What would you say if I told you that you could get paid to travel the world right now?
Is your immediate thought, “That sounds too good to be true?” Look, I don’t blame you. For a long time, I thought the same. Until I started hearing stories from people like Natasha Ibrahim, founder of Girl Boss Abroad, a community for digital nomads. Thanks to these creators, my perspective shifted – a lot.
Our head of female partnerships, Keta Bagashvili, recently interviewed Natasha for the Keta Talks podcast to find out why and how Natasha can get paid to pursue her dream: world travel.
Key takeaways:
- Experiences shape your perspective and brand. Your unique background makes your story relatable and inspiring in the travel space.
- There are various ways to make money while traveling, from blogging and content creation to remote work and digital nomadism. Experiment with different avenues to find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t fitting.
- Joining a course or community provides valuable support and resources as you navigate your travel, content, and financial goals.
Were you born with the travel bug?
Can you recall your first holiday? For me, I was pretty young.
Growing up in Ireland, we would visit Spain most summers to see my mother’s side of the family. When I was six, we emigrated from Ireland to Australia. On the way, we stopped in Singapore and briefly lived there. So, from a young age, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience different parts of the world. This made me develop a sense of wanderlust pretty early on in life. Natasha’s story, it turns out, is very similar.
As Keta asks when Natasha first started traveling, her answer isn’t surprising for somebody who, in their 20s, has already achieved what so many of us dream of:
“Since I was born. I was born in Atlanta, but we moved to India when I was two months old. My family moved to India, and we lived there for a year. Then, we moved to Australia, and I grew up there for almost 10 years. Then, I moved to Vancouver, Canada, and then back to the US when I was around 15. So, I didn't live in the US until I was 15 years old. I started solo traveling when I was around 17 or 18 years old. Just yeah, I've always been traveling.”
Natasha’s parents passed down a keen sense of travel to their daughter, but when it came to seeing the world solo? That resulted from her hard work, determination, and drive.
“I wanted to volunteer in Uganda because my mom's actually from Uganda. She was born and raised there. I worked for a charity called Free the Children in Canada. And I was the president of our club. So, I was all set to go, and then all of a sudden, I abruptly moved to Austin, Texas, and I couldn't go on that trip.”
Despite her setback, Natasha was even more determined to find another trip to volunteer for. That’s the thing about getting what you want – it takes grit.
“I found another program called Amigos Last Americas, and I went to Paraguay and lived on a farm for two months, volunteering. It was my first time living with a family where I felt true love and just real rawness. The culture of Latin America is just so open, and they're so vocal about how they feel. And I just fell in love.
From there, I was like, I want to do more of this. I want to see more of Latin America.”
After her trip to Paraguay, Natasha studied international relations and got a degree in Latin American studies. She then lived in Spain for a couple of years and taught English, but she knew that wasn’t all she could achieve. She was still yearning to explore and knew that if she wanted to see the world on her terms, she would have to figure out a way to make money for herself while traveling.
Making money while traveling as a content creator
Do you see a lot of travel content pop up in your algorithm? Me too. Every day, I see creators with huge followings simply getting paid for traveling, sharing content, and collaborating with brands and companies in the sector. What’s the difference between us and them? They know how to monetize travel.
Get this: according to statistics, social media users have a 48% likelihood of making travel plans from user-generated content, or UGC. We crave social proof for everything: restaurant recommendations, expensive gadgets, and beauty services. So why wouldn’t we want assurance from others of the places we want to travel, too? Airlines, hotels, tourism services, and city planners all know this. And that’s why they’ll compensate travelers who can create authentic, persuasive content that inspires others to travel to the same places and have the same experiences.
Here’s the thing: nobody is traveling the world for free – nothing in this world is free. But many are traveling the world for work, which is pretty awesome when you think about it. Natasha realized she had a skill for capturing travel content and connecting with others. She could monetize this skill and use it to create a livable income.
“I just had this desire to create, and I didn't know how to monetize it properly. I wanted to connect with people and share my journey to see if it could help other people. But then from there, I kind of found ways to monetize.”
So, wait. Is UGC the only way to make money while you travel? No! It’s a popular avenue for creators because it’s accessible, but it's far from the only way.
“As my following grew, I was like, okay, now brand deals, and this, and then digital products. I tried to do Amazon FBA and create a physical product, which was a failure, but honestly, I'm glad I tried to do it. I learned so much from doing that about what I'm good at and what I'm not good at, where I should go and where I shouldn't. And that's why I think if you have a business idea, do it.”
As you just read, Natasha threw everything she had at the proverbial wall and found what stuck.
