Curious about how I’ve turned my passion for travel into a sustainable income as a Filipino digital nomad? I’ll share my personal journey as a travel blogger and break down the various ways I’ve monetized my blog while working from anywhere in the world.
1. Paid Press Trips
In the beginning, I was thrilled with discounts or complimentary hotel stays, sometimes up to a week. As I partnered with tour companies, we moved from exchange deals to more structured collaborations. Over time, I learned that some tourism boards offer allowances or even daily rates for press trips.
For example, one of our writers earned $800 for a two-week trip in Indonesia. Now, I charge daily rates on top of flights, accommodation, and activities. Professional bloggers often earn $300–$500 per day for press and familiarization trips, along with delivering detailed reports backed by social media insights and traffic analytics.
2. Brand Campaigns or Brand Ambassadorship
When you build an audience, even a small one, companies will approach you to promote their products and services. You don’t need to have a massive following to start working with brands—you can be a micro-influencer with as few as 3,000–10,000 followers. If your audience is engaged and aligns with the brand’s target market, you can collaborate through sponsored posts, social media campaigns, or ad placements on your blog.
While one-off campaigns are great, forming long-term brand partnerships is even better. They provide more stability, greater exposure for the brand, and build trust with your audience, all while ensuring a reliable income stream for you.
3. Sponsored Posts
Sponsored posts are one of the most effective and popular ways to monetize a blog, and I personally do quite a few of them each month on this platform. They allow me to collaborate with brands that align with my content and audience while providing valuable recommendations to my readers. Rates for sponsored posts can vary widely, starting at $150 and reaching thousands of dollars, depending on factors such as your monthly page views, sessions, audience demographics, and niche relevance.
What Are Sponsored Posts?
Sponsored posts involve creating content—such as blog articles, reviews, or social media posts—that promote a company’s product, service, or brand. The aim is to seamlessly integrate their offering into your content in a way that feels authentic and genuinely useful to your audience.
How to Secure Sponsored Posts
- Companies Reaching Out:
Many brands search for bloggers or influencers whose content aligns with their target audience. If your blog is active, engaging, and optimized, brands may directly approach you with collaboration opportunities. - Pitching to Brands:
Don’t wait for brands to find you! Reach out to companies that resonate with your niche and audience. Create a compelling pitch that highlights your blog’s reach, audience insights, and how you can help meet their goals. - Using Sponsorship Platforms:
Join platforms like Travelpayouts, Webfluential, and Blog Meets Brand, which connect bloggers with brands looking for collaborations. These platforms simplify the process, allowing you to apply for opportunities that fit your niche.
How Sponsored Posts Work on My Blog
On this blog, I prioritize collaborations with brands that align with my mission and audience’s interests. Whether it’s a travel product, a digital service, or a lifestyle offering, I ensure the content remains valuable and relevant to my readers. By maintaining this balance, I’ve been able to do multiple sponsored posts each month without compromising trust or authenticity.
Factors Influencing Sponsored Post Rates
- Traffic Metrics: Monthly page views and sessions play a significant role in determining rates.
- Engagement Rates: High interaction levels, such as comments and shares, make your blog more appealing to sponsors.
- Niche Appeal: Niches like travel, tech, and lifestyle often command higher rates due to their popularity and market demand.
- Content Quality: The higher the quality of your content, the more value you can offer to sponsors.
- Social Media Integration: Offering combined blog and social media promotion packages can significantly boost rates.
Key Considerations for Sponsored Posts
- Stay Authentic: Only work with brands that genuinely align with your values and audience’s needs. This builds trust and ensures the content remains relevant.
- Be Transparent: Always disclose sponsored content to comply with advertising guidelines and maintain transparency with your readers.
- Use Strategic Links: Ensure any links included are relevant and add value to the content while adhering to SEO best practices.
Diversify Your Sponsored Post Offerings
To maximize income potential, consider bundling sponsored posts with additional offerings like social media campaigns, email marketing, or video content. For example, I often include Instagram stories or Facebook posts alongside blog sponsorships, which increases the overall value for brands.
Sponsored posts are not just a great income stream but also an opportunity to create meaningful collaborations and share genuinely valuable recommendations with your audience. By staying strategic and authentic, you can monetize your blog effectively while maintaining the trust and engagement of your readers.
4. Commission from Affiliate Partners
Affiliate marketing has become one of the main sources of income for our travel blog. The concept is simple: advertisers pay you a commission when their products or services are purchased through your website. We earn commissions from platforms like Trip Advisors, Booking.com, Hostelworld, Agoda, and other travel-related companies.
The best part? There’s no extra cost for those booking through our links—it’s the same as booking directly on Google. As long as you recommend services you trust and use yourself, you can feel good about earning a reward while providing value to your readers.
If you’re a travel blogger and want to start earning through affiliate marketing, here are a few platforms to consider—Travelpayouts, ShareASale, and Rakuten LinkShare. They’re all free to join and don’t require a minimum amount of traffic.
