I recently gave a presentation called The Wild West of Travel Blogging: Staking Your Claim in New Media to a group of traditional travel writers visiting my area. It was great to connect with the old school writers again and remember where I came from and how hard it was when I first started in the travel industry.
Many people may not realize this, but I’m not a blogger. I’m a writer. I write for magazines, newspapers, websites, and blogs. I even write books (gasp). To me, blogging is just another medium where my words are published. One point I tried to reiterate throughout my presentation is that it’s crazy for all of us. Travel bloggers don’t consider themselves writers, some writers don’t even know what a blog is, and the poor travel industry professionals just want to do their jobs (get people to write about their destination so that consumers book their destination and everyone is happy).
So why is it we aren’t all working TOGETHER to teach each other? I think that travel writers should be mentors to travel bloggers and travel bloggers should in turn teach the writers how to survive in the new media world. The same goes for the travel industry pros - If a blogger comes to you asking for assistance, don’t just tell them no, explain why you can’t assist them and give them a few tips on what information they can provide YOU so that you can give them the answer they need.
I’ve heard more moaning and griping from everyone than actual ideas for a solution to the problem. We can’t feel threatened because there’s a new kid on the block. Instead, we should be asking them to come over and play on our swing set.
The gate to my yard is open. What questions do you have? Let’s try and find a solution and have fun while on the swing set.
Good Article. Nice to see your’e still a sharing person.
I don’t understand the distinction, honestly. As I see it, a blogger is a type of writer just like a novelist, a journalist, and a biographer are types of writers. In that regard, I have a question for you: do you feel that blogging has improved your print writing skills or detracted from it? I am working on a book and I feel that the writing is so completely different than blogging that comparing the two is like asking a neurosurgeon to operate on a heart transplant.
Akila – There really shouldn’t be a distinction. There are pros and cons to the blogging format of writing. This format has trained me to write concise articles that get to the point quickly. In regards to wriiting for print: I was able to break down into segments my last travel guide – completing the entire book in less than a month. Blogging is very public and after a while, it gave me the confidence to write things that would otherwise stay unpublished in my notebook.
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Calling All New Kids =-.
I sort of stumbled into blogging by accident; ‘Travelrat’ was only ever intended to be a personal diary. But, then came the recession; as you probably know, the bottom fell out of the print market; a dozen mags I used to contribute to bit the dust about the same time.
I did keep the pot boiling with an occasional web sale … and, I can honestly say (if you count my returns in kind, as well as cash) I’ve made more in the last six months from blogging than from ‘conventional’ writing.
.-= Keith´s last blog ..Really Stinky Garlic =-.
With new media the worlds of writers and bloggers must be merging – as you say, for the professional writer it must be another medium for their talents. However, I do think that blogging perhaps suits a certain style of writing, one that is short, quick to the point, explores a single idea, more personal. Also I feel that blogging is about far more than writing – it’s increasingly multi-media and I try to incorporate podcasts, videos and photography as well as writing. I don’t feel I could set myself to compete purely as a writer but as a multi-media blogger I have a much better chance to succeed.
.-= Heather on her travels´s last blog ..Luxuries of Barcelona revealed =-.
There will always be resistance when you feel like someone is infringing on your territory. You don’t want to let someone in who hasn’t paid their dues. Such is the case of writers vs bloggers. On the other hand, writers who have embraced blogging have captured a new audience and probably freshed their writing skills. No reason to have one team against the other. Much could be learned from both. As for me, I’m new to blogging and do it strictly for enjoyment – not to compete with other travel writers.
Shannon – Nice post, or should I call it article?
I honestly don’t understand the distinction between the two, probably because I was schooled as an MBA and maybe have no business being in either profession! However I’m as confused as ever – I don’t really know what to ‘label’ myself, I have a website that can be called a blog – but I break every blogging rule by writing long memoirs…yet I write 2 of them a week and keep content fresh. Regardless – I am doing what feels good to me and trying not to worry about rules or labels. Then again making some money sure would be nice!
.-= Sherry Ott´s last blog ..signs =-.
In my mind, the distinction is a business one, not a content one.
Most people who define themselves as a “writer” are employed on a full or freelance basis by other people.
Bloggers are self publishers.
The difference is really more of a business model than approach to the craft of writing. (Yes, by my definition, if you are employed by a online site to write, then you really aren’t a blogger, you are a writer)
As rates for freelancers keep dropping and publications go out of business, more writers are forced to become bloggers if they want to keep doing what they do. This requires learning a whole host of things you just never had to deal with in larger organizations.
I run a pretty successful blog. In three years I can think of only one person from a mainstream media background who ever asked me for advice.
It is hard to help when help isn’t wanted.
If you are employed by someone else to write, you don’t have to worry about marketing, accounting, or the technical issues surrounding running a publication. Bloggers have to do everything.