For all of us, the right combination of income streams will be different. However, Natasha’s story is a comforting reminder that sometimes, to succeed, we have to fail first. Then, we can learn and come back even stronger with the added benefit of experience.
I want to break down some popular ways creators make money while traveling. As you can see, it’s pretty varied!
Bloggers
Many writers can monetize their travels through a blog.
One popular method is through ad space, where bloggers earn revenue from any ads displayed on their site. Another is by promoting travel products through affiliate links, earning a commission on sales made through those links.
Sponsored content can be an option for bloggers, another avenue, as well as writing feature articles for online travel magazines or platforms. Collaborating with other bloggers or brands is also possible, and it can further expand your reach and income potential. And of course, travel writers often create ebooks or online courses to share their travel tips, whether it’s about budget traveling or photography. Some even build membership platforms on Whop (just like Natasha!) where their followers can access exclusive content, creating a steady income stream.
Influencers
Influencers have their own unique ways to monetize their travel experiences.
Brand sponsorships and collaborations are a major income source, with brands paying for posts that showcase their products. As we’ve discussed, UGC also proves valuable for brands, and influencers can create authentic content for marketing. Speaking of marketing, affiliate marketing plays a role here too, allowing influencers to earn commissions by sharing products through special links in their posts or stories. Plus, many influencers partner with tourism boards or travel companies, promoting destinations and enjoying complimentary trips or experiences in exchange for their social media coverage.
Photographers
Photographers, especially with social media, can use their talent to travel in many ways.
Selling stock photography is one route; you can earn royalties each time your photos are licensed on stock websites. Photographers can also sell prints or create merchandise like calendars and postcards, showcasing their work while generating income. Many offer workshops or tutorials, teaching others about photography virtually. Brand partnerships can be possible, as photographers could collaborate with travel companies to create marketing content. For travel photographers, leaning into a social media landscape can help position you as an authority. Plus, it opens more doors for monetization, too, as you can tap into UGC and affiliate marketing.
Digital nomads
For digital nomads, remote work is the cornerstone of their income.
Many digital nomads work for companies or freelance in fields like writing, graphic design, or digital marketing, allowing them to earn a steady income while exploring new places (and saving big bucks on rent, mortgage, and utilities, in many cases).
Some share their travels by creating online courses or offering consulting services, helping others transition to a remote lifestyle. Travel blogs and vlogs can also be monetized, attracting sponsorships, ad revenue, and affiliate marketing opportunities. Additionally, digital nomads can foster connection by creating communities on platforms like Whop, where members pay for access to nomadic resources and networking opportunities.
- Ways to generate income as a digital nomad
- Digital nomad business ideas so you can earn while you travel
As you can see, there are options. Not everyone has to be an influencer – for some, it’s as simple as finding work you can do 100% remotely.
As Natasha spills to Keta, whichever path speaks to you, you’ll want to follow roughly the same process to get from where you are now to where she (and many others) are today.
How to become a travel creator in 5 steps
1. Figure out a method of monetization
“Just start putting pen to paper, make the moves. If you fail, it's never a failure; it's always just an experience. And it's going to move you closer to the next business idea that is successful, that's what that did for me.
I learned to say, "Okay, these are all the different ways I can make money as a content creator and digital nomad.” I realized I could have a remote job, work for myself, freelance, or do this or that, and it just started unlocking different ideas in my head about the directions that I could go in.”
That’s step one. Figure out what you could do that could allow you to travel while getting paid – and don’t get bogged down in comparison syndrome. Keep it simple. What are you good at? What did you study? What skills can you offer? Do you want the security of working for somebody else remotely, or do you want to work for yourself? Could you offer courses or coaching? On what? Start jotting down every little thing you think of.
2. Figure out your niche
Let’s talk about niching for a second. It’s a buzzword, sure, but when it comes to making money online? It’s kinda crucial to have. Think about it for a second: there are millions of digital nomads globally (like, an estimated 80 million); so you need a reason to stick out. You need to give people a reason to want to work with you, an edge, a point of difference.
However, there’s another side to the coin. People get really stressed over finding a niche. I’ve worked in marketing and branding for a few years, and I’ll tell you a secret that never fails when it comes to personal branding: you are your niche. It’s as simple as that. Nobody can replicate you, your experiences, your personality, and your perspective. You won’t be for everybody – and that’s the point. However, you will resonate heavily with the target demographic you seek to help.
Natasha realized this about her own personal brand, too:
“I think now people are starting to realize. There's this really big push, especially in content creation, you need to niche down. But now people realize that all these creators picked a “niche” and aren’t passionate about it anymore. And they're like, “Oh, I need to build my personal brand.”
But I kind of saw this from the beginning. I saw a gap in the market where I fit in with a unique perspective because of my unique upbringing.”
