Erin Hynes has so much on her plate.
After touring extensively, she determined to start out a weblog on the facet, along with her demanding day job. Her weblog, Pina Travels, has at all times been a ardour undertaking, and over time she’s been capable of develop it to supply a wholesome facet revenue: $3k/month.
On this interview, this award-winning blogger talks about how she not solely constructed her weblog, but in addition a model, which features a robust social media presence of 50k+ and a 5-year-old podcast.
She finally niched down from basic journey, and her area of interest is what actually drives her. She talks about her affiliate earnings, the kinds of collaborations she likes essentially the most, her strategy to web optimization, and why she thinks she escaped the HCU.
Watch the Full Episode
Erin begins by sharing a little bit of her background and her life earlier than she constructed her enterprise. She labored in advertising and marketing and traveled extensively in her 20s.
After touring for 9 months straight, she returned to work however missed her journey life, so she began her weblog, Pina Travels, in 2019. Though she initially blogged about extra basic matters, she finally niched all the way down to accountable journey.
She additionally talks about launching her podcast.
When Erin talks about her preliminary success, she shares that cash and numbers have been by no means her purpose, however what was most essential to her was having an impression on her readers.
Now her model contains an viewers throughout many channels, together with social media, and her weblog is getting 40k classes monthly at current. Her podcast, Curious Tourism, will get 2k downloads a month, and earns as much as $3k monthly. And he or she’s nonetheless working a full-time job!
Erin talks concerning the preliminary methods she used to develop her website and divulges whether or not or not she was impacted by the HCU. She talks about how she approaches content material about completely different locations and the way she incorporates accountable tourism matters into her articles.
She additionally talks about web optimization, creating content material clusters, and what kinds of articles she writes and with what particular function. As she goals to jot down significant content material versus strictly affiliate content material, she shares her methods for validating her concepts and confirming what works.
Relating to social media, she shares her technique for posting and constructing her neighborhood and the particular areas the place she’s had success.
The content material she usually creates is for Instagram and Threads, which she talks about, and she or he additionally discusses model offers and gives recommendations on securing them and coping with the manufacturers themselves.
Erin talks about why she prefers to take care of her full-time job and the way she maximizes the time she has to work all day after which work on her weblog on the facet.
Lastly, she shares her plans for the long run and her running a blog plans. She additionally discusses her plans to construct up different networks and collaboration alternatives.
Hyperlinks & Sources
Matters Erin Hynes Talks AbouT
- Her pre-blogging background
- How she began running a blog
- How she niched down
- Beginning her podcast
- Her present scenario
- Her methods for progress
- Accountable tourism
- Her strategy to web optimization
- Varieties of articles she writes
- Social media success
- Social media platforms
- Threads
- Model offers
- Working 9 to five
- Her future plans
Transcript
Jared: All proper. Welcome again to the area of interest pursuits podcast. My identify is Jared Bauman, and right this moment we’re joined by Erin Hines with peanut travels. org. Erin, welcome. Hello, thanks for having me. That is nice to have you ever on board. I at all times say this. I really like once we get, uh, a enterprise proprietor on to speak about how they grew their enterprise.
Um, the main points. The, you realize, the, the trials and tribulations, all of the ups, all of the downs. And that is type of what we’re doing right this moment. So if you have not heard a type of in a short time, um, it is simply gonna be thrilling to have, have you ever on and listen to about your story. Um, we’re speaking about your web site, your model that you have created.
Um, and type of, uh, you realize, type of the origin story, if you’ll, perhaps convey us again and catch us up on who you’re. Give us your backstory earlier than you began your journey model.
Erin: Oh, earlier than, earlier than I began my journey model, I used to be only a common. marketer, I suppose that was just like the work that I did. Um, and I used to be additionally very a lot a traveler.
I spent most of my twenties touring. Um, and I nonetheless journey rather a lot. Uh, however what occurred earlier than the model began is I had simply come again from a really lengthy journey. I believe it was like 9 months or so of full time journey and went again into working and simply actually missed speaking about journey, writing about journey, similar to being a part of.
the journey neighborhood. Um, and so I made a decision, okay, like let’s begin this as like somewhat facet undertaking and I will similar to work on it when I’ve time. Um, so yeah, I used to be like working full time and simply began engaged on peanut travels as like somewhat facet undertaking.
Jared: It is a journey web site. I do know it is gone on to take.
Uh, type of a sure particular area of interest, a sure particular strategy you shared earlier than we hit report. Like I are likely to do podcast interviews about this one sort of journey matter. Was that at all times the purpose for it whenever you began it or did it type of morph into that as time went on?
Erin: It morphed into it. So my website, my model, my neighborhood is targeted on accountable tourism.
So like a lot of the content material I produce has some form of messaging round how we are able to journey in a manner that is higher for folks and for the planet. It didn’t begin out that manner. After I began out, I might say I used to be fairly fundamental. I simply needed to have a journey weblog, simply needed to jot down about what I needed to jot down about.
Um, I did not actually assume so much about area of interest. Sorry, I’ll say it area of interest trigger I am Canadian. I do know Individuals say it in another way. Um, I did not actually take into consideration area of interest or something. Um, And I, like, did not actually have any objectives past simply, like, constructing somewhat viewers for myself. Um, it was all through the years that I form of narrowed down and realized like, Oh, that is like truly what I am enthusiastic about throughout the scope of journey.
And so I ought to actually like focus my vitality on this space.
Jared: When did you begin this? Uh, perhaps take us again in time and, and share about, you realize, what was the, the timeframe, the rationale why particularly you needed to start out the positioning you shared that you just needed to type of get again into that neighborhood. However, you realize, have been you type of taking the traditional running a blog strategy the place you have been simply writing about a few of your travels?
