State of the Blog: Twenty-Something Travel Turns One!

Posted on 23. Jul, 2010 by in Housekeeping

Today my little corner of the blogosphere turns one year old.

I really can’t believe it either!

In a couple days I’m going to talk about how travel blogging has enriched me as a person and all those intangible goodies it’s brought me. Today though, I wanted to take some time to talk about Twenty-Something Travel itself, how it’s changed and evolved and where it’s going.

Here’s the first thing I posted, back on July 23rd 2009. It’s a short little piece I titled the Twenty-Something Travel Manifesto. It’s simple and brief but it perfectly sums up the main argument I’ve been pushing on anyone who will listen: that you shouldn’t wait to get out and see the world.

Since I sent that out into empty space this little blog has gone from zero to having almost 600 RSS subscribers, almost 3000 twitter followers and hundreds of visitors a day. When I compare this to where I was six months ago I’m stunned.

I’ve been able to make a small chunk of money, and to make some design upgrades. I’ve learned SO much about web design, html and statistics. While numbers are fun to follow, I hope it’s not too cliché to say that the most important thing is people. I love coming back to see the comments on my post, connecting with people over twitter, email and Facebook.

Basically, it means a lot to me that people are listening while I continue to argue my point. In no order here are a few of my favorite pieces I’ve turned out over the past year:

  • It’s All a Crapshoot Really – I always get nervous when I write something highly personal, but it’s comforting to know others feel the same way.

So, where do we go from here?

Risk!

World Domination

Well for starters around the world! Finally. I’ve been mostly stationary for the past year so I’m really excited to make the transition to traveling and blogging full time. While this won’t change the spirit of this blog, it’s definitely going to have positive effects on the tone and content.

I’m also excited for this transition because it means leaving my day job, which hopefully means more time to spend on the blog. I have tons of ideas and things I want to do to improve this space and expand, I just haven’t had the time and energy to make them happen. Hopefully by the time my two-year blogiversary rolls around

I never want to lose sight though; of the reason I started this blog in the first place. My most important mission was not to make money, or even document my own travels, but to encourage other twenty-somethings (and everyone really) that long-term travel is a viable and desirable option. I still maintain that your twenties are some of the best years of your life for getting out and seeing the world. Starting in a couple months my argument becomes more than just theoretical, and for that I’m psyched.

So thanks everyone for listening to my narcissistic rants every week. I’m always open to feedback and constructive criticism so feel free to lay it on me. And stay tuned as the adventure continues!

Buffer

71 Responses to “State of the Blog: Twenty-Something Travel Turns One!”

  1. Brendan van Son

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats! It’s been a pleasure following your site!

    Reply to this comment

  2. Christine

    23. Jul, 2010

    Twenty-Something Travel has been huge for me as I dove into the world of travel blogging: it was definitely one of the blogs that inspired me to quit my job and travel, and my guest post for you was really where I launched C’est Christine! You’ve always been super encouraging and supportive, and I feel like we share a lot of the same travel ideals and goals–even though we’ve never met in person, I definitely feel like you’re more of a friend than some random person in the Twitterverse! I wish all the best for Twenty-Something Travel and your future RTW adventures :)

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      23. Jul, 2010

      That is the sweetest comment Christine! Your blog is one of my very favorites so I’m honored to have helped get it going.

      Reply to this comment

  3. Laura

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congratulations! I know you must be excited to take off soon on your upcoming adventures!

    Reply to this comment

  4. Michael

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congratulations on your one year! Glad to hear you’re doing so well. You’ve grown so fast in just a year. Imagine how it’ll be in another year from now! You have 5 years left with it so enjoy it lol

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      23. Jul, 2010

      Haha thanks for the reminder of my ticking clock. But you are right, who knows what a year will bring…

      Reply to this comment

  5. Michael Tyson

    23. Jul, 2010

    Happy blog birthday! That’s quite an achievement for one year. Looking forward to following your travels too.

    Reply to this comment

  6. Kimmy Kim Kims

    23. Jul, 2010

    Happy Blogaversary! May you look at each other with fresh eyes for many years to come. Brian and I hope you are blessed with the joyous wonder of baby blogs. Best wishes! XOXO, Kimmy Kim Kims

    Reply to this comment

  7. AdventureRob

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats Steph, that’s a huge achievement for a 1 year old blog, I don’t know of many others who come close to touching that in their first year.

    Reply to this comment

  8. Anthony

    23. Jul, 2010

    Happy Birthday blog- I’m all kinds of loving it!! :)

    Reply to this comment

  9. Drew Meyers

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats on hitting the year mark, and happy to hear you are hitting the travel trail soon! Maybe I’ll meet you somewhere in the world in the next year or two!

    Reply to this comment

  10. Amanda

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats on your blog birthday!! I’ve only been following for a few months, but yours is one of the first blogs I check every day on Google reader. And it seems like plenty of others out there are just as interested in what you have to say as I am! I can’t wait to start reading about your RTW adventure. Good luck!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Stephanie

    23. Jul, 2010

    I agree, seeing comments is the most exciting aspect of blogging. Knowing that people read it, or at least stop by is one thing, but knowing that people can relate to you one way or the other and wish to share how is even better.

    Keep up the great work! I love your blog!

