lipe porn resort, Photo by Steve and Sarah Rea-Neill

Morning Talk – Travel Porn

If that isn’t a title to start off a morning, not much else is… Gary Arndt (Everything-Everywhere) captivated the audience because he has presence, speaks dynamically and cuts to the chase. The true topic dealt with photography – the use of photos to increase traffic to your site. (It isn’t all about video – pictures have purpose.) Ultimately, the use of photographs allows your reader to travel to places they may never experience for themselves. It was equated to reading National Geographic: you buy it for the images first, the stories (behind those images) second.

Though the above insight is an important one, few other attendees have touched upon the other aspects of Mr. Arndt’s talk in their commentaries:
* Your worst photo may actually be your best for connecting the reader to your true story.
* Expensive cameras do not take the best photographs. It’s the human eye behind the lens that counts.
* Use your own pictures rather than from someone else’s site whenever possible. It’s your story you’re telling, not theirs.
* When using someone else’s work, give credit where credit is due. Place a link back to the photo owner’s site.
* Ask permission. Images on Flickr and other storage sites are not always free for the taking.
* Editing your photos is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it just creates a better image.

Session #5- Travel Writing Ethics: Freebies and Disclosure

This is the session where ‘proper behavior’ makes another appearance – but we’ll get to that.
A representative, Mary Engle, from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was part of this discussion and outlined the latest 2009 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” which now includes (US) bloggers (§ 255.1 General considerations: Example 5). Those blogging from outside the US are left to deal with their own country’s regulations on such matters. (A small piece of proof the US does not actually rule the world or the internet. Phew!)

Regardless of where one’s blog originates (US, Thailand or Venus), it was the consensus of all panelists that full disclosure about most everything was necessary. If you received something for free (large or small) and you write about it, the source of that freebie should be disclosed somewhere in your entry

.Regardless of where one’s blog originates (US, Thailand or Venus), it was the consensus of all panelists that full disclosure about most everything was necessary. If you received something for free (large or small) and you write about it, the source of that freebie should be disclosed somewhere in your entry. (US citizens are subject to penalties for not doing so under these new guidelines.) The size of the freebie is of little consequence. Whether the item, hotel, trip, book, whatever was reviewed in a positive or negative light, it was given under the auspices of endorsement, testimony and/or advertising.

Most will place a small, italicized acknowledgement comment at the end of their blog – if they place one at all. (I’m guilty of the small comment myself at times.) Lola Akimade (Matador Network) recommended “weaving” the disclaimer (as it were) into the beginning paragraphs of your blog entry. By doing so, the acknowledgement is upfront and less likely to be forgotten by the author. Makes perfect sense to me and a suggestion I will follow.

All in all – the bottom line is to behave properly, be honest and give credit where credit is due. If you received something, say so. If you liked it or hated it, say so. If you question how a provider will take a negative review – contact them before publishing something as communication between parties is an asset more often than not. Remember, your opinion should not be a commodity that can be bought and/or sold because something was free – whether offered or requested.

Session #6 – SEO for Travel Blogging and Monetizing Strategies

Search engine optimization and monetizing strategies… I wish I could have taken more away from this panel. Honestly, the key words here were link exchange, link exchange and link exchange. Oh, did I mention, link exchange?! What did come through:
* Link exchange (Use all avenues available to you to link to other sites, thus increasing hits.)
* Key words (Use tools such as Google’s Keyword Tool and others to widen your reach.)
* Link photos and videos (If you use someone’s photo/video – link it back to their site in your “Photo courtesy of” comment. Besides, it’s the polite thing to do too.)
* Expand your website by creating e-books and other media.
* Create affiliate links with those who offer alternative media (e-books, etc.)

Beerman at TBEX10, Photo by Gretchen L. Wilson-Kalav

Session #7 – Podcasting Demo

Craig Martin (Indie Travel Podcast) and Chris Christiansen (This Week in Travel/Amateur Traveler) described how they create their podccasts and the equipment they use. Their time was limited. It’s also not an avenue with which I am completely familiar so… For more information, please click the links to contact Craig/Linda Martin, Chris Christensen and/or Gary Arndt (This Week in Travel/Everything-Everywhere.) Thanks! (I did enjoy the discussion just the same.)

Closing Thoughts…

The Travel Blog Exchange 2010 Conference had quite a bit to offer and I surely did not capture it all. The above are only “snippits” for your consideration when writing your entries but I hope there is something for everyone somewhere in the mix. Whether you were an attendee or someone stumbling upon this post after the fact: Travel. Write. And most of all… Enjoy the Adventure! I know the guy pictured did – hands down.

