What Travel Vlogging and Blogging Has Taught Me
/So, I’ve been running my YouTube channel for just about 4-years now and my blogs for 2 and a half years. In this time, I’ve faced many challenges, reaped many rewards, overcome fears in other words, I’ve learnt a thing or two. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of that. If you’re planning on venturing down this route, you can be prepared.
1.) It’s your time off first and foremost:
YouTubing and blogging are my hobbies that I do in my free time. I work a full time job that takes up most of my week (sometimes weekends) and hence when I take time off to travel, I’m actually on holiday. It is a win-win because I get some much deserved rest after a stressful few months but also the opportunity to film another destination. But the one thing I’ve learnt here is that, it is MY holiday first and foremost. I can get caught up in wanting to film everything that I start to experience everything around me through a camera lens whilst filming. I can’t tell you how disappointed I feel when my camera isn’t turned on at the right time. Ultimately, you have to realise that there’s only so much a camera can capture. Being there in the moment is something completely different. Unless, you’ve been sponsored to go to a destination and film and document your travels, remember to enjoy the destination and take a break. You can turn whatever footage you do get into videos. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t getting everything on video.
2.) You cannot possibly like everything:
For the most part, all of my blogs have been very positive towards each destination that I’ve been to. I haven’t given you an inkling of any cities that I may not have liked. I feel the urge to always be positive about the destinations I’ve visited but the truth of the matter is there are a lot of cities that I’ve been to that I don’t plan on going back to again. I’ve decided that I will from now on have a more forthcoming approach with my blogs and be brutally honest about my likes and dislikes. That’s the only way I’ll be able to really share my experiences in the city. Of course, the funny anecdotes will still be part of the full gig but there will be a shift in expressing myself and my opinions on a destination.
3.) Don’t get caught up in the revenue side of things:
Ever since YouTube has commercialised and we’ve seen the girl/boy next door becoming rich and famous with every skit they publish, viewers have come to this understanding that everyone on YouTube or on a blogging site have an ultimatum of earning money through these platforms. In other words, everyone is setting out to either be an actor, digital nomad or something in between. No, this is not true. Whilst yes, having the option of earning money through these platforms is great, there’s very little you earn when you start a channel. It takes a very long time to earn anything substantial. You won’t become an overnight celebrity. I truly enjoy putting these videos together as it gives me a chance to capture my holidays and then reminisce during stressful times or just in the future. Also, can I just take a moment to explain what a digital nomad actually is and allow a chance to distinguish between what people think it is. A digital nomad is someone who earns money using their laptop/computer/tablet whilst on the road. They do not need an office as they can work from anywhere as long as they have internet connectivity. It is NOT working while travelling. Yes, you can work whilst you’re travelling but it doesn’t necessarily mean that.
I don’t want to write too much on this blog as I feel that life is a process of learning and I’m sure if you ask me this question next year I’ll have a whole bunch of other things to say. For now, I want to keep this short and sweet and tell you that these three are my top three things I’ve learnt.
I’d love to hear your feedback on the above and on any of my videos on destinations and see if the above resonates.
Until next time,
MiliG