Life was nice and easy in the US for Rachael and Josh. Then, Josh’s employers gave him the opportunity to work abroad – in Dakar, Senegal to be exact. Rachael being a freelance writer/photographer made the decision to move that much easier. So, they packed up their belongings, including two dogs and headed off to Africa, where they will reside for the next couple of years.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Girl, Guy, Globe | 4 comments |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: Africa, couples, cultural experiences, living abroad, photography, travel writing, United States

The newly-renovated green-credential packed Vancouver Convention Centre

It’s been a while since Travel Blog Exchange ‘11 in Vancouver this past June so I’m a bit late on the guest-post writing bandwagon. However, I know many TravelBlogs readers will be interested in some of the take-away items from the event. This post is mainly for those wanting to take their blog to the next level – be it audience, revenue, marketing, tech and so forth. You might have been blogging for a while and are now considering ways to monetise. Or you might want to promote your freelance writing abilities through your blog. It could be that you just want to focus on better content. So, without further ado, here are some tips straight from some of the TBEX speakers.

Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere delivers the final keynote

Well-known travel blogger and industry commentator, Gary Arndt from Everything Everywhere, got straight into it and said: “Advertising doesn’t work” in relation to travel blogs. He suggested looking at sponsorship opportunities from the beginning and focusing on developing your own product and personality. He even stated: “Content is not king, personality is king”. If you take this approach, you can leverage your blog to make money elsewhere instead of having to make money directly from it. For instance, Gary does a lot of public speaking engagements and believes companies sponsor him for who he is and his broader communication channels – not his site. Other tidbits included the recommendation to start an email list right away and to not forget travel is a trillion-dollar industry so there are lots of opportunities to go around.

Amanda Pressner from The Lost Girls spoke about knowledge as a value construct. She, along with her cofounders, wrote a book that was inspired by their travel blog and then went on to sell the movie rights. She thinks publications are a great way to establish oneself as a writer and editor. Like Gary, she also stressed the importance of growing yourself as a personality first while looking at sponsorship and consulting deals with companies. Amanda has gone on to join an internet start-up and recommends all travel writers take web programming classes to help navigate the digital landscape.

He holds voice, sense of humour, niches and personality (yet, another mention) as the main contenders for success.

Things got a little more philosophical when Mike Barish of Gadling, Cruzerati and freelance fame got to the crux of it by saying: “You need to figure out who you are”. He believes there is no simple way to unlock the path to monetisation but differentiation from other travel bloggers helps. He holds voice, sense of humour, niches and personality (yet, another mention) as the main contenders for success. He also pulled out the oft-quoted jokes of: “If you want to make one million dollars in travel writing, start with two million dollars” and “If you want to make it in travel writing, marry rich”. This aside, he suggested partnering with other people and taking a collaborative outlook. After all, as John F. Kennedy said, “A rising tide lifts all boats”.

Group travel blog brainstorming

Other quick tips for growth from a plethora of too-many-to-mention bloggers included gathering research using Google Surveys, Facebook Polls, Bit.ly analytics, BuzzFeed dashboards, social media outreach and more. Use the data to look at what time of the day people are sharing your stuff, and adapt to suit. Run competitions to engage your community. Above all, be aware of what you’re trying to achieve at the end of the day. You don’t have to be all things to all people, and can occupy a niche within a niche.

There might come a time when you want to take your blog content to the broader travel media. When dealing with the press, popular travel journalists and writers dished out their fair share of tips to the eager TBEX crowd. Michael Yessis from World Hum highlighted the significance of personalisation and professionalism when doing an email pitch. “Don’t scrape all of the email addresses and send through to every address at a masthead – the same journalist often receives it again and again.” He suggested sending through items that are really targeted and mention something specific. Formulaic press releases are less likely to be used than quotes from another blogger or writer.

“Converse rather than just listening”…

Jen Leo from the Los Angeles Times, who authors the Web Buzz column, recommends reading the work of the people you’re pitching too before sending something through. If you’re trying to get press for your brand, product or site – build a relationship with the journalist first and follow what they’re up too via their writings and social media updates. “Converse rather than just listening”, she affirmed. When sending files through to journalists, try using a file-sharing program or storage service like Dropbox so you don’t clog inboxes up.

