Travel blogger takeaways from TBEX 12

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.

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The search is on for England's biggest fan...

VisitEngland.com is searching for a budding travel writer / broadcaster / social networker to take an all-expenses paid 70 day trip around England.

The chosen 'biggest fan' will take a trip around England in a van, following on the heels of the Olympic  Torch Relay

Requirements for the position are simple - you have to be a real England enthusiast who would be able to entertain England with videos, photos, blog posts, facebook and twitter updates.

According to the enjoyEngland website, the perfect fan is...

• is a go-getter who instinctively knows where the action is, and uncovers the best stories
• can write like a dream. All the better to blog with…
• has an mean eye for photography
• is charismatic, with a great sense of humour when things don’t go to plan…
• is utterly engaged with the task, and engaging by nature
• has a full, clean UK driving licence
• is over 21 years of age
• is available for adventures countrywide between 14 May – 27 July

Interested?

All you need to do is send VisitEngland 100 words on your favorite place in England along with a photograph by April 9th.

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Travelllll.com is hiring writers...

Travelllll.com, a travel blogging and media news site, is looking for a few good writers to provide content on travel blogging trends and the latest trends, news, and products in the online travel market.

What they are looking for... 

• People who are passionate about the travel industry. We’re looking for two people who are on the bubble when it comes to the latest trends, news, and products in the online travel market.

• Good writers. We’re looking for people who can craft some English prose. You don’t have to be Shakespeare. But you should feel pretty comfortable with your abilities.

• Social media enthusiasts. We write about the online travel industry, not the destinations. You’ve got to have an interest in how travel as a whole is evolving online, not just pretty beaches and where to get the best Margarita.

If that sounds like you, head on over to Travelllll.com to find out how to apply.

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Green Travel Writer wanted...

Go Green Travel Green (GGTG) is a leading travel website dedicated to making sustainable travel accessible for everyone. We’re growing and looking for a stellar writer to contribute 4-8 blog posts per month. Each post will pertain to travel, environmentalism, and/or intersection between the two.

Qualifications

Excellent writing skills
Ability to write in an engaging voice
Experience writing for an online audience (blogging experience preferred)
Ability to meet deadlines and develop and manage an editorial calendar
Knowledge of basic HTML
Fluent in English
Passion for travel and/or environment a plus

How to Apply

To apply, submit:

- your resume,
- writing sample (or link to a writing sample)
- brief statement of interest to gogreentravelgreen [at] gmail [dot] com and put “Writer Position” in the subject line.

Please include your desired rate per article with your application.

This is a contract position and pay is on a per-article basis. It will start out as a three-month contract with the possibility of extending the contract at the end of three months. This is not a ghostwriter position; you will be credited for your work.

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Top Travel Blogger talks about building a successful travel blog...

ThinkTraffic has an interesting video interview with travel blogger Gary Arndt, the man behind the successful Everything Everywhere travel blog.



(found via Travelllll.com)

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BootsnAll 30 Days of Indie Travel Project...

BootsnAll is launching a new project on 1 November called 30 Days of Indie Travel and they are inviting bloggers from around the world to join in.

The 30 Days of Indie Travel is a daily blogging effort aimed at reflecting on past travel experiences.

Each day in November, BootsnAll will post a new prompt.

Bloggers are free to interprete these prompts as they wish and respond via online posts, photos, or even videos on their own blogs.

Bloggers should then link to the BootsnAll page dedicated to that day's prompt and tweet about the post with hashtag #indie30.

It's sort of like a daily travel carnival, hopefully with plenty of interesting, information, entertaining, and thought provoking posts to read about a particular travel topic.

Want to play?

Then head over to BootsnAll to find out more.

I'll see you there...

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Travel Writing Miscellanea....

See, Go, Write has an interview with Jessica Spiegel of Why Go Italy: Lucky 13 Questions

Over at Gadling Don George writes about Lynn Ferrin, travel writing, and the meaning of life

Matador Network offers tips on How to fund your travel videos

The PlanetD provides A Travel Blogger’s Guide to Sponsorship

World Hum asks Are Travel Writers the New Poets (Though not in a Good, Lyrical Way)?

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World Nomads are looking for travel writers...

Each month World Nomads pick a country as their feature destination.