.-= Gary Arndt´s last blog ..Daily Travel Photo – Grand Teton National Park =-.
Very interesting subject, Shannon. I do consider myself a writer, but it took me a while to get here. And I’m not sure I agree with your assessment that blogging requires concise, short articles. I write long articles and many people read every word. I think it’s more about quality than quantity. I remember when I was coming up in the world of advertising there was a constant battle between graphic designers and the copywriters. The accepted philosophy was that the graphic had to dominate any ad and the copy should be kept to a minimum because people wouldn’t read it. Then one retailer – forget which one – began breaking all the rules, running ads with long blocks of copy and very little in the way of graphic design. The campaign won all kinds of awards and was the talk of the town – and people read every word. I think we underestimate the intelligence of the average reader. As long as we produce well-written content that is providing value, people will read it.
On the other hand, I totally agree with your assessment about the need for “traditional” writers and bloggers to work together. This in-fighting is only doing us harm. But as Gary says, few traditional writers would consider asking bloggers for help because there is a persistent belief that they are somehow better than bloggers, regardless of whether a blogger is a talented writer or not. Basically, I think that the traditional publishing model is outdated and resistant, and if they don’t get on board with the new paradigm soon, they are doomed.
.-= Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels´s last blog ..Speed is the Enemy of Cultural Travel =-.
I work in a travel company so major part of the description is to lure people to places we promote like the Lakeland District and Keswick hotels. But I do blog as well, but I never consider myself as a professional writer. I just blog about my experiences and things that matter to me.
.-= James Carsel´s last blog ..The Keswick Hotel Bacton =-.
Well said. I see myself as a journalist/ writer (depending on what I’m writing about and how much research goes in). But I have a blog too, so I guess I’m a blogger too.
I really don’t see why these things have to be mutually exclusive.
.-= David Whitley´s last blog ..One common mistake that PR companies make – and how to fix it =-.
Heather and Gary both observe that being an independent, self publishing travel blogger involves a lot more than just writing articles/posts being a bit of a jack of all trades doing SEO, taking and editing photos and videos, social networking, using at least basic html, selling ads etc.
I always come back to the point that the reader doesn’t really care whether we call ourselves travel bloggers or writers, they are only interested if the content is informative, interesting or entertaining to them.
.-= Karen Bryan´s last blog ..Cesky Krumlov’s a super-scenic Czech town =-.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I enjoy reading everyone’s opinions on the subject. Gary, Heather, Karen – yes, we are a bit of everything, aren’t we? That’s one of the other points I stressed to the group of writers: we’re not just writers, but take on the role of publisher, marketer, accountant, sales, IT, etc. It can be overwhelming at times, especially when one is used to just submitting a story to an editor and then having to chase down the check! Life was much simpler them :0)
I believe you all have just helped me spark the topic of my next post.
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Calling All New Kids =-.
Blogger or writer? I don’t mind if the medium is read-worthy to me:-)
.-= Man from Dublin´s last blog ..Experience Dublin City break =-.
Blogger? Writer? I don’t distinguish between the two, but then, I am a writer and consider all the words that I produce just that – writing.
Like Gary and Karen, I agree that blogging is more than merely posting words to the web. For many of us, it’s a business. And, in any business, the owner must produce his product, market it, promote it and administer the details. That’s true whether you are blogging or maintaining a freelance writing career.
In whatever form – newspaper article, magazine piece, blog post – we are producing content. If it’s not interesting the reader will desert us for a better read.
Like Barbara, those writers who are dragging their feet about entering the online world will eventually become the dinosaurs of the publishing world.
.-= Donna Hull´s last blog ..Celebrating a Boomer Birthday at Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain =-.
I do enjoy reading your post and the comments here is so interesting..I will come back often to read your new post!
Blogging is a revolution rather than an evolution of writing. With new media, it is a fresh new immersive experience with more photos and videos in constrast to traditional media where words and imagination matter most. It also allows any people with access to a computer the ability to publish anything at almost no cost, instantly enlarging the pool of content producers to everyone. Any technology that encourages creativity I suppose will be good.
.-= Globe Nomads´s last blog ..Angel of the North – Britain’s largest sculpture =-.
Thoughtful piece. I think blogging has opened the world up to writers of all standards and levels – some of whom aren’t of a standard that they could be professional and others who write superbly well. Also much of blogging isn’t about earning a living (more a diary) while to others it is clearly their livelihood. I agree wholeheartedly with you when you say that we should all be working together as online publishing will only continue to grow at a rapid rate.
.-= Mark H´s last blog ..Jean Sibelius Monument (Helsinki, Finland) =-.
Hey Shannon,
I’m happy to play nice on the playground as I work both sides of the teeter totter. However, I do think there is a difference between bloggers and writers. Perhaps this is because I have a journalism degree and come at this question from a print background.
