We’ve never formally talked about being travel bloggers on our website. But we’re being asked about it more and more, so we thought we’d open a dialogue.
In truth, we’ve always felt like we kind of stumbled blindly into our recreated lives – and by no means consider ourselves experts (in travel or blogging).
And, seriously, we thought, who wants to hear us talk about what goes on behind the curtain?
When we hit the road in 2008, we were vaguely aware that travel blogging even existed.
For the first year, we were simply out in the world, enjoying each other’s newly empty-nested company and writing about what we were discovering so family and friends could keep up with where we were.
Our early posts were all over the place – and inconsistent. We posted photos that we would never post now because we had no idea what we were doing.
But we kept on writing. And writing. And writing.
Eventually our posts became less cringe-worthy and had more focus.
We discovered what we liked and didn’t like about our travels, and how to relay it in a (hopefully) engaging manner. We researched how to make our photos suck less.
But it wasn’t until we learned to be authentic, when we found our voice, that people started to like our little website.
Still, it was very strange to us when folks began emailing with questions about how to do what we are doing. It still seems strange. Stranger yet, we’ve been asked to wax poetically on the subject in public.
WATCH: We join Michael of Time Travel Turtle, Elia of Blame the Monkey, Malini of MissMalini.com and Chris from Tourism and Events Queensland for “How to be a World Famous Travel Blogger.” (Forgive us if we seem ditzy, it was 3:00 AM in our time zone!)
All travel blogs are different and we highly suggest that you watch this video before reading on. There is certainly more than one way of approaching travel blogging, as this diverse group shows. What follows is OUR story more in depth.
If that’s not enough information, here’s (more of) our two cents (yes, we admit our lives are a happy accident, but we really do have some hindsight insights):
We Wish We Could Tell You a Big Short Cut, but there is no Big Short Cut
We had to do the work. Period.
We had to write, write, write. And we had to love it because it never stops. Sometimes we had to find help, such as translation services.
But yes, we love it. We feel like we have the best life in the world – for us.
Because we also love to travel, we wrote about travel. A lot.
We Started out Small
Before we traveled, we wrote about travel.
Confused?
First, we wrote about things going on in our hometown. We home exchanged and wrote about that. Then we quit our jobs, sold our house and bought an RV for $3,000 that we named BAMF on eBay and wrote about that.
Then we drove all around the United States and wrote about that. Then we branched from the US borders and wrote about that.
And had a blast doing it. So we never stopped.
We Became Social
There’s a reason it’s called social media.
We had gotten a few comments on our site and our oldest daughter, The Piglet, decided that we were on to something. She suggested that we start putting some effort into social media.
So we started a Facebook Page, thinking that was that. We’d post stuff and check it occasionally. It was fun. Then The Piglet dragged us kicking and screaming into Twitter.
So we sucked it up and tweeted our first tweet – we think it was something really fascinating like “Drinking coffee.” Then we wondered why no one tweeted us back (seriously).
Once we realized that social meant social, and we began being social, something wonderful began to happen – people started following us.
The Piglet kept at us – start creating videos, she said. There’s this new site called… So now we’re on YouTube, Pinterest, GoodReads, and Instagram – each with their own merits and each with varying success.
But posting videos of squirrels (yup, we did that) and tossing up photos of what we were eating for dinner was not cutting it, and we made mistakes and learned from them, but thankfully…
…Somewhere in There We Found Our Voice, We Became Authentic
We finally learned NOT to write what we thought people wanted to read.
This was THE big epiphany for us.
Taking a hard look at our posts, we realized they contained very little of ourselves in them. Even when we had been writing for our family and our friends, we were writing generic little pieces.
There was nothing in them that were uniquely us. Actually there was no uniqueness at all.
So we decided to be ourselves, we started being authentic. At first it felt at like oversharing (still does sometimes) to talk about the real us, and perhaps it is oversharing.
But immediately writing became easier, even more fun, and began flowing out of us freely.
Now we discuss how destinations make us feel, let our innate goofiness fly, and write as we speak in real life. We admit our history nerdly-ness, we aren’t afraid to confess when we’re scared.
David now embraces his inner train nut, Veronica isn’t embarrassed that she happily squeals, bounces, and claps like a little kid whenever an animal comes into view.
We Have Support and Give Support
We are not alone.
As wonderful as we find our Nation of Two, we are part of a some very generous communities.
Like any well functioning community, we help and are helped.
We meet, learn, network, and have a blast at TBEX conventions – an excellent resource for travel bloggers and aspiring travel bloggers, highly recommended by us. We also read the TBEX blog.
As folks of “a certain age,” we also gather inspiration at AARP’s Life@50+ Expos (we’ve attended in Atlanta and Boston so far), and are members of the Facebook group Boomer Travel Bloggers (the criteria to join the latter are people who are travel bloggers with their own blogs and were born between 1946 and 1964 – but, if you don’t fit the demographic there are similar groups out there to join).
Once We Became Fairly Established, We are Diligent That…
…We Don’t Let Our Community Down
Now that we are a part of a community, we take our responsibilities seriously.
We are no longer an outpost in the desert.
We keep in mind that if we publish shoddy posts, our entire travel blogging community suffers.
From time to time we are offered sponsored trips by folks within the travel industry. In doing so, we have been able to bring stories to our GypsyNester community that we would not have been able to otherwise. And for this, we are very grateful.
When we do accept these trips, we are careful to act professionally, to work hard and do our research. Most nights on these adventures, we happily fall asleep while typing mid-sentence with our laptops on our laps.
For further reading on the subject of deportment and ethics while on sponsored trips, see this commentary from a travel blogger’s perspective and this one from an industry person’s perspective.
