Erin Hynes has lots on her plate.
After touring extensively, she determined to start out a weblog on the aspect, along with her demanding day job. Her weblog, Pina Travels, has at all times been a ardour venture, and over time she’s been in a position to develop it to supply a wholesome aspect revenue: $3k/month.
On this interview, this award-winning blogger talks about how she not solely constructed her weblog, but additionally a model, which features a sturdy social media presence of 50k+ and a 5-year-old podcast.
She ultimately niched down from normal journey, and her area of interest is what actually drives her. She talks about her affiliate earnings, the sorts of collaborations she likes essentially the most, her method to website positioning, 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 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 normal matters, she ultimately niched right 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 objective, however what was most essential to her was having an influence on her readers.
Now her model consists of an viewers throughout many channels, together with social media, and her weblog is getting 40k classes per 30 days at current. Her podcast, Curious Tourism, will get 2k downloads a month, and earns as much as $3k per 30 days. And he or she’s nonetheless working a full-time job!
Erin talks in regards to 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 website positioning, creating content material clusters, and what sorts of articles she writes and with what particular objective. 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.
On the subject of social media, she shares her technique for posting and constructing her group and the precise 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 provides 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 aspect.
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 & Assets
Subjects 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 development
- Accountable tourism
- Her method to website positioning
- 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 at this time 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 already know, the, the trials and tribulations, all of the ups, all of the downs. And that is form of what we’re doing at this time. So if you have not heard a kind 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 form of, uh, you already know, form of the origin story, if you’ll, perhaps deliver us again and catch us up on who you might be. 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, identical to being a part of.
the journey group. Um, and so I made a decision, okay, like let’s begin this as like a bit aspect venture and I will identical 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 a bit aspect venture.
Jared: It is a journey web site. I do know it is gone on to take.
Uh, form of a sure particular area of interest, a sure particular method you shared earlier than we hit file. Like I are inclined to do podcast interviews about this one sort of journey subject. Was that at all times the objective for it if you began it or did it form of morph into that as time went on?
Erin: It morphed into it. So my website, my model, my group is concentrated on accountable tourism.
So like many of the content material I produce has some kind of messaging round how we will journey in a approach that is higher for individuals and for the planet. It didn’t begin out that approach. Once I began out, I might say I used to be fairly fundamental. I simply wished to have a journey weblog, simply wished to jot down about what I wished to jot down about.
Um, I did not actually assume lots about area of interest. Sorry, I’ll say it area of interest trigger I am Canadian. I do know People say it otherwise. 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 a bit viewers for myself. Um, it was all through the years that I kind of narrowed down and realized like, Oh, that is like truly what I am enthusiastic about inside 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 already know, what was the, the timeframe, the rationale why particularly you wished to start out the positioning you shared that you simply wished to form of get again into that group. However, you already know, have been you form of taking the traditional running a blog method 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 lots of content material that you can share. Um, simply making an attempt to know the early days.
Erin: Yeah, the early days, um, was undoubtedly 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 lots of 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 objective. 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 identical time because the weblog, like I knew that I ought to have a presence there. In order that went dwell across the identical 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 will look again, uh, you already know, 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 already know, what you have been doing, what you are touring was.
Um, what was the primary preliminary form of success or the primary preliminary factor that caught for you with, with the web site or the social media, you already know, 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 bear in mind extra clearly is after I obtained 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 truthfully, like suggestions from individuals, like in actual life is, is form of nicer. In order that felt like a monumental second.
Jared: I requested that query very open endedly on objective, you already know, it is fascinating as a result of everybody has, it form of helps reveal like on the finish of the day, uh, you already know, completely different objectives individuals have and the trail they’re on to making an attempt to hit these objectives. And a few persons are very, very pushed by numbers, you already know, and there is nothing flawed with that.
So we’re very pushed by influence. Some persons are very pushed by a sure objective they’d once they sat down to start out it up. And it may not even be all that tangible. It may 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 group. And I do know lots of people like get into running a blog with the objective of numbers of metrics of like entering into Mediavine, getting cash, quitting their day job.
I ought to say that was by no means my objective. Initially later it turned extra of like a. Like late two years in round, I might say I began considering, Okay, I am doing lots of 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 wished to make sufficient cash to give up my day job.
My mindset was identical to, I really need a spot the place I can share like all my concepts and share my information.