Anne Taylor-Hartzell likes to search for something new, that hasn’t been covered before or of a certain angle, to feature on her luxury and family travel site Hip Travel Mama. She looks for unique items and exclusives. She suggests telling journalists why their readers should care (about what is being pitched) and to put yourself in the consumer’s shoes. Include factual information – such as links and stats in succinct paragraphs and bullet points. Don’t say: “Can you cover this?”

“When you’re on the ground, you want to document as much as you can…”

To finish, Robert Reid from Lonely Planet went through some of his travel writing tips. He always researches well and believes travel writing isn’t the same as travelling. He composes his posts and guide pieces using research about a place, quotes from locals, descriptive observations and what you do during a visit somewhere. “When you’re on the ground, you want to document as much as you can,” Reid mused. He also spoke about making cubicle travel pieces better by including people in them.

Overall, there were many gold nuggets to come out of TBEX – and only a few snippets included here. If you’d like to hear what the travel blogging industry has to say next year in Keystone, Colorado, visit: http://www.travelblogexchange.com/

About the Author:
Kate Kendall is a digital marketing and community strategist who’s currently travelling around the world. She works with Travellerspoint and also on The Fetch – what’s on city guides for the business, creative and digital communities. You can follow her on Twitter or email her here.

Editor’s Note: All photographs used for this piece are the property of the author.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Taking Your Blog to the Next Level | 5 comments |
Post categories: Tips for bloggers
Post tags: Conference, TBEX11, Travel Blog Exchange, travel blogging, travel writing, Vancouver

Road to Nowhere in Particular, Photo by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

What do you say when someone contacts you, plies you with flattering comments and asks you to be part of something quite unique?

My response was ‘I’ll think about it. I’ll think about it more. I’ll think about it a lot more. I’ll ask very key questions and then – -you got it – I’ll think about it even more’. Ultimately, the answer became obvious and I answered with a ‘yes’. Granted, flattery rarely hurts but it also rarely plays into my final decisions about participating in any particular project. As I just mentioned to someone else recently, give me a good reason to do something and you win. Give me bullshit and you lose. With that said…

Image Courtesy of Vagabond Explorer

Wade Shepard of Vagabond Journey has just unleashed Vagabond Explorer Magazine.

Yes, he used flattery in his request but also gave me several very good reasons why I should become a contributor, reviewing travel blogs I consider worthy of recognition. My real life job is reading travel blogs daily and there are an amazing number out there just ripe for the choosing. Just so you know, the magazine will be available on a quarterly basis as a PDF download. (FYI, four to five blogs/sites will be reviewed in each release.) It also comes with a very small price tag of $5.00 USD per issue.

Vagabond Explorer is a mix of articles, photography, commentary, tips/tricks and a whole plethora of other travel information. The concept: Be the explorer – whether it’s from your armchair or while you are on the road. Each contributor hails from their own original location and their own ‘space in time’. But, each has chosen to venture out and explore the world around them one way or another. (Okay, I’m the only one with 2-3 weeks vacation time while the rest live their lives moving across borders regularly. I believe in vicarious travel though only out of current necessity. I’m also very jealous.) Regardless, Vagabond Explorer will rival any other travel magazine available and will spur you to become your own navigator to places unknown. Again, with all that said, let me introduce you to the contributors who have already been coined as VE’s Posse:

Wade Shepard

Wade Shepard

Vagabond Journey: Editor and the man behind the concept curtain – handing out hearts, brains, courage and a way home. Okay, make that a way to travel. He is the Wizard of VE’s Oz. (Sorry Toto, it’s doggy daycare for you while everyone travels.) Only time will tell what is really in that ‘bag of special things’.

Craig Heinburger

Travelvice: The artistically creative man behind the visuals. We thank him for his designs, graphics and cover work. (I think he had something to do with the ‘horse of many colors’ and suggested using the powdered Jello™ for those scenes. If you don’t get the reference, check out your movie history about the Emerald City.)

Dave

Dave

The Longest Way Home: The ‘Tin Man’ who expresses his opinions through his startling photography and poignant commentaries. He may be ‘stuck’ in his travels once in awhile, but someone always comes along with an oilcan to set him free. Just ignore the squeaking. I know the oilcan is here somewhere…

Jasmine Stephenson

Jasmine Wanders: Jasmine, to me, is Vagabond Explorer’s Glinda. Having worked with her in the past, I picture her helping all the ‘Munchkins’ and making the world a much better place. (I, by no means, use Munchkins in a negative way. Jasmine works diligently to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate than us. We must get her a wand.)

