Technology
Your shortcut to the world
Now in its third year, WTM’s successful blogging programme is larger than ever in 2013. Matthew Parsons asks top travel bloggers from across the globe to share their own stories – from how they started and favourite destinations to tips on writing and making a blog a commercial success
WHY WORK WITH BLOGGERS?
Debbie Hindle, managing director of PR agency Four bgb, says: “Professional bloggers are publishers of their own online content and they are also the editor, PR, photographer, videographer, social media and sales and marketing point of contact for their brand. “We know from our client research that brands value the social media amplification of working with bloggers as much as the content on the blog itself. So travel brands are evaluating the size scope and scale of each blogger’s social media and content creation services as well as their blogs. “A major new trend is the fact that
bloggers are also now grouping together to offer commercial content marketing campaigns. For example our client Exodus Travel sent four bloggers to different locations to tweet, post and Instagram their adventures all using an Exodus #feelmorealive campaign hashtag. The blogger activity alone generated almost 8,000 website visits, more than 4,000 of those viewed trip details, and almost 200 did trip searches. Three quarters of the web traffic generated was also new to Exodus.”
26 07.11.2013
Cezar Dumitru
nomadicchick.com
CANADA:
Mariana Calleja
mytravelthirst.com
COSTA RICA:
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN TRAVEL BLOGGING? I’d always dreamt of going to Barcelona, so in 2009 I left Costa Rica to go there, and opened a Twitter account, then a blog… then the world!
IS IT A FULL-TIME JOB? Not yet. I work part-time as a physician in Barcelona.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN TRAVEL BLOGGING? I began Nomadic Chick to share my stories as a solo woman travelling and seeking adventure.
IS IT A FULL-TIME JOB? Yes, mostly. I'm currently living in China and teaching as well, because I craved that experience of being an expat.
HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THE TRAVEL TRADE? I work with operators such as Eurail, Roomarama, Hostelbookers, Real Russia and Vayama.
FAVOURITE DESTINATION? Last year I ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. I'll never forget the thousands of people, and when the bulls were released, I was able to run beside a bull for several seconds, before it bolted.
WHERE ELSE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK? News outlets like AFP, Antenna 3, Cuatro, France 24, Telemetro, FMT news and Talk Radio Europe.
ANY TIPS FOR OTHER ASPIRING WRITERS? Your blog is your resume, so put out content that you're happy with and in your authentic voice.
HOW CAN YOU SUCCEED COMMERCIALLY? Be explicit about what you can deliver to a travel partner. Show what kinds of metrics you can return. Let your personality shine through your brand – that also helps!
HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THE TRAVEL TRADE? I contact companies and tourism boards when planning a trip. I let them know I can be a key tool to help promote a place.
FAVOURITE DESTINATION? Scotland. Its culture makes me melt, and you can really go deep into the history there. There’s magic all over the place and lots of story-telling.
WHERE ELSE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK? On websites such as Traveldudes, Vueling Airlines’ magazine, yTravelBlog, LiveShareTravel, InRhoneAlpes Tourism Board, Charter Trains UK and easyJet. We are also developing an online travel guide called Sense Costa Rica.
ANY TIPS FOR OTHER ASPIRING WRITERS? Don't give up! Keep writing, reading and finding inspiration in everything that moves you.
HOW CAN YOU SUCCEED COMMERCIALLY? Don't be afraid of reaching out. Travel brands that are open to bloggers will be waiting for you.
Nadine Pober
thenadwork.com
AUSTRIA:
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN TRAVEL BLOGGING? In 2010, I won a writing competition for the biggest Austrian phone provider. I had to blog about Turkey for three weeks. Then I became hooked on competitions, winning a round-the-world trip in 2011 and a video competition in 2012, writing about Greece. Then I started my blog.
IS IT A FULL-TIME JOB? I study law in Vienna, but I'm planning a round-the- world trip after I graduate. I'm aiming for a location-independent career in the creative field. Blogging/vlogging is an outlet for that.
HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THE TRAVEL TRADE? I’ve worked with South African Tourism, the German Tourism Board and Visit Scotland, plus operators including GowithOh Apartments, City Segway Tours and Deutsche Bahn.
FAVOURITE DESTINATION? South Africa. I got to dive with crocodiles, learned how to paddle board and rode an ostrich.
WHERE ELSE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK? Austrian lifestyle magazine Miss and theVisa Card Member Magazine.
ANY TIPS FOR OTHER ASPIRING WRITERS? Enter competitions. Choose contests where judges pick the winner.
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