I know why you started a blog.
You wanted to share your thoughts, opinions, expertise, but equally so you wanted to start earning a bit of revenue so you could either make extra money or flat-out leave your current position.
Somewhere along that way you probably thought about what it would be like to be one of those bloggers who is constantly on the go. Not exactly a travel blogger, per se, but one that can pick up a backpack and head on out while keeping everything running.
Of course, a big problem is operating it all while in transit. You’re restricted by the size of your pack which means you have to work smart and high tech to get the job done.
I’ve played around with quite a few gadgets and systems to keep the whole blogging thing minimal so now I’d like to give you a few suggestions (and hopefully good ideas) if you’re dreaming of being a ‘backpack blogger’.
Keeping things lightweight
I’ve been to quite a few places in these last few years including Japan, Thailand, Canada, and Germany.
Each time I go I know that I’ll be moving around quite a bit, which means things need to be light weight otherwise it’s just going to be a pain.
The key to [tp lang=”en” only=”y”]traveling very light[/tp][tp not_in=”en”]traveling very light[/tp] comes down to your understanding of what’s needed and what’s wanted.
For example, if you’re trying the mobile blogging thing …
Need
· Laptop or other web-ready device such as a phone
· A light backpack
· A good pair of shoes
Want
· That extra set of shirts you could realistically buy at the new location (often cheaper)
· A roll of duct tape (because you heard it’s good to have though, again, just get it there)
· A travel thermos (because reusing a water bottle does the trick)
Take-away: The less you take the happier you will be – since you won’t have to lug everything around. Bring just the essentials to do your work. Shop the thrift stores and second hand markets when you’re there for the stuff you left behind since it’s likely to get discarded on the trip back.
Keeping things safe while abroad
Research is your best friend when it comes to staying safe (physically and with your wares) while abroad. I would always recommend you take a look at the crime statistics for the country (or general location) you plan to visit – there are [tp lang=”en” only=”y”]reports often published[/tp][tp not_in=”en”]reports often published[/tp] on the matter – that will give you an idea for what you could be getting yourself into.
Besides the physical threat (or potential for theft) you should also keep in mind the online threat since it’s likely you’ll connect to an access point that might not be secure. You’ll want to keep up-to-date with your computer and gadgets, including blocking scripts in your browser as well as new security services for Android (since Android is more prone to these types of attacks).
Take-away: Be mindful of your area. Never lose sight of your belongings. [tp lang=”en” only=”y”]Increase protection with security programs and services.[/tp][tp not_in=”en”]Increase protection with security programs and services.[/tp] This way you’ll avoid a major disruption in your blogging (and business).
Keeping things active when you’re busy
Landing in a new location is immensely exciting to the point that you probably won’t bother doing work for the first few days. However, the show must go on and spending even a few days away from your blog and business means you’re losing out on revenue.
It’s during these times that you should consider automation and passive income for the business.
This breaks down into a variety of opportunities:
· You can automate and schedule social media updates
· You can automate email newsletters by populating them month’s ahead of time
· You can automate the sale of online products through digital distribution services
· You could automate new content publications via editorial calendars
The other options include:
· Outsourcing part of the work to virtual employees
· Creating information products in place of paid services
· Opening your site to advertising or recurring income via memberships
What’s needed for your blog depends on your direction, but often it comes down to scheduling content, automating the social updates, and processing payments online. With just those you can get away with a few days off the job.
Take-away: Automate whatever you can with your blog/business. Outsource work and develop passive income streams. Also, don’t worry (too much) if you’re spending time away because your travels are a once in a lifetime experience.