This spotlight features Brock Groombridge, the innovative force behind Backpack with Brock, recognized for his early contributions to the realm of video blogging, a field he entered before it became widely popular. Over the years, Brock has dedicated himself to enhancing the appeal of video blogging. His efforts have involved extensive filming, editing, and publishing a variety of videos from different locations around the world.

Whether he’s conquering sand dunes in Huacachina or sharing his adventures in Oaxaca, Mexico, Brock is consistently documenting and sharing his experiences through content that is not only informative but also inspiring and laced with humor. Brock is here to shed light on how his vlogging endeavors have unlocked thrilling opportunities for him as he continues his professional journey of travel and blogging. He has also collaborated with renowned brands like Viator, creating remarkable video content that elevates his storytelling game.

While discussing the journey of Brock Groombridge from “Backpack with Brock” in our exploration of various online ventures, let’s also delve into the intricacies of WP Engine pricing to understand its relevance in the context of managing online content and businesses.

Early Foray into Videography and Travel Blogging

Brock’s journey in videography began in 2009, amidst the rising popularity of platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. Despite the growing interest in these platforms, there was a noticeable scarcity of travel-related video content. Motivated by a desire to experience and share travel in a more engaging way than traditional written blogs, they embarked on a venture to become the first person to video blog an entire world trip. Their goal was to capture the essence of travel, including hostels, backpacks, and border crossings, in a visually and audibly rich format.

Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television from Ryerson University, Toronto, they had a solid theoretical foundation in the field. However, the practical challenges of videography in 2009, characterized by slower and less reliable internet speeds, posed significant hurdles. The absence of extensive travel vlogging predecessors meant limited guidance available on dealing with technical issues like video upload speeds in various countries. This situation necessitated a hands-on approach to learning, involving a lot of trial and error, and creative problem-solving.

Blogging as a Personal Project and Professional Pursuit

Initially, the blog was conceived as a personal project to document their travels and stay connected with family and friends. During a year of solo backpacking, they traveled across 36 countries on six continents and produced over 150 videos. The blog’s growing popularity, with followers in over 90 countries, unveiled its potential as a viable professional path. This led to a commitment to pursue blogging more earnestly, a journey they continued for at least six years.

After a phase of sporadic traveling, they resumed full-time travel. A key element of their work routine involved allocating significant ‘down time’ to focus on tasks like editing and uploading videos, often choosing locations with strong wifi for extended stays. This strategy was not only crucial for productivity but also helped prevent burnout. They also highlighted the importance of planning, especially in preparing and uploading videos in advance, to counteract the issues arising from unpredictable internet connectivity.

Beginning of Collaboration with Viator

Brock’s partnership with Viator commenced in 2012, following their victory in the ‘Dream Travel Job’ contest. This opportunity involved an extensive two-month tour, filming in 20 North American cities. Over the years, this collaboration has expanded significantly. They have taken on various roles, including on-camera host, videographer, and field producer, working on projects across diverse locations such as Asia, Australia, the US West Coast, and Dubai. Their primary responsibility in this partnership is capturing tours and providing the footage to Viator for editing, a task they are happy to delegate due to their aversion to editing.

Diversification of Monetization Strategies

Brock has developed multiple streams of income to monetize their work. Beyond generating revenue through YouTube ads, they partner with tourism boards, accommodations, and product brands, featuring these collaborations on their site. Moreover, they offer services to create video and photo content for these entities, addressing the common lack of high-quality promotional materials in many companies. Their portfolio also includes freelance work as an on-camera host and videographer.

Gap Year Advising Initiative

Their entry into gap year advising was inspired by the challenges they faced while planning their initial round-the-world (RTW) trip. Recognizing a lack of personalized travel planning services, they started offering this service, which has been positively received. However, currently, this aspect of their work is not the main focus, as they are engaged in other projects.

Success Through Blog-Related Opportunities

• The most effective monetization approach for them has been to utilize opportunities stemming from their blog, rather than relying solely on direct blogging revenue. These opportunities encompass motivational speaking, freelance roles, travel advising, and various other projects. The blog serves as a pivotal platform, enabling a diverse range of income-generating activities;
• The most rewarding aspect of travel blogging for them is the response and engagement from their audience. They particularly value emails from people who, due to various constraints, can’t travel but experience the world vicariously through the blogger’s videos and storytelling. The positive impact of their work is further highlighted by feedback from viewers who have been inspired to visit destinations they previously had no interest in. Additionally, the bloopers and unplanned moments from their travels add an element of joy to their blogging experience;
• Brock Groombridge, having been in the field for six years, aims to refine their brand and voice. Recognizing the importance of a clear and consistent message, they wish to enhance the uniqueness and uniformity of their style across all content. This goal reflects an understanding that a well-defined creative voice and brand are crucial for connecting with and impacting the audience.

Advice for Bloggers Starting with Video

• For bloggers interested in venturing into video content, the key advice is to keep it simple;
• The perception of video blogging as a daunting task is common, but the blogger suggests starting with basic tools like a camera or a cellphone;
• Beginners should focus on creating simple videos, like tutorials about local cuisine or landmarks, and uploading them directly to platforms like YouTube or Facebook;
• As comfort with the medium grows, they can gradually incorporate editing tools and text;
• The emphasis is on practice and the power of a smile to enhance video quality.

What is Success in Travel Blogging

Success in travel blogging, for this individual, is defined not by conventional metrics like visitors or views, but by the impact of their work on others. Brock considers success to be achieved when their content – whether it’s written posts, videos, photos, storytelling, or tips – inspires and motivates someone to travel. This moment of realization came from receiving an email from a reader who was encouraged to explore the world because of their blog. While acknowledging the importance of standard statistics, the blogger views their role as successful from the point of inspiring that first reader, with everything else being an added bonus. This perspective underlines their passion and love for the job.

Conclusion

The story of Brock is a testament to his passion, determination, and vision. Overcoming challenges through strategic planning and constant learning, he leveraged the power of videography to inspire others to explore the world. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring vloggers, making it clear that success in vlogging goes beyond viewer stats and lies primarily in the ability to motivate and impact others.