Travel Blogging

By Ann Wilson

Travel Blogging: What is it?

• A blog is a web based journal; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a web page

• Synonyms: Weblog, Web log • Lots of travelers write down a daily

journal, so the idea is to write down your travel journal online

Other Uses

• UK Telegraph says travel blogs are the best way to research a vacation – Replaces brochures, travel agents, &

guidebooks – Most up-to-date information – Free

Blogging vs Traditional Journalism

• Blogs are often viewed as an opinionated alternative to traditional news

• There is a growing number of newspaper sites that include a blog

• Some say distinction between journalism and blogging has disappeared

Blog Statistics

•  Estimated 200 million travel blogs •  TravelBlog.org has over 150,000

members and grows at around 100 new members a day

•  Wordpress claims to have eight million blogs and 200 million readers per day

•  Google claims 270,000 words are entered into Blogger.com every minute

Blogging Tips

•  Avoid “blogorrhea” - have a purpose for writing •  Posts should be:

–  Interesting –  Brave –  Honest –  Detailed

•  Unusual experiences attract the most interest •  Allow feedback/comments •  Blog regularly •  Spell properly •  Keep posts short and snappy

Top 10 Travel Blogs for 2010

1. Gadling 2. Rick Seaney 3. Tnooz 4. Today in the Sky 5. Sky Talk 6. Online travel review 7. Upgrade: Travel Better 8. Chris Around The World 9. The Practical Nomad 10. The Middle Seat Terminal

Note: click each for the hyperlink

Noted Travel Bloggers

•  Sam Powers and William Reinhard, winners of the Lonely Planet's 2009 overall award for best travel blog – Two Guys Around the World

•  Tom Fewins, winner of the Lonely Planet’s 2009 Best Travelogue award – World in Slow Motion

•  Rolf Potts (came to KU March 30, 2010!) – Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding

Rolf Potts’ tips for travel writers

•  Find an area of expertise – Physical (Argentina) – Travel specialty (extreme sports)

•  Work on narrative voice – Pay attention to techniques and content in

literary travel narratives

•  Research your audience/market •  Work a few years in a foreign country •  Don’t quit your day job

– Find a job that also allows you freedom to travel

Books to read

• Travel Writing by Don George • The Travel Writer’s Handbook by

Louise Purwin Zobel • Travel Writing by Louisa Peat

O’Neil • Written Road by Jen Leo

My Travel Blog

• Adventures Abroad • My blog statistics:

– Total views: 319 – Busiest day: 44 - Monday, June 21,

2010 – Views today: 4

(as of Friday, July 16, 2010)

Sources

•  http://www.travelblog.org/about.html •  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/3391028/

The-worlds-best-travel-blogs.html •  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/

news/article6906164.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2

•  http://www.transitionsabroad.com/navpages/links/best_travel_blogs.shtml

•  http://www.elliott.org/blog/10-travel-blogs-you-should-bookmark-in-2010/

•  http://www.rolfpotts.com/