…We Remember to Give Back
One of the most joyous parts of being a travel blogger is the ability to do good.
We have found ways that our little website can help others and inspire the GypsyNester community to find the joy in helping, too.
We have begun to Pack for a Purpose, and have a dedicated “how to help” section of our site. We can’t express the joy that has come into our lives by sharing ways to help others.
It’s highly recommended. 🙂
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
YOUR TURN: We’re sure we didn’t cover everything – so let your questions fly and we’ll do our best to help out! If you are a travel blogger and you have tips about subjects we covered (or didn’t cover) – please share!
This post may contain sponsored links.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I
provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My
blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from some of the
information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you.
Thank you!
No, not at all. Thanks!
It is not my first time to pay a visit this web site, i am visiting
this site dailly and obtain pleasant information from here everyday.
I have been absent for some time, but nnow I remember why
I used to love this site. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently.
How frequently you update your site?
Thanks, at least twice a week.
great post shared
What a great post about some of the things you’ve learned along the way. I too blog but haven’t done it about travel…but this encourages me. Thanks!
Always glad when we can provide some encouragement Kathy, thanks.
Thanks for sharing a behind the scenes look at your lives and how you got there. I’m convinced having a partner involved makes the well oiled machine run a whole lot smoother. I’m not quite at the empty nest yet, but soon and can’t wait!
It is certainly easier with two of us to share the workload.
I think most of us started by writing to keep family and friends apprised of our whereabouts. Luckily or unluckily other people started reading and then you just can’t stop 😉
That seems to be how it happens.
I’ve also been surprised at how some of my more personal blog posts are the most popular. I guess letting readers “in”, lets them be more a part of the journey than just passive readers. My 20-something son is the one who pushed me into travel blogging, “You like to write and you like to travel, this would be perfect for you.” He claims he has created a monster and my husband just rolls his eyes as he eavesdrops on our telephone conversations about the relative benefits of “follow” vs. “no-follow” links. According to, Mr. “TheWorldOrBust”, I need to get my Instagram game on.
Sometimes our kids have great ideas, huh Suzanne? 🙂
You are so right. No shortcuts! Well done!
Thanks Lynn!
Thank you for posting this! I always enjoy reading about how others’ started their own personal journey!
I am one who’s still finding their voice. With every blog it becomes a little easier, but it takes time, like all art (hehehe! Art… imagine, bloggers as artists? Actually… not that hard to imagine really).
Keep at it! We’re all loving what you’re doing! 🙂
It definitely gets easier and better as you go along Stacey. Keep plugging away! Thanks!
Fun to get to know you a bit more. I agree that authenticity is a critical element. I think one has to write from the heart and not just spew information that anyone can find on the internet. Balancing authenticity with over sharing is also important, I believe. Clearly, you’ve found your groove and you’re making it work.
Thanks Patti, we are trying to groove on! 😉
You guys are the bomb. I have been blogging for five months and somehow I got lucky and found you both early on! I am learning and so appreciate how unselfish other bloggers are with all of their support and tips! Our nest is empty and we are always looking for the next adventure! I love your voice and following your journey!
Thanks Suzanne, keep it up!
It was great to read your story about becoming travel bloggers. What a wonderful life to share in your nation of two.
Thanks Donna, it’s great so far.
We’re coming up on our second anniversary of traveling as “empty nesters” (September, 2012) and have no regrets about choosing a nomadic lifestyle with no home base and the whole world ahead of us. Many people see us as giving up everything but, in truth, we’ve gained so much more…Thanks for your great tips and we’ll be following your adventures!
Very well said Anita! It’s sometimes hard to explain to folks that we haven’t really given up anything. In fact in many ways our freedom makes it easier to stay in contact with loved ones. Safe travels!
Great to hear how your story all began…
And how it continues –
Very inspirational, while at the same time grounding to hear about the hard work that goes into creating your content –
Congratulations on your success so far – and all the best for your travels in the future 🙂
Thanks Linda!
Thanks for sharing your insights Nesters. I’m pretty new at this whole gig, and I’m making a go of it too so appreciate you sharing. You guys have certainly learn’t social media, you’re possibly the most social out there!
Thanks Andy, that’s great to hear!
this is a lovely post about your blogging journey – its great to read such true and inspiring posts like this !
Thank you Jasmine! Safe travels.
I’ve told everyone and everybody about you–you’re living the life most of us only DREAM about having, but we’re too afraid to make that leap. I say bravo, keep those posts coming–it’s always fun to see what you two are up to!
Thanks so much Holly! It was a leap, but you never know where life will lead.
Coolest empty nesters ever?
Yes.
Most awesome comment ever?
Yes.
Thanks Amanda!
Great post! So nice to hear your story…Funny how the “kids” get us into social media. It’s a pleasure to read your stories (and we appreciate that you know the English language and write well).
Thanks guys! Nice to have our efforts enjoyed.
Great post that will be inspiring to many!
May you continue to travel and enjoy life for many years to come!
Thank you Irene, best to you too.
Great post guys! I am just starting out myself and learning more each day. I still have a long way to go but I am enjoying writing and finding my voice. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Katie, just keep at it, that’s the best advice we have. 😉
Thanks for sharing your story with us. Very very nice. And good luck in the future with all your plans!
Thanks Laura! Best of luck to you too.
So happy to hear the story. Y’all are amazing and through your writing it feels like we “know” you. Because of y’all we want to follow in your proverbial footsteps and hope we’re half as successful making people smile as the two of you are. Thank you for writing your adventures down for all of us to enjoy! Can’t wait to see where the winds take you next!
Wow, thank you Marianne, so kind! We never know where life will take us but we’re having a great time finding out.