Um, you had simply come again from 9 months. So I think about you had numerous content material that you possibly can share. Um, simply making an attempt to know the early days.
Erin: Yeah, the early days, um, was positively running a blog. That was like what I got down to do. Um, for some extra background, I’ve a level in English literature. I went on to do an MA, so Grasp of Arts.
That concerned numerous like intense writing. Most of my day job is writing. And so, the running a blog medium. actually felt proper to me. And in order that was the preliminary purpose. Um, and that is what I began first. I began occupied with the weblog in 2018 and I believe it formally launched January of 2019. Um, I even have a podcast and a presence throughout social media.
Um, social media, I believe I launched across the similar time because the weblog, like I knew that I ought to have a presence there. In order that went stay across the similar time. After which the podcast launched a couple of months after that, uh, as a result of the podcast, I did not initially assume I used to be going to make, it was an concept that got here after the weblog began.
Um, so yeah, all of it launched in 2019 round. Yeah, I might say like Q1 within the first 4 months of the 12 months.
Jared: So that you launched a journey website. I imply, now that we are able to look again, uh, you realize, a 12 months or much less earlier than the entire COVID shutdown hit, positive. We’ll get into that and the way that impacted, you realize, what you have been doing, what you are touring was.
Um, what was the primary preliminary type of success or the primary preliminary factor that caught for you with, with the web site or the social media, you realize, whichever one would possibly’ve come first.
Erin: Ooh. The primary second of success.
I may say it was like the primary like massive like pillar of success for many bloggers is like visitors. Um, so I suppose like after I hit my first like month the place I surpassed 500 views or classes, that was like, an thrilling second, however truly like a second that I keep in mind extra clearly is after I acquired a touch upon a weblog I had written about touring in Mexico and, and the commenter was simply saying how a lot they appreciated what I had written and the element in it.
And I simply do not forget that second as a result of it felt like very good to know that the content material had like reached somebody and that they’d like genuinely discovered it helpful. Um, Like numbers are nice, however actually, like suggestions from folks, like in actual life is, is type of nicer. In order that felt like a monumental second.
Jared: I requested that query very open endedly on function, you realize, it is fascinating as a result of everybody has, it type of helps reveal like on the finish of the day, uh, you realize, completely different objectives folks have and the trail they’re on to making an attempt to hit these objectives. And a few individuals are very, very pushed by numbers, you realize, and there is nothing mistaken with that.
So we’re very pushed by impression. Some individuals are very pushed by a sure purpose they’d once they sat down to start out it up. And it won’t even be all that tangible. It could be very intangible.
Erin: Yeah, I ought to, I ought to say truly like off the highest, I am very within the running a blog neighborhood. And I do know lots of people like get into running a blog with the purpose of numbers of metrics of like stepping into Mediavine, getting cash, quitting their day job.
I ought to say that was by no means my purpose. Initially later it turned extra of like a. Like late two years in round, I might say I began pondering, Okay, I am doing numerous work right here. It will be good to make some cash. However after I began prefer it actually wasn’t my mindset. My mindset was not that like I needed to make sufficient cash to stop my day job.
My mindset was similar to, I actually need a spot the place I can share like all my concepts and share my data.
Jared: Had been you in, since you had a day job the place it sounds such as you’re doing numerous writing and like how tapped into the running a blog neighborhood have been you whenever you began this in that first 12 months of, of beginning this model?
As a result of, and the rationale I ask is to your level, I do know I began my first web site as soon as I understood. That my content material may truly get in entrance of lots of people, you realize, get visitors after which additionally get monetized in a manner that I did not perceive previous to that. And in order that was type of what pushed me over the sting.
So that you’re proper. I had these objectives in thoughts myself. Um, I had so much I needed to speak about, however I did have this type of ahead pondering quantity in thoughts that I needed to get to how tapped in, have been you to it whenever you began and it was only a acutely aware selection the place you are like, I perceive. That this may be monetized and this there’s visitors numbers, or was it actually a type of issues the place it was a few years in till you realized, Oh my goodness, like there’s this factor known as Mediavine on the market.
Erin: Yeah. I used to be fairly tapped in, however I like for context, I work largely for tech startups within the advertising and marketing house. And at the moment I wasn’t like actually centered on weblog work for these startups. Um, I had a basic concept of like how you possibly can generate income by way of a weblog, like by way of advertisements, by way of associates. Um, however I did not know the main points of it, particularly within the context of like journey running a blog.
Um, Um, the, the primary purpose like that I had, I might say was to really like work with DMOs and tourism boards in my thoughts. That was just like the Holy grail of issues that I needed to do. If the positioning began incomes cash, um, I might say I began like studying extra about. all of the choices like Mediavine and associates.
Um, after I began becoming a member of like on-line communities on Fb, um, I do know you’ve got interviewed Nina Clapperton. I used to be a part of her early days of her, um, web optimization teams on Fb. And that is after I began to love actually perceive, okay, like that is truly how I may monetize this, like, and it is actually possible.
Jared: Yeah. Okay. Um, I prefer to ask this, uh, on the early a part of an interview, like perhaps catch us as much as the place issues at the moment are. Let’s quick ahead after which we are able to type of set the stage for a way you constructed into that and a number of the steps you took alongside the way in which.
Erin: Yeah. The place I’m now. Now I might say Pina travels is greater than a weblog.
I might say that it. is a neighborhood. It’s a model. Um, I’ve a presence throughout many channels, um, an viewers throughout many channels. Um, so my website earns round 40, 000 classes monthly. Now, like at this present second, um, it used to earn extra, however The Google updates have hit me. Um, I’ve a following of round 28, 000 on Instagram, a following of practically 5, 000 on threads on Tik TOK.
