The Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast

Jessie Festa
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Fortnightly

Dream of turning your travel blog into a location independent business? The Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast is for busy content creators who want actionable strategies for serious website growth. I've removed the fluff to provide short but powerful episodes that will help you grow your blog's traffic, community, and income, allowing you to be your own boss from anywhere in the world.

  1. 20 Oct

    Grow & Monetize A Travel Blog in the Age of AI with Nomadic Matt

    Between constant algorithm updates and ChatGPT churning out content in seconds, how can travel bloggers actually grow and monetize? The truth is, it's still possible to run a profitable blogging business, but the road to success looks much different than it did before AI became so prevalent.  In this episode, Matt Kepnes, founder of the popular budget travel site Nomadic Matt, breaks down how he's adapting his content, visibility, and income strategy.  You'll learn:  ✔️ Whether he still optimizes for SEO and how he approaches "AI SEO" for tools like ChatGPT ✔️ What pivoting away from Google looks like and where he's seeing the best results ✔️ How he's building community in the age of AI ✔️ How his monetization strategy has shifted as traffic sources have changed ✔️ What he thinks the future of blogging looks like in the AI era ✔️ And more! Plus, you'll hear what he'd do if he were starting a travel blog from scratch today. 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Grow Your Travel Blog In The Age Of AI Cheat Sheet! 🎁 Sign up for Travelpayouts + get up to $100 bonus: Travelpayouts, who kindly sponsored this episode, is the affiliate platform I've personally used for years to manage my travel affiliate partnerships. New users can get a bonus of up to $100 when they sign up through my referral link — earned in stages as you hit commission milestones. https://tp.click/3MG 🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH MATT: Website + Email Signup: https://www.nomadicmatt.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadicmatt 🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 📽️ This video was recorded using the following tools: (includes affiliate links) Zencastr (video recording): https://zencastr.com/?via=jessica Samson Q2U (microphone): https://amzn.to/3xAtn5F 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    Grow & Monetize A Travel Blog in the Age of AI with Nomadic Matt

  2. 5 Oct

    Creating Financial Stability With Irregular Income with Katherine Pomerantz

    Irregular income is one of the most stressful parts of being a travel blogger. A great month can be followed by a slow one, making it hard to feel financially secure. In this episode, fractional CFO and tax strategist Katherine Pomerantz of Money Storyteller breaks down exactly how creators can feel financially stable and build long-term wealth, even when income changes month to month. In this episode, she shares: -How to find your "enough number" when your income fluctuates -Why keeping all your savings in cash is holding you back — and simple ways to start investing -How much cash you actually need as a buffer -What to do with your money as soon as it lands in your account -How self-employed creators can save about 3x more for retirement (while lowering their taxes) -And more! Plus, you'll learn the truth about true passive income for bloggers, two simple equations for growing your investments, and what separates six-figure creators from seven-figure brands. 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Financial Stability for Travel Bloggers Cheat Sheet! 🎁 Sign up for Travelpayouts + get up to $100 bonus: Travelpayouts, who kindly sponsored this episode, is the affiliate platform I've personally used for years to manage my travel affiliate partnerships. New users can get a bonus of up to $100 when they sign up through my referral link — earned in stages as you hit commission milestones. https://tp.click/3MG 🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH KATHERINE: Website: https://moneystoryteller.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinepomerantz 🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 📽️ This video was recorded using the following tools: (includes affiliate links) Zencastr (video recording): https://zencastr.com/?via=jessica Samson Q2U (microphone): https://amzn.to/3xAtn5F 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    Creating Financial Stability With Irregular Income with Katherine Pomerantz

  3. 21 Sept

    How To Grow On Instagram As a Travel Creator with Emily Cooper (132K Followers!)

    Instagram's algorithm and audience behavior are constantly shifting. What worked a year ago or even six months ago doesn't always work today. In this episode, travel creator Emily Cooper of ‪@EmilyEatsandExplores‬ breaks down exactly what's driving growth and engagement on Instagram right now. Emily grew her Instagram account to over 132,000 followers in under 5 years — including 5,000 followers from a single post! 🤯 In this episode, she breaks down: -What's actually changed about growing on Instagram — and what still works -Tips for creating an Instagram content plan that leads to follows, saves, and shares -The exact post that brought her 5,000 new followers (and how to replicate her strategy) -Her hook-and-CTA framework for planning individual posts -How she's turned her following into an email list, brand deals, and a membership -And more! Plus, you'll learn how to use Instagram's Trial Reels feature, carousel creation hacks, and how to know when it's time to change your content strategy. 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including an Instagram Growth Cheat Sheet! 🎁 Sign up for Travelpayouts + get up to $100 bonus: Travelpayouts, who kindly sponsored this episode, is the affiliate platform I've personally used for years to manage my travel affiliate partnerships. New users can get a bonus of up to $100 when they sign up through my referral link — earned in stages as you hit commission milestones. https://tp.click/3MG 🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH EMILY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyeatsandexplores/?hl=en  Free Handbook: https://email.emilyeatsandexplores.com/handbook  🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 📽️ This video was recorded using the following tools: (includes affiliate links) Zencastr (video recording): https://zencastr.com/?via=jessica Samson Q2U (microphone): https://amzn.to/3xAtn5F 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    How To Grow On Instagram As a Travel Creator with Emily Cooper (132K Followers!)