Jared: Have been you in, since you had a day job the place it sounds such as you’re doing lots of writing and like how tapped into the running a blog group have been you if 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 already know, get visitors after which additionally get monetized in a approach that I did not perceive previous to that. And in order that was form of what pushed me over the sting.
So that you’re proper. I had these objectives in thoughts myself. Um, I had lots I wished to speak about, however I did have this type of ahead considering quantity in thoughts that I wished to get to how tapped in, have been you to it if you began and it was only a aware alternative the place you are like, I perceive. That this may be monetized and this there’s visitors numbers, or was it actually a kind 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 principally for tech startups within the advertising house. And at the moment I wasn’t like actually targeted on weblog work for these startups. Um, I had a normal concept of like how you can earn cash by way of a weblog, like by way of adverts, 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 principle objective 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 wished 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 have interviewed Nina Clapperton. I used to be a part of her early days of her, um, website positioning 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 will form of set the stage for a way you constructed into that and among the steps you took alongside the best way.
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 group. 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 per 30 days. 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 almost 5, 000 on threads on Tik TOK.
I believe I am round 20, 000, um, YouTube, very small viewers, however it’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 group the place I’ve like completely different contact factors with completely different individuals. 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 adverts there. Um, however for essentially the most half, just like the podcast is actually my ardour venture. And that is the place like, I get like into the nitty gritty of accountable tourism matters.
Um, and yeah, total, like if we’re numbers, I am incomes like round 3000 to 4, 000 a month in Canadian {dollars}. Um, By 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 outdated at this level.
Jared: Yeah. Congratulations. Um, I imply, you already know, it is price mentioning as a result of I do know it is in our, it is in our form 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 aspect when you’re nonetheless working the total time job. And I believe that is essential to say.
Lots of people who pay attention aren’t taken with going full time. I am not saying you are not, by the best way, however I am simply saying that lots of people listening, they’re like, Hey, I simply am trying to begin one thing on the aspect to complement, to, to form of scratch that itch, to feed that keenness. And that is what you have completed.
I believe the entire time, proper? Is it the entire seven years you have began this, you have at all times had it on the aspect. You have 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 principally 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 already know, you like and also you’re enthusiastic about. Um, I imply, let’s get into, uh, among the nitty gritty about the way you constructed this.
And I am curious, To only perhaps ask you among the methods that labored from a excessive stage. And we will form of dive as deep as we have to into every of them. I do know individuals listening are going to be taken with the way you grew it. Additionally, the way you survived and sustained by way of COVID additionally, you already know, you talked in regards to the Google updates.
Everybody listening will probably be acquainted with these in some capability. You are still incomes good revenue. Um, so how you have navigated that, what are among the methods you assume which have helped work or that stand out for constructing this?
Erin: I might argue that like the largest power I’ve had like strategically is that I’ve not at all times adopted the most recent tendencies in website positioning and the most recent like widespread methods which can be being shared from the start, I had like a deep deal with making my content material consumer targeted and there was a interval like particularly through the pandemic the place individuals have been telling me that this was the flawed method.
Um, however finally it labored out rather well for me. I didn’t get hit by the HC who it is extra the latest updates which have introduced down my visitors a bit bit, however that is additionally like as a consequence of the truth that I have never 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 consider it is trigger I had this like consumer targeted 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 form 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 focus has grow to be 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 normally, journey web site. Like, you already know, if I am going to Italy, I write about Italy. How deep do I am going into that?
I then go to, you already know, I am simply among the key phrases you rank for, for the file. I’ve obtained in entrance of me, I obtained a Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Italy, how are they associated? Like, how do you come at from a standpoint that’s not website positioning targeted? How do you have a look at writing about a spot that you simply simply went to?
Erin: Yeah, by way of the accountable tourism framework. So my like objective has at all times been to create quote unquote, normal journey content material. Um, that. that very quietly encourages individuals to journey in a approach that’s higher for individuals and for the planet. Um, so you’ll find very like form of run of the mill itineraries on my website.
I’m a normal journey website, so I cowl like locations all world wide, um, however in each single piece of content material you may discover that kind of like underlying message and notes about like easy methods to be be in that place in a extra accountable approach. Uh, my website additionally does have a complete part devoted to accountable tourism.
