These days, creating a broad travel journal is only going to get you lost in a sea of competitors. Within such a huge niche, to get found it is important to target just a subset of travelers and serve their unique needs rather than try to be all things to all people.
Niche research is important in both the POD/KDP market as well as printables as it helps you discover areas with lower competition. Research sharpens your focus and guides you to create travel journals that resonate with specific groups of customers. Here’s why dedicating time to niche research matters:
- Identifying Demand: Travelers have unique needs—diaries for solo travelers, adventure logs for hikers, or planners for family trips. All of these have audiences so I never worry about high demand. I know from experience that if I create in a high demand niche I may end up on page 5 of search results and sell zero. If I create in a sub-niche where there are only 20 searches, but I am on page 1 of results I will sell a few per month. Which leads us to:
- Gauging Competition: Understanding what’s already available in the marketplace helps you spot crowded spaces and those hidden gems—sub-niches with less saturation. I am more concerned with whether I can easily get on page 1 of search results because at least I will get seen.
- Choosing a Profitable Niche: Obviously finding that sweet spot of both low competition & high demand is ideal, but this is rare. If you find that–go all in while you can!
Types of Travel Journals
This list is a starting point about different types of travel journals. The goal is to stimulate your creative juices. Ideally, look for ideas where you can add your own insights. If I say “hiking journal” but you don’t hike but you do kayak, turn that into a kayak journal for people to document the different locations they have kayaked.
Brainstorm ideas, then research & validate them.
Journaling Styles
Reflection Journals
A reflection journal is perfect for those who like to introspect and ponder the details of their travels. In your reflection journal, you might include personal musings, stories of meeting locals, and responses to prompts. This type of journal serves as a canvas for your inner thoughts and feelings about the places you’ve visited and the experiences you’ve encountered.
Logbooks
Logbooks often include checklists, quick notes, and short descriptions of the day’s activities. You could document each mountain scaled, hike taken, bucket list destination visited and create a record that captures the essence of your adventurous spirit.
Planners
Planners are usually filled out in advance of a trip. They can be taken on the trip so that you remember all of your research and notes and don’t miss out on that special cafe everyone raves about.
Hybrid
Consider mashing up two or more of these styles. Which style(s) you choose will depend on your target audience and the purpose of the journal. I have mashed up a location specific journal that incorporated trip planning and reflective journaling.
Ideas for Niching Down your Travel Journals
Location Based
When crafting travel journals for sale, honing in on specific locations can create endless variations. There is a good chance you can find some location that hasn’t been covered before.
City-Specific Journals: At the city level, I would combine a visitor’s guide and journal into one. Your journal could feature prompts based on iconic landmarks of cities, or you could create bucket list pages with the best places to see or best places to eat in a town.
This is the perfect type of book to create for you home area or places you travel too frequently, since you have a local’s insight. This is harder to pull off from research alone, as it will be more difficult to create something unique and valuable to users.
State or Province Journals: Each state or province has unique characteristics, from local cuisine to historic sites. You could create a list of must-see locations, or suggest some road trip itineraries. Consider including a custom drawn map.
- California: Example pages might be notes on wine-tasting in Napa Valley, or log of rides at Disneyland (watch out for trademarks)
- British Columbia: Add prompts for outdoor adventures in places like Whistler. B.C. and Colorado would be great locations to create skiing themed journals around.
Country Journals: At the country level, include culture, traditions, history, & food along with must-see destinations. Your prompts can guide users to reflect on national experiences. Visiting Northern Ireland in 1991 was profound for me because all those images I had seen on TV about the Troubles were live and right in front of me as soldiers patrolled Belfast’s city center and inspected public buses.
- Japan: Introduce a space for thoughts on tea ceremonies or visiting shrines.
- Italy: What does it mean to see ancient Roman ruins, or visit Pompeii?
Region Journals: Larger regions, such as Southeast Asia or the Mediterranean, require a thoughtful approach. How much of a region is one likely to include in a single trip? Some logical regions that fit that criteria:
- Mediterranean countries
- Europe
- United Kingdom
- New England
- Maritime provinces
- American southwest
- Southern states
By making location specific travel journals, you provide a personalized souvenir for travelers to remember special moments connected to a place. This focus makes your product more relevant and discoverable on platforms like KDP.
Targeting Specific Audiences
Tailoring your journal to fit specific groups can enhance appeal and improve sales.
Camping Journals
From the campsites you’ve visited, the trails you’ve trekked, to the wildlife you’ve encountered, this journal is both a practical log and a place for your nature reflections. Include practical information like gear checklists and locations, along with space for reflective entries about lessons learned from the great outdoors.
Demographic Specific Travel Journals
Journals designed with a particular demographic in mind, such as women seeking personal growth, can resonate deeply with buyers. For example, a journal themed around wellness destinations or self-care retreats can attract those interested in healing and rejuvenation. Include prompts and quotes that encourage reflection and introspection.