I’ve also embraced the blogging world b/c, as was mentioned in the comments, the print world is a dying industry. Blogging doesn’t require AP style writing, nor is it necessary to quote resources in your article. In fact, many bloggers write from the first person perspective, which is very different from newspaper and magazine format. Certainly blogging is a more personal approach to writing.
As Gary, Barbara, Karen and Donna mentioned, bloggers are self publishers and jacks of all trades.. Speaking strictly for myself, I’ve had to learn how to write for keywords, use HTML code, crunch photos, produce and upload video and promote my content. Learning how to use social media, obtain high Google Page Rank, low Alexa rankings and everything in between has been, and continues to be a challenge for me.
I’m very grateful to you, Gary, Karen, Barbara, Donna, Heather and all my fellow bloggers for graciously sharing their knowledge with me. I find bloggers to be open and playful. Thanks for keeping the gate in your yard open. Your southern hospitality is appreciated!
In all fields of work, you’re going to find specialists and generalists, people who can be both, old school types versus people who embrace change, and so on. The field of writing, whether it’s journalism, fiction, non-fiction, writing for the web, etc is no different to any other field.
I work primarily as a professional travel, meaning that 100% of my income comes from paid commissions for books, stories for newspapers/magazines, and stories/posts for the web. Like David, I had also blogged, but until January this year it was more of a hobby, to be able express myself freely in a way I couldn’t in the things I was commissioned to write.
However, this year, I’m getting paid to blog at Grantourismo http://grantourismotravels.com/ but I’m still earning income from writing for other mediums, including print. And I’ve *always* written for many mediums – my first job (to put myself through uni) was in PR, I was then a filmmaker, I then wrote teen novels for HarperCollins, later I was an academic who taught script writing and writing for all media/genres/mediums. I adapt my writing for different genres/mediums/formats although readers can always find my own voice in there somewhere, just at different levels depending on whom I’m writing for.
I never stopped at any point in my career to ask myself, am I a scriptwriter? Am I a novelist? Am I a journalist? I don’t understand why a writer can’t write for more than one genre/format/medium/audience if they have the ability?
.-= lara dunston´s last blog ..Price Check: a Tokyo Shopping List =-.
Nancy, I do agree with you (my first degree is a Communications degree with majors in film and writing), but I also don’t think it would hurt bloggers who haven’t had training as writers/journalists to use style guides and to study ethics etc.
I don’t think the print world is dying. I’ve just spent 5 months travelling through Europe and Japan where *everyone* everywhere is reading books and graphic fiction and magazines. I think the problem is that many print publishers haven’t kept up with what we like to read on print and what we like to read on the web and understood that their audiences are changing.
As someone who worked in film for so long, I remember all the debates as video and digital media grew about ‘film being dead’.
.-= lara dunston´s last blog ..Price Check: a Tokyo Shopping List =-.
“Travel bloggers don’t consider themselves writers”
I consider myself a writer. Blogging is the format. Print is a format. TV is a format. Novels are a format. Writing is writing.
It’s the same argument with the term journalist. If Fox News and Glenn Beck (or any opinion-based news) is journalism, can we really make the distinct that blogging isn’t?
Ultimately people try to use the words writer or journalist or blogger to describe a level of quality. But we have to be careful – I’m pretty sure that even print travel writing isn’t taken very seriously by the rest of the print world. It’s all about your standard — the guy entrenched in Iran isn’t going to take a luxury brand hotel reviewer very seriously — and in turn she isn’t going to take her blogging counterparts seriously either — and beyond that those bloggers aren’t going to take their blogger.com colleagues seriously and so on.
It’s all one big pissing contest, if you ask me.
Nice post
sam
Your presentation sounds really interesting…
It’s fascinating to be a part of the Internet evolution/revolution, isn’t it? Every day there is a new AH-HA moment that allows old school and new school to mesh. A new perspective that changes everything.
I really look forward to seeing the travel industry change with the times. If I had to venture a guess, I imagine there will be a day when distinctions like “blogger” or “writer” won’t even be considered. I think that as communication becomes more free-flowing, everyone will benefit. The “playgrounds”, as you say, will be open for all to play in.
My favorite thing about the new world unfurling before us is the power of the individual. One person, one blog, can completely change everything. I encourage all of us to keep moving forward on the projects that really make us excited. It’s not until a bit of time passes that we can really see the full value of those things…
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..What Is Life In the Bonus Round =-.
It is so easy to share if you have already established yourself in the industry. However if you are just starting to get hang of it. You tend to get consumed with the task.
Well, at least, that’s what’s happening to me.
.-= Troy Benning | Travel Insurance Comparison´s last blog ..Student Travel Insurance – How to get the best one =-.
As a blogger you have much more freedom what you write and let you mind flow.