What I Learned from the Travel Bloggers Show; Part 1 of 2

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I didn’t clown around this weekend…well maybe a little bit. But this weekend was about work. Lately I have been so focused on working IN my blog, I haven’t had the time to work ON my blog. So this weekend I attended the Travel Bloggers Show in Orlando to make adventureswithben.com even more stellar!

Between networking, presentations and trade shows, I learned a lot. In no particular order, here are some travel blogging tips:

The Technical Stuff

• Have an elevator pitch to describe your blog to fellow bloggers and marketers. I found my standard “I write about travel in Florida” was too generic. And as I started to explain it in more depth, it became confusing.
• Meeting people in person is important. For 15 months I blogged without talking to other bloggers in person. Wow does your whole perspective and approach change when you meet real professionals. It forces you to up your game!
• Progress Barometer. Attending a conference lets you see how on-track you are with the progress of your blog. There’s lots of work I have to do, but I’m comfortable with where I am.
• There are a lot of travel blogs out there. A lot. Developing a niche will help you stand out. You may think you’re original, but for most of us, it’s all been done before – until you change that!
• Bring Business Cards. Not only do you come across as a professional to marketers, they are great conversation starters. OUTSIDE VOICE – “Here’s my Card”. INSIDE VOICE – “I’m shamelessly promoting myself but it’s okay because you’re going to reciprocate it in a moment and then we can talk and pretend like it never happened.”
• Don’t focus on making money – Only 1 of about 180 bloggers in attendance at the convention made enough money on their blog to live off of. Most barely scrape by, even the biggies. That was a surprise. So just have fun with it and maybe you’ll earn enough to pay for your next conference.
• What’s your Niche? I knew this was important before, but seeing different people with different niches helps you to think about it differently.

The Fun Stuff

• Attending conferences can be tiring. Partying late at night, waking up early, running around, drinking. As a corporate trainer, I finally understand why no one laughs at my jokes on-stage at 8 A.M. You’re too darn tired!
• Free stuff is still fun, no matter your age. I have no shame. I asked for every free thing I could: playing cards, free mixed drinks, mugs, and the Cirque du Soleil Clown Nose. Everyone wants the free stuff, but people are embarrassed to ask. Forget that. That’s the first thing I ask for. It wouldn’t be out there if they didn’t want you to take it.
• Travel bloggers love their alcohol – but who doesn’t. This shouldn’t surprise you.
• Speaking of alcohol, try a Jack and Ginger - thanks to my new buddies at Tandem World who suggested this refreshing drink.
• Continuing the food/drink theme, try the Chocolate Chip and Bacon Cookies at Cuba Libre
• Travel Bloggers rock.

Did you attend the Travel Bloggers Show? Have about other Travel Blog Conventions? What have you learned? Share by commenting.

In tomorrow’s post I’ll share with you some of the great people and blogs I was introduced to and what I learned from each of them. If you enjoyed this post, follow me on twitter or join the facebook community.

I’ll see you out there…! But not before I finish my “To Do” List

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