Some of you might have read the post and comments by Mike Barish over on Gadling, some of you might not have read it yet and some of you might not care. It seemed to hit a nerve with a lot of people and a debate has been raging in the comments. Then there’s this post by Alisha from SoSauce which also seemed to strike a nerve with people.
To summarize, Mike mentioned that he was beginning to get annoyed with long-term travellers and his perception that many have begun to belittle the folks who live so called stable lives with a full time job and everything that comes with it. The issue that has brought on most of the debate is that he linked to this article written by Nomadic Matt and singled him out as being ‘condescending at best and offensive at worst’ based on Matt’s article. I do feel like there’s a trend among lifestyle designer types (who often seem to live abroad) to slam people with ‘typical’ nine to five lives and I really hate that too. I think, though, that many of these people are aiming their possibly condescending posts at those who are living a life they’re unhappy in or working in a career they want to break free from. They’re trying to be inspiring but sometimes come across as being smug and judgmental.
Alisha’s post is more about travel writers (bloggers) specifically, pointing out some of their good and bad points based on her own experiences. The bad: they’re rude, egotistical and judgmental. Lots of juicy points! I haven’t been to any travel blogger conferences and the few ‘big name’ travel bloggers I’ve met in person have been amazing people (especially Dave and Audrey and Dan) so I don’t really have much to add to the conversation. There are know-it-all arseholes in every crowd and I like that Alisha has pointed out that maybe the travel blogging community isn’t as lovey dovey as it appears to be on the surface.
I was especially interested in the comments that Mike’s post generated, though. Loads of people have slammed us longer term travellers, questioning how me manage it financially (trust fund?), wondering what’s so good about it anyways, implying it’s not a ‘grown up’ way to live, that we don’t have anything else of meaning to be involved in or that we’re running away from real life. People seem to be defending their own choice of travelling in a different way or choosing not to travel at all by ripping on those of us who like to do it this way which seems like a strange approach.
These posts have caused me to think about when trying to offer inspiration to people crosses the line into outright bragging or being smug? Especially this comment by a guy called Spencer:
I’ve observed what I think is a change over the last few months where traveling and writing about it has become a lot more about who ranks where, who makes the most money traveling and writing about it, who gets the most hits … who has the most retweets and followers and blah, blah, blah.
I’m pretty conscious about this lately as I continue to post my earnings and as they continue to rise. Back when I was making $1000 a month, a wage that wouldn’t allow me to hack it in very many places, I wasn’t too concerned that I would be perceived as a show-off. As my earnings rise, my intentions are still the same but I wonder if they still come through in the same way. Plus my how to earn online blog has evolved more into a travel blog that it used to be and it probably attracts readers who aren’t necessarily as into the website-oriented stuff. I wonder what they think about my posts on the first of the month basically telling everyone how much (or little) money I’m making. Bragging or inspiring? Interesting or assholey?
I certainly wouldn’t call myself a travel writer and this blog has only really transformed into having a large number of travel-related posts recently. I do, however, love the travel blogging community and am happy to be a part of it. I’m also a web developer and I know the value in having a popular blog so I keep working at improving it and attracting more readers. I’m not sure whats really wrong with that. For some of us, this is a business and, for better or worse, we need to treat it that way to pay the bills.
In the end I think that @craventravel says it best (especially the first point):
After 30+ years in the travel industry, to 67 countries, 44 states, with 2 children and 1 wife, I have discovered:
1) People are more important than place.
2) Every destination has something special about it, even your home town.
3) Routine is the enemy, so wherever you are, mix things up.
4) There is no one “best” way to travel.
5) There is a lot more to a full life than just traveling.
6) No one on his deathbed ever said, “I wish I had spent more time in the office”.
I would love to hear people’s comments on this topic! Is travel just one big pissing contest? Do you feel like long term travellers are snobby and judgmental? Am I a complete jerk? Fire away!
Kirsty,
I just want to say that the thing I like the very most about your blog (which I admittedly peruse only briefly using my rss feed reader) is the fact that you publish your earnings!
Maybe that’s common among a certain set of web writers but I, personally, have not seen it anywhere else and I find it transparent, brave, informative, helpful and–most of all–inspiring!
I don’t take it as pretentious or bragging in the least. For me it is something I can point at to remind myself, “See? Someone actually IS making this web thing work for them and not only that, they are backing up that statement with figures!” I love it!
Of course, you could just be making up numbers out of thin air and I wouldn’t know any better. But I don’t think that is what is happening and I hope you continue to post this information. It gives me hope that web income CAN be produced if someone goes about it smartly. Thank you for that.