3. Develop your personal travel brand
So, you’ve figured out your personal brand. Now, it’s time to build it. A brand isn’t tangible until people know about it: enter brand awareness. Building your personal travel brand often comes with trial and error, but trusting your intuition and the process is key.
“It definitely took a lot of trial and error, and there were times when I had to trust myself and the journey.”
Natasha tells Keta she has recently learned and begun to embrace the idea of skillful disruption. This means regularly taking inventory of your life and asking whether your current habits, lifestyle, and work align with your goals. If something doesn’t serve you anymore, it’s okay to shift and change, even if you’re not fully ready. This adaptability is vital for evolving your brand and keeping your content/work/offerings fresh.
To develop your personal brand, focus on your unique perspective and experiences. What makes your travel story different? Is it your background, your journeys in a specific region, or your approach to sustainable travel? Highlight these aspects in your content, and don’t hesitate to share your journey, including the ups and downs. Authenticity resonates with audiences, so be open about your process, the lessons learned, and how you’ve navigated challenges along the way. Remember, you are your niche, so your voice and experiences are what sets you apart in a crowded space.
“Keep asking yourself, are these habits serving me? Is this lifestyle serving me? Is what I'm doing and where I'm working serving me? And if it isn't or you feel like it's not in alignment, you disrupt it, disruptive innovation, and you move on to the next thing. And that's kind of how you innovate and grow who you are, your personal brand and just your lifestyle.”
4. Travel!
It’s crunch time. Gee, even I feel a tinge of excitement writing this. You can’t be a travel creator without, well, traveling. So, it’s time to book your first trip.
Chances are, if you’ve landed on this article, you’re not a fearful flyer or scared to leave your hometown. I’d bet you have a list of dream destinations in mind, you just might not know how to get from A to B, just yet. And that’s where many people find themselves – simply unaware of the opportunities available to thirsty travelers.
A few years ago, a good friend of mine left the country to work overseas in a yoga resort. Truthfully, she’d spoken about it for a while, but none of us really knew how set she was on it. It was a shock when she left! I asked her how she’d managed to pull it off, and she told me she had used a site called Worldpackers to find a retreat offering free accommodation in exchange for an instructor. Now, she creates travel content hopping around the islands of Indonesia. Moral of the story? If you want something bad enough, you can get it.
When it comes to finding cheap travel, you need to be in the know. The best way to get in the know is to find other creators who share exclusive information on budget traveling, work opportunities, and deals on flights and accommodation. You can find these creators by searching key terms on TikTok or Instagram.
If you want to work remotely, check out remote job platforms that specialize in connecting freelancers with companies offering flexible positions. Like my friend, you can also consider teaching English abroad, working on farms, or participating in work exchange programs.
Use flight comparison websites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the best deals, and consider signing up for fare alerts. Accommodation can be secured through platforms like Airbnb, Hostelworld, or Couchsurfing. You can find budget-friendly stays and more luxurious or unique experiences. Don’t forget to be open to house-sitting opportunities (so long as you feel safe), which are another easy way to get free lodging while allowing you to explore new places.
5. Always keep learning
With any online work, staying on top of trends and new opportunities is going to be key to consistent income. People are always saying things ‘change quickly’ in every industry, but this is especially true in the travel space. Investing in your knowledge can really pay off, whether you’re furthering your skill in a specialized field to continue working remotely or learning how to create content for brands.
Keep an eye out for new courses, webinars, or resources that can enhance your skills. Whether it's learning about content creation, marketing strategies, or even budget travel hacks, continual growth will help you stay ahead. Remember, the more you learn, the more you can adapt and innovate in your journey as a travel creator.
Take, for example, Natasha’s community Girl Boss Abroad, a guide for women who want to live a life filled with freedom and adventure as digital nomads.
Natasha’s community helps you transition to remote work, gain financial independence, and adopt wellness habits that fit your travel lifestyle. You’ll learn how to shift into remote work, discover job opportunities, and budget and invest like a traveler. The course also shares tips on finding affordable and comfortable places to stay around the world, along with practices that support your mental and physical health while you’re on the go. Plus, you’ll connect with a supportive network of fellow digital nomads, allowing you to share experiences and build meaningful relationships.
Going outward to go inward: how travel and personal development helped Natasha create multiple income streams
There’s something that isn’t talked about enough when it comes to travel: self-development.
Sure, jetsetting the globe and making money while doing it is awesome. But the truth is, the life of a traveler or digital nomad is rich in so many non-monetary ways.