    Reply to this comment

  12. ehalvey

    23. Jul, 2010

    Happy blog birthday! I love your writing style and your message :)
    Can you take me with you?

    Reply to this comment

  13. ehalvey

    23. Jul, 2010

    Oh, I’ve got my SILs on board for some Melbourne contacts. They should be reaching out to you soon.

    Reply to this comment

  14. Gray

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congratulations, Steph! I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for a year! It seems like you’ve been around forever. You’ve accomplished a lot in a short time. Kudos.

    Reply to this comment

  15. thalia

    23. Jul, 2010

    happy…BLOGIVERSARY!!!! thanks for keeping me inspired and fueling my wanderlust :) all the best with everything!!!

    Reply to this comment

  16. Shannon OD

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats Steph! You have seen so much amazing growth over this past year! Looking forward to how this will evolve once you start your journey!

    Reply to this comment

  17. Alouise

    23. Jul, 2010

    Twenty-Something Travel is such a great blog, honestly I thought you’d been doing this for years. Anyways Happy Birthday to your blog – hope there’s many more posts to come.

    Reply to this comment

  18. Abhi

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats Steph! I think I’ve been following your blog for more than 7 months now, and it’s becoming better and better! :)

    Reply to this comment

  19. Rebecca

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats! Your blog was the first travel blog I followed, I don’t even remember who sent me the link sent via twitter and because of YOU! it opened up my world to loads of people who were just like me, normal people wanting to (and doing!) long term travel.

    Don’t sweat the small stuff too much and enjoy your trip!

    Reply to this comment

  20. Millie

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats! I started following a few months ago – and have added you as a daily read to my google reader! You have a great site and I know you are one of the people who has inspired me even more to travel around the world. :-) So thank you!

    Reply to this comment

  21. Nick Laborde

    23. Jul, 2010

    Happy first birthday! I’m starting a bit late, I’ll be 31 by the time I hit the road. Better late then never right?

    Reply to this comment

  22. Andrew

    23. Jul, 2010

    Yay! Congrats Steph, you run a great blog and so happy to see how far you have come in just 12 little months.

    Reply to this comment

  23. Abbie

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats!

    Reply to this comment

  24. Globetrottergirls

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congratulations, Steph! Your blog rocks!! You mention more ideas that you have to expand your blog – we’re looking forward to what’s coming and to reading about your travels once you’ve hit the road.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      23. Jul, 2010

      Thanks! I have plenty of ideas, just need the time to pull it off!

      Reply to this comment

  25. Wendy

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats! I’m looking forward to reading about your upcoming trip!

    Reply to this comment

  26. soultravelers3

    23. Jul, 2010

    Congrats Steph! Woot! Great job, can’t wait ’til you hit the road! Maybe we can meet somewhere along the way.

    Reply to this comment

  27. Alex

    24. Jul, 2010

    Has it really been only a year? Wow. You’ve earned the right to blow out your candles!

    Reply to this comment

  28. Claire (Travel Funny Travel Light)

    24. Jul, 2010

    Congrats on your blog turning 1! It must be a good feeling. Even more, it’s exciting to see what successful…well, success you’ve had this year! It’s sort of inspiring ;)

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      25. Jul, 2010

      Thanks! All of these comments are inspiring me to work even harder.

      Reply to this comment

  29. Dave

    24. Jul, 2010

    Congrats and happy birthday. I think it took me close to a year to reach 100 RSS subscribers, so you should be very proud of where you are and where you’re headed!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      25. Jul, 2010

      Thanks Dave! I seriously could not have done it without your help.

      Reply to this comment

  30. Caroline in the City

    24. Jul, 2010

    Amazing progress for a year. I’m at about a year and a half and am still trying to figure this whole thing out.

    Reply to this comment

  31. Joya

    24. Jul, 2010

    Congratulations Steph! Can’t wait to read about your RTW.

    Reply to this comment

  32. Melissa

    24. Jul, 2010

    Hey Steph, congrats on your blog’s first birthday! :-D Looking toward the next year!

    Reply to this comment

  33. Matt

    24. Jul, 2010

    Happy Birthday! I’ve enjoyed following your thoughts up until this point, and am especially excited to follow you around the world – first stop New Zealand!

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      25. Jul, 2010

      Thanks Matt, this second year is definitely going to be a lot crazier.

      Reply to this comment

  34. Emily

    26. Jul, 2010

    Happy blogiversary! Mine is next month–can’t believe it! Time flies. I continue to be impressed with how much you have done with your blog in just a year.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      27. Jul, 2010

      Thank you Emily, it is crazy we’ve been doing this for a year.

      Reply to this comment

  35. Cornelius Aesop

    27. Jul, 2010

    Congrats! I’m about 7 months into MonkeyBrewster.com and I’m a little behind compared to your success but I’m working on it one post flinging at a time. I can relate to the comment about comments, while I enjoy the number of visitors jump around it is the comments that get me excited and know that people actually read my posts.

    Reply to this comment

    • Steph

      28. Jul, 2010

      You’ll get there little monkey! the comments are really the best part.

      Reply to this comment

  36. ayngelina

    28. Jul, 2010

    Congratulations, your success is much deserved.

    Reply to this comment

  37. ciki

    06. Aug, 2010

    congrats! sorry its a little late.. we love your blog! stay inspiring! :)

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Reply