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10 insider tips for the traveling blogger

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The traveling blogger is a fish out of water.

Away from the comforts of the home coffee maker, fluffy bunny slippers, and reliable wifi, they must be prepared for anything.

Of course it’s great to step out of your comfort zone and see humans face to face. It’s fantastic to get out your passport and see the world. It’s even better if you can continue to run your business without skipping a beat.

This blog post is a handy dandy roundup of my 10 best insider tips for the traveling blogger.

Use these as a starting point, and you won’t end up in the fetal position in your hotel hallway, begging passers-by for their Mophie chargers (see Tip #1).

Tip #1 – Be All Powerful

It’s more important to pack your charging cords than to pack your underwear. Seriously. But here’s a great tip I received from my sister-in-law (who travels frequently). If you forget your charger, ask at the hotel front desk; often they have a pile of cords that have been left behind by your fellow travelers. Away from my hotel, I always maintain my charge with my Mophie, the greatest invention since sliced bread. Throw a power strip in your suitcase for bonus points.

Tip #2 – Stay Connected (but Securely)

You know not to go on sensitive sites or apps using hotel free WiFi, right? It’s a little better if it’s password protected, but you still need to be cautious. The pros use a VPN to be completely secure while traveling. If you’re concerned, you can even buy a temporary VPN service, which simply encrypts your activity to keep the bad guys away.

Tip #3 – Leave Your Room

Writers need to fill their brains with new ideas, new viewpoints, and fresh air. Don’t go into your hotel room, close the blackout curtains, and eat room service. Be sure you keep up your healthy routines, use the fitness center or go for a jog outside! You might find yourself full of blogging inspiration from your new location.

Tip #4 – Be Prepared

At some point in your travels, you may find yourself in an unfamiliar conference room, in a long tunnel, or stuck in the middle of nowhere. Some things that will ease your panic: a USB stick with your presentation or work-in-progress on it, pre-loaded Google Maps, Band-Aids (for the blisters from your new shoes), and a granola bar (in case they’re serving Haggis).

Tip #5 – When in Rome…

If you’re traveling out of the country, don’t forget to check your data plans for overseas travel (some phone carriers have amazing roaming deals now). Do yourself a favor and buy a plug adaptor (American plugs won’t work in Europe). Appreciate the cultural differences and educate yourself about them before you go (in some countries, you are expected to sit in front with a taxi driver, rather than in the back). Pack a washcloth/facecloth if those are important to your routine, as they won’t be provided in most European hotels.

Tip #6 – Fly in Style

If you travel frequently, invest a little bit of time and money into TSA Precheck, you’ll thank me later. Take advantage of curbside check in (bring $2 per bag for the expected tip) and wave at the long line of people who inexplicably always wait in the inside queues. Take a screenshot of your digital boarding pass to access it quicker on your phone. While we’re talking about phones, download the airline’s app if they have one, and get details like gate change alerts and delay notifications early.

It goes without saying (hopefully), but it’s always a good idea to dress nicely and be respectful to the airline personnel, giving you both good karma and a better chance at being upgraded.

Tip #7 – Get Ahead of the Curve

Use your blogging platform to queue up some posts in advance of your trip. Use any downtime during the year to stockpile some great posts that are evergreen and can go live when you’re traveling. Queue up your blog post social promotion as well, while you’re at it.

Tip #8 – Don’t Forget to Bring Back Content

Take pictures, do some video interviews, do some travel journaling…make sure that you come back with content you can use for the rest of the year. You might want to bring a fresh notebook so you can jot down ideas on the road.

Tip #9 – Be Suitcase Savvy

Put something weird or colorful on your suitcase handle so you can identify it at baggage claim. Put a plastic trash bag in the suitcase for your wet swimsuit or dirty laundry. Pack like a flight attendant by rolling everything; you can fit twice the number of outfits. When your dentist gives you that little packet with a toothbrush and toothpaste, put it in your suitcase and just leave it in there for your next trip.

Tip #10 – Consider Unplugging Completely

This goes against all of the previous “bring your cords” advice, but if you’re able, consider taking a digital break. If you’re traveling because you’re supposed to be on vacation, prep some content in advance, let your audience know that you’re going away for a week or two, and take a deep breath. It’s important to be consistent, but it’s even more important to maintain your sanity.

What’s your best travel tip for the road-weary blogger?

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for Social Strata — makers of the Hoop.la community platform. Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Top 5 Things to Consider When You’re Blogging and Traveling

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How to blog

by
Amanda DiSilvestro

Blogging on the Go: How to Make Traveling the World “Work” for You

This post coming to you from a campervan somewhere between Byron Bay and Sydney, Australia — it can be tough to try and keep your blog up and running while you’re on the go. One of the greatest things about being a blogger and writer is the idea that you can do your writing from anywhere, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. This also doesn’t mean that you should sit home and let this great opportunity pass you by, but it does mean that you have to come up with some focus and discipline; fast.


Image: Can blogging while
you travel work out for you?

Working from home and working while you are traveling are two very different things. If you’ve been able to manage getting your work done with the lack of a real office, then you’re certainly off to a good start when it comes to working while on the go. However, there are a few things that are different and a few other qualities that you will likely need if you want to be successful as you travel wherever that plane or campervan may take you.

Top 5 Things to Consider When You’re Blogging and Traveling

It’s important to remember that working while traveling isn’t for everyone (as great as it may sound). Below are a few tips to help you make sure that you’re ready to be a traveling blogger:

  1. Get ready to work while you’re in the car or on a train or bus.

    Traveling often involves taking long rides to neighboring towns and tourist areas, and this means taking some sort of transportation. This is a great time for you to be working because these rides are usually pretty lengthy and there isn’t much else to do. However, you have to consider whether or not you get carsick and can actually work in a moving vehicle. Many people are able to get away with not working while literally on the go, but it’s the most convenient if you’re ready and willing to make it happen.

