1. Reaching Key InfluencersWhereThey Live (Online) Chris Gray Faust Chris Around The World @CAroundTheWorld

2. Background Former Travel Editor, USA TODAY 20 years of journalismexperience Chris Around The World blog (www.caroundtheworld.com) Traveltipsfrom destinations « Top 10 Travel Blog to Bookmark in 2010 » Chris Elliott

3. 76 percent of travelers plan leisure trips online 1 in 4 travelers get info from word of mouth; bloggers can earn “trusted friend” status Blogs update frequently, have SEO impact Instantaneous coverage Independence – We are ourown editors PR & bloggerssharesame goal: eyeballs Why Choose Bloggers?

4. Determine goal: Niche? Photos? Text? Social Media? Examine environment: Do youwantyourproperty to live there? Know analytics – Google, Alexa, Compete – & their limitations Aggregators: travel.alltop.com, travelblogsites.com rankings Finding Bloggers

5. Building Relationship Read the blog, comment if youcanadd info Pitches: short, personal, includeprices links OK - but no attachmentsplease Be blog-friendly – FB fan page, hashtags, FlickrCreative Commons photos, contests Treat social media seriously: Don’tpawn off to youngestmember of team

6. Differentneedsthanprintwriters Set expectations ahead of time Be prepared for real-time coverage Free time to blog, tweet, download Wi-Fi a must! Severalspecificposts vs. 1 article Share info: how diditwork? Problembloggers? Blogger Press Trips

7. Measuring Blog Impact Focus on conversation/conversion, not numbers Engagement: Do readers comment & interact? Reach: Do the postspick up life outside of blog? (doesbloggercrosspost & promote?) Become part of process – tweet, repost, Stumble blog posts Follow up w/ blogger & audience

8. Questions/Contact: Chris Gray Faust Chris Around The World chris@caroundtheworld.com www.caroundtheworld.com Twitter: CAroundTheWorld Facebook: ChrisGrayFaust Slideshare.net/ChrisGrayFaust