When I first read Ana’s World it was a skydiving post.I remember she had written, that they have to sign a consent form,since it’s a high-risk activity.Doing something which can kill you and sign a form for it takes some guts.That’s when I was hooked.I always wanted to skydive or at least do a bungee jump.This amazing woman actually did that.Mind-blowing right?Even more, interestingly she is a style traveler and always takes care to look Insta perfect, but not compromising on comfort!
We all know how difficult that is.Traveling, writing, sharing and looking like a million bucks.That’s tough.I write about child-friendly travel destinations.So travel posts I know, need special care.Imagine building up a blog based on where you are going.That can make travel so much fun,but you need to do it right.
Ana is a project management professional, toastmaster, founder and creator of travel blog Ana’s World. Fun and energy define her. A Star Wars nerd, she is fond of deadly roller coaster rides and everything that gives a high adrenaline rush. She has traveled solo for almost 3 years and has made friends from around the globe.
Sharing tips today is Ana Ojha from Ana’s world.
1) Who is your target audience?
My target audiences are people from 21 years to 45 years of age. My blog inspires them to move out of their comfort zone to travel in style and explore the world.
2) How many blogs do you manage?
Presently I’m managing my own personal travel blog Ana’s World. I also manage the social media content and the official website of my Toastmasters Club as I am the Vice President of Public Relations.
3) Best blog design tips from your experience?
The blog layout should be neat and easy to navigate. Depending upon your niche, you need to focus on your theme. For instance, if you’re a travel blogger, you need to choose that theme which enhances your pictures. I believe in keeping the background of blog theme as white because it is easy to read.
4) How do you manage family, work and personal care? Give us your best time management tips.
Travel blogging is tough because you’ve to be on the road to find your new content and transform it into your masterpiece traveling tales. You have to think about taking a perfect shot for your Instagram and blog posts. Sometimes you have limited internet connection, but you’ve to share your Insta-story or keep Snapchatting with your followers.
Though travel blogging looks quite lucrative by staying in exotic resorts, enjoying finest food and drinks but sometimes its other side of the coin.
No matter how you’re feeling on your trips whether fighting with your jet lag or feeling sick, you’ve to respond to your emails, create a post and update your real-time social media platforms. It’s pretty hectic at times.
But most important thing is if you love what you do, you’ll manage everything.
5) What are the 5 Best blogging practices?
- i) Be creative
- ii) Understand what your readers want (Now this is quite tricky but you need to analyze your Google Analytics reports or statistics plugins to understand the reading pattern of the readers on your blog.
iii) Create your post with amazing content adding your personal touch.
- iv) Take high-quality picture. If you’re not a professional photographer, depending upon your niche either hire a photographer for professional pictures or use the pictures from the websites which are under Creative Commons CCO
- v) Learn about SEO as much as you can or hire professional for help.
Also, the hardest truth of blogging is – Don’t expect all your Facebook friends and family to read your blog posts and engage with your social media platforms. They might not be interested in your content. You need to target right audience who are really interested in your content.
6) Which email service do you use? Why do you like them?
I use MailChimp and Gmail. MailChimp is amazing for sending bulk emails/ newsletters. I like Gmail for its simplicity. Though it doesn’t have those advanced features that MailChimp offers.
7) Give us your top 5 ways of making money from your blog. Which one is your favorite and why?
- i) Affiliate links
- ii) Brand Collaborations
iii) Sponsored Social Media posts
- iv) Freelance writing
- v) Sponsored Media trips (If you’re a travel blogger)
My favorite is sponsored media trips as sometimes money doesn’t matter. What counts is how much fun you had meeting fellow travelers, influencers, building your network and self-promoting yourself.
8)Do you have any products?
My blog is my ultimate product through which I not only share my traveling tales but also city guides, best places to stay and restaurants to eat so that my readers and followers can plan their unforgettable trips. As a style traveler, my blog also inspires my readers to follow the latest street style fashion and beauty tips to look camera-ready for different getaways and pack their bags accordingly.
As an adrenaline junkie, I’m fond of ultimate thrill and adventures. On my blog, I also share such stories to inspire anyone who is craving for some adrenaline.
9)Your inspiration and favorite quote
My inspiration in life is my dad for my go-getter attitude.I don’t have any favorite quote as such but my motto in life is
YOLO – You Only Live Once
Therefore go for your wild dreams and live your life fullest so that you don’t have anything to regret on your deathbed.
10)What do you love about being a blogger?
Blogging has been the most wonderful experience in my life. I wish I could have started it earlier. This is an amazing virtual world where you get a chance to meet extraordinary like-minded people who share a common dream and support each other. I’ve met many wonderful people across the globe and made few of them as friends forever.
11)Tips & Your message for struggling Bloggers?
My only tip and message to struggling bloggers is to chase their dreams, be creative and understand your readers. And please do engage your readers in discussions on your blog and other social media platform to acknowledge how special they are. Sometimes I don’t get time to respond every comment but I always ensure to like all my reader’s valuable comments.
12) What’s your vision for this venture?
With my blog, I want to inspire as many people as I can to travel, explore and up their style quotient while they travel.
13 )What is your advice to budding travel bloggers?
Always remember that you can’t start making money from your blog during its initial days unless you’re a big celebrity! Therefore don’t focus on your audacious goal but try to keep it simple. Don’t stress yourself too much about HTML, CSS, SEO’s and hacking social media game on your first day. You’ll learn everything gradually. The most important thing is to enjoy your trip without taking too much pressure on capturing the perfect Instagram shots of places you’re exploring, food you’re eating or all the adventures you’re doing. Enjoy that moment to your heart’s content and if you’ll enjoy, your pictures or videos will turn out fabulous!
15)How many places have you traveled to? Tell us if possible.
I was born, raised and started my corporate career in India before moving to the United States. So, I’ve traveled 19 states in India. I’ve also traveled to Nepal. In the United States, I’ve traveled to 16 states and 74 cities as of now. Looking forward to visiting all its 50 states! As a beach lover, out of all the 5 oceans, I’ve seen the beaches of Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean.
16)Are you involved in any charitable causes ?
I’m volunteering for Feeding America and working for a local NGO supporting Breast Cancer.
15)Tell us a little bit about your family. Who is your biggest support?
I always had a nuclear family and a very happy childhood. My parents always supported me in everything I did whether choosing a career or my wildest dream of jumping from the plane during my first skydiving. When I went for my second skydiving last month, I called my mom before diving and she said, “Don’t die and call me after doing your nuisance”!
I’ve a younger brother who always inspires me to chase my dreams.
I’ve been married for almost two years and fortunately, my husband is quite supportive too. I’ve been traveling solo for last few years and he also accompanies me on some of my trips whenever he is free. The best part about my husband is he believes in my dreams and supports me with everything he can. Otherwise managing work, traveling and blogging would have been impossible for me.
Check out Ana’s Blog and social media profiles
Website link – https://www.anamikaojha.com
Instagram link : https://www.instagram.com/ana__s__world/
Fb page link/ https://www.facebook.com/AnaOjha/
Twitter link https://twitter.com/Ana__s__World
Have any questions about travel blogging ?Comment below and let us know.