Top 20 Blogging Books Every Travel Blogger Should Read

Blogging has become an essential tool for aspiring travel enthusiasts to share their experiences, inspire others, and build a community of like-minded individuals. However, navigating the world of blogging can be challenging, especially for those new to the field. Fortunately, there are numerous valuable resources available in the form of books that can guide travel bloggers on their journey to success. We have compiled a list of the top 20 blogging books that every travel blogger should read. These books cover a wide range of topics, including blog creation, content development, marketing strategies, monetization, and much more. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced travel blogger looking to enhance your skills, these books are sure to provide valuable insights and inspiration.

1. "How to Start a Travel Blog and Make Money" by Kirsty Stuart: Kirsty Stuart's book is a comprehensive guide that takes aspiring travel bloggers through the process of starting a blog from scratch and turning it into a profitable venture. It covers various aspects such as choosing a niche, creating compelling content, growing an audience, and monetizing a blog effectively. With practical tips and strategies, this book is an excellent resource for those looking to build a successful travel blog.
2. "The Travel Writer's Handbook" by Jacqueline Harmon Butler and Louise Purwin Zobel: "The Travel Writer's Handbook" is a must-read for travel bloggers looking to improve their writing skills. This book provides guidance on how to craft engaging narratives, capture the essence of a place, conduct interviews, and develop a unique writing style. Packed with practical advice, writing exercises, and real-life examples, this handbook is a valuable tool for any travel blogger seeking to elevate their storytelling abilities.
3. "The Essential Guide to Blogging for Business" by Mack Collier: While primarily aimed at business bloggers, Mack Collier's book offers valuable insights for travel bloggers seeking to create a successful online presence. It covers topics such as creating compelling content, building a community, leveraging social media, and developing effective marketing strategies. By understanding the principles of blogging for business, travel bloggers can adapt these strategies to enhance their online visibility and engage with a wider audience.
4. "ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income" by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett: "ProBlogger" is a renowned blogging resource that provides practical advice on creating and monetizing a blog. While not specifically targeted at travel bloggers, this book offers valuable tips on building a profitable blog, including strategies for generating income through advertising, sponsored content, and product creation. By learning from the experiences of successful bloggers, travel enthusiasts can gain insights into the best practices for growing their own blog into a sustainable business.
5. "Travel Writing 2.0" by Tim Leffel: "Travel Writing 2.0" is a comprehensive guide that explores the changing landscape of travel writing in the digital age. Tim Leffel dives into topics such as blogging, podcasting, video production, and social media, providing travel bloggers with practical advice on how to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving online world. This book is an invaluable resource for those seeking to expand their reach through multiple platforms and effectively communicate their travel experiences to a wider audience.
6. "The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users" by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick: In today's digital era, social media plays a crucial role in the success of any travel blogger. "The Art of Social Media" offers practical strategies and expert advice on utilizing social media platforms to build a strong online presence. From creating captivating content to optimizing profiles and engaging with followers, this book provides valuable insights for travel bloggers looking to harness the power of social media to grow their audience and connect with fellow travelers.
7. "Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen" by Donald Miller: Storytelling is an essential skill for any travel blogger, as it helps create a deep connection with readers. In "Building a StoryBrand," Donald Miller introduces a powerful framework for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with your audience. By clarifying your message and understanding the needs and desires of your readers, you can create engaging stories that captivate and inspire. This book is a valuable resource for travel bloggers looking to develop their storytelling abilities and make a lasting impact through their blog.
8. "Youtility: Why Smart Marketing Is About Help, Not Hype" by Jay Baer: Jay Baer's "Youtility" introduces a fresh perspective on marketing by emphasizing the importance of providing value to your audience. This concept is especially relevant for travel bloggers, as they strive to engage readers and offer practical information and insights. Baer's book challenges traditional marketing strategies and encourages bloggers to focus on creating helpful content that solves problems and builds trust. By adopting a "help, not hype" approach, travel bloggers can establish themselves as authorities in their niche and develop a loyal following.
9. "Content Inc.: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Joe Pulizzi: Joe Pulizzi's book "Content Inc." is a blueprint for building a successful blog by focusing on creating valuable content. This book outlines a step-by-step process for developing a content marketing strategy, attracting a targeted audience, and monetizing a blog. By emphasizing the importance of consistently delivering high-quality content that meets the needs of your readers, travel bloggers can build a loyal following and transform their blogs into profitable ventures.
10. "The Freelance Content Marketing Writer: Find Your Perfect Clients, Make Tons of Money, and Build a Business You Love" by Jennifer Goforth Gregory: For travel bloggers seeking to monetize their blogs through freelance writing opportunities, "The Freelance Content Marketing Writer" offers practical advice and guidance. Jennifer Goforth Gregory shares her expertise on how to find high-paying clients, negotiate rates, and build a thriving freelance business. This book is an excellent resource for travel bloggers looking to leverage their writing skills and create additional income streams through freelance writing.