And they are looking for avid travel bloggers to contribute 650-1200 word articles (plus photos) on topics relating to that country.

Future Feature Destinations and Deadlines:

December - Chile

(apply by November 1, article deadline November 23)

January - India

(apply by December 1, article deadline December 20)

February - Brazil

(apply by January 1, article by January 23)

March - South Africa

(apply by February 1, article by February 21)

They are also open to submissions for other destinations as well as action articles so feel free to pitch ideas not tied to the listed destinations.

They pay $30AUD/article upon publishing (paid via PayPal).

Check out their editorial guidelines for more information.

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13 reasons why I should be WildJunket's intern...

As I mentioned in the last post, travel journalist Nellie Huang of WildJunket fame is looking for an travel blogging intern to assist her with maintaining the blog and the soon to be launched WildJunket magazine.

It's a great opportunity, one that I am keen to pursue.

Why?

Because after almost five years of blogging at Write to Travel, it's time for me to up my game. I have a vision of what I want to create in the future and, yes, another five year plan. But to I still have a great deal to learn about the travel blogging industry and what better why to learn it than through working with someone who is already where I plan on getting to.

But Nellie, no doubt, will be getting applications for many travel bloggers just as keen and probably more qualified that me.

So the real question is - why should she choose me?

I can think of at least 13 reasons.

Let me spell them out....

T - travel is in my blood. In fact, my very first trip - a transatlantic ship crossing - was while I was still in my mother's womb. Since then my passion for travel has grown, so much so that I am constantly either traveling or making travel plans.

R - Researching, reading, and writing about travel is what I do for fun and what I want to do for a living.

A - Adaptability is my middle name.

V - Visualizing, brainstorming, and lateral thinking to find ideas and solutions are just some of my strengths.

E - Effective communication skills and the ability to engage with people.

L- Love learning.



B - Believes in working hard and working effectively to complete tasks within given deadlines

L - Looks for the silver lining. No matter what the situation, there is always a solution. From chaos I can create calm.

O - Observant

G -Go getter

G -Gatherer of information, knowledge, skills and always willing to share with others

E - Efficient and timely in getting things done

R - Reliable and trustworthy


So what do you think?

Would I make a good intern?

Want to advocate for me?

If so, why not twitter the following:

@kiwiwriter spells out 13 reasons why she'd be a great @WildJunket intern http://tinyurl.com/3moqz99

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Popular travel blog WildJunket launching digital travel magazine and looking for intern...

In three short years, travel journalist Nellie Huang has transformed WildJunket into a hugely popular must read travel blog.

So it makes sense for her to take things one step further and launch a digital travel magazine - WildJunket Magazine - that will specialize in independent travel and outdoor adventures.

Unlike the WildJunket blog which is written entirely by Nellie Huang, with the occasional guest post, WildJunket magazine will feature stories of offbeat destinations, special interest journeys, and cultural immersion from a variety of travel writers and photographers from around the world.

Anyone interested in contributing should head over to the WildJunket magazine editorial guidelines page to find out how.

Not surprisingly, given that creating a digital magazine will require a great deal of time and commitment, Nellie is looking for an intern to blog, socialize and write for WildJunket.

And in exchange for doing this, Nellie will share her knowledge on how to grow and succeed as a travel blogger.

If that sounds like you, then head over to the travel blogger intern page for more information.

It's an exciting opportunity, one that I have decided to apply for myself.

Find out why in my next post...

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A list of 100 Favorite Travel Writers by Tripbase...

Have you had a chance to check out Tripbase's list of '100 Favorite Travel Writers'?

It's a comprehensive list highlighting both known and unknown travel writers around the world.

You might even be on it...

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Travel Blogging tips from the experts...

Christopher Elliot has a series of posts up at elliot.com on how to become a successful travel blogger....

Part one: So you wanna be a travel blogger? You can do it — here’s how

Part two: Be a travel blogger now: Here are the tools of the trade

Part three: Here are the reporting resources you’ll need to become a successful travel blogger

Part four: How to be a travel blogger: And now, a few words about money

Part five: How to find your adoring travel blogging audience (and keep it)

Part Six: Psst! Here’s the secret to a successful travel blog

.....

Over at travelblogchallenge.com there's a post on How to: Google + and Your Travel Blog


.....