Ungrammatical Matt again? I would have thought a site as big as the Huffington Post would be able to afford the copy editing necessary to reign in a goofball like that guy, but it only took me ten seconds of skimming to find: “…what’s important to us and what are [sic] goals are” (http://huff.to/b0ye4I).
It’s amazing that a poor writer spewing half-baked, vague theories about travel all over the Internet who seems incapable of simple storytelling or even writing about anything in particular, is so widely read and discussed. Does he really make like $40k a year as a travel blogger? Crazy.
Intent is everything – the posts in which you analyze your income are valuable to people who don’t really understand how this web income thing comes together. In fact – if those on Gadling who wondered about trust-fund travelers were to visit your site, they’d have a better understanding of what it takes to be a budget traveler.
I like your income analysis – if you’re comfortable sharing it, and you aren’t using it to judge (remember that this goes both ways) then go for it.
About being preachy – my girlfriend and I travel quite a bit, so we’re asked about travel advice on a regular basis. I’ve realized that there’s no way I could possibly give travel advice until I ask them a number of questions: How long are you going for? Have you been there before? What are you planning on doing so far? Usually people have the majority of their trip planned, and are asking for travel advice to make polite conversation.
Problems arise when bloggers target an audience that WANTS to make a lifestyle change, but the travel-related content attracts readers who don’t want to make that change.
Hi Kristy,
Thanks for the interesting post. I have recently packed up my “circus tent” as a Wall Street professional to live abroad for the next year. I am creating a blog of my own to share my experiences with my friends and family. I am not trying to teach anyone how to be nomadic or dispense travel tips. I am simply interested in creating a platform to take anyone interested with me. I am almost embarrassed mentioning my site to you since yours are so good, and I did mine on iWeb with no experience at all.
As I have researched my trip and worked on my (unfinished) website I have encountered this cottage industry of travel writers and its quite interesting and surprising to me. I follow you because I am drawn to your transparency and good writing. You are certainly generous about sharing what you know. I’ve also come across many others that interest me, like Matt’s for instance.
It would seem obvious to me that there is no equity to be built from judging the choices of others. A nomad shouldn’t knock a “9 to 5′er” and “9 to 5′ers” should cast aspersions on people who live on the road. That a debate reflecting a better way of living could even exist seems unnatural. It would be like arguing over pizza toppings. It’s a shame that anyone would invest the time to criticize the lifestyle of someone else. Why not simply observe and learn, or look elsewhere if the content isn’t pleasing? In my opinion, only an insecure reader would be offended by a bragging author. How could someone sharing their accomplishments possibly impact the reader negatively unless they are feeling some measure of personal dissatisfaction with their own life?
I think you’re doing great job sharing your experiences and its cool that you’re making money. I like making money. If you make more it doesn’t take anything from me. Don’t change and start playing small to make others feel more comfortable. They’re free to change the channel.
Best,
The Business Tourist (in progress)
Sorry – I think I got your name wrong. My apologies.
Hey Kirsty,
This online melodrama has been played out, I think, and not to anyone’s benefit, but I’ll just quickly add the following:
I don’t think you talking about your business is bragging at all. I find it inspiring, honest and transparent–things that could probably be used in more places across this great big Internet.
Thanks! Keep it up–you’re doing things just fine, in my opinion.
Wow, I can’t believe the bitter back and forths on the articles you mention. I really enjoy your blog and, as a full time travel writer, learn a lot from you about how you run your business, which is much different, yet very similar, to mine as a freelancer. Just a note to say you’re definitely not snobby, judgmental or a complete jerk!!
Hey Kirsty -
I think you posting your earnings is what makes your blog so unique. So many people ask how full-time travelers do it – well your site answers that in a completely straight forward manner. Anyone looking to “travel as a job” is now more informed in how to do so.
I also don’t think anyone can really answer the “Why We Travel” question, which is why Matt’s article came across as so condescending — it’s a personal question that incites a personal answer. We all travel for our own reasons, so his broad, sweeping Huffington Post article not only belittles those who take 2 week vacations, but also those of us who travel for reasons other than change.
Though you undoubtedly find change when you go to a new place, going from country to country can also somewhat become a routine.
Hi Kirsty,
I love your post! As a VERY new travel blogger myself, I don’t think there is anything wrong with posting your income from your site. It’s helpful for us newbies
Regarding the topic of travel writers being egotistical, I can’t say one way or the other since I have just recently begun to interact with others on Twitter and commenting on blogs.
My site is focused on people who travel often, but have somewhat normal jobs to come home to. I’m curious where I fit in since I’m not currently traveling long term. Not to say that I never will, because it is definitely a goal of mine to live abroad, but I’m not sure where I belong in the twitter and travel blogging world since it seems so many have focused their blogs on long term travel. Has anybody else felt this way?
