for 2 to 3 days & I’m much thankful to you for sharing such informative & inspirational blog posts.
I much appreciate it & would try my best to travel like the above guys…. 🙂
Awesome, Alex – it’s totally doable. Good luck!
Hello, Sarah!
Great seeing this wonderful post up on Jon’s place!
And wow! They are just rockin’ the internet!
I am not jealous, I guess. 🙂
Too great to see that the internet is helping a lot making the lives of all of these great 16 people be on the brighter side. It is like living the dream!
So, thank you for this inspirational post! 🙂
~ Adeel
The internet certainly is powerful 🙂
I’ve actually heard about some of them already, it’s great to learn about the ones you’ve mentioned I don’t know about yet.
This is actually my ultimate dream. To build a life of travel while doing work I love.
Very inspiring article, will definitely read it more than once.
Just what I needed when doubts are taking over my mind.
Thank you very much for this.
I’m glad this reached you when you needed it, Nicah!
Great article – interesting and informative. Consider adding Dariece and Nick from “Goats on the Road” blog to your next update. They have a great blog detailing their travels, how they afford their full time travel lifestyle and how others can become profitable travel bloggers. http://www.goatsontheroad.com
Awesome, Candi, thanks for letting me know of Dariece and Nick! I’ll check them out for sure.
Thanks for thinking of us Candi! We’d love to be featured next time Sarah 😀 have a great day!
Great post, Sarah! I just wanted to take a quick look like I usually do, but got drawn into it and read the whole thing. This post brings some sense of excitement with it!
I personally prefer to either work on my blog or travel; it just makes me more productive when I work, and lets me enjoy more while I travel. So I keep these two areas apart as well as I can.
There is one blogger missing though: You! Are you still travelling the world? Last time I came across you I believe you were sitting in Paris, but that was a while ago…
I’m delighted to have been featured in this list. But here’s an important point missing link:
I’ve gotten to meet and share the stage with at least one of the other bloggers in this list. I’ve hung out with many others and even without traveling, been on calls with the best of the best.
And, of course, meeting you, Alex, in Vienna, will remain one of my fondest memories.
The current state of blogging reminds me a great deal of the Modernists like Ezra Pound, Hilda Doolittle, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Wyndham Lewis, Ernest Hemingway and a myriad of other legends who met in Paris, London, Berlin and other places to talk craft, do business, lend support and generally change the landscape of thinking during their time.
It’s great fun – and much easier to do than it seems. Bloggers of the world unite! 🙂
It was a great pleasure to meet you and get to know you, Anthony! 😀 You even showed me some magic (memory) card tricks that I could absolutely not wrap my head around…
Bloggers do unite. And will unite even more. Those are the wonders of the internet and the times we are living in – we are not restricted by distance anymore in any way. Limitless possibilities…
Hey Alex! I can relate that sometimes it’s more productive to do one or the other. Ahh yes – I’m no longer travelling as much as I used to, but travel will always be a passion and a huge part of my life. As of a few months ago my travels have shifted from digital nomadism to more of a leisure based travel =) Thanks so much for commenting!
TERRIBLE message. Talking about peoples success, yet making certain NOT to mention HOW people can make a financial success, of a blog. I have my own blog: Daniel Wolf Author, yet, to date, while I have received DOZENS of e-mails, all promising “You can make a fortune”, from your blog, not ONE, of these, including yours, is willing to EXPLAIN to people, using people-speak English, HOW to make money, with a blog. This is why I reply that this article is TERRIBLE. You mention how people have made successes, out of blogs, but you REFUSE to say HOW. Terrible article.
Norman – check out Goats on the Road blog. http://www.goatsontheroad.com Dariece and Nick have a free ebook and blog entries on how they have gone from backpacking nomads to making a great living through blogging. Interesting, informative and practical. Good luck.
Thank you so much for the support and shout-out Candi!
Cheers
Norman, did you miss the link at the end of the article explaining in detail how to do it?
Thank you for the awesome article Sarah. It is always encouraging to read about people that are rocking their goals. It inspires me to keep at it, even when it’s hard.
And isn’t it hard sometimes? Definitely not an easy way out but it’s sure fulfilling! Thanks for the comment Tiffany.
Insanely powerful and motivation – traveling the world is the most common reason many people want to quit their job and do something freelancing. I hope you get to visit as many countries as you wish for – keep working, scaling and hustling.
