Cubicle to the World: How to Become a Full-Time Traveler w/ Ciara Johnson

09/23/20 • 59 min

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Ciara Johnson is a solo female travel blogger, full-time content creator, occasional freelance writer, and founder of Hey Ciara, a travel blog that empowers women to seek meaningful experiences through travel. Since quitting corporate HR back in 2017, Ciara has been solo-traveling the world and works with well-known brands like Airbnb, Bumble, Chase Bank, Toyota, and more, and has been featured in Forbes and Conde Nast Traveler.

In this episode, Ciara and I talk about making the leap from a 9-5 into a full-time traveler, her blogging and branding journey, making money remotely and how she pursued an alternative lifestyle she loves. We discuss why the road to getting where you want to go is not always linear or straightforward and why traveling is the best investment you can make for yourself.

[4:40] Ciara’s travel journey: from the beginning to today

[10:10] Why becoming a full-time travel blogger isn’t easy or quick

[12:43] Resisting the status quo and shaping a lifestyle around travel

[24:00] Why some things you do are a means to a greater goal

[29:25] How quitting your current situation can clear space for more opportunities

[34:44] Prioritizing content creation during her travels and what that looks like

[40:38] Tips on finding self-awareness through solo traveling

[53:54] Responsibly traveling during Covid: Ciara’s mindful approach moving forward

To connect with Ciara:

Website: https://www.heyciara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey_ciara/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hey_ciara

[4:40] Ciara’s travel journey: from the beginning to today

[10:10] Why becoming a full-time travel blogger isn’t easy or quick

[12:43] Resisting the status quo and shaping a lifestyle around travel

[24:00] Why some things you do are a means to a greater goal

[29:25] How quitting your current situation can clear space for more opportunities

[34:44] Prioritizing content creation during her travels and what that looks like

[40:38] Tips on finding self-awareness through solo traveling

[53:54] Responsibly traveling during Covid: Ciara’s mindful approach moving forward

To connect with Ciara:

Website: https://www.heyciara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey_ciara/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hey_ciara

Previous Episode

Land Your First Press Feature with PR Guru Gloria Chou

Gloria Chou is a US diplomat turned PR guru who helps early-stage thought leaders get recognized through earning them press placements. Her mission is to make PR more accessible so that everybody can learn how to gain traction and build credibility for their businesses without hiring an agency to do all of that pitching for them.

In this episode, Gloria and I discuss why PR is so important for business growth, how to find the right media context to reach out using Gloria's CPR method, and how to get writers to open your emails. We discuss how to get noticed, why email isn’t always enough, and implementing a PR roadmap that works.

[2:48] Who is Gloria Chou?

[5:53] The difference between PR and Marketing

[7:30] Why getting press isn’t rocket science nor is it unachievable for early-stage businesses

[9:08] Gloria’s 3 step process for getting PR

[12:06] The importance of a timely story

[14:00] How to use her CPR pitching method

[17:10] Why your subject line always matters

[19:42] Understanding the intersection of all the stories and making it work to your advantage

To connect with Gloria:

Website: https://www.gloriachoupr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou/

Road Map Link: https://learn.gloriachoupr.com/starter

Free Webinar Masterclass: https://www.gloriachoupr.com/webinar

Next Episode

What Being an Intentional Traveler & Creator Means w/ Erin Sullivan @erinoutdoors

Erin Sullivan is a travel photographer and writer specifically focused on sharing culture, wildlife, and the outdoors through the lens of social responsibility. Not only is she a TED speaker, but she’s worked with brands including Adobe, Sony, and many more. Erin has recently created a viral image series called the Great indoors, where she recreated epic outdoor scenery with common household items.

In this episode, Erin and I talk about how she became a travel photographer, taught herself photography, and began landing deals with some of the largest brands and tourism boards in the world. We talk about getting past burnout, what being a responsible creator and traveler means, and the importance of taking time to really enjoy a destination (without your camera) and how that allows us to share better stories and actually enjoy traveling.

We also have a super honest and open conversation about our opinions on whether people with public platforms have a responsibility to share their perspectives on social issues and political topics and discuss the future of travel. Don’t miss this amazing episode!

[5:00] From leading outdoor adventure trips to becoming a professional photographer

[14:13] Why intentional storytelling can make you a great photographer

[18:10] Practicing and refining your work over time to improve your craft

[31:24] What it means to be a responsible traveler and creator

[37:27] Finding balance when traveling and creating to avoid burnout

[44:34] Using our platforms and our privilege to speak up on things that matter in this world

[50:24] The future of travel after COVID

To connect with Erin:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinoutdoors/

Website: https://erinoutdoors.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/erinoutdoors

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erinoutdoors