Here’s a more engaging and conversational version of the article:
"Let me tell you a story about how I turned my life around and made a million dollars in just three years through blogging. It’s been a wild ride, and I still can’t believe how much my life has changed. If you’re curious about how I managed to make a fortune from blogging, bought properties in Thailand and London, traveled the world, and escaped the office life, then stick around. I’ll show you how you can start your own travel blog in less than half an hour. Don’t just blend into the crowd – life’s too short for that. Your journey can start with a simple travel blog.
I was hesitant about sharing this story, worried about the backlash and the possibility of coming off as arrogant. But then I remembered how I was broke five years ago, traveling across Asia, and how reading about people making money from blogging changed my life. I hope my story can inspire at least one person out there.
I started blogging when I was 26. After graduating from university at 22, I hit the road. I taught English in Thailand and Korea, and with the money I earned, I visited 20 or 30 countries across Asia. Teaching English was my ticket to the next leg of my dream to visit every country in the world (197 countries, to be exact). But I knew this wasn’t a long-term solution. I craved the freedom and the lifestyle, but I also needed financial security.
I was young, but the thought of not being able to afford a family or a house, or not being able to visit my friends back in Ireland, was daunting. I wanted more than just the thrill of being broke and traveling. I wanted to combine the lifestyle of a traveler with the income of a businessperson. I had a dream, and I was determined to make it a reality.
I started my blog after reading about a blogger who was making $3000 a month from his travel blog. I realized that if he could do it, so could I. I had traveled more than most travel bloggers, and I figured if all I had to do was write about it, then why not? So, I hired a guy, paid him $100, and my blog, onestep4ward.com, was born in 2010.
Fast forward to 2010, I had been traveling and teaching English for 3 or 4 years. Still broke, I moved to Sydney, Australia on a working holiday visa and got a ‘real’ job. I hated the nine to five, so I started my blog from the office. Before long, I quit and flew one way to Africa.
I hadn’t made a penny online yet, but then one day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, I got an email. A guy wanted an advert on my site. I couldn’t believe it. I had made my first bit of money on the internet. That $60 changed my mindset. It was possible to make money from blogging.
Fast forward to today, I’m writing this from my small two-bedroom apartment in Bangkok, which I bought mortgage-free last year. I spend three months a year in Thailand, and the rest of the time I’m traveling around the world. I’ve visited 142 out of 197 countries, and I’m on my way to visiting every country in the world.
In the last three years, I’ve made over a million dollars from my travel blog. My best month was almost $60,000, and my worst was just shy of $12,000. It still doesn’t seem real. But if a small-town Irish guy like me can do it, then there’s no reason why you can’t. Believe in yourself, follow your dreams, and don’t listen to anyone who tells you you can’t. I’m not stopping where I am, and neither should you. Good luck everyone, and see you on the road."
Remember, never travel without travel insurance! I use HeyMondo. It’s super cheap, they actually pay out, and they cover almost everywhere. You can sign up here. Also, if you want to start a blog, I’d love to help you! Email me at [email protected]. If you work remotely or are a digital nomad/blogger, you need to be insured too. I use SafetyWing for my digital nomad insurance. It’s just $10 a week, and it’s amazing! You can sign up here.
So, are you ready to change your life, travel the world, get paid to travel, create a positive influence on others, and be free of offices and ‘real world’ rubbish? Then let’s get started!
