ByOlivia Christine Hours

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how-much-money-does-a-travel-blogger-make

I know you’re itching to know. Aren’t we all a bit curious? Aren’t we all so unsure of our own value, insecurely comparing ourselves to the next person across every public platform, that we just NEED to know… how much money do travel bloggers make?  

Instead of having the guts to demand a raise at work, or the initiative to research ways to make money doing what they love, some people seem to only be concerned with one number: the salary of a blogger. 

Am I a successful travel blogger on a permanent vacation? A wealthy travel blogger able to afford seeing the world? Am I paying my school loans and other debts comfortably? Or is my new travel partner / boyfriend my sugar daddy, fronting the costs?

 

Is it rude to ask me how much I make as a Travel Blogger?

Let’s look at it this way. Answer these questions: 

  • How much do you make? 
  • What are your monthly bills and how much are you saving per month? 
  • How much does your partner contribute to your spending and expenses? 
  • Where is your money coming from?  

First 20 commenters: if you can honestly (and comfortably) answer every question above in the comment section below, I will personally email you how much I make per month and how I make it. Promise. 

I know there won’t be many of you (if at all) because yes, it is rude to ask! 

 

 

Consider this all too common scenario: 

Five strangers meet at a party.

Introductions are made and the usual, “Where are you from” / “What do you do” questions are asked.

Typically, as a blogger, I would be the only person asked how much money I make. Not the banker. Not the intern. Not the teacher. Not the restaurant owner. Only the blogger. 

Maybe they think blogging is not a “real job”. Maybe they don’t know what goes into the job of “blogging” and they are genuinely curious. But if you wouldn’t fathom questioning another professional, then you shouldn’t question me. Blogging is a real job for many people and it is offensive to often be the only one questioned about salary. 

What if you are genuinely curious about how much a blogger makes, but don’t want to be rude? Glassdoor and other salary sites aren’t going to list the average blogger salary.

What can you ask instead? 

Here are inoffensive Questions you can ask instead:

– Do you blog full-time or is it a hobby?

  • This will help you confirm if it is a “real job” without being offensive. Many entrepreneurs ask me this question, as they understand the hobby to career transition.

– What is your business model?

  • This is a great non-intrusive inquiry that provides insight on possible blogging revenue streams, in case you are interested in the business.

– How long does it generally take for blogging to become profitable?

  • Without asking for a specific number, you show that you respect their work and their blog’s potential to be profitable — as opposed to insinuating they are unable to be successful — and leave the floor open for them to confirm, deny, or avert the question.

While it is generally rude to question blogger salary, just as it would be for any salary or financial information, some bloggers are super open to the discussion. I’ve even shared my numbers with my blogging consultation clients. Keep in mind that others are a bit more private and deserve the respectful conversation you would have with any other professional. If they want to discuss their salary, they will let you know. Not the other way around. 

Now, go be great. 

 


how-much-money-do-bloggers-make-salary-ochristine

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Comment below with your thoughts on the “travel blogger salary” conversation, and share/pin this image with your friends!

 

xx

21 Comments

  1. Totally agree! Asking a blogger how much they make is like asking a professional creative to do work for free but get paid in "exposure", it is lame!

    1. I only half agree with your statement. As bloggers and creatives, we often forget that we got to where we are because someone gave US exposure (at least I did, and I wouldn’t change that for the world). If there is TRUE equal value, then I think exchanges are worth it. The problem arises when people either 1. Continuously try to suck you dry for free services showing they don’t value you (think huff post) or 2. Don’t even offer you an exchange you’re worth! (Think newbies who have less traffic than you do yet want to offer you "exposure"). That’s just my take though!! I get request all the time for people wanting to give free services for exposure on the blog. Some are a good fit and some are absolutely not. Haha

      Thanks for reading!

  3. Great post. I think it’s totally true that people would never ask a teacher or banker how much they make, but would think nothing of asking a blogger. I think as it becomes more recognized as a job, then maybe people will stop? I do agree that it is rude.

  4. I dont think I could ever ask someone how much they make. I even felt like it was kind of rude asking my husband when we decided we wanted to get married (strange, I know). I just don’t feel it’s anyone’s business how much I make and it’s no one’s business how much I’m making either. But that’s just my opinion haha

    1. I totally understand. When my partner first shared his financial information with me I though he was a possible fool. But then I realized that was his gesture of trust in me and our relationship.

      Strangers, however. Now that’s a different story. They mostly mean well and are genuinely curious, but nope – not their business!

  5. Great post! It’s so hard to tip toe around it when you want to know if it can be successful.

    1. Totally. Some people want to genuinely know if they can make a living off of it. So why not just ask that? "Are you making a comfortable living off of your blog?" I think that’s a very fair question. As opposed to: how much do you make per month?

  6. This is a great article and I really appreciate it. Especially as someone who is just getting into the blogging industry. I am hoping to make an income at it, but know that there are a lot who don’t and a lot of work that goes into it. It’s hard, but it’s worth it and I’m trying to be open about it on my blog. I don’t do travel blogs though, so I’m not sure how that differs. But thank you for this! Great conversation to think about!

    http://www.diyjahn.com

    1. Thanks for reading! You are still spot on. It doesn’t apply to just travel blogs. Blogs in general vary greatly when it comes to income. Asking someone else’s salary (who has different topic and higher traffic) would end up being a waste of time if it doesn’t apply to you. I would suggest finding your niche and seeing what your readers love. Then you can connect directly with potential customers/clients who will be the best match for what your readers love. Good luck! 🙂

  7. I totally agree with you. If bloggers want to discuss their salary, they will do it openly. There is no need to ask how much money they make. Thanks for sharing this. I hope people would understand.

    1. I hope so too! I genuinely wrote it with good intentions, which is why I suggested alternate questions that might feed one’s curiosity but not offend. I hope people get my point.

      Thanks for reading! ❤️

  9. I often blog just for fun. I never really wanted anything in return but I am still curious about bloggers that receive income. I don’t believe I’d ever ask though.

    1. Hey hey! Thanks for commenting.

      A good question to ask if your interested, is "what are the different ways you can make money from blogging?" Because at the end of the day a blogger’s website / advertising salary is heavily based on traffic and following. But most bloggers have other streams of revenue.

      The question is so general that not only does it get you nowhere, it also offends most people. Lose – lose, you know?

      Cheers!

  10. The reason people ask what someone makes on blogging, is because they can not easily look up the numbers. Like you could other jobs. I understand why they do it. However, I don’t agree with it. As I was raised to not talk about money or how much I have.

    1. Yep. I totally agree. I was actually raised openly talking about money but I disagreed with it my whole life.

      For bloggers there isn’t much information out there and some people don’t know how to go about researching. However, when one downright asks your salary – as opposed to "hey how did you price your advertising rates or sponsored posts (or) how much should I charge X person", then it is a little much (IMO).

      Thanks for reading! ☺️

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