I have to agree with the majority, here. A lot of other travelers just say “make money online, travel”- no how, no what, no timeline. When I found *this* blog I was like “wow, finally,” because you actually offered real numbers.
I went back and read from the beginning, and it gave me a much more realistic picture of how long everything could take, and that the $ don’t all have to come from one place. It–you–gave me a much more realistic grounding, and I’m sure helped a ton of other people, too. Just by writing down and sharing what you make and (generally) where it comes from. Showing everyone who comes here what happens when you work–or don’t.
Obviously, if you went on anti-homebody rants there’d be problems. Other than people expressing total lack of understanding about how anyone could want to stay in one place (which I’ve done myself a time or two), I’ve never run into that anywhere.
Am I missing some extra-evil travel writers? I really think it’s just the “tall poppy” thing at work.
Interesting debate. I’m relatively new to the travel blogging world, but so far I’ve found most bloggers to be extremely welcoming and generous people that are just genuinely excited about how they’ve managed to construct their lives and trying to inspire others to think out-of-the-box and pursue their own passions. Though, I suppose that excitement could easily come across as judgmental or condescending at times.
I sometimes use my blog to taunt people that are back home working hard in jobs I know they don’t love, but I prefer to think of it as tough love rather than condescension or ego–I do sometimes wonder how they interpret it…
In my humble opinion, you publishing your earnings each month is extremely positive for a few reasons:
1) Incredible inspiration for new/existing bloggers to keep it up and try to make it work for themselves
2) Inspiration and how-to for those that are stuck in cubicles and wish they could be out travelling to see one path that might enable them
3) Demystification of how at least some people manage to stay on the road for so long–not through trust funds, but through lots of hard work
Keep it up!
Best,
Ryan
Hi Kirsty,
First don’t change anything about the way you blog becuase of this. Yours has been one of my favorites for a long time.
The thing is you can’t win, it doesn’t matter what angle you take there is always someone to be critical, that is on them not on you. Travelers seem to be pretty philosophical and liberal people, and that makes for the lovey dovey you mentioned where everyone is right, even if you’re wrong.
It’s difficult to talk about these things without opening up a can of worms, once you start you find yourself endlessly qualifying everything you say for the people who might disagree with you, it makes it 1. Stressful and 2. Boring.
I agree with Russ, Matt is certainly no Pico Ilyer (Are any of us?), but I won’t hold that against him. Most of my theories are half baked too.
Travelers are often Idealists but I’m thinking to really appreciate it I have to be a Realist, does saying that make me pretentious? It’s pretty annoying how this stuff turns into quasi-psychoanalysis, how narcasstic are you BS.
It is what it is.
I have never met any travel blogger in person, but I have talked to quite a few online and have never felt that they had a superiority complex. I stumbled upon your blog a couple years ago, and while only now am I in the position to try and build my own sites to create a cash flow, I have seen your site as inspiration that it is possible. I thank you for posting how much you are making and how you are doing it. It shows me that it is possible and how. Your posts are insightful and interesting and that is why I continue to come back time and time again. And that is how it is with all the blogs I follow. I am getting too old now to worry about what others think of what I am doing. Let them get their panties in a bunch. I am going to do what I want to do to enjoy my life, and I have chosen to pursue this. If I fail, it is my fault and I can’t blame anyone else. I like that aspect of it. I have a lot to learn, but slowly from sites like your own, I am learning. I say to all the bloggers, keep up the good work and keep plugging along.
Just my 2cents
To answer your questions Kirsty, and thanks for the opportunity to answer, what I have found is that traveling is such personal thing and how we are impacted and the experiences we walk away with can vary from person to person, as are our reasons to do so. I have also found that most of the people/travelers I read are those who inspire me to open my eyes and mind to how I view the world. However, that is not to say that those others I don’t read aren’t of value to someone else with a different agenda or focus.
I have been moved by many stories of long term travelers, as well as the occasional vacationer, but have found worthless, useless information from others in the same “category” as well. Do long term travelers inspire? Some do, some absolutely do not. Some are just passing through with nothing gained but a stamp on their passport, and it’s not difficult to see who those are by reading their sites…but are they assholes or just bad writers?
I have found many non-longterm travelers to be kind of douchy just because they can speak of places they’ve been (a year ago) or contacts, etc., but that speaks more to the a-hole, then to the opportunities the a-hole has had in their life. To say that this trait applies only to long term travelers would be pretty unfair.
