6 Things I've Learned from 6 months of Travel Blogging with Adventures around Scotland

In August my blog is 6 months old and what started out as an enjoyable hobby has now grown to such a point that I feel I have earned the right to call myself a travel blogger. I am not a full-time blogger as I balance my travelling and writing with my day job which pays my bills and funds my trips. However, I now believe this is something I could do, and more importantly want to do full-time and have started to build the foundations towards that dream. I'm no expert but my blog has received some recognition and gained some achievements lately, it has also opened doors to new travel experiences which I would not otherwise have gotten the chance to do. Everyone has their own ways of building their blog but I thought I would share what has worked for me so far and perhaps you might find a little bit of inspiration to help you and gain an awareness of a few of the traps to avoid.

1. It's hard work

Okay, it's very, very hard work if you actually want your blog to get noticed. Expect to put in alot of hours in your spare time either writing, doing admin, social media, design, guest posting, making contacts and improving the SEO of your blog (to list just a few of the many hats a blogger has to wear). Add in your actual travelling, working your day job and trying to have a life and your days seem to pass by! I want to do this for a living so I am prepared to make the sacrifices and I treat my blog as a start up business and put in time investment rather than money. If you don't want to make a living from your blog then keep it as a hobby. In the beginning research and teaching yourself the 'behind the scenes' bits of blogging will take up more time than writing but once you have laid the foundations for your blog you won't have to do it again. This is the stage I'm at but I'm assured by blogging professionals that investment at the beginning will pay off later and that makes sense to me! Many people that start out enthusiastically in the beginning soon realise that to get your blog noticed in a sea full of blogs is not as easy as they first thought and the novelty wears off. If you blog about your passion then you won't mind the hard work and are more likely to keep going until that all important breakthrough moment.

2. Social media is about quality not quantity 

Social media is currently where most of my blog readers come from and I have never got hung up about the amount of followers I have and truly believe that 10 followers that read your blog are worth way more than 100 that don't. I engage with my followers, always reply to or acknowledge a comment, I'm always polite and I try to post a range of things from photos, reviews, news stories and any other helpful travel related advice. I don't just bombard people with links to my blog posts. I do interact and have tried to become an approachable expert in my subject (Scottish travel). I genuinely appreciate every single person who takes the time to follow me and read my posts and you should too.
There are ways of measuring how influential you are on social media and companies can quickly find out if you have 10,000 followers that never interact or 1000 followers that do and this is why you should focus on quality not quantity.

Deciding on what social media channel works for you is a bit of trial and error, Twitter works great for me so I concentrate on that, I don't really enjoy Facebook as I find it limiting and I'm currently starting over on Pinterest as I had been neglecting it and needed to revamp my ideas. I'm also looking into Google+ and Instagram to decide what has the best potential for my purposes.

3. Be original 

When starting out it is a good idea to study the top travel bloggers and find out what type of things they post about, what elements they include in their blog and what form they write their blog posts in. What you will learn is they all have their own individual style, even though they are likely blogging about world travel they have found a way to stand out from the huge travel blogging crowd and most specialise in a particular genre e.g budget travel, luxury, backpacking etc. Get inspiration from those at the top but don't copy other people or compare yourself to other travel bloggers. Find your own voice and learn from the best but don't try to be like them. People will follow you because you're different; people won't be inspired to follow you if there is already an established blogger out there that has been doing the same thing longer and probably better. Finding your own travel blogging personality will make designing your blog easier as it will be a true reflection of your style and your writing will be more natural. Then find an area you can become an expert in and make yourself known as the blogger to go to for advice on that subject.