At travelllll.com, Abigail King discusses Good Travel Blogging: Seven Ways To Spice Up Your Writing and Mike Sowden looks at Good Travel Blogging: Seven Ways To Ruin Your Writing

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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!

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Gap Adventures Tags Top Travel Bloggers for their 'Wanderers in Residence' Program...

Adventure travel leader Gap Adventures has teamed up with some top travel bloggers to create the 'Wanderers in Residence' program.

Working as ambassadors for Gap Adventure Company, the chosen travel bloggers will have the opportunity to participate in various Gap Adventure trips, all the while writing about the experiences, providing feedback, and offerings travel tips, expertise, and advise.

Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere, Matt Kepnes of NomadicMatt, JD Andrews of earthexplorer, and Jodi Ettenberg of legalnomads are a few of the travel bloggers tagged by Gap Adventures for this new initiative.

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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. 

Details: 

Venue - Grand Daddy Hotel, Cape Town

Date: 5 November, 2011

For further information and bookings visit the conference website

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Sldieshow from The Digital Tourist on Building a Web Presence....

This interesting slideshow is aimed at helping businesses create great websites but there are many great pointers for travel bloggers on creating effective design and content....

The Digital Tourist - Building a Web Presence

View more presentations from Scott Adams

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Family travel writing competition for UK writers....

UK family travel site, Have a Lovely Time, is celebrating their new look with a single theme travel writing competition open for all UK residents over the age of 18.

Here's the what it's all about...

With a title of Beautiful Britain, our family travel writing competition aims to celebrate all that’s great about family adventures in our stunning land. That might include breathtaking adventures in the Lakes, laughing til your sides ache at a family-friendly Edinburgh festival, savouring the splendour of the West Wales coastline, a Devon cream tea or a knees up at a holiday park…or of course plenty more.

Wherever you love to find quality family time in Britain – we want to hear about it.

We’re looking for entries about family holidays, breaks, days out or adventures.

For more information, including submission guidelines and prizes, head over to the Beautiful Britain Travel Writing Competition webpage.

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Check out the 2011 Travel Bloggy Award Winners...

Travel Bloggers Unite (TBU) recently announced the winners of their very first annual Travel Bloggy Awards.


Best Collaboration With Industry - Traveldudes

Best Foreign Language Blog - Just Travelous

Best Photo or Video Blog - Ken Kaminesky

Best Expat or RTW Travel Blog - 48 Hour Adventure

Best Designed Travel Blog - The Aussie Nomad

Best Travel Writing - Inside The Travel Lab

Best Niche Travel Blog - Trains on the Brain

Best Newcomer - Just Travelous

Clear some time and head over and check them all out...

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So how much money do Travel Bloggers really make...

So how much money do travel bloggers really make?

That's the question that The Grumpy Traveller, aka David Whitely, is asking.

Tired of the constant theories of monetising travel blogs that are floating around cyberspace, David has decided it's time for facts rather than theory.

So he's put together the Travel Blogger Honesty Survey - a set of seven questions that he's hoping that travel bloggers, writers, and journalists will answer and maybe, finally, "shed some much-needed light on the travel blog monetisation merry-go-round."

The seven questions are...

1. What is your name and main blog URL?

2. Roughly, what was your income from all work last year (before taxes and expenses – use whichever currency you usually work with)?

3. Approximately what percentage of that income was from site(s) that you own?

4. Approximately what percentage of your income was from writing about travel online (ie. both your sites and other sites you have been paid to write for)?

5. Approximately what percentage of your income is from writing about travel full stop (ie. print as well as online)?

6. Approximately what percentage of your income is from writing?

7. What are your other major sources of income?

Anyone willing to participate in this survey needs to head over to The Grumpy Traveller and leave a comment with their answers.

Hopefully, once all the data is collected, the results will be illuminating.

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Making Money with a Travel Blog...

Anyone interested in making money from their travel blog needs to read How travel bloggers make money from their blogs by Heather Cowper.

This slideshow gives you a brief glimpse of what she has to say...

How travel bloggers make money

View more presentations from Heather Cowper

... but to get the full story, complete with case studies from successful travel bloggers, you really should head over to Heather's blog My Blogging Journey.

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