As someone who often travels with her kids and her family, and to places not quite as exotic as some, it may be that none of the people mentioned in this article would have much of an interest in my adventures as it doesn’t relate to their personal interests/lives (and I would consider most of them dear friends) but that is not to say that what I have to say and my writing isn’t of value to someone else…maybe someone in my position, or someone who hopes to be. I am not sure that is any long term traveler exists that even knows my name, but that’s ok..they should be traveling, not reading my blog. And, I would think that the really focused long term traveler is caring very little about the stuff being said about them right now too! lol!
I think that any topic is appropriate, whether it be money or travels. The key to figuring out if it’s bragging is to take a moment to reflect on whether or not that information is of any value to anyone who might read it. So what if your travels are afforded through your trust fund or through the washing of dishes in ever city you go to. Who cares?
For me, and I speak only for myself, knowing that someone has traveled all the continents, countries, states, cites in the world 3 times over? Useless. Completely useless and unimportant. What they learned, say, walked away with? Priceless. I guess the only time I would say that that person is arrogant is if aside from sharing how far and wide they’ve traveled, they really have nothing more to share. Because then at the end of the day, who really gives a shit.
Kirsty, I have never thought your blog for a minute anything but inspiring! Thanks for sharing with us.
Nice post Kirsty.
To address one of your questions above about sharing your monthly income as it increases… I think you could see people push back on that. Not everyone who reads your blog is your friend and some people will look to your blog and analyze it in order to figure out why you’re more successful than them.
I think, in part, that’s Matt’s problem. When he was a Podunk blogger two years ago, still using blogger and hand coding his HTML photos section, then if he wrote a post that was pulled out of his butt (like we all do from time to time, including professional writers) or made grammar mistakes, then no one was calling up AOL to publish a story on it.
If Matt wasn’t successful, would anyone care?
So as you grow and the information you trust your readers with now could potentially be used against you.
Maybe Matt changed. Or maybe the perception of him changed. Or maybe his success causes people to have different expectations.
I mean are we really shocked that Matt isn’t that great a writer and that he wrote something kind of glossing over the main points? If people didn’t put value into the brand “Nomadicmatt” no one would care. We think it means something because HE wrote it.
So be careful chica! I’m sure it will be fine for you, because you’re nice and people like you, but things do change, and sometimes it’s not about what you do or say but how it’s perceived.
Also, will someone people tell me who these other snobby lifestyle designers are? Is it me? Corbett? Cody? Tim Ferriss? Seriously, everyone keeps saying there is this “other” group that is writing all this horrible crap, but I have yet to see quotes or links.
I think your transparency is a good thing. Yes, as others have pointed out, there will be some haters that will be jealous of your success. They’re just that haters, probably bitter about there shortcomings. As you know, any success or money you have made hasn’t come without sacrifices and hard work.
Besides, your not writing for them anyways. They just move on to the next person to rally against.
Do you feel like long term travellers are snobby and judgmental? From my experience (travel newbie) no. They might be perceived that way by someone that doesn’t get that lifestyle choice.
Travel is a personal experience, and everyone has to do it their own way. This is not a new discussion, any more than the ‘traveler vs. tourist’ discussion is new. And the attitudes aren’t new either. Some long-term travelers look down on the short-term travelers or tourists, or on the ones that can afford air-conditioned hotel rooms instead of hostels.
It’s all part of some people’s desire to feel superior to others in some way. That manifests itself in all sorts of ways. I was reading comments on reviews of the new Sylvester Stallone movie, and there, about five posts in, was the expected comment, some guy chiming in to point out that Stallone is “really short!”, complete with exclamation point. As if no one else had noticed that in the thirty or so years he’s been in the public eye. I assume it’s from some guy who has nothing goint for him but his height, and pointing out how short other people are is the only way he can get any kicks at all. It’s the same thing with these other reactions.
Hi Kirsty,
Wow. Somebody stirred the ****. I really wouldn’t worry about this so much. I don’t really understand the argument. I think most bloggers do something simple and wonderful. They share the experience with us. Good or bad, they are simply telling us what they see through their own eyes. We as readers have the ultimate power. We read or we don’t. If you don’t connect with someone through their blog, the answer is very easy. Don’t read it. For one reason or the other I don’t connect with most blogs that I wander into. Guess what, I stop reading. I don’t spend any negative energy on the decision, I simply move on until I find one that grabs me, then I hit add to favorites.
When I look into something I tend to try to figure out the motivation of the writer. I search for credibility. Why is this person writing this? Some people choose to create controversy in an attempt to gain readership and links etc. Maybe the root of all of this is just to create the debate that has followed. I don’t know but it all is really a waste of energy. If you find a travel blogger condescending, like I said before, move on.
