Wilson, Ann Travel Blogging - William Allen...
Transcript of Wilson, Ann Travel Blogging - William Allen...
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Travel Blogging
By Ann Wilson
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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/