11. "Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content" by Ann Handley: In the digital world, content is king, and travel bloggers must develop exceptional writing skills. Ann Handley's "Everybody Writes" is a comprehensive guide that helps bloggers improve their writing, regardless of their level of expertise. From crafting engaging headlines to structuring blog posts effectively, Handley offers practical tips and techniques to create compelling content that captivates readers. With its emphasis on quality writing, this book is a valuable resource for travel bloggers looking to enhance their content creation skills.
12. "The Influencer Economy: How to Launch Your Idea, Share It with the World, and Thrive in the Digital Age" by Ryan Williams: In the age of influencer marketing, travel bloggers can benefit from understanding the dynamics of the industry. Ryan Williams' "The Influencer Economy" explores the strategies employed by successful influencers and provides insights into building a personal brand, developing a community, and collaborating with brands. By understanding the intricacies of the influencer economy, travel bloggers can forge valuable partnerships and effectively monetize their blogs.
13. "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World" by Gary Vaynerchuk: Gary Vaynerchuk's book emphasizes the importance of delivering value to your audience before asking for anything in return. By providing valuable content consistently (jab, jab, jab), travel bloggers can establish trust and build a loyal following. Vaynerchuk then delves into the concept of the "right hook," which refers to the strategic ask or call to action that follows the value-driven content. This book offers valuable insights for travel bloggers looking to create a compelling brand narrative and effectively engage with their audience.
14. "The One Hour Content Plan: The Solopreneur's Guide to a Year's Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content That Hooks and Sells" by Meera Kothand: Content creation can often be a challenge for travel bloggers, but Meera Kothand's book provides a solution by offering a step-by-step process for generating a year's worth of blog post ideas in just one hour. This book also explores strategies for creating content that hooks readers and drives conversions. With its practical approach and time-saving techniques, this resource is ideal for travel bloggers looking to streamline their content creation process and maintain consistency.
15. "Digital Marketing for Dummies" by Ryan Deiss and Russ Henneberry: For travel bloggers seeking to expand their online presence and attract a wider audience, "Digital Marketing for Dummies" offers a comprehensive overview of various digital marketing strategies. From SEO and social media marketing to email marketing and analytics, this book covers the essentials of digital marketing in a beginner-friendly manner. Travel bloggers can leverage the insights provided to develop effective marketing campaigns and increase their blog's visibility in the competitive online landscape.
16. "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert: Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic" is an inspiring read for travel bloggers looking to nurture their creativity and overcome self-doubt. The book encourages individuals to embrace their unique creative impulses and pursue their passions without fear. By delving into topics such as inspiration, curiosity, and persistence, Gilbert's insights empower travel bloggers to approach their work with a sense of joy and authenticity. This book serves as a reminder that blogging is not just a business venture but also a creative expression of one's travel experiences.
17. "The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries: "The Lean Startup" is a must-read for travel bloggers aiming to build a successful and sustainable blog. Eric Ries introduces the concept of validated learning and emphasizes the importance of experimentation, iteration, and customer feedback in the startup process. By applying the principles outlined in this book, travel bloggers can develop a systematic approach to blog growth, improve their content based on user insights, and pivot their strategies when necessary.
18. "The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath: Creating memorable experiences is key for travel bloggers, and "The Power of Moments" provides valuable insights into crafting impactful experiences for readers. The book explores the psychology behind transformative moments and offers practical advice on how to create them intentionally. By understanding the elements that make experiences memorable, travel bloggers can engage their readers on a deeper level and leave a lasting impression through their blog.
19. "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini: Understanding the principles of persuasion is crucial for travel bloggers seeking to engage their audience and drive action. Robert Cialdini's "Influence" explores the psychology behind persuasive techniques and provides insights into how they can be applied ethically. From the concept of reciprocity to social proof and scarcity, this book equips travel bloggers with the knowledge to create compelling content and effectively communicate their ideas.
20. "The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich" by Timothy Ferriss: Timothy Ferriss' "The 4-Hour Workweek" offers a unique perspective on lifestyle design and achieving freedom through entrepreneurship. While not specifically focused on blogging, this book challenges traditional notions of work and provides valuable insights into maximizing productivity, outsourcing tasks, and building passive income streams. For travel bloggers looking to create a lifestyle that allows them to explore the world while maintaining a successful blog, this book offers inspiration and practical strategies.

Aspiring and experienced travel bloggers alike can greatly benefit from the wisdom and insights shared in these top 20 blogging books. From practical advice on blog creation, content development, and marketing strategies to inspiration for creative storytelling and building a profitable blog, these books cover a wide range of topics essential for success in the competitive world of travel blogging. By looking into these resources, travel bloggers can enhance their skills, expand their online presence, and connect with a wider audience. Remember, blogging is an ongoing learning process, and these books serve as valuable guides to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of travel blogging, enabling you to share your adventures, inspire others, and create a thriving online community of fellow travel enthusiasts.