YOU ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ONE OF THE GREATEST TRAVEL BLOGGERS IN THE WORLD. HOW DID YOU EVEN BEGIN TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY?
I started my website with a selfish goal: to make money to keep myself traveling. I wanted my website to be an online résumé where editors could see my writing and say, “Yeah, we want to hire that guy!” — and then pay me to go somewhere and write a story about it. My dream was to write guidebooks for Lonely Planet. I imagined no cooler job and it was better than working in a cubicle.
In those early days, I worked as an English teacher in Bangkok and Taiwan. Blogging was never meant to support me full–time — let alone lead to book deals, conferences, speaking events, and so much more. In fact, I didn’t care much about this website. I mean, sure, worked on it and didn’t want it to fail. But building it into something bigger than myself was not the goal. Instead, I wanted the dream: passive income. I wanted money to be coming in while I slept. I was 27 with no responsibilities. I wasn’t looking toward the future. I just wanted the good times to never end.
While I earned a little bit of money from affiliates and selling links on this site, I spent most of my time creating AdSense websites, designed solely to get people to click on Google ads. Yes, I was a scammy internet marketer! I put all that money I made back into these websites — getting people to write articles, optimizing the websites for search, and creating more websites — and lived off my teaching income. I found keywords that paid well and designed very niche and ugly websites around those subjects. Even though these sites made money, they lacked soul. As time went on, between this website, my teaching job, and those AdSense sites, I made more than enough money, earning upwards of $8,000 a month. Then one day it all changed.
I was part of this group called the Keyword Academy. It was run by two guys, Mark and a guy named Brad who led monthly consulting calls. During one, Brad said, “Matt, why are you building this crap? You know travel. You have a website that people read and like. You have a skill set. Focus on that. This shit is stupid. We only do it because it’s quick cash.” And he was right. Travel was really my passion. So, in late spring 2009, I shifted my focus back to this blog and, over time, let those other websites die or sold them off. And, when Google finally learned to filter those spammy websites out, all the people I knew from those days were left with nothing. But the experience taught me some important lessons about creating an online business.
First, until your hobby can pay your rent, don’t quit your day job. There are a lot of people telling you to “follow your passion” — but they neglect to tell you that unless your passion can pay your bills, you should keep your “unpassionate” day job. Teaching English and those scammy websites allowed me to have some income while I focused on “Nomadic Matt.” It wasn’t until the end of 2009 / early 2010 that Nomadic Matt earned enough where I needed no other sources of income.
Second, no matter how good or helpful your blog is, marketing is important. If no one knows how to find your website, it’s all for naught. Those crappy, scammy websites taught me how Google and SEO worked as well as the importance of marketing and messaging. I took that experienced to improve this website, optimizing my content for Google, created products, and started networking with bloggers outside travel. I think this is one of the things that gave me an edge over other bloggers at this time. While they focused solely on writing and social media, I focused on that as well as SEO. This ensured that I ranked high in search engines, got visitors every day, and helped get my “brand” other there (I got interviewed on CNN once because the writer found me on Google).
I hated those other websites but I will work 24/7 on this one because I love what I do. I don’t agree with basically anything I did in those early days. It was a very scammy way to make money. But I don’t regret one moment of it because it showed me a better way and helped get to where I am today.
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF TRAVEL BLOGS OUT THERE UNSUCCESSFULLY DOING SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU DO, POSTING THEIR OWN ADVICE AND STORIES. HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO CREATE YOUR OWN BRAND TO STAND OUT THE WAY YOU DO?
As I built this community, I learned that when you create a business that helps others, you create something sustainable and gives meaning and joy to your own life. I work very hard on my website because I believe in it and that it helps people. I guess the saying is right. When you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
The market is saturated with bloggers – there are two ways to stand out: be different and be better! There are lots of mediocre travel blogs out there, but there is always room for a star travel blog that tackles a niche that is different than the rest.Think of it like the restaurant industry – there are tons and tons of restaurants but new ones open and succeed all the time? Why is that? Because there’s always room for quality! Make something great and don’t worry if there are too many other blogs. Strive to be better!
WHAT WERE SOME OF THE MISTAKES YOU MADE IN REGARDS TO BLOGGING, OR THINGS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY (ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNING)?
For a long time, I avoided spending any money on this website. I bootstrapped everything and viewed every expense negatively. “That designer would be nice but I can’t afford it. I’ll just create a crappier design myself.” But I soon realized money spent wisely is an investment. Now I pay for designers, SEO auditors, conferences, employees, video and audio editors, copy editors, and much more. This allows me to improve the reader experience, develop useful products, work on other projects, and free up time to write. I focus on my core competencies and hire the rest out.
Creating a travel blog is a time-consuming process. Writing about your trip to Paris is only a small part of the story. Successful blogs focus on content and are customer-centered and reader-centered. It’s easy to reach small or mid-tier status but if you want to stand out, focus on reader-centric content, being niche, creating products, and sticking to best practices.