Some other demographic ideas include:
- Solo female travelers
- Adventure enthusiasts
- Family travelers
- Digital nomads
- Seniors
- LGBTQ+ travelers
- Hostellers
Children’s Activity Travel Books
Make the trips unforgettable for young explorers with children’s activity travel books. These should be vibrant, fun, and interactive. Consider incorporating puzzles, scavenger hunts, and space for doodling. Books like this entertain children while on the trip, but can be cherished keepsakes for parents, capturing memories from their perspective.
Activity or Interest based travel journal
Cater to specific hobbies or interests, like foodies, hiking, or urban sketching, within your journals. This focus will help your product stand out to those with a clear passion for they activity they love. Use keyword research to ensure you’re hitting terms your audience is searching for, such as “culinary adventures journal” or “hiker’s diary.”
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Travel Planners by Travel Style
Some of us travel on a budget while others like to splurge. You can design planners that cater to these different travel preferences.
Budget Travel
For the budget-conscious traveler, a planner/journal combo can focus on tracking spending. Include sections for:
- Daily budgets
- Cost comparisons
- Discount trackers & coupons
Luxury Travel
Your luxury travel planner could feature pages for:
- Dining reservations
- Spa and wellness appointments
- VIP experiences
Eco-Friendly Travel
Cater to the eco-warrior by adding sections on:
- Sustainable accommodations
- Local green activities
- Carbon footprint logs
Slow Travel
For those focused on blending in to the local lifestyle include:
- Local language phrases
- Cultural event calendars
- Personal reflection prompts
| Travel Style | Journal Focus | Planner Details |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Travel | Spending Management | Daily allowance, deal finders, cost trackers. |
| Luxury Travel | Exclusive Engagements | Reservation trackers, high-end experiences. |
| Eco-Friendly | Sustainability | Eco-stays, green activities, impact records. |
| Slow Travel | Cultural Immersion | Language section, event logs, reflective spaces. |
Content Strategies for Unique Travel Journals
Content strategies for your travel journals involves adding sections that encourage user engagement and provide unique value. You want your journal to not only stand out but also to be a practical tool for your readers.
Including Prompts and Quotes
Prompts could be specific questions geared towards capturing the reader’s daily experiences or thoughts on their travels. For example:
- Reflect: What did you learn about yourself today?
- Discover: Describe one unexpected moment that stood out.
Including inspirational quotes related to travel and exploration can be a great way to add decorative elements to your journal. Aim for quotes that ignite a sense of adventure and contemplation, such as “Adventure is worthwhile in itself” by Amelia Earhart. Be sure you follow all copyright rules if including quotes.
Use a tool like Canva which has templates to help you design your quotes with beautiful typography. Or, look for premade typography quotes on sites like Creative Fabrica (check the license details for commercial use).
Daily Planners and Trackers
Your journal can double as a daily planner to help organize travel plans. Try including a table with headers like:
| Date | Destination | Activities | Transportation | Accommodation |
|---|
Add a section for trackers, where travelers can log various aspects of their trip. Trackers can be list-based or graphical. Trackers might include:
- Expenses: Keeping a budget in check.
- Mood: Reflecting on emotional states throughout the journey.
- Steps: Monitoring physical activity.
Travel Guide Content
I’ve touched on this already in the location based idea section, but include some content pages that will help your user. Ideas include:
- Must see places
- Suggested packing list
- Transportation options
- Weather
- Common phrases translated
- Cultural norms to be aware of
Supplementary Product Opportunities
When you’re looking to expand your travel journal offerings, don’t overlook the potential of supplementary low-content products. These can enhance your portfolio and provide your customers with a broader range of related items. It’s easier to get repeat customers than new ones.
Related Books
Consider pairing your travel journals with other content that travel enthusiasts might enjoy. For example, activity books filled with crosswords, word searches, and puzzles themed around global cities can complement your journals. This combination satisfies both the creative aspect and the practical need for entertainment during travels.
- Recipe book: Curate a collection of recipes from a specific destinations. This allows users to relive their travels through taste.
Coloring books: Travel-themed coloring books can be a de-stressor for adults and a fun pastime for kids.
Creating Series
Building a series of travel journals can help you establish brand loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Many people who love travel enough to purchase a journal are likely to visit multiple locations. Consider these series ideas:
- Regional travel journal series: Offer a journal for different regions or countries, allowing your customers to collect them as they explore new places.
- Themed journals: Develop journals focused on specific travel interests, such as nature trails, urban exploration, or beach vacations.
Each product in your series should offer a unique experience while maintaining a consistent style or theme, making your brand instantly recognizable. Remember, the key is to create products that speak to your audience’s interests and complement their travel experiences.
