Let’s be honest: blogging feels like magic when you are writing for people, not bots.
You opened your laptop with a heart full of stories, not a spreadsheet full of keywords. Your fingers danced across the keyboard, not because you had to post on Thursdays at 11am for the algorithm gods—but because you had something human to say.
Then came the advice.
- “Target low competition keywords.”
- “Write 2,000-word guides.”
- “Answer a specific question.”
And just like that, you became a content machine—efficient, optimized, and just a little bit… bored.
Sound familiar?
If you’re feeling the weight of writing for search engines instead of to your readers, here’s your permission slip: It’s time to make the shift.
Stop Chasing Keywords. Start Cultivating Curiosity.
The truth is, the internet doesn’t need another listicle about “Top 10 Things to Do in Bali.” It needs your take on Bali. Your weird food recommendations. Your hilarious lost-in-translation moment. Your personal rituals before every solo trip.
People don’t subscribe to travel blogs because they can’t find information—they follow people who filter the world in a way they love. That person is you.
So what if, instead of asking, “What’s the search volume for this keyword?” you asked:
- “What do I wish someone had told me before this trip?”
- “What story still makes me laugh when I think about that destination?”
- “What would I tell a friend who’s visiting here for the first time?”
That’s how you stop answering questions… and start sparking curiosity.
What Makes You Worth Following?
Spoiler alert: It’s not your SEO score. It’s not even your gorgeous photos (though they help).
It’s the way you connect dots other people miss.
The way you describe sipping mint tea on a terrace in Tangier while the call to prayer echoes through the city—and suddenly I feel like I’m there too.
It’s your taste. Your recommendations. Your voice.
And that’s what separates creators from content mills.
So next time you’re stuck, don’t open Ahrefs. Open your journal. Scroll through your camera roll. Think of a memory, a mishap, a moment that meant something—and write from there.
Want Better Engagement? Write Like You’re Emailing a Friend
Here’s the fun part: When you write like a human, humans respond.
Your newsletter open rate? It’ll tell you what resonates. Your comments and DMs? They’ll show you what people actually care about.
But here’s the twist—you have to lead with vulnerability. Personality. Imperfection.
If your email reads like a travel brochure, it’s getting archived.
If it reads like a friend excitedly whispering, “Wait till you hear what happened on this trip,” it’s getting opened. Every. Single. Time.
Your Audience Doesn’t Want Perfect. They Want You.
Don’t believe me? Go check your inbox. Think about the creators whose emails you actually open. The ones you remember. The ones that make you smile.
Then borrow the vibe, not the voice.
Play with format. Experiment with tone. Try long stories, quick tips, curated links, or wild rants about that one hotel you’ll never stay at again. The point is: your content should feel like you, not a keyword-stuffed robot pretending to be useful.
TL;DR?
Write less like ChatGPT. More like your group chat.
Forget “answering search queries.” Start answering your readers’ unspoken cravings—for connection, inspiration, and authenticity.
Because at the end of the day, nobody’s subscribing to your blog because of your keyword density. They’re subscribing because they trust you to show them the world in a way no one else can.
And that, my friend, is your travel superpower.