My experience is that most of you are very humble and sincere. I believe that most of you make some major sacrifices to live your dreams. In other words, you have the courage to actually live your dream. Your blog in particular I find very practical and inspiring. You are proof that if you plan or design your life, you can live your own dream instead of the cookie cutter dream that we are taught. I see this through your posts. They inspire me and make me dream of the experiences that I can have and your monthly earning post show me concrete proof that it can be done financially. I am currently unemployed and my wife will not let me go back to work. She wants me to build a family of websites that will give us the freedom to follow in your footsteps. Without the people and blogs like this, we would have no hope.
So you stop worrying about this and continue to do what you do. Live your life on your terms and keep inspiring the many people that you have touched. You go on with your bad self girl!!!!!!
Holy crap, that’s a lot of comments overnight! Lots of new commenters too, which is awesome to see.
Thanks to everyone for your feedback about posting my earnings. It seems like you’re giving me the same advice I would give to me if I weren’t me… if that makes sense. I also really love reading about other people’s earnings and find them inspiring myself, so I guess most people feel the same way which is great. I agree with most of what’s said here so far and here are a few additional thoughts…
@russ Matt doesn’t make money just as a blogger… he runs a huge portfolio of websites which operate behind the scenes. I think he’s an easy target for people to slam and I don’t really think that’s fair. Sure, I wish he’d take more time to fine tune his posts (especially the post he wrote about being a travel writer that was loaded with mistakes) but he’s been doing the same thing since he started, the only difference is now he’s well-known and an easy target. I don’t think it’s fair to slam him for being successful.
@carol I think that’s a great point… figuring out whether the information being offered is of value is a good indicator in knowing whether or not it’s bragging.
@christine I know! Nobody ever posts links to the actual stuff they’re complaining about. My observation isn’t based on a specific person or a post but rather on an overall feeling that I get when reading lifestyle design blogs. Again, I think those bloggers are aiming their posts that people who want to change their lives and their aim is to inspire, but i can see how it could come across as being condescending. But, as always no cold, hard links to back up my claim.
I’m all for people analyzing my blog… I do the exact same thing with other people’s site. It’s easy to figure out how this all works with a bit of digging. If someone wants to put the effort in, by all means, go ahead. If you’re serious about making money online with niche sites, you’d better be analyzing the competition. I sometimes worry if I’m too forward with the information I give but then I just say, screw it. Thanks for the advice though. Also, I don’t think Matt’s changed… it’s people’s perception of him. Now that he’s very successful at what he does, perhaps people are demanding a higher quality or wondering ‘what’s so good about this guy…?’ and then slamming him. Again, not really fair, in my opinion.
@nick I think that all kinds of people can be snobby or judgmental and that’s its more of a character thing than a trait specific to long term travellers. So yeah, some will be and maybe Alisha just met a few.
@stilloutthere I do think it’s human nature to want to feel superior, or something. I see it even amongst the supposed goody-goody volunteer crowd. The longer term volunteers question what the point is about coming for just a week and blah blah blah. It’s really eye opening.
@don You wife is awesome!! That’s amazing… now get to work!
To the point of this article: Kirsty, you need full disclosure. It gives you credibility. I don’t think anyone would hold it against you because you’ve been open about it from day one. You seem nice online and you were great when I met you in Thailand! You gave me a lot of good advice!
@Russ: I am no Pico Iyor and if this thing has taught me I need an editor. People tend to think blogging is just writing but running websites means a lot more than that and sometimes the writing doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Since as has been pointed out, I run multiple sites, it is hard for me to spend days editing articles. Most of the time, I write the articles that day. But because of all this, I am going to get an editor to read over my posts. Another set of eyes would fix these mistakes.
But as Kirsty has pointed out, I haven’t changed what I write about in the 2 years I’ve been doing this. The type of posts are always the same. While you may not like them, many people do and I will continue to write those posts.
I found your blog long ago, but have never posted.
Just want to add to the long list of commenters that I love your candor and find the financial detail very interesting. (I can’t use the word inspiring because, honestly, when I see what you do I think, “Wow! She works REALLY hard! I don’t know how she does it!)
On a similar note, I earn my money from a small business that I run with my husband (it allows me to work from anywhere.) I posted exactly how much I earn once and have gotten a few nasty posts as a result.
(I am a ‘domestic nomad’ as I travel around in an RV in the states; your blog is the only international traveler blog I obsessively follow.)
Keep posting! I like the travel posts, especially since you travel to such interesting places.
