Curious how to become a travel influencer—and get paid for your content? Today's guest, Kevin Droniak — aka @KevinDroniak on social media — has been an influencer for 10 years, going viral for doing day trips from NYC to faraway places like Egypt, Japan, and Kenya.

This unique idea, paired with his fun personality and engaging editing style, has helped him grow a massive following. His videos regularly get hundreds to thousands of shares, with his top videos reaching millions of viewers.

In this episode, Kevin will share:
-His secrets for coming up with unique video concepts
-Tips for scripting viral hooks that stop the scroll
-How to optimize your Reels and TikToks for shares and saves
-Strategies for negotiating high-paying brand deals without a manager
-And more!

Plus, you'll get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how a viral travel creator actually runs their business!

🎁 FREE BONUS:

Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library:

https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/

It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Travel Influencer Strategy Cheat Sheet!

📸 VIP Opportunities for Travel Bloggers Newsletter (+ 1 Free Issue!)

This newsletter is simple but powerful: you get 5 high-value leads that can help grow your blog's traffic, email list, and income straight to your inbox every Monday at 8am ET. Sign up to get one issue of your choice for free! ⬇️

https://vipblogger.substack.com/

🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED:

Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/

✨ CONNECT WITH KEVIN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevindroniak/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kevindroniak

🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE:

YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging

Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney

Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta

YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured

🙏 CREDITS

🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

If you're a newer blogger looking to monetize or a seasoned creator wanting to add an additional revenue stream, here's an idea: freelancing.

With freelance work, you don't need to be a popular influencer or have a certain number of pageviews to make money. Instead, you create content for other brands and publications and get paid for your skills vs your following.

To help you get started, travel blogger and content strategist Brittany Verlenich will be sharing how to:

-Pinpoint what services to offer
-Set rates and create packages
-Retain long-term freelancing clients
-Turn freelance work into a reliable revenue stream
-And more!

🎁 FREE OPEN HOUSE INSIDE TRAVEL BLOG PROSPERITY:

In April 2026, I'm hosting a free 5-day event for travel bloggers looking to grow their traffic, email list, and income. Each day, you'll get access to live workshop or coaching call—replays included—as well as our private Facebook group to ask questions in a safe and nurturing environment.

If you've been feeling a bit stuck lately, or if you're searching for some blogging clarity and community support, you won't want to miss it: ⬇️

http://jessieonajourney.com/open-house/

🎁 FREE BONUS:

Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library:

https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/

It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including a Make Money Freelancing Cheat Sheet!

🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED:

Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/

✨ CONNECT WITH BRITTANY:

Website: https://brittanyverlenich.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brittanyverlenich

Freelancer Fix Newsletter: https://freelancerfix.substack.com/

🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE:

YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging

Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney

Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta

YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured

🙏 CREDITS

🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos

When it comes to growing a travel blog, certain SEO best practices—like having a fast website and making your expertise clear—are important. That said, it is possible to grow and scale without obsessing over keywords or chasing trends.

Out guest, Melisssa Byron of A Solo Woman Traveling, is proof of this. After being impacted by the Helpful Content Update (HCU), she shifted from keyword-optimized content to reader-first storytelling and aligned offers—which helped her sustainably grow her blogging business, despite Google algorithm updates.

In this episode, she'll help you do the same by sharing:

-what authenticity actually means when it comes to content creation
-tips for getting eyes on your content (Google and beyond)
-how to properly align your content with your audience for increased profits
-her strategy for creating a reader-first content plan—that also leads to profits
-and more!

🎁 FREE OPEN HOUSE INSIDE TRAVEL BLOG PROSPERITY:

In April 2026, I'm hosting a free 5-day event for travel bloggers looking to grow their traffic, email list, and income. Each day, you'll get access to live workshop or coaching call—replays included—as well as our private Facebook group to ask questions in a safe and nurturing environment.

If you've been feeling a bit stuck lately, or if you're searching for some blogging clarity and community support, you won't want to miss it: ⬇️

http://jessieonajourney.com/open-house/

🎁 FREE BONUS:

Grab access to my free travel blogger resource library:

https://jessieonajourney.com/free-blogging-printables/

It includes 75+ blogging resources all meant to help you grow your traffic, community, and income faster and with less overwhelm. Snag workshops, tutorials, workbooks, cheat sheets, Trello boards, workflows, and more—including an Authentic Blogging Cheat Sheet!

🛠️ TOOLS MENTIONED:

Visit this link for a list of my favorite blogging tools, resources, and discounts - including tools mentioned in the episode: https://jessieonajourney.com/tools/

✨ CONNECT WITH MELISSA:

Website: https://asinglewomantraveling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asolowomantraveling/

🎉 CONNECT WITH JESSIE:

YouTube (blogging): https://www.youtube.com/@makemoneytravelblogging

Travel Creator Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bloggrowthposse

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessieonajourney

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessieonajourney/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieonajourney/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessonaJourney

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieonajourney

Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@JessieFesta

YouTube (travel): https://www.youtube.com/@jessieonajourney/featured

🙏 CREDITS

🎶 Music by Bjorn Lynne via Depositphotos