Sadly, there's no travel in the horizon for me this year. But not traveling does mean I have plenty of time to wander through cyberspace, reading, listening, and watching others on their journeys throughout the world.
Such is the case with TBEX 12, billed as 'the world's largest gathering travel bloggers, writers, and new media content creators'. I may not be there physically but I'm there virtually, chasing around the internet, tracking down posts about the conference.
Thanks to Travelllll.com, who are providing video coverage, a chatroom, and streaming updates, I've just been watching Rand Fishkin's informative talk on SEO Without Selling Your Soul (see video and also slide presentation)
Rand talks about how 'branding is key', even for travel bloggers and that you need to start thinking of your travel blog as a brand.
This TBEX presentation led me to Rand Fishkin's SEOMOZ website and his extremely detailed SEO 101 for Travel Bloggers, a must read for anyone serious about travel blogging.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Travel blogger takeaways from TBEX 12
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Video: Travel Writer Lee Foster talks...
Travel Writer Lee Foster talks at the April 2012 meeting of the Bay Area Travel Writers organization.
The video quality isn't great and the first 4-6 minutes are full of introductions and meeting formalities but if you skip forward to Lee's talk you might find some helpful tips on getting published as a travel writer
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
A conference for family travel bloggers...
Day 1 - Sunday May 6, features a family travel expo (bring the kids) with exhibits from fabulous resorts, tips from experts, and chances to win dream vacations! Discover amazing travel experiences, take advantage of great offers and deals, win trips and prizes, and more. You’ll hear travel tips from experts, learn about great new products, and discover how you can make your dream vacation a reality.
Day 2 - Monday May 7, kicks off an amazing day of keynotes, seminars, networking events and more for established and aspiring family travel bloggers. With content designed specifically for travel bloggers, attendees will take part in sessions on topics such as resort-blogger relations, blog design, pitching resorts & products, photography, building your readership and more.
For more information head over to the Macaroni Kid's Family Expo and Conference page.
Sphere: Related Content
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Laurie Gough will conduct Travel Writing Workshop at the 2012 San Miguel Writers' Conference
Laurie Gough, author of Kite Strings of the Southern Cross and Kiss the Sunset Pig, will be leading a ninety minute 'Introduction to Travel Writing' workshop at the 7th Annual San Miguel Writers' Conference.
Gough is just one of the 42+ great speakers lined up for this bilingual conference in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in February 2012.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Travel Writing Miscellanea....
Attending a writing conference can be an exhaustive and stressful time - you often don't know anyone, you feel that you know nothing, and there is so much to see and hear. But if you follow these top tips - Notes from a First-Time Attendee: What I Learned at NATJA - from Kristen over at Travel Writing 2.0, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the experience.
See,Go,Write features an Interview with Keith Jenkins of Velvet Escape.
Wild Junket has an interview with travel writer Annie Bennett.
Over at Travelblather, Jeremy Heard asks Is the travel blogger lifestyle really that great?
Photographer Dan Christopher considers What Wannabe Travel Writers Need To Know Immediately while at the 2011 NATJA writers conference.
Moon Travel Guides are offering a free ebook download of its all-new Moon Maya 2012 travel guide written by Central America travel expert Joshua Berman.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
MatadorU: From travel writing courses to press trips...
So you want to be a travel writer?
But where to start....
Matador U might just be able to help.
MatadorU has the answer to that question and many, many more. Since 2009, this online education center - an offshoot of it's online travel publication - has been offering a travel writing advice and courses.
And due to the success of their MatadorU Travel Writing Course and MatadorU Travel Photography Course, they are now also able to help their students and graduates secure press trips and writer in residence programs.
In other words, they don't just teach. They also nurture, support, and promote their students and graduates to tourism boards and media outlets around the world.
Sounds like just the thing for anyone starting out or for anyone looking to take the leap from amateur to professional.
Monday, October 03, 2011
2012 Travel Bloggers Unite Conference to be held in Umbria, Italy...
Travel Bloggers Unite (TBU) has just announced that their 2012 conference will be held in Umbria, Italy between 20 - 22 April.
Following on the success of the recent TBU Innsbruck conference (read Ken Kaminesky's review), the gang at Travel Bloggers Unite are aiming to make next year's conference 'the best travel blogging conference yet' by bringing travel bloggers + writers together with travel PRs, tourist boards and travel companies and offering a variety of expert led workshops, city tours, and networking opportunities.
Learn more about schedule overview and how to book for this travel blogging conference here.
Travel to Europe wasn't really on my radar for next year, but having read a number of reviews of TBU's Innsbruck travel blogging conference, I've decided that this sounds like an opportunity too good to miss so I've gone ahead and booked a ticket.