Freelancing is definitely a good place to start. Thanks for the comment, Rohan!
Yes, it is possible. Very inspiring post! Thanks for sharing these amazing bloggers.
Love this post Sarah!
I’m all about travel and adventure.
A lot of my favorite bloggers are on this list 🙂
Nice to see you here, Eli! Travel is so enriching. I love how blogging has made is so much more accessible.
Great article! Inspiring and informative, while remaining interesting. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait until my new blog is successful enough that you are sharing my story!
This is one of the best posts I have read in a really long time. Really inspiring! It is what I needed to refuel my fire! Thank you!
Hi Sarah,
Happy to see you on Jon’s space again with a wonderful list of amazing bloggers and their journey.
Good to read about such a bunch of travelers and bloggers.
This is really a new experience.
Except one or two most of them are unknown me.
Will surely check these wonderful peoples spaces shortly.
Keep sharing.
Best regards
~ Philip
@PVAriel
They should be role models for aspiring bloggers.
How about Neil Patel? He his the richest blogger in know.
One my favorite from this list is Michelle Schroeder, I took her interview on my blog and she is really inspiring for me.
HI Sarah,
I love reading these types of articles, they give me inspiration to keep at it. The hardest part for any new blogger is building an audience. I agree consistency is the key and that seem to be the common factor that all these successful bloggers used to reach their success.
That’s also the hardest part, especially at the beginning stages for most people with a new blog 🙂
I always get inspired when I read about Michelle’s story on how she lives in an RV and travels that world with her husband.
Just think, it all started with a little blog. Of course there’s a lot of work that goes into growing a blog.
Thanks for sharing these motivating success stories with us. Now I need to get back to work on my blog.
Have a great day 🙂
Susan
It’s really inspiring how people you and i know make a living and earn massively through blogging.
What’s peculiar that I spotted is that books and courses cannot be ruled out for blogging income.
I know Anthony and I’m glad he’s someone I’ve related with and I commend him and others that have been mentioned on this list for their consistency in what they do.
I also make money on my blog through a book I recently published (Bootstrap the Right Way – A Startup Guide for Aspiring Entrepreneurs) and I’m looking to release my third book this year.
Thanks for this inspiring piece.
HI Sarah,
Thanks for this inspiring article. right building an audience and choosing the right money making model for blog, it can make us digital nomad and let us travel the world.
really #17 made me smile 🙂
Thanks for Sharing this great article.
great article, thanks Sarah for sharing 🙂
Brilliant post Sarah.
I see all these bloggers have one thing that most of us don`t, they have goals and determination, consistency and not giving up.
Most bloggers do give up or start blog/niche hopping( i know im one)looking for the quick money, jumping into niches they are not passionate about.
It goes to show that no niche is too crowded if you put in the work.Thanks for sharing
Sarganser,
This is a great observation – and it’s one reason why Jon’s Guest Blogging course is so powerful.
Determination and consistency are often triggered by having an initial “quick victory.” So even if you just have a blog under your name and you’re at least out there contributing value and creating an audience, once you feel what it’s like to participate, you’ll build a little engine that can create more determination and consistency almost on autopilot.
More and more I think that quick victories are one of the most pivotal elements of long term success.
Hey Sarah,
Travel blogging is at its verge where people are trying to build their blogging business and fulfill their desire to explore the world.
The list of travel bloggers can help many to get motivated. Most of the time, people fret to quit their daily 9 to 5 jobs.
But with an insight about these bloggers, it would be a win-win situation.
Everyone is talking about how wonderous they’re but not everyone is good at it.
Thanks for letting us know about the ways to make money and travel.
Have a great weekend.
~Ravi
I’m one of those #17’s Sarah 😉 I’ve been blogging from paradise – OK literally for the past 6 years but blog-wise for the past 3 – and retired to a life of island hopping through smart blogging like these guys. Well maybe not exactly like these guys. Only because although I’ve done the Sofitel Novatel or however you name those 4 and 5 star resorts thing, I love doing offbeat stuff and living in offbeat areas and sharing offbeat experiences.
Love these guys up top. They are epic. I learned so much from them too, as I have modeled some of what I do after their stunning online success.