I believe I am round 20, 000, um, YouTube, very small viewers, but it surely’s rising there. I believe I am at, I like, I am at like 400, um, However yeah, all through, like throughout all these channels, um, it creates like a pleasant neighborhood the place I’ve like completely different contact factors with completely different folks. Um, I even have my podcast, which is known as Curious Tourism.
It is incomes round 2000 downloads a month. Um, I would not say it is like an revenue stream. I’ve labored with manufacturers up to now to run advertisements there. Um, however for essentially the most half, just like the podcast is really my ardour undertaking. And that is the place like, I get like into the nitty gritty of accountable tourism matters.
Um, and yeah, general, like if we’re taking a look at numbers, I am incomes like round 3000 to 4, 000 a month in Canadian {dollars}. Um, By way of a mix of associates, Mediavine and model partnerships which can be totally on social media, in addition to contracts with DMOs and tourism boards. Um, yeah. And all these channels now, I suppose, are like round seven years previous at this level.
Jared: Yeah. Congratulations. Um, I imply, you realize, it is price mentioning as a result of I do know it is in our, it is in our type of agenda and notes, like lots of people listening will. Lean into this, uh, you are still working a full time job. So that is all on the facet when you’re nonetheless working the total time job. And I believe that is essential to say.
Lots of people who hear aren’t enthusiastic about going full time. I am not saying you are not, by the way in which, however I am simply saying that lots of people listening, they’re like, Hey, I simply am trying to begin one thing on the facet to complement, to, to type of scratch that itch, to feed that zeal. And that is what you’ve got carried out.
I believe the entire time, proper? Is it the entire seven years you’ve got began this, you’ve got at all times had it on the facet. You’ve got at all times had a full time job.
Erin: There was one interval final 12 months the place I used to be touring for six months. So throughout that point, I wasn’t working full time. Like, I used to be largely engaged on peanut travels.
I did not have a full time gig. Um, however apart from that, yeah, I have been working a full time profession job for the final seven years.
Jared: That is nice. Very inspiring. That is an excellent secondary revenue, particularly when it is round one thing that, you realize, you like and also you’re enthusiastic about. Um, I imply, let’s get into, uh, a number of the nitty gritty about the way you constructed this.
And I am curious, To simply perhaps ask you a number of the methods that labored from a excessive stage. And we are able to type of dive as deep as we have to into every of them. I do know folks listening are going to be enthusiastic about the way you grew it. Additionally, the way you survived and sustained by way of COVID additionally, you realize, you talked concerning the Google updates.
Everybody listening will likely be conversant in these in some capability. You are still incomes good revenue. Um, so how you’ve got navigated that, what are a number of the methods you assume which have helped work or that stand out for constructing this?
Erin: I might argue that like the most important energy I’ve had like strategically is that I’ve not at all times adopted the most recent traits in web optimization and the most recent like frequent methods which can be being shared from the start, I had like a deep concentrate on making my content material person centered and there was a interval like particularly in the course of the pandemic the place folks have been telling me that this was the mistaken strategy.
Um, however in the end it labored out very well for me. I didn’t get hit by the HC who it is extra the latest updates which have introduced down my visitors somewhat bit, however that is additionally like because of the truth that I have not been engaged on my weblog, like as actively within the final 12 months, trigger I used to be touring. a lot.
Um, however I survived the HCU like unscathed and I actually imagine it is trigger I had this like person centered framework from the start. I used to be not making an attempt to go for these like excessive quantity key phrases which can be like type of associated to my area of interest, however not likely. Um, I used to be solely ever like specializing in key phrases and queries that have been like extraordinarily associated to my area of interest and intensely related to my viewers.
Jared: What for you, as a result of I do know the main target has develop into sustainable tourism, however what was like, what are your focuses as you are writing and the way do you construction? And this can be a massive journey, journey blogger query on the whole, journey web site. Like, you realize, if I’m going to Italy, I write about Italy. How deep do I’m going into that?
I then go to, you realize, I am simply taking a look at a number of the key phrases you rank for, for the report. I’ve acquired in entrance of me, I acquired a Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Italy, how are they associated? Like, how do you come at from a standpoint that’s not web optimization centered? How do you take a look at writing about a spot that you just simply went to?
Erin: Yeah, by way of the accountable tourism framework. So my like purpose has at all times been to create quote unquote, basic journey content material. Um, that. that very quietly encourages folks to journey in a manner that’s higher for folks and for the planet. Um, so you will discover very like type of run of the mill itineraries on my website.
I’m a basic journey website, so I cowl like locations all around the globe, um, however in each single piece of content material you may discover that form of like underlying message and notes about like methods to be be in that place in a extra accountable manner. Uh, my website additionally does have a whole part devoted to accountable tourism.
And that is the place I write guides which can be like on particular matters, like for instance, methods to keep away from, uh, cultural appropriation, methods to journey extra deeply, uh, accountable tourism ideas, sustainable journey ideas, stuff like that. Um, so I believe like that is, I might argue that’s my area of interest, however I’m actually a basic journey website within the sense that I do cowl locations which can be everywhere in the world.
Jared: So in essence, perhaps you are a journey, you are a website that covers numerous completely different matters, however at all times from one singular standpoint, sure, that is this concentrate on sustainability. Is that one thing that you just assume has helped you achieve numerous traction, um, when it comes to readership? Um, and the way have you ever type of seen that play out?
Erin: It is fascinating. Like I at all times inform folks, this isn’t a distinct segment to generate income in. Um, I believe it could. develop into that. I’m noticing like within the journey house much more curiosity in accountable tourism practices. Um, however particularly after I began out, like folks didn’t actually care about this. Um, so for essentially the most half, I discover that readers say they respect just like the notes that I embrace about it, however for It is laborious to say, proper?
