You Don’t Have to Be a Writer to Create Content While Traveling
How voice-first content creation solved my biggest digital nomad challenge
For the longest time, I’ve wanted to write and create content while I traveled, but I never considered myself a writer. It always felt like the worst part of content creation.
My wife and I moved abroad and I had the desire to share what we’ve been up to and to provide guidance to others wanting to do the same. I’d been staring at a blank screen for days, trying to write a blog post about our experience moving to Colombia with our dog. I have always been able to write, as in type things on a keyboard, but I always end up losing my train of thought and then I get busy doing other things. I spent so much time trying to write that I wasn’t doing what I came here to do, which is experience the culture and share it with you.
But then I discovered something that changed everything.
The Digital Nomad Content Paradox
If you’re building a content business while traveling, whether that’s a travel blog, YouTube channel, or building an audience in any niche, you face a unique problem…
You need consistency to grow your audience. Miss a week, and the algorithm forgets you exist. Your readers move on. Momentum dies.
But you also need flexibility to actually live the lifestyle. What’s the point of location independence if you’re chained to desks or your laptop?
Traditional content creation wasn’t designed for our lifestyle. It assumes:
- A workspace
- Reliable routines
- Hours of uninterrupted focus time
- A stable environment
But nomad life means constantly adapting to new locations, disrupted schedules, jet lag, and the competing priority of actually experiencing the places we visit.
I needed a system that worked with the lifestyle, not against it.
The Voice-First Solution
Here’s what I do now, and it’s embarrassingly simple:
I talk into my phone, or a dedicated recorder.
That’s it. While walking our dog on the promenade. Sitting in a park processing a cultural observation. Right after an interesting conversation with a local.
I record 10+ minute voice memos explaining ideas, sharing experiences, or teaching something I know. Then later, when I actually want to work, I transcribe those recordings and transform them into content.
One 10 minute recording becomes:
- A blog post (800–1,200 words)
- A YouTube script
- A podcast episode
- 5 to 10 social media posts
All from just talking.
Why This Works for Travelers
Speed: You speak 4x faster than you type. That morning walk becomes 1,500+ words of raw material without opening your laptop.
Authenticity: Your best travel content comes right after experiences, when excitement, surprise, or insight is fresh. Voice memos capture that authentic reaction before you overthink it.
Flexibility: No WiFi needed. No desk required. Works when you’re jet lagged and can’t focus on writing but can still explain an idea or an experience you just had.
Minimal Setup: Your phone is your entire recording studio. Transcription apps are mostly free or cheap. So this works everywhere.
The System That Changed My Content Game
After nine months of testing this approach while living in Colombia (and preparing for our next moves through the Balkans and eventually Spain), I’ve created a simple system:
1. Record with intention. Before hitting record, I jot down 3 to 5 bullet points in my notes app. Not a script, just an outline. This keeps me focused without killing spontaneity.
2. Talk like you’re explaining to a friend. The biggest mistake is trying to “sound professional.” Your authentic voice is your advantage. Especially in travel content where personality matters.
3. Embrace the mess. Your recording will have “ums” and tangents. That’s fine. The recording isn’t the final product, it’s the raw material. You’ll shape it later.
4. Transcribe and transform. Free or paid tools turn your audio into text. Then use that transcript as the foundation for every content format you need.
5. Create in batches. When you do have good work time, process multiple recordings at once. This is how I maintain weekly consistency while actually living abroad.
What This Means for Your Content
Since switching to voice-first creation:
- I spend more time experiencing places and less time inside
- My content is more authentic
- I maintain consistency even during travel days, moves, or busy exploration weeks
- My equipment fits in a small bag or my pocket, so no more lugging around full laptop setups
This isn’t about working less. It’s about working smarter with a system designed for movement.
Start Simple
You don’t need my full system to start benefiting from voice-first content.
Try this today:
1. Open your phone’s voice memo app
2. Pick one topic you could explain to a friend
3. Hit record and talk for 5 minutes
4. Upload to a free transcription service
5. Read what you just created
You’ll be surprised how much raw material you generated in just five minutes of talking.
The Complete System
I wrote an entire guide breaking down every step of this process: “You Don’t Have to Be a Writer to Be a Creator” It covers:
- Exactly how to set up your recording system (free and paid options)
- The prompt guide that transforms transcripts into multi-platform content
- Platform-specific formatting ideas for YouTube, podcasts, blogs, and social media
- How to maintain authenticity while using AI tools
- The weekly workflow that takes content from recording to published in hours
You don’t have to buy anything to get started. The basic principle works immediately: just start recording your thoughts instead of typing them.
If you want to go deeper, the ebook gives you the roadmap I use to run Bricks & Borders while living abroad full-time.
Join the Journey
I share weekly insights on slow travel, digital nomad life, and content creation systems in my newsletter at BricksAndBorders.com
If the idea of creating consistently while actually enjoying your travels resonates with you, I’d love to have you along for the journey.
Because here’s the truth: You have enough expertise to create valuable content for months. The blank page has just been getting in your way.
Let’s fix that.
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Ready to transform how you create content while traveling?
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