So you want to become a travel blogger?

Last Thursday, I watched Varekai again. No, I wasn’t invited to watch again; I paid for my own ticket. The experience was so different in many ways than when I watched it last June. First, I was seated 3 rows from the back. When I watched it it the first time, I was on the 3rd row from the front. The complimentary pass got us access to the Tapis Rouge, the VIP area where you can munch on cocktails and sit on comfy couches while waiting for the show to start or resume after intermission. When I watched again, I had to stand with the rest of the audience waiting to enter the Grand Chapiteau. Since the dress rehearsal was also the media preview, we were allowed to take photos during the performance. Last Thursday, the only photo I was able to take was of the yellow and blue circus tent.

El Nido, Palawan
Blogging at El Nido

To be perfectly honest, I enjoyed Thursday’s show more. Sure, the perk were amazing when I watched the first time, but I was working throughout the entire show. I was busy taking pictures (and figuring out how to use Winston’s camera) that I wasn’t completely able to focus on the show. Last Thursday, sitting on Row P, seat 19, I was able to see the entire stage and watch the show in its entirety, not thinking how to shoot the photo or how I’m going to blog it.

I’ve had a pretty colorful life as a travel blogger. Thanks to my blog, I’ve traveled to a number of destinations in the Philippines and even to other countries. I’ve gotten clothes, bags, assorted travel gears and passes to amazing shows. Sometimes, I even get paid for it.

Sounds like a great career choice eh? Like every story, the life of a travel blogger has two sides. Sure the perks are amazing, but these things do come at a price.

If you’re a travel blogger or thinking of starting one, join us on Saturday, July 30 at the Meralco Caseroom of the Asian Institute of Management for Blog and Soul‘s Travel Bloggers Forum. Hear the opinions of travel bloggers Ivan Henares, Ferdz Decena, James Betia and Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap and ask your questions about this blogging niche. This session is free and open to all interested participants. Can’t attend? You can send in your questions to the panel or watch the livestream (subject to wi-fi connection). See you on the 30th!


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34 responses to “So you want to become a travel blogger?”

  1. ayan Avatar

    wow. gusto ko sumali =)

    1. nina Avatar

      Go! See you on Saturday! ๐Ÿ˜€

  2. lakwatsera de primera Avatar

    Hope to catch the livestream of this event. Good luck Nina!

  3. Carlo Avatar
    Carlo

    Yahoo!!! we won’t miss this one! sayang ang last saturday had a prior commitment. must’ve been fun.

  4. Lois Avatar

    Good Job for organizing Nina. Really hope I can attend and meet everyone again.

  5. Sunset Goddess Manila Avatar

    Hi Nina, what time is the event? Thanks

    1. nina Avatar

      Session starts at 2pm ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Kisty Avatar

    I’d like to go but I’m not available. Is there a way to watch it without wifi? Like will you guys post the full video in Facebook or something?

    1. nina Avatar

      We will record the session, but it would most likely be released as a podcast, not a video.

  7. ian dela pena Avatar

    hmmmm…. very timely ang pagkakabasa ko dito nina…. im planning to write seriously na hehehe…. but its for what jason magbanua said during the bloggers congress in la salle hehehehe….. i’ll be waiting for the link ha =) I cant attend coz I have work on that day =(

  8. Aisha Avatar
    Aisha

    Waaaaaa!!! Is in 2 days??? So lame!! =(

  9. renevic | lagalag Avatar

    Hi nina, hope we can catch the live stream =) please do update us on 30th. cheers!

    1. nina Avatar

      Link to the livestream will be posted on the Blog and Soul Facebook Page.

  10. Carol Avatar

    Hi Nina, I just read this notice now. Sayang I am super interested pa man din. Is there another schedule soon? Btw, I have been writing blogs occasionally and I hope I can improve and I wanted to connect with other travel bloggers. Is there a way I can be part of the Pinoy travel bloggers?

    Thank you.

    Carol

    1. nina Avatar

      Hi Carol! I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last time we’ll have forums like this. But it is probably the last for this year, as the next 3 sessions will be about different topics.