Sam Langley

Cubicle Ditcher: Sorry Sam, I was just introduced to you recently via Vagabond Explorer. But, from what I have read on Sam’s site, I believe people should check it out, as it’s great stuff! Anyone able to leave the 9-5 daily grind for travel has my support. If you have no objections, I will say you are the Scarecrow who left the corporate cornfields for much greener pastures.

Michael Robert Powell

The Candy Trail: Michael is Vagabond Explorer’s lion who received the gift of courage somewhere around 1988. Through his nomadic travels, he has encountered some very unusual situations and has lived to tell the (true) tales to us all. Some of his writings may come with an ‘age appropriate’ warning at times, but don’t shy away from them as they are well worth the read.

Ani St. Amand

Ani St. Amand

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Ani’s yellow brick road is paved with wood and steel. In other words, she follows the path of the iron horses as she rides the rails all around the world. She has been described as a modern day hobo who has a love of trains and hopping those freighters while they make their scheduled stops. So, wave at the next train that passes by because Ani may just wave back.

Steven Mendoza

Vagabond Journey/Explorer Contributor: Steven is definitely not in Kansas anymore. (I’m not sure if Steven has ever been in Kansas but he does hail from the Untied States.) I do know he has spent many years in Japan and most recently survived the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Though he has now returned to his home country, Steven’s (first) article is a reminder to us all that the earth and its inhabitants don’t always play fair.

Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

TravelBlogs: I guess I’m Dorothy when it comes to this project. Yes, Dorothy did travel from Kansas to Oz and back. (Been to Kansas.) But, her journey was also just a dream. While the above-mentioned contributors write about their own experiences, I will be telling you about other travelers and their experiences. I’ll be the one performing Toto’s doggy daycare while seeking out the emeralds hidden within the city of travel blogs.

Vagabond Explorer is available as a PDF download for the small price of $5.00 USD per issue FREE! (Yes, it’s really FREE!)

Click Here and Download Now!

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Vagabond Explorer Magazine Unleashed! | 4 comments |
Post categories: Site news
Post tags: cultural experiences, living abroad, long-term travel, solo travel, travel advise, travel magazine, travel with kids, travel writing

Sometimes you think you have had enough of the world, whether it be from extensive travel or all the things life throws in one’s path. So was the case for Meg Pier. Whatever events happened, she gained a new perspective and new lust for life and travel. She has found her sense of purpose and a view.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | View from the Pier | No comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: cultural experiences, Inspiration, photography, Round the world, travel writing

Chinese Pyramids in the Rain by The Longest Way Home

This book caught my attention because it was on a list of the best non-fiction books of 2010 by the Christian Science Monitor. I found it to be a fascinating read and worthy of being on the best books list.

About the Author

Peter Hessler was a journalist for the New Yorker magazine based in Beijing. In the period from 2001 to 2007, he frequently drove around China and wrote about the changes in the local culture. An American who spoke Mandarin, he was able to interact with the locals in ways a tourist cannot.

The Review

The book is actually three short books in one. The first book describes his journeys by car along the Great Wall. It is an amusing and interesting commentary on the emerging car culture in China, as well as providing some historical context for the Great Wall.

The second book describes Hessler’s extended visits to a remote village, next to the Great Wall, two hours outside of Beijing. Hessler rents a house to visit on weekends to work on his writing. Over time he develops close relationships with the peasants of the village. In particular, he narrates the changes that take place in one family that are exemplary of the changes taking place in many of the Chinese. The transition from an agricultural peasant life to a modern business focused life is difficult for many of the people.

The officials literally move mountains to build a new factory town overnight.

The third book describes Hessler’s visits to a new factory town in the south. He tells the story of two businessmen who start a new factory to make brassiere parts. The interactions between the bosses, the migrant workers they hire, and the local officials is very educational in an entertaining way. The officials literally move mountains to build a new factory town overnight. The businessmen push hard to maintain their profits in a competitive field. It looks like the teenaged workers are exploited at 40 to 80 cents per hour, until one sees that the wage is better than what they could make on a farm. For all of us who have ever shopped at Walmart, it becomes clear after reading this book how cheap goods are produced and dominate the retail sector.