And that is the place I write guides which can be like on particular matters, like for instance, easy methods to keep away from, uh, cultural appropriation, easy methods to journey extra deeply, uh, accountable tourism suggestions, sustainable journey suggestions, stuff like that. Um, so I believe like that is, I might argue that’s my area of interest, however I’m really a normal journey website within the sense that I do cowl locations which can be all around the world.
Jared: So in essence, perhaps you are a journey, you are a website that covers lots of completely different matters, however at all times from one singular standpoint, sure, that is this deal with sustainability. Is that one thing that you simply assume has helped you achieve lots of traction, um, by way of readership? Um, and the way have you ever form of seen that play out?
Erin: It is fascinating. Like I at all times inform individuals, this isn’t a distinct segment to earn cash in. Um, I believe it could. grow to be that. I’m noticing like within the journey house much more curiosity in accountable tourism practices. Um, however particularly after I began out, like individuals didn’t actually care about this. Um, so for essentially the most half, I discover that readers say they admire 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 identical 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 group standpoint, I believe it is actually essential by way of like rating as a journey website on Google. I do not know that it is like setting me up for fulfillment, 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 more persons are trying particularly for that form of content material.
Jared: What has your method been to website positioning through the years? , and I, once more, I will simply share among the cause I am asking. Such as you, I agree. You didn’t get hit by the HCU, at the very least not from all of the charts I am .
Actually there’s been so many Google updates, like simply choose your poison. , sooner or later one was going to come back up and get you, it appears, however it wasn’t useful content material replace associated. And, and so that you, you in essence have content material that the place you have got completed some S you have got taken considerably of an website positioning method at completely different phases from what you have stated, however it wasn’t something that obtained hit by that useful content material replace.
What was your website positioning method? 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 an enormous deal with consumer. 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 through the pandemic, individuals have been simply making an attempt to rank for like excessive question, um, or excessive quantity queries. Um, so for instance, it will be like a easy query like, um, that is truly on my website. I have been which means to take away it, however what’s the authorized consuming age in Iceland?
Um, that is a weblog that I wrote throughout pandemic instances 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 are not like a spot the place you’ll be able to actually like share who you might be, share your insights, share lots of element.
Um, it is actually identical to a regurgitation of data that already exists on the web. Um, so it would not serve my objective 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 recommendations on a spot, however by way of the context of accountable tourism, um, they’re very lengthy, they’re very in depth, they share lots of, like, cultural element, they share lots of, like, Element about how it’s best to interact with a spot.
Um, I additionally do lots of itineraries which can be tried and true that I’ve examined that I’ve written primarily based alone expertise. They embrace lots of 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 converse to as a result of I’ve completed it.
And since, um, as a result of I’ve completed it, I can share element that such as you would not discover elsewhere. Um, so I might say like that. Has been the principle focus. There’s different issues that I’ve completed that like simply out of form that I believe have helped. So for instance, I’m a normal journey website, however I’ll by no means write lower than 10 blogs about a spot.
So each time I begin writing a couple of new nation, the objective is to get to at the very least 10 blogs. Generally, 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 lots of locations that I have been on the planet that I have never written about but as a result of I am not prepared to love begin writing 10 blogs about them.
Um, so there’s identical to a couple of international locations on my website that I am identical to doing deep dives into earlier than I transfer on to a different one.
Jared: I believe you form of put a pleasant high quality level on that subject, that question, as a result of that was all the craze, 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 best way Google checked out these sorts 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 lots of, uh, Like roundup posts, like the very best lodges to remain in, the very best excursions to take, and the rationale that I began this initially was as a result of I, I have never completed 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 form of content material was pointless and one thing I observed 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 obtained hit fairly badly as a result of like, That form of content material is not serving customers.
It isn’t like constructing a group in a approach that like a rather well thought out itinerary.
Jared: so how did you measure and validate what was working? If the method wasn’t go after this key phrase, get that visitors, transfer on to the following key phrase, go after that affiliate time period, get that monetization, transfer on the following 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 have a look at analytics. Like I might have a look at search visitors, analytics, um, rankings. After which my technique is to have a look at just like the type of weblog. I imply, this can be a widespread observe. So for instance, like I began noticing that my blogs on whatnot to do have been performing fairly properly.
