Highlights from a panel on collaborating to build a better business, community and world….
I wasn’t sure what to make of the Collaboration panel (was it just an hour of warm-n-fuzzy?) but they surprised me. The right partnerships can be very good for business.
* Andy Hayes (@andrewghayes) pointed out that all of his ebooks have been collaborative efforts. “Go beyond just retweeting people’s stuff.” he said. “Thinking through the strategy [of why to collaborate] is harder than the execution. What’s the amazing thing that you want to do? Now, go find the right people to help you do it.”
* Taking a page from Seattle travel enthusiasts getting together informally for SCOOT (Seattle Consortium of Online Travel,) Jen Miner (@JenniferMiner) discussed joining with Melanie Waldman to start LACOT (Los Angeles Consortium of Online Travel.)
“I meet hoteliers and lots of travel PR people through LACOT, so that’s good for my work.” said Miner. “Plus, those who come to our meetups get to learn about different neighborhoods around the city.”
* As travel blogging fundraiser Passports with Purpose (PwP) gears up for 2011, co-founder Beth Whitman (@Wanderluster) explained that “We wanted some way, as travelers, to give back and help out when we travel….getting a group together to do something like this can provide exponential help for a cause, rather than trying to do it alone.”
Whitman sketched PwP’s trajectory from raising US$7500 for Heifer International in 2008, to the 2011 goal: US$80,000 to build two libraries in Zambia.
“Most of our funds are raised in US$10 increments; how incredible is that?!” she added.
From the panel on more effective blogger/PR relationships:
There is still a disconnect on value. Many bloggers don’t understand the value of a good PR connection, and many PR professionals still don’t see the advantages of blog coverage.
* Know the story you want to tell, and pitch to the right decision makers 3-6 months in advance of desired travel dates, said Meg Paynor (@MegPaynor.) Start with PR people in your own backyard and your local CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) or Tourist Board.
“Even if we can’t work with you right then, we may be able to in the future.” said Paynor. “If we do work together, don’t disappear after a trip. Answer emails! Give feedback, both good and bad. If you can quantify the reach of your stories as a result of a trip, I’ll forward that to my clients. It makes a case for you, and the blogging industry in general, especially for those who are still skeptical of blogging’s value.”
* Bloggers, craft a solid media kit. Yes, your traffic data is important, but Andy Hayes (@andrewghayes) has found that “Good numbers and a crap pitch is worse than crap numbers but a good pitch.” Be realistic, but get out there and make your case. “Bloggers wait for agencies to magically find them, and then send them someplace amazing.” joked Hayes.
Travel bloggers at Philadelphia tourism event BlogWorld West 2011 (courtesy Gary Leonard for Visit Philly on Facebook)
Two other events of note at this BlogWorld: a Photo Walk around downtown LA organized by the Los Angeles CVB – a Darren Rowse (@problogger) shot was picked for LA’s Photo of the Day – and an evening media reception sponsored by The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) to bring together travel, food, parenting and other bloggers to hear about Philly.
Some attendees were a little confused about why they’d been invited to a Philadelphia event held in Los Angeles, but organizer Caroline Bean (one of the Tourism track speakers and the GPTMC’s Director of Social Media) said, “It makes sense to take the opportunity to tell key bloggers about what’s going on in our town. Some may have never considered a visit to Philly, so why not show them what we have to offer?”
The next BlogWorld and New Media Expo is scheduled for June 2012 in New York City, in conjunction with BookExpo America.
I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Sheila’s posts about BlogWorld here on travelllll. Great job.