For those interested in travel to China, this book provides insight into the attitudes and motivations behind the changing Chinese culture.

Buy now: Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory on Amazon.

Editor’s notes: This article contains affiliate links.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2011. | Country Driving: A Journey through China from Farm to Factory – Book Review | 2 comments |
Post categories: Book Reviews
Post tags: Book Review, China, cultural experiences, road trip, travel writing

Zebra family by Anders Wikström

Here begins part two of the 2010′s Best Stuff Round-Up Discussion. Unlike part one, most of these later entries deal with family. I hope you enjoy these responses as much as yo have of those in Part One. Here’s a small reminder of the topic:

Everyone is currently coming up with the “Best Of This Thing or That Thing. Personally, I would rather let you decide the Best of Whatever. Be it movies, music, books, websites, destinations, festivals, beaches, snow banks, pajamas or pets – the choices are yours. Please tell me what you have found to be the best thing(s) for YOU in 2010.

Tony Fernandes

Travelling Tonito’s Adventures in the Sahara

The best thing of 2010 for me was watching my country, South Africa, successfully host Africa’s first World Cup. A lot of people doubted our ability to do it. Even more people wanted us to fail so they could wag their finger at FIFA and say “I told you so!”. However South Africa gave the doubters the finger and hosted an excellent World Cup. When the final whistle blew in Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africans’ hearts burst with pride!

Might be corny as hell, but I don’t care as this was South Africa’s year!

Not only did we host an excellent World Cup (there might have been some minor issues) but the World Cup also united the country. At least for two months, we forgot our troubled past and showed the world that we could get things done. South Africans from all backgrounds came together to enjoy the spectacle. I’m always proudly South African, but for two months this year, it went beyond that. I was honoured to be able to say that I was South African!

Might be corny as hell, but I don’t care as this was South Africa’s year!

Railway Graveyard by samsara2

Linda Martin

Indie Travel Podcast

For me, 2010 was a year spent with people, so its appropriate that my top travel experience of the year was one I spent with three of my best friends (and three random Bolivians, but that’s par for the course). Getting to Uyuni, Bolivia was a bit of a mission, but the salt flats tour that starts from there was amazing.

We set off in the early morning, stopped at the “train graveyard” and a small souvenir town on the way to the Salar. As we drove along the endless expanse of white, the driver explained how it was formed and how locals harvest the salt. We had lunch at an island in the middle of the white sea, and continued on to our destination for the night: a hotel made of salt bricks.

On the following days, we saw other natural wonders: hills striped with seven colours of clay, a natural rock formation shaped like a tree, flamingos. We saw a geyser erupting in the pre-dawn light and sat in hot pools as the snow slowly started to fall around us (which is another story: who knew snow fell in the desert?) Our driver dropped us at the Chilean border at midday on day three, and it was all over — but it remains my top travel experience of the year.

Erik Gauger

Notes from the Road

The best thing for me in 2010 was the story of the barefoot bandit. Let me explain. Every day, I get all this spam in my inbox from the travel industry. I get all these PR people wanting to promote their Travel Channel personality on my amateur travel blog or a guest blog with links back to their travel gadgets. This year, we watched the very sad story of a boy who went out on a terrible and harrowing journey across North America, stealing cars, planes and boats to move himself across the country and just out of reach of authorities. While the barefoot bandit’s crimes, personal history and two years on the run are nothing to admire, his story really captivated me. I couldn’t help to think that this boy saw and traveled and observed more about the nature of humanity in those two years than any Travel Channel personality could in ten. And his story kept reminding me over and over that travel begins once you set your foot out the door, and not when your cruise ship first gets into port. And that adventure is not something you go on, but something that we as regular travelers should responsibly hope to avoid. The barefoot bandit, more than anything, inspired me into embracing the immediacy of travel. Maybe when he gets out of jail, he’ll make a fine travel writer.

Jon Brandt

Travel Guy

It was the first vacation I’d taken with them since I was 18, and oh my how things have changed.