  4. 8 Sept

    The Secret To Taking Epic Travel Photos (It's Not Your Camera) with Alexandra Lauren

    If you've ever taken hundreds of travel photos on a trip and come home with only a handful worth posting, you're far from alone. It happens to nearly every travel creator, and it usually has nothing to do with your camera, but your planning. To help ensure you come home from every trip with images you're excited to post, adventure photographer Alexandra Lauren will share powerful tips to help ensure you come home from every trip with images you're excited to post. In this episode, Alexandra breaks down: -Her go-to 4-shot framework for planning any location intentionally -How to choose photo-worthy locations using her two go-to methods -The real difference golden hour, blue hour, and harsh midday light make — and how to adapt when the weather won't cooperate -How to tell the story of a place instead of just taking the standard photo everyone else gets -Simple, beginner-friendly tactics (that pros still rely on) for instantly leveling up your shots -And more!  Plus, you'll get her favorite underused iPhone photography features, how to know which of your shots are actually worth editing, and how to balance capturing content with actually enjoying your trip. 🎁 Sign up for Travelpayouts + get up to $100 bonus: Travelpayouts, who kindly sponsored this episode, is the affiliate platform I've personally used for years to manage my travel affiliate partnerships. New users can get a bonus of up to $100 when they sign up through my referral link — earned in stages as you hit commission milestones. https://tp.click/3MG 📸 Register for the free Take Better Travel Photos with Your iPhone Challenge: In just 5 days, you'll learn simple strategies for taking pro-level travel photos — no experience or fancy equipment required. Plus get an Implementation Workbook and access to the giveaway! https://jessieonajourney.com/iphone-photography-challenge/ 🛠️ Tools Mentioned: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ Connect with Alexandra: Website: https://thebucketlistmermaid.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebucketlistmermaid/ Substack: https://thebucketlistmermaid.substack.com/ 🎉 Connect with Jessie: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 📽️ This video was recorded using the following tools: (includes affiliate links) Zencastr (video recording): https://zencastr.com/?via=jessica Samson Q2U (microphone): https://amzn.to/3xAtn5F 🙏 Credits: 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    The Secret To Taking Epic Travel Photos (It's Not Your Camera) with Alexandra Lauren

  5. 9 Jun

    Build Systems In Your Blog's Backend For Sustainable Revenue with Laura Haley

    Learn how to build systems in your travel blogging business for sustainable income! As creators we were many hats. To keep up the 101 different tasks and projects in our businesses — without getting overwhelmed — it's important to create an operational foundation that works for you even when you're offline. To help, travel content strategist Laura Haley shares the exact roadmap she uses to organize creator workflows and drive growth for mega-influencers with over 1 million followers. In this episode, Laura shares: -The important first steps to transition from a content creator to a business owner -How to audit your schedule to eliminate time-wasting tasks and protect your creative joy -A strategic approach to choosing high-converting lead magnets for steady list growth -Tips for setting up an Airtable or spreadsheet CRM for predictable income growth -The easy way to build a sustainable newsletter template you can batch and reuse for years -And more!  Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how to prioritize your blogging to-do list, avoid shiny object syndrome, and set up a weekly business audit that drives maximum ROI. 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Systemize Your Travel Blog Cheat Sheet! 📸 VIP Opportunities for Travel Bloggers Newsletter (+ 1 Free Issue!) This newsletter is simple but powerful: you get 5 high-value leads that can help grow your blog's traffic, email list, and income straight to your inbox every Monday at 8am ET. Sign up to get one issue of your choice for free! ⬇️ https://vipblogger.substack.com/  🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH LAURA: Website: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/  Podcast: https://www.travelcontentwriting.com/the-travel-creator-podcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/?hl=en 🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 📽️ This video was recorded using the following tools: (includes affiliate links) Zencastr (video recording): https://zencastr.com/?via=jessica Samson Q2U (microphone): https://amzn.to/3xAtn5F 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    Build Systems In Your Blog's Backend For Sustainable Revenue with Laura Haley