In case you’ve missed it, click here for “Why Are They All Talking At Me? (The TBEX10 Experience – Day One)“. It’s page one of the good stuff. Really.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
Why Are They All Talking At Me? (The TBEX10 Experience – Day Two) |
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Post categories: Tips for bloggers
Post tags: Conference, New York City, TBEX10, Travel Blog Exchange, travel blogging, travel writing

Birdman of Washington Square, Photo by Gretchen L. Wilson-Kalav

Pre-Conference Jitters

The end of June (June 26th & 27th, to be exact) had me quaking in my proverbial boots for a few weeks prior – mentally trying to digest what a conference dedicated to bloggers would actually entail. Though an editor and a blogger, I had not attended a function such as this in the past. I was filled with excitement and trepidation simultaneously. Listening to *Hayes Carll’s “I Got A Gig” during the flight to NYC washed away all of the anxiety. I had a gig: Look, Listen & Learn. Period. I looked, I listened and I learned:

Morning Talk – Passion and Wanderlust

Jim Benning of World Hum, in his opening remarks, made several references to the differences and the similarities between travel writers and travel bloggers. He acknowledged a portion of the information that was soon to be presented would not truly pertain solely to bloggers but glean what one could from it. Given the now overlapping aspects of being a travel writer and/or a travel blogger, much was to be gained from both sides of the various presenter’s coins. The final word – write what you want. Just do it with passion and a sense of everlasting wanderlust.

The final word – write what you want. Just do it with passion and a sense of everlasting wanderlust.

Session #1 – Upping Your Game

Whether you are a writer, blogger, journalist, essayist, novelist or just scribble words on a page for the sheer enjoyment of feeling pen in hand, there is one theme that flows throughout all venues. Be a teller of stories. It’s a simple concept but one few actually follow. If you are going to write about your day in Rome, weave a story around your activities. Refrain from the “I did this and then I did that” approach. Your audience = strangers. They don’t know you but by telling a great story, they will continue to visit your blog over and over again. Draw them in with humor, intrigue, mystery, whatever. Basically, remember the rules of storytelling; introduce interesting characters (you), lead the reader along the path with intrigue, offer them the plot line at the crest of your tale and then finish so you and they feel a sense of accomplishment.

Session #2 – Travel Video for the Web

A few technical difficulties did decrease the amount of information available during this discussion, but much was still to be had. The thrust of the session dealt with video blogging rather than including video into one’s written blog format. In other words, how to film /edit video for YouTube, Cable TV, etc. (All very useful venues for bloggers.) Whether making the move to video blogging only or wanting to add video to your written blog, the information is great.

The highlight: creating your video from beginning to end. It is not a ‘just take your camera out, shoot countless hours of continuous footage then spend countless more hours sitting behind a monitor editing out 90% of a day’s work’. It’s actually simpler than that. Possibly more boring too, but gets the job done without the ‘lost in the glow of the monitor stare’.
* Pre-think your true subject/story line.
* Define your time line. (How much time do you have to tell your whole story.)
* Consider the arc of your story. (Build up, topic capture, wind down to ending.)
* Block out your shots. (Mentally, and in writing, connect the story line to a visual representation of each story’s segments.)
* Don’t be afraid to get up and personal with your subject even when it is a human being. (”Over their shoulder” shots to get something like kneading bread works. People are likely to accept that “closeness” when they are the story. Remain professional in your demeanor as it will go a long way to getting the perfect 10-30 seconds of footage.)
* Film only what’s truly needed. (If you have done all of the above, you will shoot minutes, rather than hours, of footage. You will also have created better stuff.)

Session #3 – Working with PR

Though humorously referred to as “How do I get free stuff – like trips and swag and anything else?” it was more about proper behavior.

Though humorously referred to as “How do I get free stuff – like trips and swag and anything else?” it was more about proper behavior. (Proper behavior aspects arise in a later panel discussion too.) With the lines of travel blogger and writer beginning to overlap more and more, public relations people have finally started to take notice. Bloggers have also taken notice that there are PR opportunities available to them that hadn’t existed in the past. There are no strict guidelines only suggestions and recommendations on how the PR world works.
* Be specific and do your homework. (If you want something from someone (ie; free hotel stay) give them a reason to consider it. “I like hotels so let me stay” is not good enough, where “I’m writing about the new attractions surrounding your hotel” just may be your ticket in.)
* Define what’s expected from both sides beforehand. (Is airfare included, gratuities included, am I touring with a group, will I have “personal time”, what are the rules? Be sure to include your own expectations so you are not caught off guard. If it’s goods, rather than services, again, what is expected in return for receiving said goods?)
* Be truthful. (If a review of any kind is expected, regardless of who has paid the tab tell the truth about the experience. Whether hotel review, book review or anything else, just be honest.)