Jennifer
I think it is a great debate, but one that will never really be settled because some people will always want others to be like them. I’m a long term traveler, I guess a lifestyle designer, and a blogger. My posts are not meant to be condescending towards other lifestyle choices. But the truth is that many people loved to criticize my choices along the way to my current lifestyle. I think it’s these critics, and to some extent society as a whole, that approves of certain lifestyles and dismisses others. I’m leading my life the way I want and trying to encourage those who are feeling the pressure of society that they can break free. If it comes across as attacking mortgages, white picket fences, dogs, kids etc I think that is more to do with the perception of the people reading than my own intent. In some ways I wish I could be happy with those things too…life would be simpler.
A lot of us in the “travel blogging community” (whatever that is) are speaking to specific target audiences: those who would like to break free from lives they are not happy with, are already traveling, or those who are happy to live vicariously. If you are already happy where you are, great! We can agree to have different priorities, and different paths to happiness. The reality is that my blog is not for everyone. Just like not everyone likes the same type of cereal. Thankful there are different flavors to choose from and new ones being invented every day.
Kristy, I think you’re doing a great job and like your earning posts.
Kirsty,
I think most people would agree that we read your blog to gain insight into your way of earning a living, your way of approaching new people and places, and your willingness to share details. Thank you for that and don’t change a thing.
Travel is very personal and there is no right way to do it. There is only your way and my way. We know what your way is. My way is to build up to it and get started after I am finished working in a “cubicle farm”. When the day comes, I will have a pension, social security, savings and a part-time income as a travel writer or blogger or ??? to fund my travels. I have a family and we have all grown up together, experienced many joyous events like weddings, births and college graduations. I have chosen this path as the best solution for me. I want to have the freedom to travel and to enjoy life while staying active and looking for volunteer opportunities and pursuing hobby interests. In other words, I have decided to delay my wanderlust until the time is right “for me”.
I bought Nomadic Matt’s eBook and thought it was quite good.
I bought many of Chris Guillebeau’s products and enjoyed all of them.
I bought two copies of your Volunteering eBook and donated one copy to a guy on Twitter. I liked reading about the volunteering “ins and outs”.
I bought Working Nomad’s eBook and got a lot out of that.
We all need to do what is best for ourselves and for our family. If that means enduring a 9 to 5 routine for many years, then that is the right answer. I read and enjoy the writings of many people and I have gained valuable knowledge from all of them. It’s up to me to use that information to do what I want when the time comes. For others, the right time is now, and I’m certainly OK with that. Let’s all do what is right for us and enjoy following what others are doing. I hope to follow your travels well into the future. I enjoy your blog because you are doing what is right for “you”.
I remember when I stopped posting earnings report on workingnomad.com – it was only because friends and family use to read the blog.
I think its fine to be a little smug, or say what a wonderful life we have on he road, if it inspires people to get out and try themselves then no harm done.
@Kirsty I wasn’t slamming Matt for making money. That was just a throw-a-way comment. I was slamming Matt’s serious issues with basic composition and mechanics. I don’t think that’s unfair.
@Matt An editor might help you with typos and grammar, but can’t take a bunch of generalities and platitudes and turn them into anything worthwhile. Incidentally, I don’t agree with Barish’s piece. I’m FOR judgmental blogging, and I think the middle class wage slave life blows.
My issue is that I find a blog which never stops talking about how to define one’s budget vacations and the meaning of them without ever actually talking about anything in particular annoying. It’s like, “Hostels in Australia: Is This Real Travel?”
Also, what do you mean by “full disclosure?” Are you saying this blog has some kind of undisclosed bias against you?
I like the earnings. It helps me to know how much my blog needs to make before I can become a real travel blogger.
Kirsty
Keep posting your income reports. It’s inspirational to all travel bloggers, especially us newbies. I love your other posts as well, so I think the evolution of your blog is a good thing.
But, definitely keep the earnings report coming! Nothing better than seeing it get better every month. (for you too, I’m sure!)
@Russ Life’s is short brother. Stop hating. If you don’t like Matt’s blog, don’t read it. If you feel that passionate about it, offer your help. Most bloggers are open to suggestions and feedback, if presented from a position of goodness. Simply put, you can offer a opinion from two places. One from love, the other from hatred. Open your heart, you seem to be a passionate person with a lot to offer. Maybe you could volunteer your expertise to Matt as a proof reader. We all leave our imprint on the world. What is your going to be?
Hola Kirsty,
Thanks for the shout-out!
Definitely keep posting your earnings reports, as I’ve already told you how inspiring they were for me when I was getting started.
I’ve not gotten too involved in this whole debate, however I do think Mike was taking a cheap shot at Matt. But, I believe that comes with the territory when you reach a certain level of notoriety.
