Like many other types of social networking, Guest Blogging exposes you (in a good way, not that “scare-the-kids-and-get-carted-off-to-jail-in-handcuffs” kind of way) to the readers of the travel blog hosting your article, thereby helping to grow your audience.
In the process, by promoting (on your travel blog) your Guest Blog Post that’s been published on the other travel blog, you’re letting your readers know about that site and helping them to grow their audience as well. It’s a ‘win/win’ for both of you.
A good quality Travel Blog should – at the very least – give guest bloggers a link back to the guest blogger’s travel blog as part of the article’s meta data (author info at the end of the post), and often they will allow additional guest blogger info such as a photo, a biography, and social media links so that you can get new Twitter followers and/or Facebook friends and fans.
Tips for being a Good Guest Blogger: If you’ve been invited (or are offering) to submit a guest blog post, be sure to do the following:
Do your homework – read some of the posts of the travel blog you’d like to write for to get a feel for what types and styles of articles they normally publish. If they have guidelines for submitting articles, read them;
Ask if the blog owner has a specific topic in mind for your Guest Blog Post, and offer a couple of topic suggestions in case they don’t or are just open to ideas;
Ask how many words they would like, and if they’d like you to provide images as well (be sure that the images are your own or are royalty-free);
Understand that your blog host may do some light editing (usually only styles such as bolding and italicizing words and phrases, adding paragraph breaks, etc) but if they do wind up correcting things such as spelling and grammar, be grateful – it keeps you looking good!;
Tips for being a Good Guest Blog Host: If you’ve invited someone to submit a guest blog post to your travel blog, try to keep this advice in mind:
If you have a specific story topic or perspective you’d like, say so. If not, be open to suggestions;
Keep your readers in mind – what would interest them? Realize that sometimes it’s good to break out of your normal realm;
Try to keep your copyediting to a minimum – after all, every travel writer has their own ‘voice’ and you don’t want to stifle that;
DO make corrections if you find spelling or grammar errors – you want your guest bloggers to look good to your audience – but it’s nice to ask beforehand if your guest blogger minds such edits;
Incentivize guest bloggers! Give them the ability to draw readers to their own travel blogs by displaying a link to their site in your post meta section, and if your WordPress Theme has an Author Template (author.php) use it to your guest blogger’s advantage by including their photo, bio, and additional links;
The Travel Blogger community is one of the strongest and most supportive out there, and a Guest Blogger relationship benefits both the guest blogger and the hosting travel blog, so take advantage of any invitation that you receive to submit a guest blog post to other travel blogs or travel related website. In addition, you should also be actively seeking such opportunities, and offering to write for other travel blogs as well.
For more advice on travel writing, travel blogging, and guest blogging, visit Travel Writers Exchange.
About Travel Writers Exchange
Travel Writers Exchange is a Community for aspiring and experienced Travel Writers, Bloggers, and Journalists. We offer education, inspiration, and motivation, along with resources, advice, tips & tricks, and a Forum for members to communicate and help each other. Our Mission is to help you succeed.
10 Secrets to Leaving a Comment on a Travel Blog
Commenting can generate traffic to your blog. However, if you’re a travel writer and don’t know how to leave a comment, you can do more harm than good. Remember, the goal is to leave a comment that is relevant to the website you visit.
Leave comments that pertain to the website’s content. Take the plunge and be the first one to leave a comment on a travel writing website. The website owner cannot see you. If you’re a bit on the shy side, this is a great way to conquer your fear!
10 secrets to leaving a proper comment
1. Write a relevant comment that adds value to the blog or article you’ve just read.
2. Make sure to use proper grammar and punctuation, and be sure to spell your own website and email address correctly!
3. Don’t leave vague comments like “great post – thanks”.
4. Leave one comment per blog post or article. Remember, many blogs “moderate” their comments, so yours may not appear right away – be patient.
5. Know what you’re speaking about when you leave your comment.
6. Be respectful – don’t curse or berate other commenters!
7. Proofread your comment before you post it.
8. If the author made typos, be careful if you choose to point them out. Use a helpful approach versus “hey, do you know how to spell?”, or simply ignore them and comment about the content instead.
9. Be careful if you use links when you post a comment. Include a link only if it is relevant. When in doubt, leave it out.
10. Get to the point. There’s no need to write “War and Peace.” Be succinct when you write a comment.
Make sure to visit a variety of websites. Be active in the travel writing community. In fact, you could email the travel writer of a website and ask for a back link. This is a great way to establish relationships with other travel writers.
Commenting on other websites is a way to connect with other travel writers. As a travel writer, you can never have enough contacts. Leave as many comments as you can. You never know who you’ll meet online. You could meet a former travel editor who could give you tips and tricks about travel writing.
Now that you know the proper way to leave comments, get online and start commenting. Be respectful and get to the point. There’s no reason not to write a proper comment. As a travel writer, you’ll have an advantage over others because you know how to write!
Our website is dedicated to aspiring and experienced travel writers. You’ll discover motivation, inspiration, and education on travel writing. Join our forum and converse with other travel writers. You’ll find information on getting started in travel writing to affiliate marketing. Sign up for our weekly blog recap just in case you’ll be traveling; the blog will be delivered to your inbox.