I am getting clearer and clear on my vision, and am hanging in the right spots and most importantly, I am really digging the journey. That is key. That is where you really get that higher profile, that big-time mojo, when you land features on top blogs.
As for those headlines, yeah I have used them too 😉
I’ve been blessed to be featured as a digital nomad on Virgin, Forbes, Entrepreneur and Fox News but really, I do this for the fun, love and freedom. Like the inspired folks up top.
I dig Amber’s branding. Barefoot Blog is unforgettable. You see it, she makes an impact and you are sold. You are in. This is the type of branding one must build over time to make that major league impact. This type of impact comes through clarity.
All I do online has Blogging From Paradise stamped all over it. From my eBooks to audio books to courses to everything, the logo, my smiling mug and that programming gets built into every piece of content I create, free and premium. That level of branding makes you hyper memorable. This is how to spread the word so you can inspire more folks to rock it out if they want to retire, to travel the world.
Good point too about skepticism. Some are skeptics because they just believe it is not possible. I never try to convince these folks because skeptics are beyond convincing, and because where your attention and energy goes, grows. I just focus on the folks who actually want to circle the globe through being pro bloggers, because as my attention and energy goes there – through my direction – I attract more open-minded folks to me and skeptics seem to vanish as quickly as they arrived.
I’d also not how before you take this journey, make sure your driver is to have fun and to be free through circling the globe, NOT to outrun your miserable life at home. Because that miserable life will follow you around like a little puppy, nipping at your heels, manifesting as different forms and spoiling your travels, until you address that fear. Lesson learned from personal experience.
I’d also add that if you are willing to show the rest of the story – the good and bad, the crazier aspects of blogging, and the offbeat – not only will less skeptics flow your way, your trust factor will go through the roof.
Hell yeah I share images of me in Fiji, living on a jungle cliff 200 meters above the Pacific Ocean and local bay. Genuinely, one of the earth’s best views. We lived there for 4 months in 2014. Rent free. Bananas. Anyway, I sell the dream and white sand beaches and clear water and all that brilliance, as I have lived in Fiji and Bali and Thailand and Costa Rica for months at a time, but I also share when I almost died in India from wicked dehydration after giardia, or how 2 Thai lady boy prostitutes chased me in Bangkok, or how 2 wild men attacked me in Kathmandu, or how I lived between 2 brothels in Istanbul, or how the other night I batted an 8 inch, aggressive, highly venomous, monster centipede out of the house here in Chiang Mai, Babe Ruth style, after hunting him down for a half hour.
Because this rest of the story, this wild stuff, I’m not afraid to report it because it is what REALLY happens sometimes, even if you want to convey the carefully crafted image of coconut shakes on the beach. Hey I do it too. Just that when you really keep it real, and you do this for as long as I have, and live off the beaten path, you will have movie-ready stories to share with the masses. And yes, if anybody has connections with Netflix, do spread the word if you like this sauciness and feel my life would make a humorous show to inspire others.
Awesome, awesome post Sarah. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Signing off from Thailand.
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
You are doing amazingly well. Your success in blogging inspires me. Keep it up. We are learning from you.
I look forward to when Entrepreneur Business Blog will grow to the point where I will be at liberty to travel the world while my blog keeps growing.
Just amazing!
Thanks for creating this kind of article 🙂
-Ravijit Chavda
Thanks Sarah, I’m an old dog trying to learn some new tricks. Enjoyed your post, not looking necessarily for a travel lifestyle. But trying to soak in as much as I can about blogging. Learning to improve my skills from bloggers like you and Jon.
Nice post Sarah – thanks a lot for your efforts – this is one of my most favorite articles
It is a amazing article of journey of travel and thanks for sharing with us.
This is indeed a wake-up call Sarah,
It goes to prove once again that making money from the internet is not a fairy-tale, but real.
If you check out all the bloggers you mentioned here that are making money from their blog while traveling the world, you will notice they have one thing in common, “discipline”.
What is it you can’t achieve if you put your mind to it? My answer is “absolutely nothing”. You can ride your dream car, leave in that dream mansion of yourself, and travel the world without anyone questioning and commanding you around.
We all can do this Sarah, we just have to believe in ourselves, and then work it out.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I liked the way you worded this information so even a newbie can understand the process. Great information looking forward to more of the same. It’s really an inspirational one!! But hard work is also a requirement.
