So you’ve decided to include regular blog posts as part of the content strategy for your travel business, but you’re stumped when it comes to actually figuring out what to write about, nor do you have the budget to hire Murad Osmann. Here are some tips on creating high-quality blog posts for your travel business that will help you get started.
Know your audience… and their “why”
Cue Captain Obvious, right? Of course you know your audience, you’ve been selling to them for years!
But there are also other things to consider, such as why they are traveling in the first place. Is it their yearly July vacation to Cape Cod, or are they heading to Paris for the Olympics? Are they trekking to Kenya for a bucket list safari to celebrate a milestone birthday or heading to San Diego for Cousin Sarah’s wedding?
All of these travelers will be looking for different types of info. Intent is key and knowing it will help you tailor your content strategy appropriately.
Tell stories
Which is more interesting, a dry travelogue listing all the sites I saw in Prague and some facts and figures behind them, or a story that opens with me crying in a café in Prague on my birthday?
The latter, right? Colorful anecdotes and memorable, relatable moments will resonate with your audience and build trust with them.
Be authentic
Those of you of a certain age will remember those “very special” sitcom episodes* back in the day. They hammered home the same thing: “Be yourself.” As in don’t be someone you’re not just to follow trends.
Customers can smell fakeness a mile away, even if they aren’t 100% aware of it. They’ll just know something is off. (Which is also why I don’t recommend using AI to write blog posts. Results are way too generic.)
Your brand has a unique voice and perspective. Use them! And don’t ever be overtly salesy in your blog posts. Save the pitches for emails and newsletters.
Lean into visuals
I know, another “no shit, Sherlock” moment, but it bears repeating. People travel to experience new landscapes, cultures and perspectives.
What better way to highlight an amazing destination far from home than by showing a stunning vista or famous landmark? Get their juices flowing with some high-quality photos, videos or even a map or infographic.
Include a Call-to-Action
Engage readers directly by asking them to interact with your post—whether it’s to share a travel story of their own, ask a question, subscribe to your newsletter or even book a trip. Make it two-way convo and build rapport with your audience.
And there you have it. Five quick tips to create great blog posts for your travel business. I’d love to know what you think. Hit me up in the comments and let me know some strategies you’ve used to engage your audience?
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*Thanks for the life lessons, Webster!
Kate McManus is a travel and tourism content writer who’s written for the Boston Herald, Fox News Channel, Matador Network and Static Media. She lives in New Jersey with her SO and three cats who hate each other.