@matt – I do think it’d behoove you to get some editorial support. People can always find a way to criticize one’s writing, however taking care of the easy to catch punctuation/grammar issues, especially for guest posts on sites as large as the Huff Post, will go a long way in how you’re perceived as a writer.
As Gary Arndt often reminds me, bloggers aren’t necessarily the strongest writers (and personally, I find that to be a liberating attitude). I started blogging to share my travel experiences, and inspire others, not because I wanted to become a “travel writer” per se.
you make great points here. I feel maybe people are just jealous. I was talking to a coworker the other day and asked why don’t more people do SEO and stuff like that. Do they teach it in college yet? They Don’t and there could be more people doing it. I know a guy who travels and designs websites and that is how he affords it. He doesn’t blog on traveling or anything. So basically he is just living his life how he wants too and makes money while doing it. I don’t think posting your earnings is bad it shows that you are growing and becoming better at what you do. When your on top there are plenty of people who want to knock you off.
This was a really interesting post, and I think it’s brave of you to bring this discussion up.
I think it’s great that you post your earnings, and if someone gets judgmental about it, then shake it off – they just didn’t get it.
Maybe it will motivate you a lot on writing compelling contents when none of your friends read your post. Now, bragging might disrupt you that because your friends have been reading your blog.
Thanks Kirsty for an entertaining 30 minutes! I read Matt’s post at Huffington when he wrote it – thought it was a bit of fluff – stating the obvious – of course we travel to avoid routine and experience new things and moved on.
Galdling’s piece (a blog I’ve not read up until now) seems a total beat up on Matt- he wasn’t talking about about what people worked at – he was talking about travel – I know Matt travel AND works – maybe Gadling’s readers didn’t? And 29 is too young????? WTF that’s a new one on me! I knew at 21 I didn’t want to be trapped in a 9-5, it just took Matt a lot less time to escape than it did me !
You can’t win with whether you disclose income or not – I just disclosed my income – to have one (anonymous) commentator tell me apparently I’m not successful LMFAO! The reality is that people who think it costs US$250/night to book a beach resort in Thailand don’t understand how its cheaper to live in most of the world than US or Europe.
I am waiting for the comments from the people who think I am “playing” online when I tell them I am heading to Europe for Xmas – obviously that trust fund has kicked in (I wish!)
@jennifer Nice site! I’d love to travel around North America in an RV one of these days.
@russ My point is that if Matt weren’t a successful blogger, you probably wouldn’t feel inclined to pay attention to him or make the comments you made. I agree with Don.. if you don’t like it, don’t read. Why waste your time A: reading and B: complaining about it? I don’t get that.
@dave You’ve inspired me to try to use the word ‘behoove’ at some point this week. I don’t think I have ever used that word in my life. Time for a change! Oh, and great points.
@lissie My pleasure, thanks for checking in! Ya I also thought those comments relating to Matt essentially being ‘too young to know better’ were ridiculous.
Kirsty,
I think the posting of earnings is where internet marketing and travel blogging collide.
As you already know, it’s common practice for internet marketers to publish earnings. One, it helps build your credibility, but also, and perhaps more importantly, its a way to share with the community what’s working for you. I don’t think most internet marketers would consider posting earnings to be bragging.
Now travel bloggers and blog readers might. They may not understand the rationale for posting them.
“Why is this person telling me how much money they’re making? What does it do for me?”
I remember following you back on the Working Nomad forums when you were just getting started. I think it’s great that you’re having such success. I hope you keep posting the earnings.
Oh, and I used to remember how you hated blogging. Now look at this place!
9 to 5 life is good for some people when they are truly deep in it and they can’t see the world outside. But the travelers usually see the world from another angle. As long as someone is happy with what he is doing, the life should move on. but yes, you do need rest and outing.
Long time reader, first time (I think) commenter.
First, I LOVE that you publish your numbers. It’s disarmingly candid and it makes me trust you all the more. You’ll never get that suspicious “must be a trust fund kid” look from me because you are so clear about what you’re doing and where your money comes from. I wouldn’t use any of your adjectives — I’d use the word HONEST. I am your fan because of that.
Moving on… SOME long term travelers are snobby and judgmental, some aren’t. I was reading Pico Iyer on a camping trip last week and came across a phrase that stuck with me — The true measure of being cosmopolitan is the ability to empathize with the “other” — or some such more elegant phrasing (and yes, now I sound like a snob). The travelers with empathy for others just travel and share and engender community, those that don’t, well, you see what happens, right?