Like, I might say some readers, just like the suggestions I get is that they learn my website for that particularly, and others have similar to discovered me by way of Google SERP and do not actually care about that, however like discover the information useful. Um, the realm I might say that like, it’s actually nice is that after I work with manufacturers or with DMOs or tourism boards, that really is just like the angle that I promote to them, um, that I’ll symbolize.
their model or to symbolize, uh, their area by way of this lens. Um, so from the neighborhood standpoint, I believe it is actually essential when it comes to like rating as a journey website on Google. I do not know that it is like setting me up for achievement, however We’ll see. We’ll see what the long run holds. I believe there’s like a rising shift in direction of, um, extra accountable tourism.
And I believe increasingly individuals are wanting particularly for that type of content material.
Jared: What has your strategy been to web optimization through the years? You already know, and I, once more, I will simply share a number of the purpose I am asking. Such as you, I agree. You didn’t get hit by the HCU, at the least not from all of the charts I am taking a look at.
Actually there’s been so many Google updates, like simply decide your poison. You already know, sooner or later one was going to come back up and get you, it appears, but it surely wasn’t useful content material replace associated. And, and so that you, you in essence have content material that the place you have got carried out some S you have got taken considerably of an web optimization strategy at completely different phases from what you’ve got mentioned, but it surely wasn’t something that acquired hit by that useful content material replace.
What was your web optimization strategy? And once more, asking, trigger so many individuals listening are actually curious at, um, at completely different content material approaches that did not get hit by the HCU.
Erin: Mm hmm. Um, like I discussed earlier than, like a giant concentrate on person. Um, I solely goal key phrases which can be truly very associated to my area of interest and which can be very in depth.
So, like a very good instance is like, Particularly in the course of the pandemic, folks have been simply making an attempt to rank for like excessive question, um, or excessive quantity queries. Um, so for instance, it could be like a easy query like, um, that is truly on my website. I have been that means to take away it, however what’s the authorized ingesting age in Iceland?
Um, that is a weblog that I wrote throughout pandemic occasions as a result of somebody I used to be working with advised me that prefer it’s excessive quantity, you may rank for this, like it’s best to seize that viewers. Um, I’ve only a few blogs like that as a result of whereas they do drive visitors, they don’t seem to be like a spot the place you’ll be able to actually like share who you’re, share your insights, share numerous element.
Um, it is actually similar to a regurgitation of knowledge that already exists on the web. Um, so it would not serve my function of like constructing an viewers that’s going to come back again to me. Um, so yeah, I might say, like, mid pandemic, I began shifting to writing, like, guides that have been very distinctive to me, um, so you may discover, like, a recurring theme on my website is guides which can be what to not do in, and these are guides which can be, like, useful tips on a spot, however by way of the context of accountable tourism, um, they’re very lengthy, they’re very in depth, they share numerous, like, cultural element, they share numerous, like, Element about how it’s best to interact with a spot.
Um, I additionally do numerous itineraries which can be tried and true that I’ve examined that I’ve written primarily based alone expertise. They embrace numerous element about like the place to go and eat, what to eat there. Um, the place to remain. And I make it possible for like, it is all stuff that I can truly communicate to as a result of I’ve carried out it.
And since, um, as a result of I’ve carried out it, I will share element that such as you would not discover elsewhere. Um, so I might say like that. Has been the primary focus. There’s different issues that I’ve carried out that like simply out of form that I believe have helped. So for instance, I’m a basic journey website, however I’ll by no means write lower than 10 blogs about a spot.
So every time I begin writing a few new nation, the purpose is to get to at the least 10 blogs. Normally, I am making an attempt to jot down extra. So for instance, I believe I’ve like 25 blogs on Portugal. Um, so there’s numerous locations that I have been on this planet that I have not written about but as a result of I am not prepared to love begin writing 10 blogs about them.
Um, so there’s similar to a couple of international locations on my website that I am similar to doing deep dives into earlier than I transfer on to a different one.
Jared: I believe you type of put a pleasant wonderful level on that matter, that question, as a result of that was all the fashion, proper? Particularly in 2020, 2021, even into 2022. Really easy to seize visitors round that.
After which with the onset of AI and with the way in which Google checked out these kinds of websites, like, um, yeah, that, that went away and simply vanished, proper? The opposite
Erin: factor I will point out is I do not do numerous, uh, Like roundup posts, like the perfect inns to remain in, the perfect excursions to take, and the rationale that I began this initially was as a result of I, I have not carried out all 15 excursions.
Like, what can I say about these excursions that, like, TripAdvisor, would not already say. Proper. And so I at all times like felt that that type of content material was pointless and one thing I seen within the HCU was that like lots of people that have been like filling their websites with this type of content material as a result of it’s affiliate content material, it makes you cash, um, they acquired hit fairly badly as a result of like, That type of content material is not serving customers.
It isn’t like constructing a neighborhood in a manner that like a very well thought out itinerary.
Jared: so how did you measure and validate what was working? If the strategy wasn’t go after this key phrase, get that visitors, transfer on to the subsequent key phrase, go after that affiliate time period, get that monetization, transfer on the subsequent time period.
How have been you evaluating? I went to Portugal, I wrote 12 articles. And the way do we all know if it is working?
Erin: Oh, I actually simply take a look at analytics. Like I might take a look at search visitors, analytics, um, rankings. After which my technique is to take a look at just like the fashion of weblog. I imply, this can be a frequent observe. So for instance, like I began noticing that my blogs on whatnot to do have been performing fairly effectively.