5. Social Media
I’ve always loved using Facebook and Instagram, and they continue to be powerful tools for connecting with our audience and growing our brand. Social media has not only allowed me to share my travel journey but also to build meaningful relationships with my readers and collaborators.
Platforms like Instagram have become especially lucrative for bloggers. Some travel bloggers earn substantial income by posting sponsored photos, creating reels, or even taking over brand accounts for campaigns. These collaborations often involve promoting travel-related products, destinations, or services, making them a natural fit for those in the travel niche. While this trend initially gained traction among fashion and lifestyle bloggers, it’s now a significant revenue stream for travel bloggers as well, particularly those with a highly engaged audience.
Beyond Instagram, Facebook remains one of my favorite platforms for sharing long-form stories, interacting with readers, and running promotional campaigns. I’ve also used Twitter for real-time engagement and hosting Twitter chats, which can be great for fostering community discussions and driving traffic to your blog.
Social media opportunities go far beyond just posting photos. Here are a few ways travel bloggers can monetize their presence:
- Sponsored Posts: Collaborate with brands to showcase their products or services directly on your feed.
- Takeovers: Manage a brand’s account for a period, creating content that aligns with their goals while leveraging your creative touch.
- Ad Campaigns: Run targeted ad campaigns for brands on your social media platforms.
- Affiliate Links: Share links to travel products or services in your posts and stories, earning a commission for every sale generated.
- Social Media Coaching: Offer consulting services to other aspiring bloggers or businesses looking to grow their social media presence.
With consistent effort and a clear strategy, social media can become a major income stream and an excellent way to amplify your blog’s reach. Remember, engagement and authenticity are key—brands look for creators who genuinely connect with their audience, whether you have 5,000 or 500,000 followers.
6. Donations from Readers
Yes, there are times when supportive readers give donations to their favorite travel bloggers! We had an amazing experience when we were building our blog in Costa Rica – we lost our GoPro and at the time it was the only camera we had (it was the early stages and we didn’t have much money at the time). Out of the blue, one reader sent us money from Paypal to buy a new one. I cried with joy for the whole week, I didn’t want to accept it at the beginning but that was a big blessing!
I was more motivated to work hard on the blog after that, knowing how supportive people really were. From then we even had random readers who asked us for postcards, then we were surprised to find that they had deposited money in our Paypal account to thank us. Readers have sent me packages of Filipino food seasoning and clothes that I can wear on our travels etc! Really thankful!!
Creating content is hard – writing, taking photos, and managing social media accounts are all tough, especially when your readers email you and send you unlimited questions on social media. I’m not complaining because they are the reason I do this and I love it! I personally reply to all the messages and emails that I receive every day, maybe around 50 to 100 people! It takes time, sometimes even up to 6 hours of my day just replying. I’m not discouraging you guys to message us because I feel more motivated reading lovely messages from people supporting our blog but by doing this.
So thank you very much to everyone who appreciated all the work, you can still donate so I can buy Nutella (hehehe), feel free to message us to get our details!! We will never change and will try not to let you down as we grow bigger!
7. Trip Planning or Travel Coaching
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with readers-turned-clients through personalized coaching sessions. These sessions have covered a variety of topics, such as teaching English in Vietnam, navigating visa applications for different countries, and even starting and monetizing a travel blog. What began as one-time coaching calls has grown into a range of services tailored to empower individuals to achieve their travel and lifestyle goals.
Now, I’m thrilled to expand my offerings to include travel tours and visa assistance specifically designed to help aspiring travelers and digital nomads. Whether you’re looking to explore new destinations with curated itineraries or need guidance through the often-complicated visa process, I’m here to help.
Services We Offer
Why I Do This
While these services are not my biggest income stream, they are by far the most fulfilling. Seeing clients achieve their dreams—whether it’s landing their first remote job, obtaining a visa, or traveling to a new country—brings me so much joy. I’ve learned that one-on-one guidance makes a real difference, and I’m excited to help even more people take the leap into their own travel journeys.
If you’re ready to take the next step, feel free to reach out! Let’s make your travel goals a reality. 😊
8. Public Speaking
I’ve always loved public speaking, starting from my days in high school and college. Back then, I enjoyed sharing ideas and connecting with an audience, and I thought transitioning into public speaking in the blogging world would be similar. However, I quickly realized it’s a whole new challenge!
My first major opportunity as a speaker came when I was invited to be a panelist at the World Tourism Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. It was an incredible experience that not only boosted my confidence but also opened doors to new opportunities. Sharing my journey as a travel blogger and digital nomad on such a global stage was both humbling and empowering.
Since then, I’ve set my sights on doing more public speaking engagements, training sessions, and coaching in the future. Whether it’s inspiring audiences with my personal travel story, offering actionable advice on building a sustainable travel lifestyle, or discussing the power of travel blogging as a career, I’m excited to continue sharing my experiences.
I’ve also been inspired by travel bloggers who have successfully transitioned into full-time public speakers, earning over $2,000 per event, plus travel costs. Seeing their success motivates me to continue honing my skills and building my portfolio. Public speaking is not just about earning—it’s about creating connections, inspiring change, and empowering others to chase their dreams.