Now I just have to work out the logistics of getting there.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Quirky Traveller's to hold Travel Blogging Workshop in October...
Award winning travel blogger Zoe Davies, aka The Quirky Traveller, is running a Travel Writing & Photography Day on the 8th October 2011.
Covering travel writing and photography techniques, this day long workshop focuses on...
Express your creative voice more effectively
Discover what makes someone WANT to read your writing
Explore the world of travel blogging and article writing
Get top tips on writing and photography from the experts
Produce some writing and get feedback from the tutor and group.
The workshop is being held at Leighton Hall, the historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture making family.
Bookings: Contact Zoë: 01524 735715 or zoe@thequirkytraveller.com Sphere: Related Content
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Travelllll.com and Expedia Want to Host Two Travel Bloggers at World Travel Market...
Newly launched travel blogging and media news site Travelllll.com has teamed up with Expedia to host two travel bloggers at this year's World Travel Market being held in London between 7th and 10th November, providing not only press access to the entire event but also four star accommodation and, if you live in Europe free flights to London.
For more details on how to enter, head over to the Travelllll.com WTM contest page
A word of advice though - make yourself some coffee before you head there because once you arrive at Travelllll.com you'll going to find it hard to leave. It might have only launched last week, but already it's providing plenty of interesting and thought provoking content.
Good luck and happy reading!
Getting the most out of World Travel Market 2011...
Travel Bloggers Unite (TBU) has posted a comprehensive Travel Bloggers Guide to World Travel Market, a useful tool for anyone planning on attending the four day event being held in London between 7-10 November. The detailed day by day account of what's on and when will help arrange your days at World Travel Market.
On the second day (8th November) Travel Bloggers Unite will be hosting an expert Q & A Panel entitled 'How Can Travel Bloggers Increase Sales and Brand Visibility' (with bloggers Keith Jenkins and Janice Waugh and Jaume Marin from the Costa Brava Tourism Board) followed by Networking Drinks to give bloggers a chance to network with PRs and their travel industry clients.
And on the 9th and 10th of November, there is the two day Social Travel Market #STM11, a fringe conference on social media in travel which might just be the 'icing on the cake' for travel bloggers attending WTM.
The World Travel Market has also put out the WTM Mobile App available for download on all smartphones to help you navigate your way around.
For more about the World Travel Market expo and how to register, visit the World Travel Market homepage.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
A Travel Blogging Conference in South Africa...
South Africa's very first travel blogging conference will be held in Cape Town on 5th November 2011. Sponsored by Cape Town Tourism the one day Getaway Travel Blog Conference will feature some of South Africa's top bloggers and online gurus talking about the ins and outs of travel blogging.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Global Bloggers Network presents 'Monetizing Your Blog' workshop at recent TBU conference...
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
The Second Annual THETRAVELBLOGGERSHOW on this weekend...
The second annual THE TRAVEL BLOGGER SHOW is being held in Las Vegas this coming weekend in conjunction with ASTA's Travel Retailing & Destination Expo for travel agents and suppliers.
It's definitely worth a visit if you're going to be in the area.
A full evening and day of networking, presentations, and discussions all aimed at the art of successful travel blogging.
On September 10th, there's THE TRAVEL BLOGGER SHOW Tweet-Up at STIR Lounge, Platinum Hotel from 7pm to 9pm.
On September 11th, starting at 9 am, there's a full day of presentations scheduled at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 9 am to 6 pm, followed by a receptions at the Cafe Nikki at the Tropicana,
Presentations: Beyond Guest Posting: Broadening Your Audience Through Increasing Brand Awareness
Presented by Ben Reed
Making Your Blog Pop: Five Steps to a Killer Travel Blog
Presented by Beth Whitman
Marketing and Publicizing Your Blog. How to take it viral and spread your content across the globe
Presented by George Hobica
Monetizing Your Blog: How to turn your blog into a money machine
Presented by Wil Klass
Search Engine Optimization: Optimize your blog, maximize your reach
Presented by George Oberle
Where to Next? Surviving in the fast-evolving world of blogging
Moderated by Grant Martin
Panelists: George Hobica, Wil Klass, George Oberle, Ben Reed, Beth Whitman
For more information, head over to the THETRAVELBLOGGERSHOW webpage
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Don George's Top Tips for getting the most out of TBEX and other writer's conferences....
Anyone heading to TBEX'11 or for that matter any writer's conference will want to read Don George's Top tips for TBEX and other writers' conferences.
Sphere: Related ContentHow to Win A 12 Week Travel Photography Course From MatadorU...
The Carey Adventures has teamed up with MatadorU to offer their Travel Photography Program, a self paced 12 week course, worth $350 to one lucky winner.