4. People want you to work for free

The one downside I have found is that blogging is not respected as a profession by many large companies who will send you e-mails filled with flattery about your amazing writing and your excellent blog and how they would love you to write for them blah, blah. Ignore this and skip to the part when they tell you unfortunately they have no money to pay you. I'm not talking about small businesses I mean big companies with big marketing budgets who are paying the person that has just sent you the e-mail! When you are just starting out you may have to write for free to build up a portfolio and guest posting helps get your name out there but choose who you write for wisely. Ignore big corporate companies wanting free marketers, instead work with small tourism businesses, travel sites that you respect or other bloggers and build a relationship with them. They will become useful future contacts and are much more likely to appreciate you and promote you to the right type of audience and they can open other doors for you. Guest posting for sites like this helps build relationships with fellow Scottish bloggers and I know ScotBloggers will actively promote me in return. Featuring on big sites and gaining a link will help with SEO but again look for the top travel bloggers and ask if you can guest post for them instead.

5. Don't compromise your blogging brand

Your blog is your business and your brand and if you are doing a good job people will want to work with you. I've turned down free gifts, sponsored posts and event invitations because they are not a good fit for what I write about. If something is not right it's important to say no, don't sell your soul or compromise the integrity of your blog for the sake of a freebie. It may be very tempting when press invitations come in for a non travel VIP event that has the added enticement of champagne and nibbles or someone wants to send you a free product to review that has a very tenuous link to travelling (yes these things happen!) but stop and ask yourself if it is really right for you. If not be honest and say no because if you say yes the company that has sent the product will expect a review and the PR that sent the invitation will expect exposure for their client. If you don't deliver you will earn yourself a bad name and especially in the close knit world of PRs this is not a good idea! If you do deliver for them you will be failing your reader, do they want to read about a fashion show where you enjoyed smoked salmon bites while viewing the latest collection for a high street store? The integrity of your blog is more important than any freebie, be patient and professional and the right offers will appear.

Also don't be fooled into entering competitions or posting press releases about places that you have not personally been to. This is a tactic I have seen quite often recently and disagree with; firstly you can't recommend something you haven't experienced, that goes back to the whole thing about readers trusting you. Secondly I refer back to lesson four, this company is wanting you to provide them free advertising, write a post about them for free all with the vague possibility that you could win their competition. It's a personal choice if you really want the chance of winning a prize but remember that what you publish reflects your blogging brand, be sure you're not compromising it.

6. Overdeliver

The more established my blog gets, the more opportunities I have been offered. Firstly, I did use the word 'freebie' above but this is where I should clarify that there is no such thing as a free ride, or free product or free anything when you are a travel blogger. Instead you have the opportunity to do an exchange or build business partnerships because anything offered to you is done on the condition that you will write about it. You get the chance to enjoy a travel experience and the company/destination gets some exposure in return. My pet hate is a travel blogger/writer who churns out a quick, bland and uninformative post in return for their 'freebie' and I read these sorts of posts time and time again by established bloggers and writers. If you are lucky enough to enjoy a great experience for 'free' then be professional and write a proper blog post, give the business the credit they deserve and probably expect, over deliver and people will want to work with you again. Don't just write a short trip advisor style review, add great photos and give people real information.

Most importantly be truthful, if it was terrible you have a choice, tell the company why it was not good, don't write a post but work with them by giving feedback on how they can improve things or publish an honest review saying you can't recommend it, just don't say it was great if it wasn't because your readers put trust in your advice. It is a good idea to let a company know your policy before working with them, personally I only post positive articles on my site. It is your blog and your brand, you decide what to publish, I take pride in having an honest blog and making sure I put at least 110% into every post.

I hope these lessons help you on your path through the minefield of blogging which I'm still muddling my own way through, hopefully I'll be back in another 6 months to let you know I've survived! Until then, love what you do, write with passion and follow your dreams :-)

Find Susanne on...

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Camping is not only cool, it can also be downright glamorous with Adventures around Scotland

One thing I hear time and time again is that it's cheaper to go abroad than holiday in Scotland. If you choose to stay in a nice hotel for two weeks then there is no doubt that the cost could easily come in at over a thousand pounds. However there are lots of budget alternatives these days and camping still remains one of the cheapest options out there.

Camping has really moved on with all singing, all dancing camp sites, an ever growing choice of Glamping accommodation and Campervan hire is now one of the most popular and cool ways to enjoy a Staycation.

