The short answer is "no." Actually, "Hell no!" But that's only if your main goal is makin' money. Like rock'n'roll or pro sports, few van life bloggers ever get the cabbage.
If you must do a van life blog, vlog, whatever, do it mainly for fun. Cause that's mostly all you'll likely get outta it.
Takes Skill, Time, and Sizzle to Make Van Life Blog Money
Those who do make cabbage usually have skills: photography, video editing, writing, etc. They usually also have something extra attractive about them, e.g. charm or a tight, delicious ass.
Oh, and they've also worked damn hard over a long time. There ain't no instant success on YouTube, Instagram, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media. That includes writin' and sellin' books.
And if you mainly want attention and praise, that's scarce too. People got lotsa shit to look at online, and they don't give a crap about you. You ain't that special. Bein' ignored will become a way of life.
Here's the Hard Facts
- Why You Probably Won’t Get Rich & Famous on YouTube (MonetizePros)
- Can I Really Make a Living by Blogging? (LifeHacker)
- Instagram Stars With 50k to 200k Followers Can Make Thousands Per Post (Business Insider)
Vanholio! Is Typical Van Life Blog Case
I been doin' this blog a year and a half now. That's about 140 posts and thousands a hours work. That includes time on social media, webmasterin', readin', writin' guest blogs, throwin' together a little book, jackin' around with advertising and affiliate programs, and all kindsa other backend shit.
After all that, is Vanholio ridin' rich'n pretty? Hell no! I make maybe $20-30 a month off this blog! Woulda been smarter to work a minimum wage job.
Oh, and did I mention that Vanholio's got years experience as a pro marketing writer? (Wouldn't know it with some a the shit I post …)
But that's OK. I gots my priorities in order:
- Have fun writin'
- Help and entertain readers
- Make money
Course, writin' 'bout the UNSEXY parts a van life with sarcasm and a Texas drawl really really narrows my readership. Probably do better money-wise reviewin' smartphones or some shit. But that'd be boring as fuck.
Only Start a Van Life Blog for Love
So do your van life YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, blog, whatever if you MUST! Do it if it's comin' from your heart.
But if you're just lookin' for an easy way to make scratch, don't fuckin' bother. Unless you got skills, patience, and are ready to put in serious sweat.
Also See ...
- How to Make Money While Traveling in a Van – Part 1 (6 parts)
- #Vanlife, the Bohemian Social-Media Movement (New Yorker)
- Our New Yorker Magazine Response (Where's My Office Now)
- Meet the Pretentious Millennials Who Romanticize Living in Vans (New York Post)
This #vanlife #manifesto was originally posted at Vanholio.com.