To be in with a chance all you have to do is leave a comment over at The Carey Adventures by 9:00pm PDT Monday 6th June, 2011.
The winner will be chosen by a random draw.
The rules for entering...
"Anyone worldwide may enter as long as they are legally able to win such a prize in their country. One entry per person. Only actual humans can enter. The drawing will be held on, or about, Monday the June 6th. I will use Random.org to pick a winner based on the order of entry. Deadline to enter is Monday, June 6th, 2011 at 9:00pm PDT. MatadorU is not directly affiliated with the drawing, they are just the prize. the prize is tuition for 1 (one) person and I will be putting you in contact with MatadorU for claiming of the prize. Make sure your email address in the comment below is valid, otherwise, if your mail bounces and I can’t get a hold of you any other way, I will award the prize to another random commenter.
To enter, do one good thing for someone else, without them asking you to do it, and then leave a comment below. The comment need not be about the good thing you did at all. And the level of goodness does not matter as it’s a random drawing. I just think I should use this pulpit to force you to be nice."
Good luck Sphere: Related Content
Monday, April 04, 2011
Slideshow: Travel writer discusses 'travel writing at ground level'
Interesting presentation notes by Lola (Akinmade) Åkerström from her talk 'Travel Writing at Ground Level' presented at Travel Bloggers Unite TBU'11
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Apply now for the Fall 2011 Glimpse Correspondents Program
The application round for the Fall 2011 Glimpse Correspondents Program has officially opened.
It's a great opportunity for students, volunteers, teachers, and travelers planning on being abroad this year to get their stories and photography published at high-profile publications--and get paid for it.
The Glimpse Correspondents Program is powered by Matador, and supported in part by the National Geographic Society. Selected writers and photographers will get a $600 stipend and one onone editorial training and support in creating a portfolio of published work.
Anyone over 18 is eligible, and writers and photographers of all skill and experience levels are encouraged to apply. The criteria
for selecting Correspondents not only include candidates' talents in writing or photography, but also their vision for engaging
communities and finding unique stories while abroad, as well as their commitment to developing these stories into polished
long-form narratives over the course of the program.
To learn more, visit the Correspondents Program page
.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Idaho River Journeys' Writing and Photography Workshops...
Idaho River Journeys, who have been outfitting river trips in Idaho since 1978 are hosting two great writing and photography workshops this summer:
Middle Fork Writing Workshop: August 17-21
with Tim Cahill & Mike Shapiro
Tim Cahill, a founding editor of Outside magazine and author of several books about adventure travel, will be offering a writing workshop this August on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Co-teaching with Cahill will be Michael Shapiro, a travel writer for National Geographic Traveler, the Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle.
Shapiro and Cahill have taught together for more than a decade, working with aspiring writers to develop stories ideas and hone the craft of evocatively telling tales. The on-river workshop will combine lessons from masters such as Edward Abbey and Bill Bryson with writing practice and story diagramming. August 17-21, $1,895 Adult
Main Salmon River Photography: July 30 - Aug 3
with Tysun McMullin
Tysun McMillan joins on the Main Salmon on July 30th for a 5-day photo clinic. Prior to devoting his carreer to photography, Tysun was a Hollywood televisioin editor and filmaker. In recent years he has produced two award winning movies about fly fishing in the southern Sierra. He is an entertaining, talented, and enthusiasic photographer who you will enjoy spending time with. The trip fare is $1,695.Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Launch Party for the TBEX Los Angeles Chapter...
Travel bloggers in Los Angeles or those heading to Los Angeles later this month can attend the TBEX LA Chapter Launch Party at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel just before the LA Times Travel and Adventure Show.
The event is hosted by co-chairs, JohnnyJet and Jen Miner of the Vacation Gals.
This event is open to all travel bloggers, writers and travel industry folks. More info and updates from the co-chairs
and other fun stuff can be found on the TBEX LA Chapter Tumblr.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Take a Travel Writing Course in Italy...
The Sydney Writers’ Centre, in partnership with Bookshop Travel, are running a unique writing retreat in Italy between Friday 16 September to Friday 30 September 2011.
Live like a local for two weeks in Florence during which time Sue White, one of Australia's busiest and most widely-published travel writers, will be presenting..."...a series of eight morning travel writing classes...including practical workshops that simulate a press trip and a hands-on field trip so that your tutor can illustrate the practical aspects of note-taking and observation while travelling."
Class topics include "...Knowing Your Market, Life on the Road, Walking the Streets, Hitting Your Target Audience, The Details You Need, How to Handle a Press Trip, Workshopping your Travel Writing, Selling Your Work and much more."
Afternoons will be left free for participants to explore the city of Florence and beyond.
You can find more information about Travel Writing in Italy 2011
at the Sydney Writers' Centre website.
