A study showed that in today’s age, 75% of kids between the age of 6 and 17 want to become YouTubers. And given the rise in popularity of the platform over the ages, this isn’t surprising at all. Being a YouTuber means creating content that speaks to you and building an audience.
After the covid surge of the past two years, tourism is a hot commodity right now. Incidentally, travel youtube is thriving as well. If you ever dreamt of becoming a travel YouTuber, there’s no better time to start than right now, and as always, Aertrip is here to lend a helping hand. So here’s what you need to know to become a successful travel YouTuber.
Table of Contents
1. Choose your niche
Millions of people travel the world and share their stories, but only a few become famous. This is because the best travel vloggers don’t just make random videos of their travels but have a certain uniqueness about themselves and their channel, attracting new followers and making the old ones stay.
You must define your niche to start your travel vlog on the right track. Start by looking at your travel style and interests. Do you often travel on short notice? If so, speak about impulsive travel. Do you have a fondness for food? Become a travel food vlogger. Do you want to promote environmentally friendly ways to travel? There’s no better place to give voice to your opinions than Youtube. At the same time, not all your content needs to align with your niche; it’s recommended that you start with it to build your presence.
2. Set up your channel
Once you’ve selected your niche, you’ll need to set up your channel. People often use their names on their channels, but you could also develop a better and catchy name for your travel vlog. Try making it unique as your competition may already own some of the more common ones, but irrespective of your choice, make sure it speaks to your brand.
It’s best to choose your aesthetic at this point as well. Why do you need an aesthetic for youtube, you may ask? Well, while youtube isn’t as picture-forward of a platform as Instagram or Pinterest, having a certain look and feel for your channel will help you stand out among your competition. Have a consistent Thumbnail across videos and match them up with your banner and profile picture. It is also recommended to have consistent filming angles or frames, more of which will be explained in the next point.
3. Use the right equipment
Having great video quality is a must for YouTubers today, but as a travel vlogger, it’s impractical to carry around a heavy bag full of video equipment. Usually, most travel vloggers opt for gear that’s small and lightweight. However, this is a huge investment, so most first-time YouTubers start with their iPhone cameras. Make sure whichever device you use has image stabilization, or try investing in a tripod. You can widen your arsenal as your channel grows.
Here’s a list of recommended startup equipment
1. Lightweight camera or phone
2. Flexible tripod
3. External microphone or studio mic (depending on whether you prefer voiceovers or live commentary)
4. GoPro
5. A PC equipped with editing tools
4. Practice filming and editing
Editing is what can make or break your video. There’s a reason it is often considered the most taxing process. A general tip is to watch your video again from start to finish. If you have difficulty watching it yourself or cringe at it, don’t post it. The reason is that if you don’t find yourself engaging enough, neither will your audience. Try different editing software to see what suits you. Don’t forget to use the right music at the right moments as well, of course, making sure that none of it is copyrighted. Yes, this will be difficult at first, which is why many YouTubers find external editors to edit their videos for them. If you can afford it, that’s a viable option.
As for filming, practice at local locations. The beauty of a place is defined by how you choose to look at it. Don’t be disheartened I you aren’t great at the start. It is all a learning process. Look up some YouTube videos on filming. Practice different angles. You will be surprised by how much progress you can make in a short time.
5. Utilize social media well
Social media can build or break your brand. Having a good social media presence is vital in today’s age. Make sure you are on all the major platforms, i.e. Instagram, Tiktok and Twitter. You can also start a travel blog; we already have a guide for it in place as well! Check out How to Become a Travel Blogger if you are interested.
You can promote new content, give teasers, share pictures, Behind the Scenes content, shorts, tips, and facts, organize quizzes and polls and all in all, build a better connection with your followers.
Creating a travel blog is hard work. And unlike what the media might show you, instant success isn’t a thing. So don’t be disheartened if you don’t see immediate results, stick to your guns and keep grinding. YouTube is hard, but the results of your labour will surely be worth it.
