I first started my influencer journey in 2017 and since then, the whole industry has changed (but in my opinion for the better)!
Nowadays, being an influencer isn’t just about sharing pretty pictures or trendy videos, it’s about building a personal brand, connecting with your audience, and turning your passions into a profitable business.
Over the years, I’ve built a multiple 6-figure online content business, working with brands I love, traveling the world full-time with my husband, and living life on my terms.
If you’re wondering “How the heck do influencers actually make money?” or “What can I do today to be monetizing now?” then you’re in the right place!
It’s not just about having millions of followers, it’s about strategy, value, and understanding how to make money.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your influencer game to the next level, this guide will walk you through all the ways my clients, readers, and I have made money as an influencer.
I’m sharing everything you need to know, let’s dive in!
Introduction
In college, I studied Finance and Marketing at Cornell’s Dyson Business School, and it was where I first really grasped how businesses made money.
And it all came down to a product or a service that offers value to the client or consumer.
That’s the mindset you must adopt going forward when you are earning as an influencer: how can you offer value to the client or customer?
What makes you different than all the other influencers? What is your unique selling point?
The clearer you are about what you bring to the table, the easier it will be for you to earn a consistent income online instead of just hoping for freebies!
Collaborations with Brands
Collaborating with brands is one of the most common and lucrative ways influencers earn money.
Brands pay you to promote their products or services in a way that feels authentic to your audience. These collaborations can range from creating Instagram posts and stories to long-term partnerships with regular deliverables like user-generated content.
This includes posts or stories where a brand pays you to highlight their product or service in an authentic way.
You can share my experience as either a one-time collaboration, long-term partnership, or as an affiliate.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible brands in the travel and lifestyle space, and it’s a no-brainer because they are products and services I use anyway.
When pitching to brands, focus on showing how you can add value to their marketing strategy. Highlight your engagement rates, your creative style, and your audience demographics.
Early on, I realized that showcasing past work and delivering beyond expectations led to repeat partnerships and referrals.
It’s not just about being an influencer; it’s about being a reliable collaborator who helps brands make more money and achieve their goals.
If you want a step-by-step guide on how to become an influencer and land your first collaboration, check out The Travel Influencer Handbook.
✈️ Download The Travel Influencer Handbook
Press Trips with Tourism Boards and Hotels
One of my favorite and most exciting perks of being an influencer is getting paid to travel, and even more convenient when you are traveling to a new destination looking to partner with local hotels!
Tourism boards and hotels often organize press trips to showcase destinations or accommodations, and they partner with influencers to create content that inspires others to visit.
I’ve been fortunate to experience stunning locations around the world through these partnerships, from boutique hotels in Bali to hidden surf spots in Portugal.
To stand out for these opportunities, it’s crucial to position yourself as a travel authority and know exactly what makes you different.
Consistently creating high-quality travel content, tagging tourism boards, and networking with PR agencies can help you get noticed.
I’ve attended the New York Times Travel Show a bunch of times at the Javitz Center in New York City, where you will meet tons of professionals in the industry looking to make connections!
During press trips, I make it a point to over-deliver by producing a variety of content that exceeds expectations.
This approach has allowed me to build long-term relationships with travel brands and secure additional paid campaigns.
✈️ Download The Travel Influencer Handbook
Advertising Revenue from TikTok, YouTube, Blogs
You may have noticed there are some ads on this page that you might have clicked out of, or maybe even clicked on. This is called display advertising.
For each link click displayed on my website, I get paid. This is the same for other platforms like TikTok and YouTube, each with payments for displaying or clicks.
For example, YouTube pays creators through AdSense for every view their videos get, and blogs can earn money through ad placements or affiliate links.
Over time, these platforms become passive income streams. The key is consistency and SEO optimization.
There are plenty of ad networks ranging from Google AdSense (no minimum traffic requirement), to Grow by Mediavine (10,000 monthly sessions), which is what I have on my website right now!
Photography and Videography Services
As an influencer, you kind of naturally gravitate towards learning about photography and videography in order to get the best content that performs online.
These skills can become an income stream on their own, simply because you invest so much time and energy into learning and practicing.
I’ve worked with brands to create high-quality visuals for their Marketing campaigns, even when I wasn’t the face of the compaign.
And naturally, a lot of the photos and videos I deliver to hotels also are used for their website, socials, and ads.
It’s a rewarding way to monetize your creativity without solely relying on follower counts, and we have a lot of micro-influencers in our programs who land amazing collaborations solely for photography or videography.
To get started, showcase your work on your social platforms or portfolio. These opportunities often lead to more referrals, as brands are always looking for talented creators who understand both aesthetics and Marketing.
✈️ Download The Travel Influencer Handbook
Paid Subscriptions
Paid subscriptions or mini memberships are another great way to offer exclusive content to your most loyal followers.
Platforms like Patreon, Instagram Subscriptions, or ThriveCart allow influencers to monetize by sharing perks like behind-the-scenes footage, personalized advice, or exclusive content.
Personally, I use memberships to provide value to my audience and teach them how to make money online outside of being just an influencer as well!
The secret to success here is knowing what your audience wants. Whether it’s private travel itineraries, unfiltered insights into your life, or monthly Q&A sessions, make your subscribers feel like VIPs.
When you deliver consistently, this income stream can grow steadily over time.
✈️ Download The Travel Influencer Handbook
Modeling Services
Another skill that most influencers develop without knowing is how to be comfortable in front of the camera, even if it’s the back of your head.
The more you create and share online, the more experience you have with modeling for campaigns and brands!
From my experience, hotels are always looking for travelers who can step in front of the camera for a destination shoot, and brands are often looking for influencers to represent their products or serve as the face of their brand.
If you have a unique look or a standout personal style, modeling opportunities may naturally come your way. The trick is to build a strong portfolio through your own content.
Often, the work you post as an influencer can double as a modeling portfolio. Be open to collaborations, and don’t hesitate to reach out to brands with a professional pitch.
✈️ Download The Travel Influencer Handbook
Digital Products: Ebooks, Travel Guides, Templates
Selling digital products is one of the most scalable ways to make money.
I’ve created travel guides, Lightroom presets, ebooks and templates that have provided passive income while helping my audience.
These products take effort upfront but can continue selling for months or years with minimal maintenance.
If you’re considering this route, think about what your audience needs.
Are they looking for help planning trips? Do they want to edit photos like you? Digital products are an excellent way to monetize your expertise while providing real value.
✈️ Download The Travel Influencer Handbook
Influencer Marketing Platforms
Influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ and Upfluence make it easy to connect with brands looking for influencers.
These platforms allow you to pitch yourself, negotiate deals, and manage campaigns all in one place.
I’ve used these platforms to land some of my first paid collaborations. While they’re competitive, they’re an excellent way to find opportunities, especially when you’re just starting out.
Be proactive, professional, and showcase your creativity to stand out among the crowd.
✈️ Grab 100+ Platforms that PAY Content Creators
Final Thoughts
There are honestly so many ways to earn money as an influencer because you have the ability to work with both businesses and consumers.
It’s all about strategy, creativity, and diversifying your income streams!
By combining multiple revenue streams, you can create a sustainable and thriving business that grows as you travel. I’ve been able to turn my passion for travel and content creation into a multiple 6-figure business and I know you can too.
Let me know if you have any questions! I’m always one DM away on Instagram.
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