YOU DIDN’T TAKE YOUR FIRST OVERSEAS TRIP UNTIL THE AGE OF 23, HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO AVOID THE TRAVEL BUG FOR SO LONG?
I don’t know how I escaped it for so long. I do know that growing up in Boston, I was never a big traveler. Outside of a cruise and college trip to Montreal, I had no travel experience. After college, I got a job and the standard American two-weeks-a-year vacation. I wanted to use that time to travel. After all, it was vacation time, right? So for my first trip overseas in 2004, I went to Costa Rica. That trip changed my life. It opened me up to the possibilities of the world. In Costa Rica, I experienced other cultures, got lost in a jungle, saw conservation projects in action, and met people from around the world. From that moment on, I was hooked on travel. All I wanted to do was travel, see more of the world, and learn more about the people in it.
If you ask anyone what their favorite country is, it’s likely to be the one that made them fall in love with traveling. Therefore, CostaRica is one of my favorite countries because it did just that!
YOU’VE MENTIONED MEETING FIVE BACKPACKERS IN CHIANG MAI WHO INSPIRED YOU TO TRAVEL FULL-TIME YOURSELF, BUT HOW WERE THEY ALL FUNDING THEIR OWN TRAVELS?
I have no clue. All I know is they weren’t on their way home to a job waiting. They were “on the move”.
WHAT LANGUAGES HAVE YOU LEARNT ON YOUR JOURNEYS AND HOW IMPORTANT HAVE THEY BEEN IN REGARDS TO GETTING AROUND?
I don’t speak any language (well) besides English and I’ve traveled to over 90 countries. Language is not a huge deal, especially when you know English. It’s one of the languages that someone everywhere will know a little bit of. There seems to always be someone willing to help or translate (especially when you get into areas that have very little English spoken!) Personally, I learn the basic pleasantries before I visit a new country and carry a phrase book or Google translate for the rest!
PRIOR TO TRAVELLING, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE?
In college, I studied History and became a high school history teacher when I graduated. I worked at a hospital in their administrative department while I got my MBA. All in all, I’d say I led a pretty normal life before I started traveling.
FINALLY, DO YOU HAVE ANY GENERAL ADVICE FOR PEOPLE CRAVING A LIFE OF TRAVEL?
Don’t be scared. Fear is a powerful deterrent. Taking the leap into the unknown is scary, but you aren’t the first person to travel the world. You aren’t discovering new continents or exploring uncharted territories. There is a well-worn travel trail out there and people to help guide you along the way. If millions of people can make their way around the world each year, so can you. You may feel scared and nervous but you’re just as capable as anyone else.
Travel slow. It can be tempting to try to see it all. With limited vacation time, we are always trying to squeeze everything in — rushing through 20 cities in 20 days, or 100 countries on our round-the-world trip. In the end, all we have to show for it are photos, stress, and a whirlwind of experiences but no real knowledge of the places we went. (After you try to rush through Australia, you’ll be burnt out and realize you saw everything but nothing at all. You’ll wish you did it slower.) Don’t rush your trip. Make time to spend a relaxing day in the park or just sitting in a café people watching. Slow down. It gives you time to take it all in.
You don’t need a lot of gear. When I went to Costa Rica in 2003, I brought a bag filled with tons of stuff — hiking boots and pants, a fleece jacket, too many clothes, and more toiletries than a CVS. It all sat in my bag, taking up space, as I lugged them across the country. The lesson: Pack light. You’ll have less to carry. Buy a small bag so you aren’t tempted to pack everything under the sun. If you truly need something, you can pick it up as you go. Trust me, you won’t need as much gear as you think!
Go with the flow. When every day is planned out and there are timetables to follow, you can get stressed. Very stressed. And when you plan too much, there’s no room to experience the happy accidents of travel. Put some flexibility into your schedule and go with the flow. Plan one or two activities and let the rest of the day happen. It’ll be a more enjoyable and less stressful experience. You’ll be surprised by what happens (like when your friend invites you to an island in Thailand and you can stay a whole month). Let life unfold.
Don’t be so shy. It takes courage to talk to strangers but everyone is in the same boat. All around you are other solo travelers looking for friends. They want to meet new people too. Just say “hello” and everything else will fall into place. Ask to join people’s drinking games and conversations in hostels. No one ever says no. Take the first step. Take off your headphones, turn to the person next to you, and say hello. You have nothing to lose and, in the process, this is how you’ll get over your shyness, make new friends, and get better at conversation.
You are not alone. Wherever you go, there is a network of travelers who will be your friends, give you advice or tips, and help you out. They will guide you, point you in the right direction, and be your mentors. You aren’t out there on your own. You will make friends. You will be OK. Though you are traveling alone, you will never be alone. I know you’re nervous about heading out into the unknown. That’s normal. It’s human nature to worry, but you make it on your trip and become a better person because of your travels. So take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy!
