In this delightful conversation with @SEKeener, director of Boots N All Travel Network, @Elliottng VP of Marketing for Uptake.com and @KimMance editor-in-chief of gogalavanting.com and founder of TravelBlogExchange.com discuss the importance of travel blog communities and how tourism businesses can connect with travel bloggers.
If you are a tourism business looking to connect with new media don’t miss this insight-filled conversation about bloggers and their communities.
Background:
- Boots N’ All Travel Network – 6-7 year old blogging community connecting people.
- Uptake – 1.5 year old travel information site / search engine just launched a travel blog network that helps promote the search engine and promote richly tagged search.
- TravelBlogExchange – over 400 bloggers have joined in less than three weeks forming small groups discussing all kinds of issues relevant to travel blogging
The value of networking – connecting bloggers has many benefits:
- bloggers get exposure that may lead to exposure in many different locations including high profile publications
- community participation leads to comments and feedback on content that a blogger can’t get without connecting via networks.
- cause-related issues – Passports with a Purpose and blogging networks can move issues.
- bloggers can help one another by focusing on their strengths and helping one another grow their skills and abilities.
- travel blogging networks provide more visibility for individual bloggers
- coming together like the mom-bloggers gives the community more power and influence
- The social side of blog networks can be difficult to monetize or at least measure, but the power of stories to influence travelers decisions is huge.
How does a tourism business get their story told by a blogger?
- experiment with all kinds of media, don’t try to follow others
- connecting with folks in social media – connect with the people who care the most about your destination
- search the Travel Blog Exchange to find bloggers to tell a story
- It’s all about relationships: Why should a blogger care about your business?
- foster relationships with bloggers to get exposure for your business
- connect with bloggers in their medium, using the social networking tools they use
- be personal and transparent- don’t hide behind your business brand
- be interesting
Kim’s 3 Tips to connect with bloggers:
- Email the blogger by name and reference something relevant that you have seen on their blog
- Provide and link to great photos.
- Develop a database of customized discount codes for the blogger to use to promote their story.
Twits you might want to know more about that were mentioned in this podcast:
- Debbie Dubrow – @DeliciousBaby
- Pam Mandel – @nerdseyeview
- Kevin May @travolution,
- Jens Traenhart
- PhilCaines @philcaines,
- Guido vandenElshout @happyhotelier
- @Soultravelers3
Other Websites of interest noted in this podcast:
- Tips from the T-list
- Passports with a Purpose: Travel Bloggers raise over $7000 for Heifer Int’l.
- Blogher
- CNReviews.com – Elliott Ng’s blog on China
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I really hope that everyone in travel PR listens to this. There’s terrific insight into how bloggers work and how PR can really be a part of that. Well done, well done!
This is a really great discussion!
On the other side of this – being a writer and getting info from PR folks – I’ve had some good response from PR people just lately. One of the things I do when I shoot of an email to them for information, or to inquire about a press trip, is to include numbers and give them reasons as to why they should want to work with me.
The thought that keeps coming to mind with these conversations that I’ve heard (or participated in), is that we need to examine other industries for examples and insight into the blogger/marketing relationship. Design blogs, for example, deal with PR companies all the time. Sometimes it feels like the travel blogging community is reinventing the wheel when it comes to the sticky situation of maintaining integrity while developing relationships with the industry.
Another excellent show. I’m on the podcasting/blogging side of the fence and I have to say you’re doing a great job of demystifying our existence. I hope PR companies do take notice.
That was a great interview, Todd. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. A lot of excellent insights. I thought your comment about stories is so salient to what we do to create meaningful experiences for people. As Sean said, “the best part of travelling are the people you meet.” We share Sean’s belief that relationships are everything. And I think it comes from the passion that Elliott talked about. It takes courage to put yourself out there, but the rewards are immense, not only for your business but for you personally. It was wonderful to hear all your voices. It really makes a connection.
Thanks again,
@AuthenticCoast
Great conversation about bloggers and their networks, Todd! I will RT on the Twittosphere.
As a blogger who started on Bootsnall (thanks Sean), graduated to my own “What a Trip” blog and now edit the Uptake Lodging blog (thanks Elliott) I firmly believe in building relationships.
My tip to PR firms and tourism bureaus; don’t be afraid to engage in the conversation. Leave comments on our blogs. As writers, we LOVE comments and feedback.
I second what Kim said, “Read my blog & address me by name.” My blog is targeted to high end travelers and I’m based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I write in 1st person so pitch me an experience that I can replicate for my readers.
Finally, think of Travel Blog Exchange as someone handing you a free media list.
Follow me on Twitter @Nancydbrown
That Sounds interesting, I agree with you.Please keep at your good work, I would come back often.
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