Have you always dreamed of getting paid to travel? Do you imagine glossy mountains on your morning commute, or twirling through a lavender field while at your desk? For Marta of @a_girlwhotravels, it’s just part of the job.
The Polish native made globetrotting her side-hustle when she launched her blog in 2014, providing a steady dose of wanderlust and racking up more than 40,000 Instagram followers along the way. She continues to use her social-savvy skills to make #travelgoals look effortless and now makes money from her grid.
So how did she turn her enthusiasm into an income? Here, Marta reveals the secrets behind her flawless feed…
How did you become a travel blogger?
I was living a location-independent lifestyle for a couple of years before starting my blog and Instagram, back when it wasn’t quite a thing yet (yep, it does make me feel ancient!). I was living in Italy when I first got the idea for the blog – I wanted to create a platform where I’d inspire other women to live passionately and just ‘go for it’. Instagram was a natural extension of this idea and a way of easing myself into the blogging world. It also turned out to be a wonderful way of making new friends and becoming a part of the travel community.
“I wanted to create a platform where I’d inspire other women to live passionately and just ‘go for it’. Instagram was a natural extension of this idea and a way of easing myself into the blogging world.”
And when did travel become a business?
It took me two years or so to start seeing a profit from my Instagram, but it isn’t my only income stream – I also run a digital consultancy on the side.
So how do you create – and stick to – such a strong theme?
My recommendation is to focus on consistency in terms of editing and the overall style of your account. Pick whatever resonates with you, your brand and the message you’re trying to share. If you’re not a photography whiz, don’t worry – the presets on Lightroom are a perfect way of adding that extra sparkle and creating a coherent aesthetic.
Consistency and posting regularly is also important to building your account. I know that Instagram’s algorithm gets confusing and is forever changing but it’s key when you’re starting out.
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Which posts do you find are most popular?
I often find the posts that are accompanied by a long caption with a personal story and some reflection perform best. I like speaking from the soul and sharing the more intimate side of my experiences. Being real goes a long way so don’t be afraid to show your personality — it’s what will attract your people. These also happen to be my favourite to share as it’s a great way of bringing travel stories to life and involving your followers in the journey.
“I like speaking from the soul and sharing the more intimate side of my experiences. Being real goes a long way so don’t be afraid to show your personality — it’s what will attract your people.”
What are the travel locations that have inspired you the most?
My favourite places to visit are Stockholm, Japan and Italy – Tuscany and Cinque Terre are especially incredible. One of my favourite images ever is the one taken in Gamla Stan in Stockholm.
Do you take the shots yourself?
Yes, most of my photos are taken either using a tripod or by asking unsuspecting strangers to act as human selfie sticks. I promise they don’t mind!
How do you curate your content?
When I’m planning a trip, I create a list of the places I want to visit and shoot at. I often end up with a lot of material from one trip so I’ll then plan it out using a layout app like Unum. Otherwise, I try not to restrict myself and just post on the go.
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How do you use Stories?
I keep my content on Stories much more spontaneous and much less edited than on my feed. It’s a great opportunity to be spontaneous and engage with your audience on a different level so show them a glimpse into your daily life without the filter. I occasionally use the Unfold app to organise my Stories content but on the whole, I share it as it is.
“It’s easy to forget that behind every perfectly-edited picture is just a regular person whose life isn’t filled with gorgeous trips and fancy events 24/7.”
It’s easy to forget that behind every perfectly-edited picture is just a regular person whose life isn’t filled with gorgeous trips and fancy events 24/7. In fact, you’re more likely to find me in my pyjamas, glued to my laptop, planning out content and editing. Stories are a great reminder of that.
Which are your favourite travel accounts to follow?
I love to follow a mix of travel and home decor accounts – I’m currently obsessed with Scandinavian design. My favourites include @kronfoto, @hilvees, @veerabianca and @jonnajinton.
What advice would you give up-and-coming travel bloggers?
Don’t start your blog unless you’re driven by a genuine passion. If money or free travel are your top goals, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Realistically, your social media accounts or blog won’t bring money in the first year or two, possibly more. Money follows passion, not the other way round, so make sure your reasons are from the heart. I’d also recommend having a separate income stream while you’re growing your account — you never know what’s around the corner.
“Money follows passion, not the other way round, so make sure your reasons are from the heart.”
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