Hey, travelpreneurs!
I’m back with your regularly scheduled programming 😜
So, you’re considering attending your first travel or blogging conference but don’t know what you’re supposed to do there - I’ve got you covered.
The goal is simply to network.
Everyone is there to learn and network so its the PERFECT place to make contacts in the travel industry.
Here are 5 expert tips for successful networking at travel or blogging conferences:
Practice your elevator pitch. What is an elevator pitch you ask? It’s how you introduce yourself and what you do. Why is it important? Well, when you’re meeting someone for the first time, you have 15 – 30 seconds to really capture their attention and make it count. So, rehearse your elevator pitch in advance!
Research the panelists who are speaking ahead of time and come with your carefully thought-out questions prepared. If you have the opportunity to ask a question during a presentation, do so! If there are networking opportunities afterward, you can then go up to them and thank them for answering your question – connection made!
Consider bringing a printed version of your media kit, make sure it’s short and sweet like this one and printed on luxe paper (not just regular printer paper).
Alternatively take business cards with all of your social accounts, website URL, and blog info. Always ask the people you connect with for their business cards too so you can follow up with them after the event! The follow-up is super important.
Don’t be afraid to get creative to stand out. For example, hand out your media kit on a branded USB drive or create a memorable (and inexpensive) branded product to hand out instead of business cards with all your info on it.
There you have it, my top tips for networking at travel conferences!
Have a question about these events? Feel free to reply and ask me or leave a comment and I’ll answer you!
The Good Stuff 🔥
Curious Find 🔮
👉 VALO Hotel & Work. A new kind of hybrid hotel in Helsinki. VALO Hotel & Work is a new type of hotel that serves two purposes — work and office space during the day, and a hotel during the night. Check out their media page - they’re looking for long-term collaborators.
Freebies 🆓
👉 12 Days of Trello Giveaway. Receive tips on getting your business organized, worksheets to help you boost your productivity, templates that you can use, and a chance to win a Trello Board Template of the Day!
👉 Entrepreneurs Rocket Fuel Giveaway. An epic bundle full of free gifts for entrepreneurs!
Paid Opportunities 🤑
👉 Write for AAA Via. AAA Via is seeking pitches on West Coast road trips as well as life skills stories in the areas of automotive, home, and personal finance. We cover Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Alaska, with most of our readers residing in Northern California and Arizona. No DMs, please email viamail@viamagazine.com.
👉 Matador Network is looking for a travel writer who smokes or vapes. The piece would be a complete guide for traveling smokers, including information about where and why one can't smoke/vapes in airplanes (if one can't smoke, why are there ashtrays?), airports (what about smoking rooms?), train stations, trains, etc. Pays $200 USD.
👉 Hidden Compass: Freelance Writing Opportunity. Hidden Compass is an award-winning online publication that showcases the frontiers of human exploration and knowledge through powerful storytelling. If you have an original, compelling, and true story — told in words, photos, artwork, or a combination of media — consider submitting to Hidden Compass. Learn more here.
BONUS: 85 Publications That Pay Writers (Travel Edition)
Press/Media Trips 🌐
👉 SouthWest Germany Press Trip. SouthWest Germany, the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, is rich in cultural monuments. In fact, seven of Germany’s 50 or so UNESCO World Heritage Sites are between Lake Constance in the south and northern Baden-Württemberg. They span some 40,000 years, from caves with the oldest Ice Age art to Stuttgart’s modernist houses designed by architect Le Corbusier. Want to learn more about SouthWest Germany? For media inquiries and upcoming media trips please contact Victoria Larson, USA Press Representative SouthWest Germany at Victoria@vklarsoncommunications.com
Interesting Reads... 📰
👉 Join 50k+ smart people on Refind and get 7 new links every day that make you smarter, tailored to your interests, curated from 10k+ sources.
👉 If you’re looking for other newsletters to follow, check out The Sample. They’ll recommend newsletters for you every day or week based on your interests.
Bonus Content 🤩
👉 Travel photographers of the year. Worth taking a look at the Travel Photographer of the Year 2021 Winners. The overall winner was Fortunato Gatto, from Italy. The winning images will be displayed in London’s Granary Square in April and May 2022.
👉 Modern Adventure. Curated experiences for curious travelers. A community that connects you to extraordinary travel experiences, with brands and tastemakers we admire and respect.
👉 What the Travel Industry can Learn from Travel Advisors. Beth Santos sits down with Henley Vazquez, co-founder of the travel startup Fora, to talk about a surprising segment of the industry that puts women first – the world of travel advisors – and her advice for the rest of the travel industry moving forward. Also, learn how you can become a travel advisor during this FREE Wanderful event.
👉 Have you checked out the latest AppSumo freebies? Grab free tools and resources that can help grow your travel blog's traffic, community, and income while simplifying your workflow.
👉 Have you grabbed your free stock photos yet? Ivory Mix features loads of tools, templates, graphics, and resources for all your creative projects. This link will score you 500 FREE stock photos, too!
Have something you’d like to promote to Wildly Successful Travelpreneurs 1400+ readers? Purchase ad or sponsorships space. Learn more here!
Creator Shout-Out 📣
Love seeing other travel families! Plus, they just released a new course on cultivating positive habits. Give them a follow!
Travel Plans ✈️
We just got back from a trip to the magical Tsala Treetop Lodge. I have wanted to visit this place for years and it truly delivered - an enchanting oasis in the trees! This week we have friends visiting and we plan to show them all around the gorgeous Garden Route! Follow along on my Instagram or Twitter accounts to see more of this beautiful destination.
Until next week…
With love,
Daniella
PS. If you want to become a travelpreneur, here are 3 ways I can help you:
✈️ Grab one of my FREE courses, books, or templates for travel bloggers: https://payhip.com/OurSoulfulT...
🌎 Invest in one of my paid courses, books, templates, or bundles: https://payhip.com/OurSoulfulT...
✨ Work with me privately to make your travelpreneur dreams come true: https://payhip.com/b/wXeEV
Quick Q! What did you think about this week's newsletter?
With your feedback, I can improve! Click on a link to vote:
I spend hours each week to read, curate, and write this newsletter to bring only the best to your inbox. You can now share this newsletter in less than 5 seconds to show support for which I'll forever be thankful.
OR…