How to Become a Travel Vlogger
Becoming a travel vlogger sounds easy because it does not take much to get started: All you need theoretically is a smartphone and a working internet connection. Shoot a few videos, use a free video editing app, open an account on YouTube or Facebook, and post your video – a travel vlog is born.
However, that alone will not get you far, as it is unlikely anyone will watch your videos, and I assume you wish to reach people with your content. Thus, I want to share my experience after more than a year of travel vlogging
On this article offer my advice on how to get started with your travel vlog. Note that I am an amateur travel vlogger and do not see travel vlogging as my job. If you want to earn a salary as travel vlogger, this article about “How to Become a Travel Vlogger and Get Paid?” will probably help you.
I wanted to write this blog because I started looking back at my first video project, the Kinmen Travel Tales. My motivation to move to Kinmen and start a YouTube channel was rather unconventional. I assume most people simply aim to make money with their vlogs, but I still wanted to share my experience.
Come Up with an Idea and a Plan for Your Travel Vlog
The first thing you need is a passion for something related to traveling, such as backpacking or a specific region. For example, you can become a South African travel vlogger or travel as a couple through India. Choose a field you like and on which you are willing to spend significant time researching and building your vlog. In my opinion, this is the most important foundation for being successful (and eventually even getting paid, if aim for that).
For me, this place was Kinmen Island in Taiwan. I wanted to document the unique history of the place and take it step-by-step from there. I started with some basic equipment, watched many video editing tutorials on YouTube, and tried to improve with every video.
Tips for Beginner Travel Vloggers on YouTube
When you have an idea, it is time to decide on a few fundamental things, and I suggest that you do this before shooting your first video. I put together a checklist. These points will not lead to guaranteed success, but I wish I had known them before I started my channel. For more information, check out my Travel Vlog Page.
Be Consistent in Building Your Travel Vlog Audience
Of course, you need to start filming and publishing content. It may feel weird when you first start filming but also keep in mind that you need more content. It is important to keep going once you started. Consistent and frequent publications are as important as the quality of your videos. Try to release a video at least once a week, or even more frequently if possible.
Think about a travel vlog idea that is unique but also allows you to continuously produce good content. Try to find your niche; instead of focusing on a broad location like India (where there are many travel vloggers), consider focusing on a smaller region, such as the Bengali region of India, for example.
Branding Beyond a Travel Vlog Logo
I had to learn the hard way, so I strongly suggest preparing some branding assets. A logo for your travel vlog, for example, is important to get started. There are many free logo creators available, and is also helpful to choose brand colors and a font to maintain consistency. The branding should be reflected not only in your videos but also in the design of your channel.
Today, I have two logos and I try to be consistent with my colors. I even ended up building this website (see “Why Build a Website as a Travel Vlogger?”), as well as a Facebook account, even though I had never used Facebook before. Get familiar with free graphic tools such as Canva and find free stock footage on platforms like Unsplash.
Many other websites provide additional branding assets. I recently realized that music for your travel vlog is an important topic. Pixabay provides a lot of free music that you can use.
Get a Camera and a Basic Tech Stack for Your Travel Vlog
I speak about the best camera for a travel vlogger in my tech stack blog. But I can you tell already that I mostly use my phone as camera. Smartphones these days have great cameras and also back up your footage automatically. Both Android and Apple excel in this area, so from my perspective, an extra camera for your travel vlog is not a must, but it can be beneficial.
In the beginning, I bought a lavalier microphone and used both the front and back cameras of my phone. I have to confess, the lack of experience, no editing skills, and cheap tech did not do me any favors, just check my first few videos. Later, I purchased a gimbal, a tripod, and an action camera (not a GoPro, as that was too expensive).
I am still using my phone, currently a mid-range Android phone that I bought for 300 Euros in 2022. My most expensive asset is the computer I built, which cost a total of 15,000 NTD. There are a few smaller items that I bought, but since this is really just a non-profit activity for me, I have to keep costs low. Note that the cost of a travel vlog camera alone can easily exceed my entire budget.
Final Words about How to Become a Travel Vlogger
These are just a few points to help you get started, there is so much more to consider. Feel free to reach out t – I am always keen to hear why people want to be travel vloggers. However, I am not in this game to make money, and do not have any money to spend. So, please do not reach out if you want to sell me something or if you are seeking advice on how to make money as a travel vlogger.
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