My Best of 2010 would be traveling through Patagonia with my parents. It was the first vacation I’d taken with them since I was 18, and oh my how things have changed. I guess this puts me in the category of taking a vacation as an adult with my parents, when I’m able to choose the wine at dinner and help out with the long drives. It was a totally different experience than I’m used to, but it was nice and I welcomed it. I’m used to traveling like a dirty backpacker, but we stayed in luxury estancias and traveled like older people with comfort in mind. I think just the bonding alone made it more important for me, and in many ways that was the most rewarding part of the trip. Though there were few trips in 2010, it was definitely the best.

Wade and Petra Courtesy of Wade Shepard

Wade Shepard

Vagabond Journey

Getting on that first international flight with my five month old daughter had to have been the highlight of 2010. Followed up by watching her roll over for the first time in the Dominican Republic, crawl for the first time in El Salvador, learn how to stand up in the jungle of Guatemala, take her first steps Mexico, and now listening as she tries out new words in Spanish and English. Never thought it could be so enjoyable traveling with a child, but watching Petra grow up on the road has not only been the main highlights of this past year but also of all my previous ten years of travel combined.

Kris Kalav

The Beerman Chronicles

The best thing for me in 2010 has to be the same as the last 20 years, my marriage. Rather, make that the woman I married. We celebrated our 20th anniversary this year, which traditionally is the “china” anniversary (got enough plates and bowls, thank you) but in more modern times has become the “platinum” anniversary (this is good – can’t have enough platinum – please send all your platinum to me in small boxes). It is because of this woman that we made our only travels of 2010 – four nights in New York City hobnobbing with bloggers and three nights in far western Minnesota meeting family I’ve never met and she hasn’t seen in thirty-some years. And they even let me drive their jet-ski, a first for me. Sure, once you go full throttle, you can’t hear them shouting at you from shore to slow down – I thought they were just waving……

Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

Our Two Cents Worth…

I honestly don’t know where to begin because so many unique things have happened to me this past year. Though I’m not a big fan of lists (but I hear they work), here goes:

1) Twenty years of marriage to the man I devoutly love and admire. (Damn, we’re a gushy couple. LOL!)

2) Being offered this position as Editor of TravelBlogs. (A “never in my wildest dreams” moment. Hope I’ve kept all of you happy so far.)

3) Reconnecting with family I’ve not seen since 1979. (Ohhh, playing on the jet-ski too.)

4) Visiting New York City for the first time during TBEX. Plus, seeing the Statue of Liberty “up close and sorta personal”. (Made me cry.)

5) A new snow blower. (Seriously, that’s a highlight as I hate shoveling snow. And, it’s red!)

Sunset by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav

Cooper Schraudenbach

True Nomads

Best Things about being an Expat 2010:

1) You can eat fresh shrimp and not worry about how much BP product you are ingesting.

2) You can fly around the world – and only rarely will you have to transit a TSA staffed airport – and by the sound of it, that is a very good thing.

3) You can enjoy the holiday season minus the ice storms, blizzards and below zero wind chills – although I do miss a white Christmas now and then.

4) You can follow the Sarah Palin revolution from a disinterested distance if you would rather not hear about it on a daily basis.

5) No new taxes!

6) Inflation is less noticeable in the non-first world economy – your morning coffee and paper is still only a buck.

7) No two-week vacation limit!

When you are really tired and fed-up… you can sit on the white sand with your coconut drink…

When you are really tired and fed-up with the relentless headlines and news, of how rough a place the world is these days, you can sit on the white sand with your coconut drink, and watch the sky blaze pink red and orange as the sun settles into the cobalt sea, marking the end of another fine day. As you breath in the fresh sea air, you realize that all is still well with the world – you just were distracted for a while.

Happy 2011!!! From True Nomads and keep traveling!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Editor’s Note: I personally want to thank everyone for their input on this Round-Up! Your replies have been truly inspirational and I hope our readers will agree. Cheers to what 2011 will bring as we usher it in. I do, with much gratitude, appreciate your support this past year. Thank you, again.