This is something Natasha has learned to really appreciate about her lifestyle and personal journey:
“I used to say this sentence: go outward to go inward. So you're going out as you're traveling. The more you see, the more you learn about yourself. And it's just this positive feedback loop that's so beautiful. And through all of these experiences, you are learning. It's the best, and traveling is the best education ever. Through all of that, you're really learning. How can I build income streams? How can I make this work? How can I serve myself and my soul while I'm making a living? And that's where all of my expertise and course came out of.”
It was during these moments of serendipity that Natasha realized something else. As a woman, she was drawn towards a lifestyle that allowed her to be slow and intentional and connect with her feminine energy. Beneath it all was a desire to escape the masculine trappings of 9-5 work and the reknowned rat race.
“You can be in your feminine, and you can be just a girl, but you can still be powerful. I'm just a girl. We're just girls. I'm just a girl. What do you expect me to do? I know it's like I just wanted to be a girl and travel and live this kind of life but monetize it, and that's what I did.
We live in a hostile culture, and there's a lot of masculine energy, especially around work. People see a soft life or femininity as lazy. But at the end of the day, it is such a powerful force to really tap into your intuition, mobilize things and people, and create this ecosystem for yourself and for others where they can then harness their power.”
We’re feeling pretty inspired by Natasha by now, and we bet you are, too. Turns out, we aren’t the only ones. Natasha now inspires a revelry of women to create content, travel, and change their lives in the process.
How Natasha is inspiring the next generation of travel creators
While digital nomadism is a relatively new concept, you may be surprised to know that those in their 20s only make up about 14% of the demographic, while most are in their 30s.
The thing is, most of these digital nomads can do what they do because they spent their 20s developing the necessary skills to live a digitally nomadic lifestyle – they slaved for years in their careers to be able to work remotely, or they spent the better part of their 20s figuring out the skills needed to make money online. But what if I told you that isn’t necessary for you? Because the truth is, it isn’t.
Our generation is the first to leverage the internet, which we know like the back of our hand, to fast-track our learning (and our lives). With people like Natasha showing Gen-Z how they, too, can trade their time for travel, I’m certain digital nomad statistics are starting to swing.
“It's so crazy to think that hundreds and thousands of women are consuming my content, messaging me and emailing me, and telling me, Natasha, I just moved to Spain because of you. I just moved to Argentina because of you. I just moved to Bali of you. All these women literally watched my content and watched me do it, which was permission for them to do it in their own minds.”
Natasha’s course is largely about how to travel solo and become a digital nomad, but she also teaches her mentees the ins and outs of travel finances, how to invest, and how to grow their wealth. Often, travelers and digital nomads save big money on living expenses, and Natasha shows her community how to invest those savings to build wealth now and in the future.
“I think leveraging this kind of lifestyle will help you save money because you're traveling or living in places that are typically less expensive than the US, but with that, you can invest back into stocks. I teach you how to do all that.”
According to Natasha, the most important part of her course is the beginning. That’s because this is where she teaches her mentees all about introspection, mindset, and learning about you, who you are, and your superpowers.
“Because when you truly know how you work best, how your mind works, and how your body works, you are unstoppable. You'll be able to choose an aligned career, whether that's getting a remote job or becoming an entrepreneur and creating these online income streams, putting your face out there and being forward-facing, or being more on the backend. Not everyone is meant to work a corporate job or be an entrepreneur.”
These are wise words. Clarifying your purpose, dreams, and skills will help you achieve your goal of traveling while making money much faster.
“There's no one size fits all, but you need to understand what's best for you, and I kind of guide you through that process with all of these personality tests and journal prompts. That way, you can really choose the career that best suits you. At the end of the day, I want my community and Girl Boss Abroad women, in general, to really know that you can be in your feminine and you can be just a girl, but you can still be powerful.”
It seems that’s Natasha’s biggest goal. It’s abundantly clear, in fact, that she’s on a mission to empower women just like her, who didn’t have the same exposure and experiences traveling as a child. Who maybe just lack a little bit of confidence and know-how. Most importantly, she emphasizes that burnout and hustle culture are avoidable and outdated – especially for women.
“That's what my mission is: to empower women to lean into that and not to work from a place of scarcity or feel like they have to give into a hostile work culture.
I'm not saying never to hustle. My brand's called Girl Boss Abroad, but I don't want that to be taken as ‘work super hard so you can travel’. It's like, no, let's girl boss in a comfortable way, where you don't have to trade something for luxury. It's the power of harnessing your intuition and using your own superpowers to then make a big impact through your work.”
Learn how to make money while you travel with Whop
Feeling energized by Natasha’s story to travel the world while making money? It’s easier to do than you might think. There are communities on Whop teaching you how.
Jump into a Whop community where you can learn the ropes of digital nomadism – or take a page from Natasha’s book and create your own Whop to start teaching others and fund your travels.