And in order that turned a daily behavior as did, um, itineraries, like 5 day, seven day, three day itineraries. Um, I simply fastidiously tracked form of like what sort of content material was performing the perfect and slowly shifted all my content material to observe that mannequin. So truly like at this level, most of my blogs fall into like particular pillars of sort of content material, sort of question that they are answering.
Um, yeah. And most of it is not affiliate centered. And that is simply because I seen after the HCU that my website had carried out effectively. And I am fairly positive that that is why.
Jared: Let’s discuss these social media accounts. Um, you realize, I wrote down, you began these in 2019, couple months after the web site ish. Um, you realize, the place are these, uh, you share the place they’re at now.
Sorry. Um, what’s been the strategy and what’s been the method for posting to these as you realize, you are now six, seven years in on, on this website.
Erin: Yeah, I do know lots of people have like a really, um, thought out, like, technique in terms of social media. For me, like, my technique has simply been to, like, put up what I really feel like posting and attempt to, like, share.
a story by way of what I am posting. Um, and that has labored very well as a result of I believe that individuals really feel like they will actually join with me they usually have an concept of who I’m, what sort of content material to anticipate from me. Um, the one like actually guidelines that I’ve adopted is to be energetic, to put up typically. Um, And to only, like, attempt to relate the whole lot I put up again to my area of interest.
I, I used to, like, hop on numerous the traits, um, and over time I spotted that, like, whereas they’ve the potential to go viral, typically, like, going viral with, like, a classy video would not truly earn you, uh, a brand new viewers. It is truly the extra, like, distinctive content material that I’ve made that, that builds up my viewers and creates an viewers that sticks round and, like, engages with my content material.
Um, one other, like, piece that I believe. is perhaps distinctive to me is that I put numerous effort into responding to folks. Um, I do know different creators that like do not go into their hidden folder and, and reply questions. I do know numerous bloggers particularly really feel like somewhat irritated when folks ask them for like assist planning my journey.
Um, however that is one thing I’ve at all times carried out and prefer it takes numerous time, however I, I do assume it has helped me construct a neighborhood that is loyal and sticks round.
Jared: Cautious. I would come remark and assist you ask my grip as a result of usually about an hour into planning some journey. I am like, effectively, I might simply want I may have somebody who knew what they have been doing.
Assist me with this. Um, what have been a few of like essentially the most profitable points of the social media, whether or not it is a sure video or a sure put up or a sure focus you’ve got had once more, simply making an attempt to make it extra tangible for folks listening.
Erin: Ooh, like profitable within the sense of like what I view as success or like from a monetary perspective.
Jared: Positive. That is why I requested it open ended. Yeah. Once more, I, I am being open ended with you trigger I respect your perspective and I believe numerous, I am being open ended on function simply to be clear and I will, I will give somewhat context. Yeah. I may ask you for the numbers and I may ask you for the metrics. However on the similar time, you have got navigated your manner by way of numerous the stuff the place metrics have been destroyed.
And so I am, I am staying open ended on function to listen to your views on what success appears like, not simply from an web optimization standpoint, but in addition from, Hey, social media as effectively.
Erin: Yeah. So from a private standpoint, um, Success has been similar to the interactions I’ve with folks on-line and the neighborhood that I’ve constructed on-line.
Like I, I’ve mates, like people who I genuinely imagine are shut mates of mine. Folks, like after I was in Japan final 12 months, I went and visited somebody who lives there who has been a part of my neighborhood for, from practically the start and had by no means met him in individual. We had like, talked for years, however like I truly went and met him in individual and these sorts of connections, I believe are actually particular and their connections that I’ve solely been capable of finding like by way of this neighborhood that I’ve constructed.
Um, so from like a private perspective, that is like a extremely six metric of success, I suppose I am saying. Um, After which from like a, I suppose, monetary and model perspective, uh, the neighborhood that I’ve constructed has led me to e-book like actually nice work. Um, I’ve labored with like numerous the DMOs and tourism boards right here in Canada, and I completely love doing that type of work.
It is my favourite factor to do. Um. It pays effectively, which is good, but it surely additionally provides me a chance to love see a spot and perceive a spot within the type of depth that you just’re not at all times capable of do as a daily vacationer, um, which is one thing that is actually particular to me.
Jared: What kinds of stuff do you discover you are gravitating in direction of on social media?
You already know, there’s so many various platforms, whether or not it is from Fb to Instagram, YouTube, after which, you realize, you’ve got acquired all kinds of variations in that. YouTube, is it shorts? Is it? You already know, extra lengthy horizontal fashion video. So what sort of stuff are you gravitating in direction of because it pertains to journey?
Erin: Yeah. So YouTube. I am not doing like lengthy type, uh, panorama fashion movies. Um, I might say I create primarily for Instagram. That is the place I discover that my neighborhood is the strongest. After which from Instagram, I will, I will mainly simply repurpose the whole lot for elsewhere. Um, so Instagram is the primary focus from a social perspective after which threads.
has develop into solely lately, truly extra of a spotlight for me. I’ve simply discovered the dialog on threads very nice and, uh, the engagement there very nice. Um, so yeah, I sometimes create right now, they’re actually pushing carousels. So typically what I do is like, if I provide you with a video idea, um, so for instance, like a video idea.
that I got here up with lately was to make a video about methods to be a accountable snowbird. Um, right now of 12 months, lots of people are touring South, whether or not it is like for the whole winter or for a couple of weeks or only a few days simply to flee the chilly. Um, so I needed to create like a message round how to try this in a accountable manner, methods to be a very good vacationer whenever you head South.