And in order that turned an everyday behavior as did, um, itineraries, like 5 day, seven day, three day itineraries. Um, I simply rigorously tracked kind of like what sort of content material was performing the very best 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 targeted. And that is simply because I observed after the HCU that my website had completed properly. And I am fairly positive that that is why.
Jared: Let’s discuss these social media accounts. Um, you already know, I wrote down, you began these in 2019, couple months after the web site ish. Um, you already know, the place are these, uh, you share the place they’re at now.
Sorry. Um, what’s been the method and what’s been the method for posting to these as you already know, 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 relation to 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 rather well as a result of I believe that individuals really feel like they’ll actually join with me and so they have an concept of who I’m, what sort of content material to count on 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 every thing I put up again to my area of interest.
I, I used to, like, hop on lots of the tendencies, um, and over time I noticed that, like, whereas they’ve the potential to go viral, typically, like, going viral with, like, a stylish 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 lots of effort into responding to individuals. Um, I do know different creators that like do not go into their hidden folder and, and reply questions. I do know lots of bloggers particularly really feel like a bit aggravated when individuals ask them for like assist planning my journey.
Um, however that is one thing I’ve at all times completed and prefer it takes lots of time, however I, I do assume it has helped me construct a group that is loyal and sticks round.
Jared: Cautious. I’d come remark and make it easier to ask my grip as a result of usually about an hour into planning some journey. I am like, properly, 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 elements of the social media, whether or not it is a sure video or a sure put up or a sure focus you have had once more, simply making an attempt to make it extra tangible for individuals 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 admire your perspective and I believe lots of, I am being open ended on objective simply to be clear and I will, I will give a bit context. Yeah. I may ask you for the numbers and I may ask you for the metrics. However on the identical time, you have got navigated your approach by way of lots of the stuff the place metrics have been destroyed.
And so I am, I am staying open ended on objective to listen to your views on what success seems to be like, not simply from an website positioning standpoint, but additionally from, Hey, social media as properly.
Erin: Yeah. So from a private standpoint, um, Success has been identical to the interactions I’ve with individuals on-line and the group that I’ve constructed on-line.
Like I, I’ve associates, like people who I genuinely consider are shut associates 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 group for, from almost 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 group 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 group that I’ve constructed has led me to guide like actually nice work. Um, I’ve labored with like lots of the DMOs and tourism boards right here in Canada, and I completely love doing that form of work.
It is my favourite factor to do. Um. It pays properly, which is good, however it additionally offers me a possibility to love see a spot and perceive a spot within the form of depth that you simply’re not at all times in a position to do as an everyday vacationer, um, which is one thing that is actually particular to me.
Jared: What sorts of stuff do you discover you are gravitating in direction of on social media?
, there’s so many alternative platforms, whether or not it is from Fb to Instagram, YouTube, after which, you already know, you have obtained all types of variations in that. YouTube, is it shorts? Is it? , extra lengthy horizontal type 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 type movies. Um, I might say I create primarily for Instagram. That is the place I discover that my group is the strongest. After which from Instagram, I will, I will mainly simply repurpose every thing for elsewhere. Um, so Instagram is the principle focus from a social perspective after which threads.
has grow to be solely just 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 usually create at the moment, they’re actually pushing carousels. So typically what I do is like, if I give you a video idea, um, so for instance, like a video idea.
that I got here up with just lately was to make a video about easy methods to be a accountable snowbird. Um, at the moment of 12 months, lots of people are touring South, whether or not it is like for the complete winter or for a couple of weeks or just some days simply to flee the chilly. Um, so I wished to create like a message round how to try this in a accountable approach, easy methods to be a very good vacationer if 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 probably 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 in all probability, you already know, went and signed up, obtained all of it discovered after which perhaps have not completed a lot with it. Like, so what is going on on with threads?
Perhaps inform us what’s, you already know, what you are seeing work there simply so individuals can have a bit concept about if it is one thing they need to, you already know, soar 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 individuals which can be taken with the identical matters as me, and so it is truly rising my group past, like, the attain I had on Instagram. It additionally helps that when you have a viewers on Instagram already, if you be part of threads, like persons are mechanically prompted to observe you. So after I began utilizing threads, I already had a in-built group that was primarily based off my Instagram group.