I love to travel around Scotland as much as I can but like most people the reality is I just can't afford to rent somewhere every week or constantly stay in hotels and B&Bs. For me, camping is a fun and economical way to explore on a budget and I am about to head off on another trip under canvas in June. If you think camping isn't for you then think again, with so much choice these days there really is something for everyone!

Camping

Free accommodation with a stunning view? Is there such a thing?

The great thing about Scotland is the ability to wild camp which is not only free but gives you the ability to pick from endless stunning locations all over the country. It may be for the more adventurous but I love the freedom of travelling around and pitching my tent in some breathtaking spots. It is the ideal way to enjoy some of the remoter parts of Scotland and you are guaranteed peace and quiet.

For the less adventurous £10-£15 pounds will get you a pitch at one of the hundreds of campsites around the country. These days camp sites are equipped with plenty of amenities for the modern traveller.

Toasty hot modern showers, WiFi areas, barbeque pits for your marshmallows and onsite cafes or cooking facilities are becoming the norm these days. Some are even providing communal power point areas where those that can't live without their gadgets can charge them up at no extra cost. Camping has really moved in the 21st century!

WILD CAMPING = STUNNING VIEWS

Glamping

If pitching your own tent and hammering pegs down in the rain isn't your idea of fun then glamorous camping aka Glamping is definitely for you.

All you have to do is turn up, switch on the electric kettle and put your feet up. With every price range and some unique sleeping experiences there is something for all types of traveller.

At the budget end, wooden huts and wigwams are more basic but can include electricity and running water. At the costlier end Yurts, Safari Tents and Pods often come furnished and include bedding.

The new Armadillas Pods at Loch Ness Glamping have been added to my 'must visit' list as they aren't just glamorous but sound downright luxurious. Extras include a TV/DVD, fridge, en-suite wet room, underfloor heating, an iPod dock and even a sauna due for completion at the end of May. All this for £58 a night for 2 people, bargain!

Other unique Glamping experiences around Scotland include staying in an Iron Age Roundhouse, a tree house, gypsy caravan or even a converted fire service truck.

Glamping is for those wanting an adventure on a budget while still enjoying the finer things in life.

A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF GLAMPING AT LOCH NESS

Campervans

In the last few years Glamping became the new camping. This year it's all about the Campervan. There are a growing number of companies in Scotland offering a mobile camping experience which can be combined with an awesome road trip for the adventure of a lifetime. From classic to modern VWs, tartan clad vans and roomier motor homes; there is a four wheeled camper to suit every personality. With the freedom to travel anywhere in the country, set up your home from home wherever the fancy takes you, it is easy to see why campervans are growing in popularity and make a cost effective option for enjoying a Scottish Staycation.

A couple of years ago I hired a campervan from Rockin' Vans and headed off to explore Dumfries and Galloway.

We spent a few days working our way through forests, along coastal routes and down country lanes, exploring all the nooks and crannies we could find. We covered a large area in a few days and saved even more money by cooking all our meals in the van. There is nothing like pulling up at a quiet spot, opening the side door, enjoying dinner and a glass of wine al fresco while the sun goes down before falling into bed.

ROCKIN' A SUNSET IN OUR ROCKIN' VAN

In June I will be camping (and possibly Glamping!) my way around Scotland again. Be sure to follow my blog to keep up with all my latest adventures along the way!

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

We hope you've enjoyed Susanna's travel post and incase you didn't notice she was interview on Scot Bloggers on Sunday which you can see here. We are always looking for new writers so if you want to share your posts with us please email scottishbloggers@hotmail.com and we can talk you over the options.

Q&A with Adventures around Scotland

There is a wealth of blogging talent in Scotland but unlike Susanne not all of them blog about our beautiful country. It is great to see someone blogging about all the wonderful things you can do here. Adventures around Scotland is a fantastic travel blog which is bound to give lots of motivation for fellow Scots to explore more as well as inspiration for people from further away to come and visit.

Hi Susanne, thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by us. For people who may never have read your blog before can you give us a quick summary?

Quite simply it is a travel blog specialising in Scotland. I am trying to find the best and most memorable experiences that our country has to offer and inspire locals and visitors to explore places they may not have thought about before.

