RankIQ<\/a> to update old content and it seems pretty great so far. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThat is all blogging stuff\u2026 I guess I don\u2019t really use much else outside of work!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I use Asana to manage my team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her Biggest Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Honestly, that would be Google. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am playing in someone else\u2019s sandbox and I feel a bit insecure about that and don\u2019t like it. I don\u2019t love social media and am at an age where I just feel a bit apathetic about Instagram and stuff and I refuse to dive into that to diversify my income (which I need to do to feel a bit more secure). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do like TikTok as a user, so maybe I will give that a shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also have struggled because I didn\u2019t build my team right and scaled in the wrong direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have a lot of people doing the \u201csame thing\u201d and not the things that really need to be done or are helpful for me. I am restructuring in 2024, as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
AI is also leaving me a bit concerned. While I find the answers AI is giving laughable, it also leaves me squirmish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately, travel is usually not an \u201cimpulse\u201d buy, so I feel there is still a place for travel blogging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when I see some of the stuff out there that was clearly created by AI, I genuinely feel bad for the traveler who is using their hard-earned money and vacation time and planning with information that will fail them in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her Greatest Accomplishment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n For me, it\u2019s not working for another person. I like to call my own shots. If I fail, it\u2019s on me. If I succeed, it\u2019s also on me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I can celebrate my successes with a trip somewhere without worrying if I exceed the 2 weeks of vacation I would have if I worked for someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What She Wishes She Knew When She Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Since I started long ago, even before Instagram was a thing, I don\u2019t think I can say as the industry has changed so much! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, I do wish I had monetized earlier. I was so hesitant as I felt my hobby would be lost when the blog became a job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That never actually happened\u2026 In fact, it made my travel more purposeful and I now step into those museums and attractions I wouldn\u2019t have stepped foot in before as I need to grab a photo and experience the place myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her Main Mistake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Not building an email list is up there! I hope to rectify this in 2024 (not holding my breath though, as this is a goal every year for me). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also wish I had been more hands-on with my content in the last few years on the Virginia site. I am updating it now and realize how horrendous a lot of it was. Honestly, I\u2019m ashamed, as a Virginian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While I think Google got their HCU update very, very wrong, I think my Virginia site being impacted was warranted and a good kick in my butt to fix my content strategy for future posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her Advice for Other Entrepreneurs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Industries change. I have been through at least 3 major shifts in travel blogging and all three times I have thought my world was going to end and I\u2019d lose all income. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adapt to those changes or you will be out of a job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And while people can be mad at Google or other reasons for the ever-changing industry, we have to realize that this happens in every single industry in the world\u2026 not just the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you have something to offer the web or your potential audience, hop on board. There\u2019s always room for more if you add value.\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Competition keeps me on my toes and if people click on a blog that isn\u2019t mine, at least they clicked a blog and not a Reddit forum or Tripadvisor page, meaning blogging still serves its purpose and I can stick around a little longer.<\/p>\n