It was so great to learn more about Matt and how he’s both able to travel the world and run a blogging empire. I hope it’s interested some of you guys also, and if so, let me know in the comments below!
BUT BEFORE YOU DO – WHY NOT SHARE THE LOVE AND PIN THIS POST?
This has to have been an awesome experience! I would LOVE to pick Matt’s brain! His travel tips are all brilliant!
I am also a travelling guy and planning to publish a booklet in the coming weeks, all of he shared are really awesome and i agree with them! He’s something that every travellers should admire!
It’s nice that you featured him!
He is pretty awesome
Very young and successful
Much Love,
Jane x
Very inspirational interview, it would be amazing to travel the world for a living!
It’s awesome how Matt can travel everywhere without breaking the bank! Even though we have some selfish intentions at first, it’s not all bad if you can deliver the content properly. Oh man, Matt was making bank from his work! It’s great that he built a big readership and did what he loved at the same time. Thanks for sharing his story :).
Such an amazing interview! Loved reading his story and the way he was able to turn his hobby into a career.
I had never heard of MAtt before so it was fascinating to read the back story! It’s interesting the different routes big bloggers took to get to where they are today, and very inspiring too. He had some great advice to share! 🙂
Hope you are having a great weekend 🙂 We are having the perfect weather – warm and sunny in the morning, then cooler in the afternoon and evenings when the storms roll in. We spent time by the pool yesterday morning!
This is a really interesting interview, I’d love to be able to travel so much and make a living from it, shows what hard work can really do, well done to him 🙂
That’s cool! It’s always nice to get to know new people!
Awesome guy he is! Amazing blog post!
Thanks for sharing!
much love, Len
I’ve heard about Matt’s blog before, it’s great you’ve done an interview with him. Keep more posts like this coming, great job!
Great article, Amy!
I didn’t know him, but I was so moved by your interview!!
I agree him that posting articles to help and support somebody is so important.
I didn’t know him, but the interview is amazing!
besos
Wow, this is such a great post! I really enjoyed learning about this travel blogger…very inspirational!
Amy, this was a great interview, it has been my dream to travel the world myself. Once my youngest daughter grew up, I had just planned to take off and go… unfortunately my health isn’t good now, so I may never travel but I am still passionate about learning more about the world… I think I need to follow more travel blogs so I can the world through their eyes…
I haven’t written in a great while due to my health but I am back… I so missed writing and the blog world… I look forward to seeing how everyone has been… Have a great day xox
Great post <3
This is a solid interview, though perhaps it could’ve been condensed a bit. I’ve never really been willing to put in the work required to make a successful website (or social media profile), but I always find it interesting to read about people who managed to make it big. And, by the way, you’re doing pretty well here yourself, Amy!
This article makes me realize I should do more for what I love and I really adore how he could build his own empire in the travel blogging world. Thank you so much for sharing!
xoxo
Brilliant post, a travel blogger sounds fantastic :)) x
Matt sounds like such a great guy! His personality really shines through this interview. Great Q & A! I love how honest he is in this interview, admitting to his initial mistakes. Even though his travel site was doing well from the start and he was passionate about it, it took him time to realize he wants /needs to devote his energies only to that and leave those ad sense sites in the past….That’s life. We often need time to figure something out, success often looks instant to someone looking at it, but for the person who experiences success, it is often something that was a long time goal/ process. I appreciate what Matt said about not quitting your day job. That’s a great advice. Lately there have been many articles on Instagram and influences who went bankrupt because they kept buying designer clothes and not really making much money with their social media. Following your dream is great, but that doesn’t mean one needs to throw one’s common sense in the garbage. We can follow our dream and be reasonable at the same time.
I’m sorry to hear you need medication, I know getting medicated can suck and that the side affects are never fun, but at least it helps to keep things under control. I’m currently on Imuran, Pentasa and steroids, doing so-so…struggling with pain, diarrhea & fevers, but super happy to be out of the hospital. I can handle tests and check ups, but I hate hospitalization as such, to me it feels a bit like being in a prison. It’s so nice being able to live in my own home like a normal person and not having to wake up in a hospital so I feel like I shouldn’t complain much. My weight is super healthy right now, so that’s something else to feel positive about. My doctor told me that it will probably take a year for me to fully recover, and that doesn’t sound too bad at all, I believe I will get better in time. Until we manage to become symptom free, I think we should celebrate every little victory! 🙂
Exactly it! Glad you enjoyed 🙂 And it can suck, but it’s definitely worth the whole, you know, feeling well thing. I feel like I’m probably the only person that likes hospitals – getting waited on is something I can only get in hospital lol. And that’s so good that your weight is healthy at the moment, that’s something a lot of people with Crohn’s struggle with a lot also. And very true, here’s to the little victories!