Today I’m joined by Matthew Kepnes (Nomadic Matt) to break down how to turn travel into a profitable business in 2025.

Matt has spent over 15 years traveling full-time, building one of the world’s most recognized travel brands. We discuss how travel creators can monetize effectively—through email, events, and brand deals—while staying authentic.

Matt shares his five-step system for making money while traveling, from why every creator needs a website to how to sell experiences and build a loyal community.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:22 – From Budget Traveler to Travel Entrepreneur
03:06 – The Turning Point: How Matt Built His Blog
05:04 – The $75 a Day Strategy: Traveling Affordably
07:17 – Why Travel Content is Still Profitable in 2025
09:30 – The 5 Essential Steps to Making Money While Traveling
12:57 – Why Every Creator Needs a Website in 2025
15:25 – The Power of Email Lists & Webinars for Monetization
19:48 – Building Community Through Events & Tours
22:55 – The Truth About Travel Brand Deals
27:21 – Scaling a Travel Business Without Burnout
30:57 – Lessons from Attending 15 Taylor Swift Concerts
35:10 – How to Monetize a Travel Blog Without Relying on Ads
40:16 – The Best Ways to Land High-Paying Brand Deals
45:45 – What’s Changed in the Travel Industry Post-COVID
50:26 – The Updated Edition of How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
52:30 – Closing Thoughts: The Future of Travel Content Creation

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Learn more about The Nathan Barry Show: https://nathanbarry.com/show

Follow Nathan:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanbarry/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanbarry/
X: https://x.com/nathanbarry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thenathanbarryshow
Website: https://nathanbarry.com

Follow Matthew:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadicmatt/
Website: https://www.nomadicmatt.com
X: https://x.com/nomadicmatt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomadicmatt/

Featured in this episode:
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day: https://www.nomadicmatt.com/how-to-travel-the-world
Kit: https://kit.com
Home Exchange: https://www.homeexchange.com
Southwest Airlines: https://www.southwest.com
Japan Rail Pass: https://www.japanrailpass.net