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© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Fifteen People Have Spoken: 2010′s Best Stuff – Part Two | 3 comments |
Post categories: Round-Up
Post tags: 2010 Highlights, cultural experiences, Family, Media, Personal Bests, Reflections, Travel, travel writing

]]> http://www.travelblogs.com/round-up/fifteen-people-have-spoken-2010s-best-stuff-part-two/feed 3 http://www.travelblogs.com/round-up/fifteen-people-have-spoken-2010s-best-stuff-part-one http://www.travelblogs.com/round-up/fifteen-people-have-spoken-2010s-best-stuff-part-one#comments Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:37:15 +0000 Gretchen http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=3515 Due to the length and number of replies, this is Part One. ]]>

Happy New Year by Marlis Seelos

I have stirred the proverbial pot a bit…
We can all check the web to find the Top 100 Travel Websites and the Best Music of 2010 and even the Best Breeds at the Westminster Dog Show. Granted, all fascinating stuff but why rehash it? It’s out there – over and over. (Yes, I really do understand the rankings thing.) But, do you want to be “just a number” or would you prefer to be remembered as a real person who had a real opinion too? Our 15 contributors to this Round-Up Discussion voted for the latter. Due to the length, this will be a two-parter also. (Don’t want to leave anyone out as they have graciously submitted their contributions.) So, without further ado – here are their responses to:

Everyone is currently coming up with the “Best Of This Thing or That Thing. Personally, I would rather let you decide the Best of Whatever. Be it movies, music, books, websites, destinations, festivals, beaches, snow banks, pajamas or pets – the choices are yours. Please tell me what you have found to be the best thing(s) for YOU in 2010.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jasmine Stephenson

Jasmine Wanders

My best decision of 2010 was learning Spanish. I love being able to navigate my way around any type of conversation, haggle in markets and bus terminals, and strike up conversations with those around me. Learning the language has helped me be able to understand the heart of the people in Latin America, something not possible without Spanish.

Pam Mandel

Nerds Eye View

It was as though we were hanging from a ribbon in the sky. I was, at that moment, for the first time ever, completely enchanted with the idea of flight.

Yeah, I know, it’s lame for someone who loves to travel, but I really dislike flying. This fall, I took a press trip to Alaska that required me to climb in and out of a lot of tiny airplanes. Late at night, after a tour up in Wiseman, above the Arctic Circle, we flew back to Fairbanks in a not quite dark sky. I sat behind the pilot, who was so kind to me about my small plane anxieties. At one point on that flight, it was as though everything had stopped. There was the noise of the engine, the backlit instrument panel reflecting in the windows, but the air was so still, I had a feeling of complete motionlessness. It was as though we were hanging from a ribbon in the sky. I was, at that moment, for the first time ever, completely enchanted with the idea of flight.

Michael Schneider

OtherGuy’sDime Blog

Without question, the best thing that happened to me is RETIREMENT! Yes, after 33 years of teaching I finally said good-bye to the classroom, to be replaced by overseas travel, cultural immersion, book writing, playing the guitar, learning Japanese, and whatever else strikes my fancy.

Statue of Liberty by Kris Kalav

Many professionals (especially men) are afraid to retire because they believe they are defined by their job and paycheck. They worry they will go from respected doctors, lawyers, CEOs, and financiers to a non-working shlub (Yiddish for nobody) sitting home with nothing to do but get in the way. That is sad, as retirement can be one of the most rewarding times in a person’s life, especially when you are still young enough and healthy enough for travel, adventure, and excitement. In the brief time I have been retired I lived in Bhutan and found a visiting position at Columbia University to be close to my children and grandchildren in New York. It also afforded me time to finish my new travel book On The Other Guy’s Dime.

So, please remember that old chestnut “On their deathbed no one ever said, ‘I wish I spent more time at work.” Enjoy your career to its fullest, but remember to also enjoy that next phase of your life.

Gary Arndt

Everything – Everywhere

The best thing, which came out in 2010 for me was Adobe Lightroom 3. It has really streamlined my photo editing and the tools are easy and very powerful. It has allowed me to recover images I took in the past, which for various reasons that weren’t good enough to publish. It is now what I use as my primary photo-editing platform.

Dave

The Longest Way Home

The best thing(s) for Dave in 2010:
Having the best website to document the most fascinating travel journey in the world today?? Eh… Does that count?

Best travel film I saw goes to… “UP”. I’m not a huge fan of animation, Ice Age aside, but UP really pulls in a tale about travel; few really get.

Best travel info I got goes to… Wikitravel. In researching many places without a guidebook I found wikitravel gave me the fast facts I wanted without being bombarded with ads, affiliate links & e-books.

Best thing to happen in 2010 to me goes to… Wikileaks. Yes, it’s the first war on information. It’s a turning point in civilization as we know it. And, we are living through it. I only hope we win.