So I believe that is why I’ve discovered it like very nice as a result of that group is already there. And the algorithm appears to be good at like increasing that group. Um, like, curiously, I have been making an attempt with blue sky as properly and I simply discover blue sky, like, It is laborious to search out your group there, it simply is just not 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 very least for me on threads, I share extra kind of behind the scenes. It is vitally widespread within the journey running a blog house that individuals grow to be, um, concerned in like programs and promoting details about like easy methods to grow to be a blogger. And that is like one thing that individuals typically ask me, like, will you make a course?
Will you give me suggestions 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 wished to do. Um, however on threads, I discover it fascinating as a result of individuals do share form of behind the scenes of being a journey blogger and I’ve discovered it to be a pleasant house to share my kind 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 instances now. Um, and, uh, discuss what that appears like. Should you may perhaps give us an instance. Um, you have associated it to your podcast. You associated it to sure sorts of content material you are creating, however what does a model deal appear like?
I am positive most individuals are gonna be acquainted with a model deal, however listening to you discuss extra in regards to the sorts of model offers you are doing can be actually useful.
Erin: Yeah, I am doing model offers principally with like journey associated merchandise and corporations. Um, I do them in numerous methods. So for instance, the largest model deal I’ve completed for my podcast was with world nomads.
They sponsored, um, a complete 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 consider it was like Two advert reads per 30 days on the present. Um, however many of the model offers I do, I might say are for social media. So usually 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’ll 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 by way of how they discovered you and why they wished to accomplice with you?
Erin: Sometimes if they arrive to me and so they’ve discovered me, it is due to the messaging that I am sharing. That is why they’re taken with working with me. Um, different instances I’ve observed it is as a result of Of the form of like know-how that I exploit, 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 taken with 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 sincere, when manufacturers attain out to me, it is normally that they wish to identical to ship me free stuff and have me make them content material without cost, primarily. Um, and so typically I say no to them. Sometimes, like if it is a model deal, it is a model that I’ve reached out to alone simply because I wish 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 measurement, um, making an attempt to land model offers. And due to this, due to the oversaturation, lots of firms know that like, They will simply get this completed without cost.
They will simply ship somebody their product and so they’ll do an entire marketing campaign for them without 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 truthfully looks like a bit offensive typically what manufacturers assume you may do for them without cost.
I simply get so aggravated. I’ve
Jared: heard this earlier than. I used to be at a bit little bit of a mastermind meetup. And I had a pal 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 wish to do it anymore.
It is simply horrible. What’s flawed. What’s and he is like, it is the model coping with it, again and the fourth, the change requests a bit. Belongings you really feel are like, come on. And so they’re like, no, it must be this manner. And so that you form of echoed lots of what you are saying.
Erin: Yeah. I additionally simply discover like, typically they’re like sending me a script.
They need me to identical to learn the script within the video. And I at all times tried to clarify to them, like, truly you are hiring me to talk to my viewers and the P the very best individual to try this is me. And so it is advisable to give me just like the inventive freedom to love share this message in a approach that works for my viewers.
And solely I do know that. Um, Numerous manufacturers like do not, do not wish to observe that mannequin in working with creators and so yeah, it’s, it is a irritating sort of labor to do. It will probably pay very properly. I simply discover like with the trouble that goes into the negotiation and the pitching, um, I am undecided 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 considering of them. And we’ll in all probability ask this query. Um, he’ll in all probability ask it though I ask you truly, anyway, I digress.
Um, what, like for somebody who’s taken with pursuing that, trigger the query usually is like, I’ve tried. Going after model offers, and I simply do not appear to get wherever. Are there any suggestions you have got for individuals who do wish to pursue model offers or at the very least attempt 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 trade?
Erin: Yeah,
I believe having like a extra normal area of interest will in all probability profit you if that is the kind of work that you simply, 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 lodges, lots of 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 guide regionally owned lodges So there’s lots of 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 needn’t pay my payments with this cash. And so I, I’ve the house to be selective like that. But when your objective 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 form of worth system goes to provide 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 must be dedicated to pitching lots, 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 without cost, um, and I believe that is actually essential, particularly for small creators to listen to, as a result of we have to shift, kind 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 may take issues without cost, um, it signifies that these manufacturers aren’t studying that, like, that is an trade norm. We have to make it an trade norm.
Jared: You set my transition up completely. Um, I can let you know host a podcast, teeing up the following query, like with out even perhaps realizing it, uh, full time job.
