Tips to Keep your Blog Running when Not Travelling
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So you’ve finished your around the world trip, you had amazing stories to write about every day while you were away.
Now you are home, settling back into the daily routine and you don’t have any new content to put into your blog.
Does this mean that you can’t keep your beloved travel blog going? After all your hard work, is this the end? Will people stop coming to your blog and it will eventually fall into cyberspace oblivion?
Not True At All.
Many travel blogs are written by people that don’t travel full time. Dave and I returned from our long term travels almost a month ago and we have managed to put up a post every day of the week.
We thought that it was going to be difficult to keep up with our travel blog while traveling. We even wrote a post at the Travel Writers Exchange giving people advice on how to blog from the road. Little did we know that coming home for a couple of months was going to be more difficult than traveling.
But we have adapted and have come up with some ideas that will actually allow us to keep content coming until we leave again next month. It takes a little more imagination to keep a travel blog interesting when you are in your home town, but with these tips you can keep visitors coming back and build a bond with your readers while you are planning your next great adventure around the world.
Tips to Keep your Blog Running When not Travelling
1. Top Ten Lists – You are now an expert on many countries and cities. Put out a round up of all the top things to do in each place that you visited during your world travels. Sure you wrote about your day to day experiences while you were there, but did you compile a list of your favorite places to eat or favorite temples and attractions? You will find that you have days of new content and new photographs to choose from.
2. Blog Carnivals -Invite other Bloggers that you respect and admire to submit a link to their favourite posts. Choose a theme like people they’ve met, inspirational moments while traveling or best wildlife spotting areas. Compile all the links into one post, write a little introduction to each article that was submitted and give a link to the blog for people to read the entire article. It is an excellent way to build friends in the community and drive traffic your way while you help others by sending readers their way. Or do your own round up of what caught your eye on the Internet. That can world beautifully to inspire and give your readers some new sites to check out.
3. Guest Posts – Invite friends to write a guest post on your blog. It can be refreshing to have a different writer contribute to your website. Just because you aren’t traveling at the moment it doesn’t mean that you can’t provide valuable information to your readers. Other travelers are a great resource to write about places that you haven’t been to yet. You will be inspired to go to a new country and your readers will enjoy more finding out about a different place.
4. Fantasy Posts – I have seen some of these posts work well on other peoples blogs. The Q Family Adventures has done this well in the past. We have even written about our dream adventures in Canada for Sharing Travel Experiences. Write a post about a city or country that you are yearning to go to or are planning on going to in the near future. Do the research for your readers and find out what the main attractions are that you want to see there. You can write a very informative post on a new destination while learning something for yourself.
5. Advice Pieces - People are always browsing the internet for advice. You are now an expert on long term travel and you can write excellent articles on what you learned from your time galvanting around the world. Did you make mistakes with your packing? Did you become an expert at bartering? Do you now know how to find the perfect hotel or guest house in any city in the world? Share your expertise with your readers, proved valuable tips and they will keep coming back for more.
Dave Working on the Blog
6. Interviews - There are some fascinating people in the travel world and most are very friendly and approachable. Send off an email to your favourite traveler and ask them if they would mind answering some interview questions. You can either interview live for a podcast or you can do a magazine style interview. Send them your questions, they will answer them and send it all back. Voila, you will learn a ton about your favorite travelers and your readers will be inspired. It also makes your blog look very professional that you are actually interviewing people that stand out in the community.
7. Book Reviews - What books did you read during your travels. Everyone loves reading a good book that takes place in the destination they are about to travel to. There are thousands of books about travel and you could come up with a regular day where you suggest your favorite book to your readers. We’ve have even had publishers contact us to review books for them.
8. Go to events in your own town – It may not seem very exciting to you because you have lived in your home town all your life, but your home is a travel destination to everyone else. Write about a festival or event in your area. Be a tourist in your own town. You will be amazed what interesting places are right there in your own backyard.
9. Edit your videos – I am sure that most of you have a ton of video from your travels where you put up a minute or two of footage on your blog. Take this time to edit a proper 3 minute video about your time in a place. Video is extremely popular on the Internet and you could appeal to an entirely new audience. We are working on updating our videos before we head back on the road and are looking forward to expanding our video page.
10. Hold a contest - Even if you don’t have corporate sponsors, you probably have some fun little trinkets from your travels that you could give away. Or you could use your own money to give a way a gift certificate or small prize. People don’t really care about the prize as much as the fun of entering a contest. This is an excellent way to generate interest and excitement about your blog. We have a fun contest going on right now, head over for to our Ultimate Playlist Contest for your own inspiration.
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Great ideas! This is an issue I certainly deal with… I bet you’ll also find that you’ll write & post photos about your past travels, because it’s much easier to write from the comfort of home than when you’re on the road.
.-= Travelogged´s last blog ..Betsey Johnson Designs a Brand New Suite for Eloise at The Plaza =-.
