If you want online coverage of your destination, attraction or hotel, here's how to tell who might be the best fit for you. Presented at eTourism Summit 2013 in San Francisco, CA. Bonus slides at the end with suggestions for where to find (mostly travel) bloggers online and off.
My Tourism Currents team and I do online and in-person training in social media for tourism and hospitality - http://www.tourismcurrents.com
25. @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
Social Media Matters for SEO
● Links count & bloggers know how to link
● Social signals affect search ranking
● Photos & video do well in search results
● Google-obsessed? There is another
Skywalker....
● Ex: Instagram & Twitter hashtags
● Social networking as word of mouth
26. @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
Photo Credits
My own photos throughout, except....
● Butterfly & bugs collection
- Christian Guthier on
Flickr CC
● Magic beans - rich13 on
Flickr CC
● Gumby storm trooper - JD
Hancock on Flickr CC
● Nancy D. Brown courtesy
Writing Horseback
Facebook Page
● Tui Snider courtesy her
Facebook profile
● Jennifer Miner & Melanie
Waldman courtesy
LACOT
● Cape Girardeau photo
courtesy Visit Flyover
Country on Facebook
30. @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
Go Where They Are Online
● #TBEX
● #TTOT
● Other Twitter chats relevant to your market
● Passports with Purpose bloggers
● Facebook Groups
● LinkedIn (esp for B2B)
● Instagram hashtags
31. @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
Go Where They Are Offline
● TBEX conferences
● ITB Berlin, IPW, World Travel Market
● New Media Expo (formerly BlogWorld)
● Travel Media Showcase
● Travel Massives
● Social Media Clubs, Social Media Breakfasts
● Niche conferences: Beer, Pets, Food, Crafts
32. @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
Pay to Play
● PTBA (Prof. Travel Bloggers Association)
● Paid database info includes blogger stats
● Navigate Media
● iAmbassador
● Observe these brand bloggers:
● G Adventures "Wanderers in Residence"
● Expedia Viewfinder bloggers
● Housetrip Diplomats
Editor's Notes
The best blogger may not be a blogger Take a 360 view Know your market & ideal visitor/guest Niche rules DIY or pay Social signals feed SEO Google isn't the only way to search
Who is your market Where are they online How can you get in front of them where they are