Demystifying the Dark Artsof Travel Blogs and Websites

--- Part One ---

Presented by Iain Harper

Horizons Unlimited UK 2010

Who This Presentation Will Help

• Stick around if you’re a…– motorcycle traveller (old pro or complete novice)– who doesn’t already have a blog– and wants to learn a few basics about getting one– and maybe a few other web tips along the way

• If that’s not you, now’s the time to head for the bar or another presentation!

• Please save questions until the end – thanks.

Demystifying the Dark Arts

• What is a blog?

• Why might a traveller want (or need) one?

• How much does a blog cost to setup?

• What skills are needed to maintain a blog?

• How is a blog created?

• What goes into a good blog?

• How do people discover a blog to read it?

What is a Blog?

The Wikipedia definition…• A blog (from the term "web log") is a type of

website or part of a website• Blogs are usually maintained by an

individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video

• Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order

What is a Blog?

For motorcycle travellers…

A blog is simply a convenient and reliable way of keeping a travel journal

Why might a traveller want a Blog?

“I hope that posterity will judge me kindly, not only as to the things which I have explained, but also to those which I have intentionally omitted so as to leave to others the pleasure of discovery.”

(Descartes)

Why might a traveller want a Blog?

• To record a journey for posterity– Inspiration and Preparation– People and Places– Afterwards and Next Time

• To act as an aide-mémoire• To share stories & photos with friends & family• To help others who may follow behind• To learn from others who’ve gone before• For stress relief!• To backup personal data & trip paperwork

How much does a Blog cost to setup?

• On its own, a blog doesn’t cost anything to setup and maintain

• Zero, nada, ṣifr, cero, nul, нулевой, sifuri!• Blogs are FREE!

• Unless you are (or hope to be) a published author or are looking for corporate sponsorship– If so, you’ll need more than just a blog

What skills are needed?

To maintain a blog you’ll need to be able to…

• Read

• String a sentence together

• Snap a decent photo

• Work a PC well enough to browse the web, copy & paste stuff, send & receive emails & download photos from your camera

That’s it! Its not rocket science!

Before you dive in - HUBB Ride Tales

Are you sure a blog is what you really need?

• Short trip = No

• Zero setup = No

• Own ‘presence’ not required = No

Posting brief trip reports to the “Ride Tales” section of the HUBB may be all you need

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ride-tales/

How is a blog created? Choosing a Name

Old Man on a Bike Tiffanys travels

Riding the Pink Porridge

Black Sea by 1948 PantherAnother Cunning Plan

Into Africa

Wrinklies Wround the World

How is a blog created? Choosing a Name

• Specific to the journey or the person/people?• Will the web address and real name match up?• Difficult to mis-hear or mis-spell?• Original, memorable, simple, personal?• Short and sweet?• Not already used by someone else?

How is a Blog created? Option One

Detailed User Guide: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mt/docs/mtmanual.shtml

Blogging Good Examples

Colin & Dee Masters Tiffany Coates

How is a Blog created? Option Two

How is a Blog created? Option Three

What goes into a good Blog?

• “The interruptions ARE the journey” (Ted Simon)

• Why? Where? When? How? What? Who?• Just talk…like you’re talking to a friend• Light, informal, personal, humourous• Informative, useful (for others following you)• Sometimes a paragraph, sometimes a page• A picture paints a 1,000 words: include photos• Be original, but keep it simple

How do people discover a Blog to read it?

• Horizons Unlimited! (links and the HUBB)

• Email & RSS

• Twitter & Facebook

• Search Engines

• Links from other blogs/websites

• Business cards and word-of-mouth

• Press coverage

Summary and Key Tips

• Blogs are free and don’t need special skills• Choose a good name• Create your blog on Wordpress.com but publish

excerpts and links on Horizons Unlimited as well• Create a backup “user” you can trust• Protect your identity: don’t publish too much!• Publicise your blog posts on Twitter & Facebook• Link to other useful/relevant blogs & websites• Be original, keep it simple and enjoy it!

In Part Two

• Looking at WordPress.com in more detail:– Colours and Headers– Settings and Widgets– Categories, Links and Pages– Adding Images and Video to Posts– Tagging Posts– Publicising on Twitter and Facebook

• Domain Names (yourname.com)• Combining WordPress with a full Website

Demystifying The Dark Artsof Travel Blogs And Websites