  2. Make sure that you’re prepared to miss out on certain activities.

    Part of traveling is the excitement of doing everything and seeing everything (especially if you’re with friends or family). It can be difficult to watch everyone travel down to the beach or check out that famous restaurant on the rooftop and just sit there and work. However, you have to realize that it won’t be possible for you to see and do everything. You have to make time for work, and this will mean having to say no to certain outings. For many (myself included), this is the hardest part about blogging while traveling and it’s often enough to cause a blog to fail.

  3. Consider the time difference and whether or not it will affect your business.

    You would be surprised at what an affect time difference will have on your blogging. If you’re working for a company, you are going to want to make sure that you’re online at least a little bit during the work hours of your company, and for you this could be right in the middle of dinner. You will also want to consider the different times that your content as well as the content your submitting to others is the most successful. If you’re writing an article late at night and then it goes live, is it really going to do you much good to promote it while the audience of that blog is asleep? You will want to make sure you have lots of scheduling tools in order!

  4. Try to spread out all of your travels.

    Let’s face it—if you’re going to travel while you blog you’re going to do it right. You will likely want to see more than one country, but it’s important that you spread out the times in which you travel. Make sure that you have a home base for at least a few months so you can really crack down and get some work done. It is during the transition periods that work suffers the most.

  5. Make sure that the Internet is readily available whenever you need it.

    This is one thing that can take many by surprise. They assume that they can just use Internet cafes or easily buy a wireless router, but this isn’t always the case. You want to make sure that you have this under control before you leave. In most countries, the best thing you can do is buy an Internet card in the country you’re visiting (bringing one from another will cost you too much money!). However, this isn’t always possible in more remote countries, so you’ll want to make sure you really research and decide if that is a country you can even travel to with a job. And remember—don’t forget your converters!

Have you ever maintained a blog or a blogging job while traveling the world? What were some things that you wish you had known before you got on the plane? Let us know your thoughts and tell us your stories in the comments below!

Author’s Bio:
Amanda DiSilvestro gives small business and entrepreneurs SEO advice ranging from keyword density to recovering from Panda and Penguin updates. She writes for Higher Visibility, a nationally recognized SEO consulting firm that offers online marketing services to a wide range of companies across the country. Connect with Higher Visibility on Google+ and Twitter to learn more!

Blogging on the Road: How to Keep Up When You Travel a Lot

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how to blog series

by
Ann Smarty

Understanding Online Business

When people ask about me, I usually have two main descriptions I go to: I am a travel-lover and a blogger. These two things make up so much of who I am and my life that they are the very first details that spring into my mind. Which is great, because they are two parts about my life that I truly love and would never change.

You would think the two would naturally intertwine, and in a way they do. I have plenty to say after each journey, and love showing pictures and videos taken along the way as I speak of my experiences. As I started out backpacking around the world in my earlier days, I have some serious stories about it. Which I am always eager to tell.

The problem is finding time to blog while I am traveling. This is something I have always wanted to be able to do, as my impressions and details would be much clearer and more accurate when it had only just happened.

It took me years to develop this skill properly, rather than relying on guest bloggers or hiatuses to get me through. It all comes down to a few tricks of the trade.


ImageCredit: Alex E. Proimos Learn the tricks.

Have Backups At The Ready

No matter how good your intentions are to blog while on the road, it won’t always happen. Your best bet is to have a small collection or prewritten articles in draft. That way you can publish on those scheduled days where you don’t have the time, ability or just energy to write.

Install Apps

Here’s a detailed guide on how to stay connected with your iPhone. Here’s another one for Android. It all comes down to which apps you choose to stick with as there are plenty!
Rely On Photo Or Video Posts

You don’t always have to tell about your day with words. Instead, you can post a vlog or collection of photos. It gives you a post, will update your viewers and also engage them visually.

Have A Blog Day

You know those days that you can’t bring yourself to go out and do anything? Even the most experienced travelers in the most beautiful and exciting destinations feel like this once during their trip. Take that day to lay low in your hotel room or hostel, and take advantage of the available internet connection. If they don’t have one, spend an hour or two at an Internet cafe or business with free WiFi. Knock out a few blog posts so they are ready and scheduled to go out. Then you won’t have to worry about it. If you are fast and determined, you will actually be surprized how much you are able to do in ten minites!

Fall Back On The Guest Bloggers

I mentioned before that I don’t like to rely on guest bloggers when I travel, and that was true. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like them at all. I love guest bloggers, and they have saved my butt more than once. I always have one on hand when I travel, who knows they will be called on to write at specific times. Or will just be expecting an email if I need them. MyBlogGuest is also always there to rescue!


This is one of my favorite ideas. Ask readers who are interested in writing for the site submit their ideas or blog posts on a relevant topic. Hold it like a contest with the winners having their posts published while you are traveling. You would be surprised by how many responses this tactic can get, especially from other writers looking for some exposure.

It isn’t always easy to keep up with a blog when you are a frequent traveler. But that doesn’t mean it is an impossible feat. In fact, it is quite simple to do if you just spend some time preparing for it. The tips above should help you out.

Author’s Bio:
Ann Smarty Ann Smarty is the blogger and social media gig launching Viral Content Buzz, the free social media promotion platform focusing on high-quality.


Thank you, Ann! Great information, Great guest post! Great birthday present to include SOBCon among them! 🙂

–ME “Liz” Strauss