It’s interesting that so many folks felt compelled to defend their choices. Who cares?! Really, who cares? From the 20k foot view, you clearly think your way of living is better FOR YOU. That is a GOOD THING. People who wish they were living your way will be inspired and if you’re not a tool and you’re not judgmental, people who don’t want that life will think, huh, that’s interesting, and that will be the end of it.
I hope you won’t change what you’re doing as a result of that flap.
Oh, and just for the hell of it, I have a day job as a freelance tech writer — it pays my mortgage and for a bunch of other things. I do not travel full time, and don’t want to, I love having a home. In a good month, I earn 700/800 month from either ad sales or selling a travel story — the rest of my income comes from my tech writing work. Just to return the honestly.
As I’ve told you before, I’ve found your earnings statements to be very helpful and interesting. Your style is very honest and disarming, so I’d curious to meet someone that finds them snobbish.
You were one of the first people i found when I decided that I needed to move my efforts online in order to sustain my traveling aspirations in 2007. I have kept up with what you you are doing and view your earnings reports and links to your sites valuable and a very honest resource for people just starting out in this kind of enterprise or hobby.
As for showing off. With any new business, it needs to gather momentum and there needs to be social proof that it works if only for the owner in the form of profit. Big names and little names alike, give so much information away that the earnings reports now only play a very small role in the entire operation.
What is the difference between a blogger posting financials and a fortune 500 posting financials. It’s compulsory for public enterprises to do it. More importantly people wouldn’t invest in them if they didn’t, there would be no transparency or trust. Isn’t subscribing to an rss feed an investment of sorts. You invest your time (at least) to read the posts, in the hope of receiving something in return, sometimes entertaining, sometimes informative.
As for spelling and grammar. Blogging, texting, IM and email have done so much to improve worldwide literacy in the last 10 years (sorry “TEN” years) to pull up someone on an error in a post you are getting for free is just backwards. Have you ever considered that blogging and writing online is a great outlet for people who would have otherwise not had the opportunity to write and more importantly be read. To put it another way you wouldn’t go onto youtube and comment on the mistakes in transitions or lighting of people’s videos. Would you?
Carry on.
PS. I like behoove. I too will endeavor to use this. Ah i’ve just improved my vocabulary by one just by reading this post. Value for money I’d say.
Kirsty There is nothing superior in saying “I love what I do and work hard to stay here!” In the corporate world this kind of attitude is commended and rewarded!
I have also noticed the superiority thing in some volunteers towards other volunteers. Very strange. To put into context:
“I’m better at giving* than you, here’s how I do it, here’s how you can be better too!”
Some people just get stuck on step one I guess.
*Substitute for relevant verb or phrase.
I don’t find your monthly budget posts at all bragging – they’re definitely inspiring!! There are so many long-term travellers out there that simply say ‘Anyone can do what I do!’ but some of us need concrete facts to believe that it’s really possible to support yourself on the road so well
@steve Ya, I know! It wasn’t blogging so much that I hated but the format the sites took/take. But I’ve gotten used to it, obviously.
@pam Thanks for your comment! Nice you see you like my blog, I’ve read your stuff for awhile now, too… just a lazy commenter.
@james Great point about the YouTube content.
Kirsty,
Don’t change what you do. It seems to be working.
I think one problem with Nomadic Matt’s article (and often the problem with other lifestyle writers) is they get into group-speak and generalizations. They say “We” do this, or feel this, instead of “I” do this, or feel this. They come from a “Those people” mentality. Another problem is the tone of “evangelist” and all the arrogance of the assumptions necessary to be able to tell people their whole life is wrong.
It may be done with the best of intentions – broad strokes sound more authoritative and may be more compelling – but can also get the speaker/writer into hot water with those who are not so easily fooled or easily hectored into admiration.
One built-in fail-safe that you have, Kirsty, is that you tend to write about yourself and keep it specific and personal (while staying fair and respectful) when writing about others. Your posts are not “Teachings” or “Lessons”. You are not an evangelist. You write about what you are feeling; what you’re doing; what you’re thinking. These are key differences.
Keep on, keeping on!
This is right that Matt doesn’t make money just as a blogger. He runs a huge portfolio of websites which operate behind the scenes.
Theres nothing wrong with sharing your monthly reports and your travels with us. Its not bragging its showing all the hard work you put in this blog is paying off. Keep up the good work and keep doing what you are doing.
I think you are very clear with your points and thoughts so like these quality about your blog. as you seen here lot of response for your blogging by readers like me. So we all need you keep posting regarding your traveling experience.
Traveling bloggers or blogger travelers , are one of my blogging hero or idol. I mean, just by reading their blogs, I am learning and at the same time enjoying the place where they have been into. Also, reading their reviews and seeing the pictures they have there are good addition.