      You can join the Pinoy Travel Bloggers group on Facebook if you have a travel blog ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Carol Avatar

        Oh sayang, next year pa. How do I get posted about this?
        I sent an email to the group, providing my blog addy.

  11. Nomadic Samuel Avatar

    Hi Nina, great blog you have – discovered it from Flip’s interview with you. I think it would be easy for readers to assume a travel blogger has a glamorous life of sand and sun; however, the reality is that it’s a LOT of hard work without great compensation financially.

    1. nina Avatar

      Hi Nomadic Samuel! Yes, travel blogging is hard work, specially if you want to earn from it. Also, it *does* require you to take time off traveling!

  12. Meg Avatar

    Hi!

    I’m a travel blog noob. Hope you could visit my blog and spread the word to others. will really appreciate it. thanks!

    http://youngtraveller.tumblr.com/

  13. joan / the backpack chronicles Avatar

    I attended the forum last Saturday and because I was inspired by all of you I decided to make my own travel blog. More Power to you and thank you for being so inspiring.

    1. nina Avatar

      Wow! Good job, Joan!

  14. AJ Avatar

    Hay, missed this one. I had a doctor’s appointment at the time. I wanted sana to meet Ferdz Decena. Sha ang nag-inspire sa kin to blog about my travels. Next time invite mo ang crush ko. Pupunta talaga ako – kahit anong mangyari! Hahaha

    1. nina Avatar

      Hahahaha sure ba!

  15. gwenzy Avatar
    gwenzy

    Hi Nina,

    I started reading travel blogs recently and now i cant stop of reading and viewing all of your articles and also with other pinay travel bloggers as well. now, im thinking why i havent found you guys before i started travelling. i almost been to 15 tourist spots around the Phil and also my 1st out of the country adventure and now im eager to go for more. ๐Ÿ˜€ so i really got inspired to start mine. ๐Ÿ™‚ thanks to you all ! but i really dont know how to start. ๐Ÿ™ unfortunately i missed this forum ๐Ÿ˜ too late. i hope you could give me some advise how to start. :))

    xoxo
    gwenzy

    1. nina Avatar

      Hi Gwenzy! You can start sa WordPress.com or Blogspot.com. Just write about your travels, share pictures if you have them. There’s no real secret to travel blogging… just write about the things you’re passionate about, and that passion will show in your writing. Good luck!

  16. Apple Avatar
    Apple

    Hi! When will be the next travel blogger forum?

    1. nina Avatar

      Hi Apple! There’s no schedule yet, but probably not till next year.

  17. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    I have problems with reading so called blogs that are nothing more than paid advertisements for an airline/hotel/tour/product, delete as required. If I want that I will watch a travel show or buy a magazine. What I want from a blog is the PERSONAL opinion/experience/feelings of the writer, reading and viewing what they experienced not what the owners want them to write etc , after all I don’t know what pressure was put on the writer and to be honest if you wrote a critical review there’s no way they will invite you back and/or give you product. In effect you are compromised.Just my opinion.

    1. nina Avatar

      You echo my sentiments, Mark. Then again, it would seem hypocritical of me to say that. I still feel that blogs are better for getting candid and honest reviews about places and products. I also feel that while bloggers are free to accept paid advertorials, it’s important that they disclose it to be fair to their readers.

      1. Mark Avatar
        Mark

        Sadly too many bloggers are chasing the payment , even more sadly it seems very prevelent amongst Filipino bloggers , especially seeing all these sponsored ” So you wanna be a travel blogger” lectures etc.

      2. nina Avatar

        This particular “So you wanna be a travel blogger” forum was held for free. All of the Blog and Soul sessions are. Our only sponsor is the venue, which frankly, we can’t afford because we’re a non-profit group.

        You’re right, a lot of bloggers now are after the payment. It’s hard to say no to an opportunity to earn extra or get free accommodation if you’re into traveling. I’d like to think that there are some who still have a firm grip on their credibility.

  18. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    That’s the keyword “credibility”.

  19. Dianne Avatar
    Dianne

    Sana may ganito ulit. I want to join. ๐Ÿ˜€

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