Finding Bloggers Who Fit Your Destination

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

How to Identify the Bloggers Who Matter the Most

Sheila ScarboroughTourism Currents

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

The bloggers who "matter most" are the ones who fit YOUR market

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

No Magic Beans

#DoTheWork

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Review yourmarketing plan

How does online coverage support

your plan?

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

What are your goals?

What will you measure to see if

you're meeting your goals?

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Your perfect blogger connects with your perfect visitor

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Niche is your

friend

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Equestrian destination? Nancy D. Brown / Writing Horseback

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

North Texas Small Town? Tui Snider / Mental Mosaic

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Los Angeles area? LACOT (Los Angeles Consortium

of Online Travel)

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Middle of the U.S.?Adam Sommer / Visit Flyover Country

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Middle of the U.S.? Dominique King / Midwest Guest

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Ukulele Scene?Pam Mandel / Nerd's Eye View

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

But wait....

The "blogger who matters most" may

not have a blog

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Want visual

impact?

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

and....

FlickrVideo

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Want immediate or short-term impact?

TwitterFacebook

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Want medium & long-term plus SEO impact?

Blog postsPodcastsGoogle+

Photos & video

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

134,750 downloads/month of a 30 min podcast

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

What does all this mean for your SEO?

@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 isn't the only way travelers

search● Instagram & Twitter hashtags● Pinterest● Asking friends/family on Facebook

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Finding bloggers

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Go Where They Are Online● #TBEX - #TTOT - #TravelSkills● Other Twitter chats relevant to your

market & goals● Passports with Purpose bloggers● Facebook Groups● LinkedIn (esp for B2B)● Instagram hashtags

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Go Where They Are Offline● TBEX & TBU conferences● ITB Berlin, IPW, World Travel Market● New Media Expo (formerly BlogWorld) ● Travel Media Showcase● Travel Massives● Social Media Clubs & Breakfasts● Niche conferences: Beer, Food, Crafts,

Pets

@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

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Photo CreditsMy 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

@SheilaS@TourismCurrents

Thanks very muchSheila Scarborough

@SheilaS

Tourism Currents

@TourismCurrents

www.tourismcurrents.com