Session #4 – Branding, Finding a Niche and Relevant Self-Promotion

The title pretty much covers it all. Evelyn Hannon of Journeywoman.com has found her niche by writing articles specifically targeted to women. Jessica Spiegel of Bootsnall/WhyGo Italy (Italy Logue) has found hers in writing about (you guessed it) Italy. Each participant has found their niche by sticking to what they know from their own personal life experiences. As for self-promotional, you are your own best advocate. Also, don’t be afraid of tools such as Google’s Keyword Tool to help generate new/innovated search terms for your site. Outside of saying “use your friends, family, social media, keyword generators, etc.” – I’m stuck in the mud. (Hopefully, someone will come along and dig me out…)

Click here for “Why Are They All Talking At Me? (The TBEX10 Experience – Day Two)“. It’s more good stuff. Really.

*Hayes Carll – everyone should have a chance to expand their horizons, whether it be music, literature, or whatever. He is my current contribution. Like him or not – you’ve just had a new experience you may not have had before… (PS: Not promoting anything other than I really like the song. PasteMagazineOnline and I have no relationship whatsoever. Full disclosure.)

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
Why Are They All Talking At Me? (The TBEX10 Experience – Day One) |
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Post categories: Tips for bloggers
Post tags: Conference, New York City, TBEX10, Travel Blog Exchange, travel blogging, travel writing

A Train, Photo by Kris Kalav

Opening Disclaimer: I realize that the previous Editors of TravelBlogs.com have not written their own articles nor contributed their own comments to panel discussions. With the following “commentary” I will have now done both in a (somewhat) short period of time. But, in my humble opinion, both contributions have reasons behind them. So, news anyone?

TBEX10 Logo

Recently I, along with my husband and 298 or so others, attended the Travel Blog Exchange 2010 Conference (TBEX10) in New York City. I was advised to approach this gathering with an “open eyes, open ears and an open mind” philosophy. I hope I succeeded in heeding said words of wisdom. Though I have attended/presented at conferences ranging from 20 to 20,000 participants over the years, none have pertained to travel and/or the industry itself.

I was advised to approach this gathering with an “open eyes, open ears and an open mind” philosophy. I hope I succeeded in heeding said words of wisdom.

So, for me, this one was unique, very informative, suffered a small case of the hiccups (from which there was recovery) and was ultimately a rather sizeable success in my mind.

Putting the pre and post party networking sessions aside for the moment, the conference did cover a plethora of topics. Each of the panel discussions (meaning their participants) had the ardent task of straddling the still present, though thankfully narrowing divide between ‘travel writer’ and ‘travel blogger’. In the beginning, the line in the sand between the two was a mostly clear-cut one. Technology, social media and gatherings, such as TBEX09/TBEX10 among others, have created a blur. That may sound like a bad thing – it is not. It is a coming together of two separate mindsets, both which will benefit from each other in the long term.

Now the question is how to meld the two together seamlessly. Maybe the real question is should they be melded together at all? As to be expected, the consensus over the two days was a resounding, “Yes!” Traditional print travel writers are embracing the blogosphere as a (relatively) new outlet for disseminating their information while many of the bloggers view the printed word in the same way. That ‘narrowing divide’ has just gotten narrower. Some may describe print media as a dinosaur on the verge of extinction. That may be true. But, there is still a handful of us who love the feel and smell of a newspaper, magazine or whatever. Who hasn’t secretly paged through the *SkyMall™ magazine on a plane… (Not seeing too many hands raised.)
*Thank you, Jason Barger for “Step Away from the Baggage Claim”.

The true nitty-gritty of the whole affair comes down to what each attendee took away from the event besides swag. I could say it was this discussion or that one – but I would be lying.

The true nitty-gritty of the whole affair comes down to what each attendee took away from the event besides swag. I could say it was this discussion or that one – but I would be lying. I would only be stating what I personally found informative in relationship to my own circumstances. I am an editor first and secondly, a blogger. Because of this, I took away good stuff that was relevant to each individually, though not necessarily collectively. The “Travel Writing Ethics” panel definitely played to my role as an editor while the “Upping Your Game” session gave me an expanded path to follow when it comes to writing my blog entries. The bottom line: What you saw (heard) is what you got – pure and simple. No one should have walked away empty-handed. If they did, they have only themselves to blame (or the World Cup).

Now, about those pre and post parties…. Never under estimate the benefits of the great networking opportunities, which can be found between a few cocktails, appetizers and some very lively, very loud verbal banter. (Ear plugs recommended though not required.) Better yet – you just might meet a new friend you had not known before. Strange world.

For more information and commentary check out Tips for Bloggers.

Why Are They All Talking At Me? (The TBEX10 Experience – Day One)
Why Are They All Talking At Me? (The TBEX10 Experience – Day Two)

Click the links! There is something for everyone. (Or, at least I hope there is…)

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
New York City: Why Are We Here?! |
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Post tags: Conference, New York City, TBEX10, Travel Blog Exchange, travel blogging, travel writing