As I move forward, I plan to expand my speaking engagements to include topics like:
- Navigating the world as a Filipino digital nomad.
- Building a sustainable travel blog.
- Visa strategies and remote work opportunities.
- Empowering Filipinos to explore the world with a Philippine passport.
I’m thrilled about the possibilities ahead and can’t wait to inspire more people through public speaking. If you’d like me to speak at your event, feel free to reach out—I’d love to share my journey and insights with your audience! 🌏✨
9. Publishing eBooks
Running a travel blog while traveling full-time is a rewarding but exhausting endeavor, and for a long time, it made finishing my writing projects a real challenge. However, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve finally published my first eBook, with more in the works!
This eBook is the culmination of years of experience, research, and dedication. It’s specifically tailored for Filipino travelers and aspiring digital nomads, offering actionable tips on topics like starting a travel blog, navigating visas, finding remote work, and building a sustainable lifestyle abroad. I poured my heart into this project to ensure it provides real value to those dreaming of exploring the world while earning a living.
While I would love to give these resources away for free, this eBook represents months of hard work and expertise, making it a valuable product for those serious about their journey. That said, the content on my blog will always remain 100% free, and I’ll continue sharing giveaways and travel tips with my readers.
If you’ve ever been inspired by my blog or found my advice helpful, I hope you’ll consider supporting this new chapter by purchasing my eBook. It’s not just a guide—it’s a roadmap for creating your own life of freedom and adventure. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to hear how it helps you on your journey! 🌏✨
10. Exchange Deals – A Non-Monetary but Valuable Source of Income
One of the most common misconceptions about full-time travelers, especially travel bloggers, is that we must be rich or have some “hidden pot of gold” funding our adventures. This misconception often comes up when people see us staying in luxurious 5-star hotels or enjoying exclusive tours. The reality is far from that assumption—many of these experiences are part of exchange deals rather than being paid for out of pocket.
So, how does it work? Exchange deals involve collaborating with brands like hotels, tour companies, or travel agencies in a mutually beneficial partnership. In exchange for a free stay, tour, or service, we provide exposure through our social media platforms, blog posts, and sometimes even video content. These partnerships allow us to showcase destinations, services, or products that align with our audience’s interests, offering value to both the brand and our readers.
Why Exchange Deals Matter
While these deals aren’t monetary, they significantly reduce travel costs, enabling us to continue exploring and creating content. However, it’s important to understand that there’s no such thing as “free”—in return, we put in substantial effort to deliver high-quality promotions, including photography, writing, and social media campaigns.
How You Can Do It Too
If you’re a travel blogger looking to get started with exchange deals, the key is to craft compelling pitches that highlight the value you bring to the brand. Demonstrate your ability to promote their services to your audience and provide clear examples of your reach and engagement.
If you need help navigating this process, I offer a 2-hour blogging coaching session where I teach you how to pitch, secure sponsored stays, and maximize your collaborations. Feel free to email me for more details—I’d love to help you start building your own partnerships!
The Bigger Picture
While exchange deals are an incredible way to sustain travel, they aren’t enough on their own to support a full-time lifestyle. We’re still working towards earning the same income we had in our corporate careers—when I worked in Iraq’s oil industry and my previous partner was an Architectural Technologist in the UK.
However, I firmly believe that the hard work and investments we’ve put into this journey will pay off. Over time, our blog and related ventures will grow into passive income streams, allowing us to focus on building other dreams—like our future Yoga Spa Resort!
Exchange deals are just one piece of the puzzle, but they’ve been a vital part of making this lifestyle sustainable. They prove that travel blogging is more than just a passion—it’s a career built on creativity, strategy, and collaboration.
My Traveling Blog Story
For many people, traveling the world is a dream often interrupted by financial realities. You save up, go on a grand adventure, and eventually return home when the funds run out to start the cycle over again.
That wasn’t the path I envisioned. From the beginning of my travel journey, I knew I wanted something sustainable—a way to travel the world long-term without relying solely on savings or temporary fixes like volunteering or odd jobs. I wanted to create a life where I could make money while exploring, and that’s where the idea of travel blogging came in.
Some might think travel blogging is easy, and while starting a blog is straightforward, running it as a business and turning it into a source of income is a different story. Before I started blogging, I tried various ways to sustain my travels: teaching English in Vietnam, volunteering at hostels and restaurants, and even running an Ayurveda massage business in Peru. While these experiences were valuable, they weren’t the long-term solution I was searching for.
In 2014, after encouragement from friends and family, I launched Two Monkeys Travel as part of my quest for a sustainable travel lifestyle. In the beginning, I worked 12–16 hours daily for months, which gave the blog a good start but wasn’t sustainable or healthy. Eventually, I realized I needed to treat my blog like a serious business to make it work long-term.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. So when you make a purchase we sometimes make a small commission, at no extra cost to you. The cost to you remains the same, sometimes even cheaper if we have negotiated a special deal for our readers.