  6. 11 May

    How He Built a $200K+ Local Newsletter Without a Substack Paywall with Michael Kauffman

    Learn how to start a local newsletter and build a profitable business you truly own! After 15 years in the startup world, Michael Kauffman faced an existential crisis that led him to launch Catskill Crew—a local newsletter that bypassed traditional blogging rules and scaled to a multi-six-figure media empire. Michael has grown his list to over 40,000 subscribers by prioritizing community depth over broad algorithm reach. In this episode, Michael shares: -How to choose the perfect local newsletter scope for your geography -The community-first approach that turns subscribers into active participants -Why he chooses creative monetization over a traditional Substack paywall -His exact strategy for scaling to over 40,000 subscribers (starting from zero!) -Tips for balancing content across platforms without burning out -And more! Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Michael's anti-funnel newsletter workflow and how he uses his platform to make a tangible impact on his local community. 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Launch & Scale A Local Newsletter Cheat Sheet! 📸 VIP Opportunities for Travel Bloggers Newsletter (+ 1 Free Issue!) This newsletter is simple but powerful: you get 5 high-value leads that can help grow your blog's traffic, email list, and income straight to your inbox every Monday at 8am ET. Sign up to get one issue of your choice for free! ⬇️ https://vipblogger.substack.com/  🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH MICHAEL: Website & Newsletter: https://catskillcrew.com/ The Newsletter Club: https://www.thenewsletter.club/ Twitter(X): https://x.com/mikeypesto 🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    How He Built a $200K+ Local Newsletter Without a Substack Paywall with Michael Kauffman

  7. 20 Apr

    How Changing Blog Niches Led To $1M In Sales & 500k Followers with Kristin Addis

    Learn how to switch your blog niche successfully! After over a decade of building the popular solo female travel blog Be My Travel Muse, Kristin Addis changed up her brand and launched Parenthood Adventures—turning her new niche blog into a profitable business. In fact, Kristin grew it to over 500k Instagram followers and more than $1M in travel planning bookings in the last six months alone. In this episode, Kristin shares: -How she navigated pivoting her blog brand -Tips for positioning yourself as an expert in a new space -Secrets for fast organic growth on Instagram  -How she increased her income by expanding beyond traditional blogging revenue streams to a high-ticket agency model -And more! Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what actually goes into changing your blog niche (so you don't miss any important steps!). 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Blog Brand Pivot Cheat Sheet! 📸 VIP Opportunities for Travel Bloggers Newsletter (+ 1 Free Issue!) This newsletter is simple but powerful: you get 5 high-value leads that can help grow your blog's traffic, email list, and income straight to your inbox every Monday at 8am ET. Sign up to get one issue of your choice for free! ⬇️ https://vipblogger.substack.com/  🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH KRISTIN: Blog: https://parenthoodadventures.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenthood.adventures Services: https://musebespokeescapes.com 🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    How Changing Blog Niches Led To $1M In Sales & 500k Followers with Kristin Addis

  8. 6 Apr

    How To Become A Travel Influencer with Viral Creator Kevin Droniak

    Curious how to become a travel influencer—and get paid for your content? Today's guest, Kevin Droniak — aka @KevinDroniak on social media — has been an influencer for 10 years, going viral for doing day trips from NYC to faraway places like Egypt, Japan, and Kenya. This unique idea, paired with his fun personality and engaging editing style, has helped him grow a massive following. His videos regularly get hundreds to thousands of shares, with his top videos reaching millions of viewers. In this episode, Kevin will share:  -His secrets for coming up with unique video concepts -Tips for scripting viral hooks that stop the scroll -How to optimize your Reels and TikToks for shares and saves -Strategies for negotiating high-paying brand deals without a manager -And more! Plus, you'll get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how a viral travel creator actually runs their business! 🎁 FREE BONUS: Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library: https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/  It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Travel Influencer Strategy Cheat Sheet! 📸 VIP Opportunities for Travel Bloggers Newsletter (+ 1 Free Issue!) This newsletter is simple but powerful: you get 5 high-value leads that can help grow your blog's traffic, email list, and income straight to your inbox every Monday at 8am ET. Sign up to get one issue of your choice for free! ⬇️ https://vipblogger.substack.com/  🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED: Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/  ✨ CONNECT WITH KEVIN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevindroniak/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kevindroniak 🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE: YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging  Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney  Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    How To Become A Travel Influencer with Viral Creator Kevin Droniak
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Dream of turning your travel blog into a location independent business? The Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast is for busy content creators who want actionable strategies for serious website growth. I've removed the fluff to provide short but powerful episodes that will help you grow your blog's traffic, community, and income, allowing you to be your own boss from anywhere in the world.

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