RaulersonGirlsTravel Growth Over the Last 5 Years: Blog Traffic Statistics

Heather at Black House in Chiang Rai, Thailand

What started as a blog for me to capture stories from my travels with my niece, little did I know that five years later, it would be my full-time job and a new career. Over the last five years, RaulersonGirlsTravel had grown to a level that I couldn’t have imagined back when I started. The blog went from being a hobby to giving me the freedom to work remotely all over the world.

Heather at Black House in Chiang Rai, Thailand

I wanted to give you all an update to let you know how I’m doing and what I’ve been up to these past years. And to tell you that I am forever grateful for all of my readers, friends, and family that have supported me on this adventure; it is because of you that I can lead this crazy and enjoyable life that I’ve been given.

This post is in partnership with Intellifluence, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. 

RaulersonGirlsTravel Early DaysHeather and Kayla at Niagara Falls

Back in 2016, I didn’t have much time to write (only on weeknights and weekends), and my blog traffic statistics showed that. As a new travel blogger, I had so much to learn, and I was dipping into a market that was saturated with travel bloggers. I made an effort anyway to share my travel stories after I returned from the limited vacation time I was given working as a full-time automotive engineer. It was also a way to bring my love for scrapbooking into the digital world, which is how RaulersonGirlsTravel got started.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt DisneyKillarney TBEX Speed Networking

In 2018, I realized that there was more to just posting pictures and sharing stories on the blog. There was a method to the madness of travel bloggers. And I was ready to jump right into that madness. On my vacations, I would go to travel conferences to network and meet brands and tourism boards. I absorbed as much knowledge as I could from sessions at the conferences and learning from my new travel blogger friends that have been in this business longer than me. I learned about affiliate marketing, brand ambassadorships, and how to become an influencer. The conferences and now trade shows have opened so many doors for me and continue to do so.

“Traveling alone will be the scariest, most liberating, life-changing experience of your life.” – unknownHeather Riding a Water Buffalo in Hoi An, Vietnam

In 2019 I jumped headfirst into the unknown and became a digital nomad. After quitting my job and walking away from a career that spanned over 24 years, I was pursuing a new path. I was going to embrace my passions of photography and writing full-time while traveling the world. With my backpack filled to the brim, I headed out to explore Europe and Asia. Traveling solo wasn’t new for me, but what was new was that I was doing it without having the luxury of coming back to a job. I had to learn how to work remotely and travel at the same time, which meant spending a lot of time in cafes and even one treehouse in Thailand. Working in a treehouse at Coffeemod in Chiang Mai

The year began with me setting the baseline for my blog traffic statistics and all other social media stats. I knew I had to work on increasing my numbers on Pinterest (my most significant blog traffic source) and Instagram, along with increasing traffic to my blog. At the beginning of the year, I was at 30K impressions with Pinterest and stuck at 1200 followers with Instagram. Ten thousand followers is the sweet spot for Instagram when brands start to contact you. While I was traveling, I put in the time and effort to increase both of these stats. I learned SEO for Pinterest and how to excel at Instagram. In a year, I have managed to reach over 600K impressions on Pinterest and am now over 7870 followers on Instagram. I am closing in fast on that 10,000 goal. Heather Photographing the Unseen Hidden Temples in Thailand

Heather at Doi Inthanon Falls in Chiang Mai, Thailand

“Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find the joy in the story you are actually living.” – Rachel Marie MartinHeather working on the back deck - Remote Working/Home Office

2020 started great with me going to a couple of travel shows in New York and Chicago gearing up for future travel plans. I was on track this year to hit some significant milestones for my blog. In January and February, I had over 9,000 views, the highest I have ever had. Then COVID happened.

During the five years, I have been running RaulersonGirlsTravel, my blog traffic statistics have steadily increased. In 2016, I had 978 views on my website. In 2017, I had quadrupled it to 4,870. You can see my business growth in 2018 when I hit 23,045 views. And then there was 2019 where I was finally hitting my stride with 63,502 views. In March, my stats crashed over 50%, but I do not doubt that with time and a vaccine, that traveling will get better. And with that, my website traffic will get better as well.RaulersonGirlsTravel Blog Traffic Statistics

Today, I have had to refocus my efforts on where my income streams will be coming from in the future. I am focusing more on my photography and building that part of my business. My freelance writing career is starting to take off with my first byline and, hopefully, many more to follow. The other part of being a travel influencer is that I’m also starting to work with brands and products. I hope that you guys will stay with me as I continue this journey. Heather in Florence, Italy

I haven’t given up on my dream to keep traveling, taking photos, and writing. However, my office has turned into my bedroom in the States. I’m not traveling as much this year, so that is giving me lots of time to catch up on all the backlog of photos and stories that I still haven’t shared with all of you. I hope that you continue to follow my adventures wherever they lead me, and if you feel up to it, leave me a comment on any of my posts. I love getting feedback from you. It helps me stay connected with all of you. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

2 Comments

  • Becki Rendell 18August2020 at 8:26 PM Reply

    Great to read about your journey so far Heather. Fingers crossed 2021 will be more travel filled, but you’re right, the lack of travel has given time to play catch up 🙂

    • Heather 19August2020 at 11:52 AM Reply

      Thanks Becki! I do miss traveling, but most of all I miss meeting up with you and everyone else at the conferences.

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