Member Interview – Jen Ruiz about the switch from law to full-time travel blogging

Jen Ruiz is a solo travel blogger, a lawyer and an active member of Travel Massive New York community. Her book, “The Affordable Flight Guide”, is a #1 Amazon Bestseller and 2018 Readers’ Favorite Award winner.

Jen blogs at Jen on a Jetplane and has been featured by The Washington Post, ABC News and The Huffington Post. She lives in upstate NY and is also part of the Toronto Travel Massive chapter.

In this interview Jen shares her experiences and challenges developing a career as a full-time blogger.

Why did you make the switch from law to travel blogging?

I started blogging and freelance writing as a creative outlet while practicing law and transitioned to a travel focus before embarking on a “12 trips in 12 months” challenge the year before my 30th birthday.

I took 20 trips in a year and realized I wanted to devote my time to seeing the world and writing instead of arguing cases in a courtroom.

After setting up some alternate income streams, I took a leap and changed careers from law to blogging and writing full-time.

What were the unexpected challenges of combining travel, blogging and a full-time job?

Taking 12 trips in 12 months while balancing a “real job” is ambitious, so I had to learn how to manage my time. I had to learn how to olympic-style bolt through terminals with luggage in tow to make a connection that, if I missed, would make me late for work.

I had to learn what to do when I ran out of money; or better yet, when I walked for 2 hours hitting 8 banks across a 20-block radius and found no working ATMs. I had to learn how to get origami-style comfortable in economy seating for long hours at a time. These were hard lessons!

But most of all, I learned to be thankful for the team at work that supported me and cheered me on while I did this, enabling my journey.

Can you share the process of how you created the “The Affordable Flight Guide”?

The intended number of trips for one year was 12, but 20 was a happy accident. Things came up, like a friend’s wedding that I turned into a long weekend at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta or a sale to Cuba that got me to and from Havana for $190 in Economy Plus (leg space). I kept finding so many deals that my friends and readers wanted to know how I afforded to travel.

Realizing the demand, I decided to write my first non-fiction book about cheap airline fares.

I soaked up every piece of information I could find online about self publishing and book marketing. I learned as much as I could about the topic itself, reading other books in the space, gathering websites and tips and talking to friends about their deal secrets.

Then I condensed that knowledge into an 83-page book, targeting specific categories and keywords on Amazon. I made sure it had a quality cover design. I went on a podcast book tour and built a team of readers who received advanced review copies to help spread the word.

Having just won an award, it will be sold at the Miami Book Fair and was recently acquired by my local library. I’ll be targeting more libraries and book fairs moving forward.

What revenue models have been successful for you, and what hasn’t worked?

After launching the book, I created a course about affordable travel, expanding on the content. The course launch itself was successful but I’ve been struggling with ongoing marketing.

Amazon has provided a steady stream of income from book sales so I’ve just launched my second book – “You need a vacation”, priced at $.99 to attract new readers, and I aim to have a third book published by the end of this year.

I’ll be giving a TEDx talk and pursuing paid speaking engagements. Freelance writing can be lucrative. I’ve also been credited and paid as a photographer for photos I’ve submitted along with my pieces. By far, the most valuable asset I have to make money from my own brand and initiatives is my email list.

What trends do you see for 2019 for travel content?

I foresee a lot of interest in foodie destinations. Press trips are now circling around eating in an area and food tours have become a preferred way for visitors to experience a new city. This makes me happy.

I also foresee a shift towards travel closer to home. With the rise of Instagram and other ways of discovering previously unknown destinations, it’s easy to find wonder in our own backyards.

I’ve been living in upstate NY during my career transition and discovered the Hudson River Valley, Catskills, Finger Lakes and Buffalo in just a short time, on one tank of gas. You don’t have to go far to have a worthwhile adventure, something I always try to impress on busy professionals.

Follow Jen Ruiz on Travel Massive and her adventures on Instagram and Facebook.