Best thing to end 2010 for me goes to … the start of 2011. New steps onto fresh territories await. While many retrace old paths, I shall endeavor to make new roads in modern day exploration of our little blue planet.

Best wishes to all, the wonderful editor, readers and contributors of Travelblogs.com this holiday season!

lisa Shusterman

One World – One Trip

For me, the best of 2010 has to be publishing a book. Just as taking my trip around the world was a huge accomplishment, so it is with writing a book. It’s one thing to talk about doing something big, but when you actually do it, there is a sense of achievement you can’t compare to anything else.

The icing on the cake, however, is the people who have come into my life as a result of writing this book.

The icing on the cake, however, is the people who have come into my life as a result of writing this book. Originally I never thought past the stage of publishing, but once you have the book in your hand, you think, “Now what?” The obvious answer is, market it. Well, in the process of marketing my book I have come into contact with such wonderful people: other authors, travel bloggers (like Gretchen), travelers… Great people doing amazing things with their lives.

One of the things I love about travel is the people I meet; both locals and other travelers. These people bring richness to my life I don’t feel I have when at home. By writing this book, I seem to have found a way to bring these people into my life without having to leave the house. I would prefer to travel, but it has turned out to be the next best thing.

Debby Lee Jagerman

Debby’s Departures

Mirror Lake by Debby Lee Jagerman

Clear crisp alpine lakes. Verdant never-ending forests. Colorfully brilliant meadows of wildflowers. A majestic snow – and glacier – covered mountain. Birds and bears and other wildlife. Roaring rivers and calm streams. Days of exercise with breathtaking views. And nights of sleep under the stars.

These are just some of the experiences on the best backpacking trail: the 93-mile-22,000-feet-cumulative-elevation-gain-and-loss Wonderland Trail, which circumnavigates Mt. Rainier in Washington State. Because Mt. Rainer National Park itself is one of my favorite places to go day hiking anyway, I particularly enjoyed spending weeks there during the last two summers.

The trail can be done in as little as three days, if you are an ambitious trail runner that is, or an average of eight to 14 days depending on what itinerary you prefer. With anywhere from three to 12 miles of hiking a day, and with re-supply locations every few days, the weight of your backpack can be kept under control.

A typical day includes getting up in the morning, smelling the fresh clean air, cooking, eating breakfast, washing dishes, and breaking down the tent and campsite; then hiking; and taking pictures; stopping to enjoy the views; breaks to eat and relax; more hiking; more pictures, etc. And then, at the next camp, setting up the tent, eating dinner, journal writing and sleeping.

Only to wake up the next day and do it all over again. But with different scenery…simply the best! Hey, a family that hikes together stays together!

Stay tuned for Fifteen People Have Spoken: 2010′s Best Stuff – Part Two!

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© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | Fifteen People Have Spoken: 2010′s Best Stuff – Part One | 2 comments |
Post categories: Round-Up
Post tags: 2010 Highlights, cultural experiences, Family, Media, Personal Bests, Reflections, Travel, travel writing

]]> http://www.travelblogs.com/round-up/fifteen-people-have-spoken-2010s-best-stuff-part-one/feed 2 http://www.travelblogs.com/blogs/a-totally-impractical-guide-to-living-in-shanghai http://www.travelblogs.com/blogs/a-totally-impractical-guide-to-living-in-shanghai#comments Mon, 04 Oct 2010 15:03:16 +0000 Gretchen http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=3115

Mary Anne Oxendale has lived as an ex-pat for most of her adult life. She’s gone from backpacker to EFL teacher and has been blogging for quite a long time. Not only are her sites (yes, more than one) filled with wisdom and wit -emphasis on wisdom and wit – she still finds time to… TRAVEL! Oh, and pose with a bronze statue.

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© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | A Totally Impractical Guide to Living in Shanghai | One comment |
Post categories: Blogs
Post tags: China, cultural experiences, expat blog, expat life, female travellers, long-term travel, teaching, travel writing, Turkey

]]> http://www.travelblogs.com/blogs/a-totally-impractical-guide-to-living-in-shanghai/feed 1 http://www.travelblogs.com/panel-discussions/the-wheat-from-the-chaff http://www.travelblogs.com/panel-discussions/the-wheat-from-the-chaff#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:11:17 +0000 Gretchen http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=2894

Blurry Lights of Times Square, Photo by Greg Wesson

The Travel Blog Exchange 2010 Conference (TBEX10) may have come and gone (in a blur), but it surely has not been forgotten. By deliberately waiting two weeks before sending out this discussion question, it gave everyone’s mind time to separate the “wheat from the chaff”. Though only three replies were received, they are definitely well worth the sharing.