And I wished to speak about that. I wished to speak about the way you’re in a position to develop this and stability this whereas working a full time job. It has ups and it has downs, proper? I am positive we will all think about the upsides. Such as you stated, you have got a paycheck, a gradual job. So your, your, your aspect hustle right here, if you wish to name it that your web site.
Your model is just not 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 lots to get completed. And you’ve got an enormous 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 already know, 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 principle cause 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 few years of expertise that may be very laborious to piece collectively a full time dwelling on this area of interest.
I believe that which may change sooner or later. And I’m discovering that like, within the final 12 months, my earnings have grown Rather a lot, 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 for those who 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, however it’s like form 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 sincere. Um, yeah, I carve out like lots of time through the week.
Uh, I might say like, I in all probability 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 identical to actually good at going into like focus mode. So if I am writing a weblog, like, and I resolve 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 observed that I can write a weblog lots quicker than different individuals 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 have 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 set in each day on this?
Erin: Yeah, I believe as a result of I discussed earlier like there are particular sorts of blogs that I write as a result of I’ve such a method 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 identical time, um, lots of the data I want may be very like high of thoughts. I’ve all the pictures prepared, every thing, all the data is there in high of thoughts, which makes the method of writing lots quicker.
After which by way of know-how, I do use ai, however in additional of like an ideation approach. I might by no means use AI to love write a complete weblog. That is principally ‘trigger I truly take pleasure in writing them. I am not gonna like. do away with 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.
Generally if I do not know easy methods to like, begin writing a bit, I will ask ChatGPT to love, spit it out for me, however I will by no means use precisely what it offers me. I simply use it as inspiration primarily.
Jared: What’s um, as we form of deliver this to a, to, to, to begin to wrap up right here, such as you talked about how you have 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 already know, 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 in regards to the improve of AI and it is, you already know, it is, it is form of prominence within the on-line world.
Um, you talked about website positioning 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, along with your model?
Erin: It is vitally doom and gloom on the market for journey bloggers proper now. Numerous 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 except for that, like I am placing much more focus into different streams. Um, this can be a technique that the majority bloggers are following now. Um, for me, that is principally DMO work and tourism boards. Um, It is work that I actually love doing. And in order that’s kind of the place I am focusing my vitality outdoors 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 lots about Canada provided that I am from right here. Um, however sooner or later I might like to start out working with tourism boards world wide.
Jared: Aaron, the place can individuals observe together with, um, with what you are doing? , we talked about your web site on the outset. We’ll say it once more, um, or be at liberty to, you already know, share it once more if that is the very best spot. Um, perhaps your social media channels. Like the place can individuals observe together with what you are doing?
Erin: Yeah. Peanutravels. org is my important channel after which on social media. All over the place, 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 without cost on any podcast app. Um, and we’re with the VoyaScape community. So for those who’re taken with journey podcasting, you’ll find an entire 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 file. Yeah.
Erin: That is form 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 id would not be all around the web So I believed oh, yeah, not properly Whenever you Google me, you already know 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. In order that they identical 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 might be cute to make use of this like nickname. That, um, got here to me like by way of my travels. Um, now I form 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 for those who’re planning on beginning a journey weblog.
Jared: These Australians have, that is precisely the form of humor I’ve, uh, I’ve heard of them.
Erin: Sure. That is
Jared: fantastic. Um, I will inform a fast, shaggy dog story simply to additionally put you, make you are feeling higher. My first enterprise was a pictures enterprise. I named it. Um, and you’ll in all probability with the individuals listening to this podcast, you can in all probability discover this web site from 25 years in the past, however I named it optical realities, pictures, considering it was actually cute.
And most telephone calls that I obtained have been like, hello, this can be a Jared with optical realized pictures. No, no ma’am. We do not do contact lenses. I am sorry. Yeah, no, we’re truly a pictures studio. Yeah, I do know it’s a unhealthy, I will move 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 high quality. I simply, I regarded into altering it and ultimately I used to be like, properly, I’ll lose all my area authority if I do this. So I am not going to do it. Ah,
Jared: and you might be occupied with website positioning full circle. Yeah. A very good 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 form of all the guidelines alongside the best way. I actually admire it. It has been a fantastic interview.
Erin: Thanks for having me.