Um, and so with that idea, I’ve created first an actual later, I’ll. Change it right into a carousel. So like take the identical data, um, however create a carousel out of that. Um, I’ve created a thread, like a thread for threads, uh, sharing the identical data after which the movies will likely be reposted to Fb, YouTube Shorts, um, and TikTok.
Jared: What’s, um, what’s the important thing to threads? You are just like the third individual within the final couple of months that talked about threads. Everybody has introduced, proper? And I believe most individuals most likely, you realize, went and signed up, acquired all of it found out after which perhaps have not carried out a lot with it. Like, so what is going on on with threads?
Perhaps inform us what’s, you realize, what you are seeing work there simply so folks can have somewhat concept about if it is one thing they need to, you realize, bounce into.
Erin: Um, I am simply discovering, like, nice discussions there. Like, as somebody who simply, like, likes to debate issues, like, debate accountable tourism particularly, I’ve simply discovered that, like, yeah, the algorithm is algorithming for me there.
Um, I am discovering folks which can be enthusiastic about the identical matters as me, and so it is truly rising my neighborhood past, like, the attain I had on Instagram. It additionally helps that you probably have a viewers on Instagram already, whenever you be part of threads, like individuals are mechanically prompted to observe you. So after I began utilizing threads, I already had a inbuilt neighborhood that was primarily based off my Instagram neighborhood.
So I believe that is why I’ve discovered it like very nice as a result of that neighborhood is already there. And the algorithm appears to be good at like increasing that neighborhood. Um, like, curiously, I have been making an attempt with blue sky as effectively and I simply discover blue sky, like, It is laborious to search out your neighborhood there, it simply shouldn’t be working for me, like I’ll put up the very same content material or variations of the identical content material on Blue Sky and it simply would not like have the identical attain.
Um, yeah, and I am discovering threads is good as a result of, like, at the least for me on threads, I share extra form of behind the scenes. It is rather frequent within the journey running a blog house that individuals develop into, um, concerned in like programs and promoting details about like methods to develop into a blogger. And that is like one thing that individuals typically ask me, like, will you make a course?
Will you give me ideas or recommendation or an e-book on how I can do what you are doing? And that is one thing I’ve by no means needed to do. Um, however on threads, I discover it fascinating as a result of folks do share type of behind the scenes of being a journey blogger and I’ve discovered it to be a pleasant house to share my form of like ideas about being a creator, being a blogger.
Um, With out like having to create a course about it.
Jared: Um, you have got talked about model offers a few occasions now. Um, and, uh, discuss what that appears like. Should you may perhaps give us an instance. Um, you’ve got associated it to your podcast. You associated it to sure kinds of content material you are creating, however what does a model deal appear like?
I am positive most individuals are gonna be conversant in a model deal, however listening to you discuss extra concerning the kinds of model offers you are doing can be actually useful.
Erin: Yeah, I am doing model offers largely with like journey associated merchandise and firms. Um, I do them in several methods. So for instance, the most important model deal I’ve carried out for my podcast was with world nomads.
They sponsored, um, a whole season of the present. And so each episode we had a bunch learn advert. Um, in order that was like a 12 months lengthy contract on a month-to-month foundation. Um, that included, I imagine it was like Two advert reads monthly on the present. Um, however a lot of the model offers I do, I might say are for social media. So sometimes it is like a product.
Um, so for instance, like the corporate aisle despatched me their product and paid me to create content material, um, to exit to my viewers. After which typically I will additionally negotiate to supply them UGC, which they will then license and use on their finish, um, to advertise on their channels.
Jared: How do you discover these model offers? Or if they arrive to you, what are they saying when it comes to how they discovered you and why they needed to associate with you?
Erin: Usually if they arrive to me they usually’ve discovered me, it is due to the messaging that I am sharing. That is why they’re enthusiastic about working with me. Um, different occasions I’ve seen it is as a result of Of the type of like know-how that I take advantage of, I suppose, like I I am massive on utilizing a drone to shoot content material. Um, so I’ve had like different drone firms attain out to me enthusiastic about having me like showcase how their drones work.
Um, however for essentially the most half, it is the, the match of the like accountable, sustainable tourism angle. Um. Yeah, to be trustworthy, when manufacturers attain out to me, it is normally that they need to similar to ship me free stuff and have me make them content material at no cost, primarily. Um, and so typically I say no to them. Usually, like if it is a model deal, it is a model that I’ve reached out to alone simply because I need to work with them.
Um, and so I pitch them after which we work out. or negotiate a contract from there. Um, yeah, it’s, it is a laborious house to be in. It is like very oversaturated. There are tons of creators of each dimension, um, making an attempt to land model offers. And due to this, due to the oversaturation, numerous firms know that like, They’ll simply get this carried out at no cost.
They’ll simply ship somebody their product they usually’ll do a complete marketing campaign for them at no cost. Um, so I might say truly it is like my least favourite sort of labor to do simply because there’s a lot irritating negotiation that goes on. And it actually appears like somewhat offensive typically what manufacturers assume you may do for them at no cost.
I simply get so irritated. I’ve
Jared: heard this earlier than. I used to be at somewhat little bit of a mastermind meetup. And I had a buddy there telling me like how a lot he makes on a model deal. After which what he needed to do for it. And I used to be like, that does not sound like that a lot work. And he is like, it is terrible. I do not need to do it anymore.
It is simply horrible. What’s mistaken. What’s and he is like, it is the model coping with it, again and the fourth, the change requests somewhat. Stuff you really feel are like, come on. And so they’re like, no, it must be this manner. And so that you type of echoed numerous what you are saying.
Erin: Yeah. I additionally simply discover like, typically they’re like sending me a script.