Well done Dave! Some great tips here which I am sure many are following
Me, I just need to compile all my recent 4 months worth of trips and book some ‘time’ to write them.
Regards,
David
.-= David @ Malaysia Asia´s last blog ..Malaysia International Dive Expo 2010 MIDE at PWTC =-.
Thanks David. That is the beauty of long term travel, it gives you months of content when you come home and you now have the time to go through it all and enjoy reliving your adventures.
I never seem to have a problem coming up with something to say
But these are great tips! As a last resort, think of something crazy… and do it 
.-= Andy Hayes | Sharing Travel Experiences´s last blog ..In Dire Straights- The World’s Most Beautiful Fjords and Sounds =-.
I like that idea Andy. I am going to make it my goal to come up with something crazy for the blog in the next couple of weeks.
These are great tips. Even when not actively travelling there is always something to write about. Often in fact the most useful content to share is what you learnt from the travelling experience, which can benefit others who need to do research prior to a trip.
.-= Laurence´s last blog ..Memories of Oz- Tasmania =-.
Thanks Laurence. So true sharing knowledge is what it is all about. That is what I search for when browsing blogs. I love tips, advice and recommendations on destinations.
Great advice guys. I find too that you’ll be shocked just looking through pictures at things you’ve neglected to write about. Also, while you may have stopped traveling, as you said you should still be full of advice on every aspect of travel.
I really like the idea of guest posts as well. I think it’s an excellent way to expose new (or established) bloggers to a new community. I’m shocked every day to find a travel blog I didn’t know of, and guest posting is often the source of this introduction. I think if you’re looking for guest bloggers, you shouldn’t put the burden (perhaps not the right word) of what to write on them. Think about their experiences, their expertise, and your audience and then suggest a topic for them to guest post on.
.-= Matt´s last blog ..Friday Travel Photo- Cappadocia- Turkey =-.
Good advice Matt. Give the Blogger a topic or idea so that they don’t have to come up with one out of the blue. It always helps to make things easier on your guest.
great tips.. i try to practice em too.. and actually it’s not so hard.. breaking the mental barrier is the hardest, for sure:) yay! great post!
Your right, it is the mental barrier. It is so much easier to come up with content when you are living in the travel moment. But once you sit down and think about it, the ideas just flood right in.
I needed a post like this! I started my blog after I came back from an 8 month trip abroad and it’s been a while since I have traveled. Some things on your list I have been doing like being a tourist in my own city but there are lot of other tips on your list I’m looking forward to trying out for myself. Even though I can’t travel right now my blog makes me feel like I still am. Thanks!
.-= Joya´s last blog ..Three Travel Bites of the Week =-.
Glad we could inspire you Joya. We started this blog a couple of years ago for friends and family when we cycled through Africa. We didn’t even have a clue that you could come home and keep blogging. We came back from Africa and didn’t touch the blog for 6 months. It was after reading some articles on how to become a travel writer that we realized that we could blog any time. I know that many established Bloggers think Blogging and not traveling is a no brainer, but we didn’t know the first thing about blogging about traveling when we weren’t traveling until a lot of trial and error last year. Good luck with the blog, it is true, it really does make you feel better about being home when you can keep on writing about your travels.
As always a very great post that will help other fellow bloggers to get rid of that writer’s block!
Also thanks for the shout out to me.
I also think your Photo Story post is a very useful one. A lot of time after traveling we have so many pictures that you can literally put up a post with different angle on the photo each day.
.-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Bangkok With Kids- Escape the Heat in Wat Pho The Temple of The Reclining Budha =-.
You are welcome Amy. I always thought that your “Dreaming of” Posts were very clever. Thanks for reminding us of posting a photo story. That can be Number 11! Probably should have been higher on the list, but I didn’t think of it:( Yes, we run a photo story a week and it is a wonderful way for content. It’s always interesting and readers love it. Who doesn’t love looking at great photos of exotic places:) Thanks again!
Great post. There is always something you can write about. One of the biggest problems I find is trying to decide what to write about next.
.-= Rob Atherton´s last blog ..Selected FAQs Concerning South Africa =-.
Glad you have lot’s of ideas, that is the key brainstorming something interesting and unique to write about.
Great tips! Since we have been traveling the world non-stop since 2006, we have the opposite problem, more stories to tell than time to tell them all. We could stop now for 10 or 20 years and I would not run out of stories, pictures or video for our blog because as much as we have shared, we’ve still just scratched the surface & have only shown less than 5% of our photos and video.
Most travel bloggers and writers are mostly not traveling and I think it is a lot easier to travel blog while not traveling. Quite the irony, isn’t it?
( She says from beautiful south of France where she has free wifi right now, but can not get into email or post a blog because the connection won’t allow it. Sigh.).
The good news is there are always more stories to tell and more photos and videos to share than one can possibly tell while traveling. (I’ve learned to post some stories ahead while traveling, so I can enjoy more and not worry about bad or no internet etc, so I can go with the flow & get up extra when it works).
