The Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast

Jessie Festa
  • 5.0 (103)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

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

    Jun 9

    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

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

    May 11

    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

    1h 6m
  3. How Changing Blog Niches Led To $1M In Sales & 500k Followers with Kristin Addis

    Apr 20

    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

    35 min
  4. How To Become A Travel Influencer with Viral Creator Kevin Droniak

    Apr 6

    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

    44 min
  5. How To Monetize Your Skills With Freelancing (No Followers Needed) with Brittany Verlenich

    Mar 23

    How To Monetize Your Skills With Freelancing (No Followers Needed) with Brittany Verlenich

    If you're a newer blogger looking to monetize or a seasoned creator wanting to add an additional revenue stream, here's an idea: freelancing. With freelance work, you don't need to be a popular influencer or have a certain number of pageviews to make money. Instead, you create content for other brands and publications and get paid for your skills vs your following. To help you get started, travel blogger and content strategist Brittany Verlenich will be sharing how to: -Pinpoint what services to offer -Set rates and create packages -Retain long-term freelancing clients -Turn freelance work into a reliable revenue stream -And more! 🎁 FREE OPEN HOUSE INSIDE TRAVEL BLOG PROSPERITY: In April 2026, I'm hosting a free 5-day event for travel bloggers looking to grow their traffic, email list, and income. Each day, you'll get access to live workshop or coaching call—replays included—as well as our private Facebook group to ask questions in a safe and nurturing environment. If you've been feeling a bit stuck lately, or if you're searching for some blogging clarity and community support, you won't want to miss it: ⬇️ http://jessieonajourney.com/open-house/ 🎁 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 Make Money Freelancing Cheat Sheet! 🛠️ 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 BRITTANY: Website: https://brittanyverlenich.com/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brittanyverlenich Freelancer Fix Newsletter: https://freelancerfix.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 🙏 CREDITS 🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

    44 min
  6. Why The Google HCU Was The Best Things For My Travel Blog with Melissa Byron

    Mar 9

    Why The Google HCU Was The Best Things For My Travel Blog with Melissa Byron

    When it comes to growing a travel blog, certain SEO best practices—like having a fast website and making your expertise clear—are important. That said, it is possible to grow and scale without obsessing over keywords or chasing trends. Out guest, Melisssa Byron of A Solo Woman Traveling, is proof of this. After being impacted by the Helpful Content Update (HCU), she shifted from keyword-optimized content to reader-first storytelling and aligned offers—which helped her sustainably grow her blogging business, despite Google algorithm updates. In this episode, she'll help you do the same by sharing: -what authenticity actually means when it comes to content creation  -tips for getting eyes on your content (Google and beyond) -how to properly align your content with your audience for increased profits -her strategy for creating a reader-first content plan—that also leads to profits -and more! 🎁 FREE OPEN HOUSE INSIDE TRAVEL BLOG PROSPERITY: In April 2026, I'm hosting a free 5-day event for travel bloggers looking to grow their traffic, email list, and income. Each day, you'll get access to live workshop or coaching call—replays included—as well as our private Facebook group to ask questions in a safe and nurturing environment. If you've been feeling a bit stuck lately, or if you're searching for some blogging clarity and community support, you won't want to miss it: ⬇️ http://jessieonajourney.com/open-house/ 🎁 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 Authentic Blogging Cheat Sheet! 🛠️ 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 MELISSA: Website: https://asinglewomantraveling.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asolowomantraveling/ 🎉 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

    29 min
  7. Grow A Patreon For Recurring Revenue (Even Small Creators!) with Julia Menez

    Feb 23

    Grow A Patreon For Recurring Revenue (Even Small Creators!) with Julia Menez

    Patreon—a platform that makes it easy for fans to support your work directly—can help bloggers build an engaged community and earn recurring revenue in the process. And you don't need a huge audience to be successful either! In an age of endless algorithm updates and AI threats, moving your audience into a space you control, like Patreon, is a smart business move. To help, our guest, points strategy coach and Patreon success story, Julia Menez, will be sharing: -how Patreon helped her turn her expertise into a predictable revenue stream -tips for structuring your Patreon tiers for profits -how to promote your Patreon and keep members engaged -advice for managing your Patreon workflow without burning out -and more!  Julia will take us behind the scenes of her Patreon business to share exactly what works, and what doesn't, so you can grow and monetize faster and easier. 🎁 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 & Monetize With Patreon Cheat Sheet! 📸 NYC Influencer Shoots This episode is sponsored by NYC Photo Journeys—my very own New York photography and travel planning company! For a limited time, you can get 10 bonus photos when you book an NYC Influencer Shoot and opt for the Edited Package. Just use code "BONUSPHOTOS" at checkout to claim the gift! ⬇️ https://nycphotojourneys.com/professional-photographers-in-nyc/ 🛠️ 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 JULIA: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/geobreezetravel Website: https://geobreezetravel.com/ Podcast: https://geobreezetravel.com/podcast/  🎉 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

    28 min
  8. Pitching High-Ticket Brand Collabs: Lessons From A $200k Deal with Nina Zadeh

    Feb 9

    Pitching High-Ticket Brand Collabs: Lessons From A $200k Deal with Nina Zadeh

    Want to land paid brand partnerships? The good news: you don't need a big following to earn an income from collaborating with brands and tourism boards; but, you do need to know how to pitch and negotiate.  To help you see success with this, our guest for this episode, influencer marketing expert Nina Zadeh of Sidewalker Daily, will be sharing: -clever pitching strategies -powerful negotiation tactics -details about what brands are actually paying for -tips for creating a repeatable system for landing consistent paid brand collaborations -and more! Nina regularly negotiates 5- and 6-figure brand deals—including a $200,000 campaign. She'll walk you through how that was pitched in the episode! 🎁 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 High-Ticket Brand Collaborations Cheat Sheet Cheat Sheet! 🎁 FREE CLASS: Sign up for the free How To Land Paid Brand Deals workshop to learn how to make brands want to pay you for brand collabs, even if you have a small following (affiliate link):  https://sidewalkerdaily.lpages.co/how-to-land-travel-partnerships-jessie/ 🛠️ 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 NINA: Sidewalker Daily: https://sidewalkerdaily.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidewalkerdaily   Nina's Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nina.zadeh/  🎉 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

    44 min
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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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