They need me to similar to learn the script within the video. And I at all times tried to elucidate to them, like, truly you are hiring me to talk to my viewers and the P the perfect individual to try this is me. And so you could give me just like the inventive freedom to love share this message in a manner that works for my viewers.
And solely I do know that. Um, Lots of manufacturers like do not, do not need to observe that mannequin in working with creators and so yeah, it’s, it is a irritating sort of labor to do. It will possibly pay very effectively. I simply discover like with the trouble that goes into the negotiation and the pitching, um, I am unsure that it is price it.
Jared: I’ll, as a result of once we discuss model offers and different episodes beforehand, I get these questions, um, uh, within the YouTube video. So I will ask the questions that I get simply because I do know that somebody is pondering of them. And we’ll most likely ask this query. Um, he’ll most likely ask it though I ask you truly, anyway, I digress.
Um, what, like for somebody who’s enthusiastic about pursuing that, trigger the query sometimes is like, I’ve tried. Going after model offers, and I simply do not appear to get wherever. Are there any ideas you have got for individuals who do need to pursue model offers or at the least strive them out to see if perhaps they’re a very good match for the kind of content material they produce and for his or her particular business?
Erin: Yeah,
I believe having like a extra basic area of interest will most likely profit you if that is the kind of work that you just, you aspire to do, I believe. It’s limiting being within the accountable journey house as a result of I really feel like a, I really feel that I’ve to be very selective about who I work with as a result of I must symbolize the values that I discuss so actively.
So for instance, like I do not work with company inns, numerous journey bloggers do, this is sort of a nice. Model deal to do in case you are a journey creator. I do not do it as a result of it would not match into what I preach on my channels Which is to e-book domestically owned inns So there’s numerous doorways which can be closed to me due to this That is additionally a part of why I prefer to work full time as a result of I can very selectively select who I work with as a result of my Payments are on the road.
I need not pay my payments with this cash. And so I, I’ve the house to be selective like that. But when your purpose is to make like a big revenue from creating, I believe having like a extra generalized area of interest or area of interest that is not restricted by that type of worth system goes to offer you much more flexibility and who you’ll be able to pitch, who you’ll be able to work for.
Um. Yeah, and I might simply say, like, you simply, you simply should be dedicated to pitching so much, um, and standing your floor, I might say, like, from the very starting, you have to be charging charges, it’s best to by no means be doing these exchanges at no cost, um, and I believe that is actually essential, particularly for small creators to listen to, as a result of we have to shift, form of, as a collective, in direction of Thanks very a lot.
Demanding this at all times, as a result of when there are these creators that can take issues at no cost, um, it implies that these manufacturers aren’t studying that, like, that is an business norm. We have to make it an business norm.
Jared: You set my transition up completely. Um, I can let you know host a podcast, teeing up the subsequent query, like with out even perhaps realizing it, uh, full time job.
And I needed to speak about that. I needed to speak about the way you’re capable of develop this and stability this whereas working a full time job. It has ups and it has downs, proper? I am positive we are able to all think about the upsides. Such as you mentioned, you have got a paycheck, a gentle job. So your, your, your facet hustle right here, if you wish to name it that your web site.
Your model shouldn’t be required to make a sure amount of cash each month to pay your payments. The downsides is you have got a full time job, so there’s so much to get carried out. And you’ve got a giant chunk of the week already gone as a result of you have got that full time job. How have you ever balanced it? Why have you ever chosen to, you realize, keep on a full time job?
What lots of people would pursue, uh, to pursue leaving that. Like, I am simply curious to get your insights and your views there.
Erin: Yeah. Um, I suppose the primary purpose is due to my area of interest, I, I am actually dedicated to representing the values that I discuss. And I’ve simply discovered over my previous couple of years of expertise that may be very laborious to piece collectively a full time residing on this area of interest.
I believe that that may change sooner or later. And I’m discovering that like, within the final 12 months, my earnings have grown Quite a bit, particularly with working with DMOs and tourism boards. So I would not say it is like out of the query for the long run that I work full time this manner. However yeah, like when you ask my husband, he’ll simply say she’s a workaholic.
Like I like to work. Um, I discover engaged on my weblog and my podcast actually enjoyable. So it is. I hate to say this, but it surely’s like type of a pastime for me. I simply actually take pleasure in it. Um, and I additionally take pleasure in my full time job. So I believe I am only a workaholic to be trustworthy. Um, yeah, I carve out like numerous time in the course of the week.
Uh, I might say like, I most likely spend like one to 2 hours a day in direction of the tip of the day, both like within the morning earlier than I begin my day job or within the night. Um, yeah. The place I work on stuff and I am similar to actually good at going into like focus mode. So if I am writing a weblog, like, and I determine I’ll work on this weblog for an hour, I can write it actually rapidly.
Um, I believe that is one other factor that has been like actually useful for me is simply I’ve at all times been a really quick author. I’ve seen that I can write a weblog so much quicker than different folks can. Um, and this has been to my benefit for positive.
Jared: Are there any ways in which you are um, Whether or not it is harnessing know-how or whether or not it is only a results of some habits you’ve got constructed up that you’re perhaps, uh, developed effectivity methods.
Like, are there any methods you have got for maximizing the hour or two you place in daily on this?
Erin: Yeah, I believe as a result of I discussed earlier like there are particular kinds of blogs that I write as a result of I’ve such a system for a way I construction these blogs, um, that provides to love how rapidly I can write them.
Um, I additionally discover after I’m specializing in one, like I discussed, I will at all times be writing about one nation for, For like an prolonged time frame. Proper now I am writing about Nepal and since I am writing all this content material on the similar time, um, numerous the knowledge I would like may be very like prime of thoughts. I’ve all the photographs prepared, the whole lot, all the knowledge is there in prime of thoughts, which makes the method of writing so much quicker.