.-= soultravelers3´s last blog ..Darling Dordogne- Vacation Holiday in France =-.
Great advice. We do the same thing when traveling. Post ahead so that you can spend your time enjoying the moment and not running to the Internet every second you get. We look forward to getting back on the road because we like to keep our content fresh and up to date. It is great to have a back log of information, but timely information is important as well. And that is what you have by continuing to travel:-) We will be back out at the end of Sept or beginning of October, so we just have to keep things interesting until then. At least we have a couple of summer getaways to the Caribbean and possibly other places to keep things exciting:)
Excellent post! I’d add prepare for and show off your photography! A change of pace can be good for both blog and blogger
.-= Anil´s last blog ..The Best Comments Of The Month- July 2010 =-.
You are right Anil. I cannot believe that I didn’t put in photography since we have started a weekly photo story and Snap Shot Sundays. They have been very popular. People are really embracing Dave’s photography. So there you have it people, add photo posts, I think that this should have been like the number one idea. Not that the points in this post were in order, they were just in the order that they popped into our heads:)
You guys are absolutely right. I’ve been settled in Thailand for the last year, making small trips to other countries, but I have so many articles that I still have ideas to write about. If you can use some creativity there’s always another idea or twist to write about. Thanks for these great tips compiled into a list!
.-= Migrationology´s last blog ..Sabah’s Ngiu Chap Beef Soup =-.
Good point, there are always other views to write about on topics that you have already written about on your blog. Sometimes being away from a situation or destination can give you a different perspective and an entirely new article.
Oooh, fantasy posts! I’ve never thought about that one before. Cool idea.
.-= Gray´s last blog ..Shiny Travel Objects- August 1- 2010 =-.
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Thanks for the tips! I’ve enjoyed keeping my blog going with a mix of ‘how am I doing’ posts, ‘looking back at how we did things posts’ and some ‘looking forward’ posts. Your examples are great and will help keep me going! Cheers,Gillian
Thanks for the tips guys! I’m not having much trouble keeping my blog running since returning from our trip. There is lots to report on about returning home, lots to remember and share from our travels, and plenty to look forward to also. Your examples are great thought and will keep me going for a long time to come. Cheers, Gillian
cool! thanks for those ideas. I’ve been stuck lately here trying to earn some bucks… although i travel to some nearby islands during some weekends…
i might try the hold a contest soon hehehe… i dont know what to give away though…
Great ideas! All of your suggestions are posts I would love to read. It is important for bloggers to understand that they don’t have to be traveling 24/7 to continue to produce quality content. Sometimes the most creative posts are ones from those who aren’t traveling at the time because they have to really dig within themselves for an original idea or at least find a way to put a unique twist on a recycled idea. Great post! Loved it!
So true Jessica. We find that some of our most well received posts are about our thoughts on life and living. Writing from the heart is often what people want to read about. Like you said, you have to dig deep for an idea. While travelling, it is so easy to write because everything is new. But sometimes it isn’t as interesting as the article written at home because it is quick and easy to talk about a destination and an experience. It is the writing from home that I thinks makes me a better Blogger. I think hard about the piece, I edit it and shape it to what I am trying to say, and it is a lot of work.
Love these tips! I’ve definitely battled writer’s block lately. I have a day job, so while I adore traveling and do it whenever I can, I don’t have the luxury of traveling extremely frequently. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of interviews, photo essays, and having others do guest posts for me. They really are great fall-backs until I have more adventures to write about!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..What Would You Like to See More of Here =-.
Awesome! I’m just trying to get things set up and need to organize some original content and this gave me some great ideas. Thank you!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..One letter on a plane ticket says a lot about you =-.
Great ideas! Since I’m still putting my ducks in a row before going on an Excellent Adventure I am sometimes at a bit of a loss – what would be the best stuff to share on my blog that’s helpful, entertaining – and keep readers coming back. Life is a learning process, isn’t it? *smile*
.-= Denise Michaels´s last blog ..Are You Kickin’ it Or Winding Down =-.
Glad we could help Denise. Even with these tips we are at a bit of a loss ourselves. Every day, (especially when we are not travelling) takes a bit of work coming up with something Interesting and fun.
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When I went travelling for three months over the summer I thought that I would have to stop the blogging as I just wouldnt be able to find internet or have any time! If turned out that there were internet places everywhere and I actually enjoyed sitting in an air conditioned internet cafe with my laptop ever few days as a bit of a break from the sun!
Ross
.-= Ross´s last blog ..Running Blog =-.
This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives in depth information. thanks for this nice article Good post…..Valuable information for all.I will recommend my friends to read this for sure
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I really like your writing. Thanks so much, finally a decent website with good information in it.
Awesome! I’m just trying to get things set up and need to organize some original content and this gave me some great ideas. Thank you!
Good luck with the set up Katherine. It’s a fun ride running a travel blog.
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