How long have you been blogging and why did you start ‘Adventures around Scotland’?

I have only been blogging since February this year so it is still quite new and a work in progress!
I started it because I enjoy reading travel blogs myself and find them really useful and inspiring when I'm planning a trip. I realised that there are not many tourism sites for Scotland that provide ideas for unique travel experiences or information about places and attractions other than the typical list of tourist haunts. I hope that I can not only give readers an original and practical personal travel guide but also tell them about the hidden gems.

You look like you've traveled widely round Scotland- can you suggest some hidden gems to our readers?

I always say Dumfries and Galloway as not many people think of it as a holiday choice yet it has a lot of diversity and history. I really love Galloway Forest Park with it's dark sky status which makes it a great place to visit and camp out under the stars! I'll be heading back there in a couple of weeks so expect some new travel ideas from the area.

The Isle of Bute where I now live is also one of the most accessible Scottish islands to visit yet most people head to places like Arran, Mull or Islay instead. I have wrote a few articles about Bute as I really believe it offers something for everyone and would really encourage people to take the short ferry ride and discover it's natural beauty and tranquility for yourself.

I am constantly finding hidden gems and that is one of the reasons I started my blog and I'm sure as I explore more of Scotland my list will get longer!

One of the biggest difficulties our readers might see in having a travel blog is not traveling enough to have content- how do you feel inspire to blog if you are feeling ‘stuck’ at home?

When I can't travel I write from memory or explore what's on my doorstep. Everyone has favourite views, great holiday memories, beaches they head to when the sun is out that they can write about from experience. Your own area or city may be familiar to you, however the local knowledge you have will be invaluable to a visitor so think about what information and recommendations you would look for if you were a stranger in town.

We loved your blog post about the 'Launch Night of The Kelpies’ but do you have a favourite blog post or a treasured memory from your travels?
I must admit I love The Kelpies and the opening night has been one of my highlights of 2014,I plan to visit them again soon to take a tour inside so expect more photos!
My treasured memory from travelling around Scotland was hiring a motor cruiser to sail down the Caledonian Canal several years ago. It rained most days, there were plagues of midges, Loch Ness was really choppy and I was useless at throwing the rope to the lock keepers but it felt like a real adventure and when the sun came out there was something magical about bobbing along at a slow pace and having the freedom to travel and stop where the notion took you. Now I'm blogging I would love to try something like that again and write all about it.

As you would expect from any blog about Scotland you have lots of beautiful landscape photography- do you have any tips for our readers about taking these kind of shots?

I have always been interested in photography and though I'm not a professional I have done a couple of short leisure courses at college which have really helped with understanding light, composition and camera controls. There are distance learning courses if you can't attend college which are also really useful.

My biggest tip is to practice with your camera and take your time. The great thing about photographing a landscape is that it doesn't move and you have time to think about what elements to include in your image. Before you even get your camera out, really look and enjoy the scenery then think about what makes it special and try and capture that in your shot.

One last thing; what advice would you give to someone wanting to make the change to travel posts? Do you have any tips from experience when you first started blogging?

It may seem obvious but it is essential that you actually travel regularly as there is no point writing a travel blog and then not actually going anywhere or travelling so infrequently that there are months between posts!

Follow travel bloggers that you like and relate to and see what types of posts they focus on and which ones are popular. Read travel magazines like National Geographic and Lonely Planet to see how the professional travel writers do it. Decide on your own style and type of traveller you are aiming to attract and try out a few ideas to see what gets the best reaction.

My biggest tip is to specialise as there are ALOT of travel bloggers out there and many of them are churning out the same old generic advice or writing mediocre non informative posts. The ones that really stand out are those that either focus on a particular area and become 'experts' or are great storytellers. To me a good travel blogger should inspire you, if you're passionate about the subject then it will come through in your blogging.

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest 

We hope you've enjoyed Susanne's interview and we would love some feedback so drop us a comment below. Susanne's guest post will go live on Wednesday at 5pm so please pop back then to give it a read.