Great article! Very motivational. Kudos to you and to Jon’s team once again for inspiring each of us to choose the path that feeds our soul–even if it’s out of the box.
Hi Sarah, Thank you for the awesome article. It is always encouraging to read about people that are rocking their goals. It inspires me to keep at it, even when it’s hard.
Great post! Very useful information for new travel bloggers. Thanks for sharing!
Very good article. I am also a blogger I hope someday will reach their level. 🙂 Thanks for the information.
Maybe one day I’ll get there, that’s inspiring.
I am not familiar with everyone on this list, so I checked their sites one by one. I can say that they all deserve to be included on this list.
Hi Sarah,
this article is a motivation and inspiration for new bloggers and even for seasoned bloggers.
I know if we (bloggers) can produce consistently value to our reader money will come naturally.
It’s great to know these 16 people crushed it and now are shown in multiple blogs like smartblogger as a reference.
Thanks for this awesome post.
Regards,
Paulo
Great list Sarah! I thought I was done dreaming about travelling the world and ‘living the dream’ like these people. But these stories gave me renewed hope. P.S.. I really enjoyed #2 Nat E’s story. Super inspiring!
Thanks again!
Hello Sarah,
This is indeed a very inspiring post. These people have really shown once again that one can actually make a living from the internet without soiling his hands.
These people are really worthy of emulation and I hope everyone that has been dreaming of making money from the comfort of his home will read this post.
Thanks for sharing.
It was inspiring, wonderful sharing. It’s all true, like a compass for cases and bloggers. Thanks for the guidance.
I think blogging and content marketing is great for those who are patient and passionate about doing what they do. I must say this; this line of work is NOt for the faint hearted. You have to be in it for the long run. I say this because when you’re starting out in the beginning, you’re going to struggle with content ideas and creative ways to stay engaged with your audience. Anyone can do it if they put their mind to it. Making money online from blogging and internet marketing is like Water. There’s more than enough for everyone to go around and there’s no shortage of opportunity and success on the web for anyone who’s serious about putting in that work!
Now who else has a blog that’s making more than enough money not to work a regular 9 to 5 day job? And if this applies to you, how long did it take after you launched your blog to ear enough money online to work from home and travel?
Beautiful and inspiring post
Love your post, when I started few years ago I didn’t know how this online thing work, but as soon as I understand, it help me to leave my 9to5, the only thing leave for me is to travel the world now but being an Jamaican it’s not easy..
This is really very great post! Very useful information for new travel bloggers.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sarah,
this article is a motivation and inspiration for new bloggers. thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Sarah,
great list of bloggers from whom we can inspire a lot…I think every professional who is having 9-5 job should read this…their is lot of things to learn from these travelers..!!
Keeps up the good work!!
Hey Sarah! I love your writing style. What an inspirational post! You introduced me to some great bloggers that I should be following. (And I love how you highlighted their “special blogging powers” 🙂 )
Hi Sarah!
It was a great post to read and know about the list of bloggers from whom we can inspire a lot. Thanks for letting us know about those great bloggers.
Thanks once again
I think that traveling is an option. I know that it is quite popular with millennials but you can do it as an option in just about any type of profession.
It starts with the right intention and having all the necessary tools. It may be a journey to learn all the skills that you need but if you keep on pushing, you’ll get there.
I will be like them one day
Wow these people are so amazing. My goal is to be like one of them one day. And someone else will post about me in their blogs!
Hi Sarah,
Blogging and content marketing is great for those who are patient and passionate about the whole thing. One must be patient, give a lot of your time and be more creative to keep your audience engaged. Thanks Sarah for sharing
Inspirational Post Buddy.
I’m gonna start a Travel Based blog but what are the requirements for it. Do I need some specific advice & tools?
Please help me in my startup. Thanks.
Yasar,
Blogging for travel, hotel or any hospitality industry is being habitual for people like me who all are trying to turn their blogging passion into business. Great post! Thanks.
Awesome advice! I have had my blog for about 6 months, but the last month I have really thrown my energy into it. Anyway, I really appreciate these tips. Have always loved your blog
Wow! Excellent article.
Who better to explain How do you go about becoming a successful blogger than you.
Thank you for the advice.
I really like the way you write. What an amazing blog! You introduced me to a number of fantastic bloggers I should check out. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you once again!