After which when it comes to know-how, I do use ai, however in additional of like an ideation manner. I might by no means use AI to love write a whole weblog. That is largely ‘trigger I truly take pleasure in writing them. I am not gonna like. eliminate the factor that I truly take pleasure in doing. Um, however I will use it to love, assist with ideation, to assist rephrase issues if I must rephrase one thing.
Typically if I do not know methods to like, begin writing a piece, I will ask ChatGPT to love, spit it out for me, however I will by no means use precisely what it provides me. I simply use it as inspiration primarily.
Jared: What’s um, as we type of convey this to a, to, to, to begin to wrap up right here, such as you talked about how you’ve got seen this improve in curiosity over the previous 12 months or so, and particularly the way you’re selecting to sort out the journey house, you realize, and, and sustainable journey, what’s subsequent for you on the horizon, whether or not it is on account of what you are seeing from the rise in curiosity, whether or not it is also a results of, you talked concerning the improve of AI and it is, you realize, it is, it is type of prominence within the on-line world.
Um, you talked about web optimization altering a lot and Google being very completely different than it was a 12 months or two in the past. Like what’s subsequent for you? What do you have got on the horizon? The place are you, um, pursuing with, um, together with your model?
Erin: It is rather doom and gloom on the market for journey bloggers proper now. Lots of journey bloggers really feel that there’s not a future for the journey running a blog house.
Um, I might be mendacity if I say I do not additionally fear about that, however as a result of my weblog remains to be doing fairly all proper. Um, I am dedicated to love persevering with and in addition I’ve discovered like so long as I am updating older content material, I, I am truly seeing my visitors improve once more. Um, so I’ll proceed running a blog for so long as I can.
Um, however apart from that, like I am placing much more focus into different streams. Um, this can be a technique that almost all bloggers are following now. Um, for me, that is largely DMO work and tourism boards. Um, It is work that I actually love doing. And in order that’s form of the place I am focusing my vitality exterior of specializing in the weblog.
Um, so yeah, I might prefer to construct up like my community in that space and simply proceed working with extra GMOs, hopefully past Canada. Canada has been my focus as a result of I do weblog so much about Canada provided that I am from right here. Um, however sooner or later I might like to start out working with tourism boards around the globe.
Jared: Aaron, the place can folks observe together with, um, with what you are doing? You already know, we talked about your web site on the outset. We’ll say it once more, um, or be happy to, you realize, share it once more if that is the perfect spot. Um, perhaps your social media channels. Like the place can folks observe together with what you are doing?
Erin: Yeah. Peanutravels. org is my predominant channel after which on social media. In all places, I am the identical deal with. It is Pina travels, P I N A travels. Um, after which my podcast is curious tourism. You may take heed to it at no cost on any podcast app. Um, and we’re with the VoyaScape community. So when you’re enthusiastic about journey podcasting, yow will discover a complete assortment of podcasts there which can be nice.
Jared: Closing query from me. I did not ask it on the outset. I ought to have, the place did the, the place did the URL and model identify come from?
Erin: Oh, truly, it is humorous you did not ask that. Most individuals do. I simply threw up my
Jared: record, for the report. Yeah.
Erin: That is type of refreshing. Um, this was an important mistake I made after I began it.
And that is what exhibits that I wasn’t actually occupied with the long run after I began running a blog. Um, after I began journey running a blog, I had it in my head that I might not. Like my private life would keep mine and like my private identification would not be everywhere in the web So I believed oh, yeah, not effectively Whenever you Google me, you realize who I’m Yeah, Pino was my nickname after I labored in Italy in a hostel there.
I used to be working there for a number of months And, um, mainly lengthy story brief, I am very allergic to peanuts. And I labored with a bunch of Australians who thought this was humorous. And in order a joke, they began calling me peanuts. Um, after which the Italians we labored for could not say that. So that they similar to modified it to Pina and it simply turned my identify and it was my nickname for a few years.
So after I began running a blog, I believed, Oh, it would be cute to make use of this like nickname. That, um, got here to me like by way of my travels. Um, now I type of remorse it as a result of yeah, I get emails from individuals who assume my identify is Pina. It simply, it’s kind of complicated. So watch out about that when you’re planning on beginning a journey weblog.
Jared: These Australians have, that is precisely the type of humor I’ve, uh, I’ve heard of them.
Erin: Sure. That is
Jared: great. Um, I will inform a fast, shaggy dog story simply to additionally put you, make you’re feeling higher. My first enterprise was a images enterprise. I named it. Um, and you may most likely with the folks listening to this podcast, you possibly can most likely discover this web site from 25 years in the past, however I named it optical realities, images, pondering it was actually cute.
And most cellphone calls that I acquired have been like, hello, this can be a Jared with optical realized images. No, no ma’am. We do not do contact lenses. I am sorry. Yeah, no, we’re truly a images studio. Yeah, I do know it’s a unhealthy, I will go that on to the proprietor. I agree. Dangerous identify. Did not final lengthy. I did find yourself altering it as a result of it was actually unhealthy for enterprise, however do not feel unhealthy.
We have all made that mistake sooner or later.
Erin: It is, it is going wonderful. I simply, I seemed into altering it and finally I used to be like, effectively, I’ll lose all my area authority if I do this. So I am not going to do it. Ah,
Jared: and you’re occupied with web optimization full circle. Yeah. An excellent finish to the podcast. Hey, Erin, thanks a lot.
This has been an actual deal with. Thanks for sharing your success. Thanks for sharing the way you, how you probably did it. And thanks for sharing, um, simply type of all the guidelines alongside the way in which. I actually respect it. It has been an amazing interview.
Erin: Thanks for having me.