Each of you contributes to the travel blog industry (if I may label it as such) from different aspects and different points of view. Given that, what was the biggest “nugget” of information you brought away with you? (Sorry, can’t include your own responses during the panels for those of you who were part of said panels.)

Gary Arndt

Everything Everywhere

The one thing I took away is that we are still in the second inning of how this is all going to turn out.

The one thing I took away is that we are still in the second inning of how this is all going to turn out. Old institutions are dying faster than new ones are being created. Advertisers still are clueless and unsure of how to advertise online. Most PR people still don’t know how and why they should work with bloggers. Traditional writers are trying to figure out how to use social media. Bloggers are still figuring out what works in terms of business models.

Anyone who says they have the answers is lying. I’m guessing this might all look different when we meet again in Vancouver…. And, totally different again the year after that.

Pam Mandel

Nerd’s Eye View

I was completely taken with Don George’s “five senses” approach to writing. I loved thinking about this as I walked back from TBEX in the sweltering New York heat. In the morning, when I left our short-term digs and stood on the street corner, I noticed how it smelled just a little bit fishy and then. I looked up at the sushi bar across the street. Of course back home, I’ve been hyper-aware of sound, identifying an early morning annoying bird as a Goldfinch and noticing how, when the house painters next door rattle their ladders, it makes almost exactly the same noise our mailbox makes when the postman delivers the mail. This reminder of the sensory was like finding something lost that I loved.

“Oh, my trip is so damn special!” and really, it is, but if, as writers, we can’t make it special for our readers, we’re not doing our job.

I also thought Spud Hilton’s remark about how the story should not be about YOUR trip, it should be about your READER’S trip was an excellent way of keeping our vanity in check. It’s easy to think “Oh, my trip is so damn special!” and really, it is, but if, as writers, we can’t make it special for our readers, we’re not doing our job. There’s a reason vanity is one of those deadly sins and I fear, at times, that bloggers can get bogged down in it. Spud’s simple statement — make it be about your reader! — is a compact and unforgettable directive that I can take to the keyboard every time.

Barbara Weibel

Hole In The Donut

I’m actually glad you waited two weeks to ask these questions, because I also needed some time for things to “crystallize.” So here goes:

At first I was tempted to say that interacting with my “tribe” face-to-face was the most valuable aspect of the conference…

It is difficult to distill TBEX down into a single best nugget of information. At first I was tempted to say that interacting with my “tribe” face-to-face was the most valuable aspect of the conference, but there was one other bit of information that had a big impact on me. I vividly recall being told last year by people at TBEX that it was very hard to be successful in the personal travel narrative genre. I considered changing the direction of at HoleInTheDonut.com or writing SEO maximized articles, but in the end just decided to stick with my intensely personal travel narrative style and continue to focus on quality writing. This year, the message was completely different. Time and again I heard from panelists that readers seem to be shifting away from consumer-type travel writing and seeking more personal travel narrative. So, in addition to leaving TBEX this year with a wealth of smaller tips that will make my blog even better, I also now feel comfortable that I am (finally) doing a lot of things right.

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© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. | The Wheat from the Chaff | 3 comments |
Post categories: Panel Discussions
Post tags: Conference, New York City, TBEX10, Travel Blog Exchange, travel blogging, travel writing

]]> http://www.travelblogs.com/panel-discussions/the-wheat-from-the-chaff/feed 3 http://www.travelblogs.com/tips-for-bloggers/why-are-they-all-talking-at-me-the-tbex10-experience-day-two http://www.travelblogs.com/tips-for-bloggers/why-are-they-all-talking-at-me-the-tbex10-experience-day-two#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:03:54 +0000 Gretchen http://www.travelblogs.com/?p=2797

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 and programs (e-books, Amazon Associates, Google AdSense, etc.)
* Use statistical analyses to help chart what works and what does not on your site (Google Analytics, Feedburner, 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.

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

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