A simple reply to emails asking what do they prefer (renewable text link or permanent link) is not hard to do specially if you’re in an online advertising business. All of a sudden will send out a scathing email from top to middle and trying to get away at the bottom part just because they said something like, I apologize that you said this and that but then attacking you with all they can using some polite words, that is something deeper than showbiz ethics.

@Noel: I hear ya. But here’s an angle to pose to an industry person like you . If you wanted to start building clients say, in the hotel industry and provided the hotelier does work on their end, to help promote your posts to their followers and industry (which I’m not sure happens gauging from my very recent experience and the fact they’ve not promoted my posts or video on their Twitter or Facebook accounts), then it might be a win-win in terms of exposure for both. Maybe? A couple of those and you can broaden your client niche or have references.

@Christine: Woops, I meant to respond earlier because I really appreciated your comment and insight on the travel professional end!

I love your advice about how bloggers can work more effectively with the travel professionals. That’s good for bloggers to note as for the longest time, I assumed advertisers and interested parties would just magically find me. I’ll highlight your comment so others can read that.

Is social media being harnessed effectively? I personally think measuring traffic, click ratios, followers, etc.. is a flawed system. It’s started an emphasis on short range performance and value vs. long-range ones and a false idea of effectiveness. I could be wrong; you can correct me.

Traditional adverts worked to make an impression on folks so that when they walked away, the thought was still there– Buy Coke, Stay at the Hilton Grand Wailea (the latter just randomly popped up like magic, because at some point I saw an ad or image I liked,… which shows the effectiveness of that marketing, mind you)…. Most consumers won’t purchase on-the-spot because travel is not a “product” people shop at random to buy or instantly jump at, like an iPod. People research and need to mull over many variables before making a decision of how to ‘invest’ their money into an “experience”. Destinations might sell quicker than specifics like tours and hotels. I think blogs should be seen as somewhat similar to traditional adverts, you want to create valuable impressions, which incubates in the mind of consumers. When the time comes, they’ll be like- I saw some blog about the Grand Wailea… it had these amazing photos. Let’s book there! They won’t remember the blog, but the pictures. That’s how traditional marketing used to work into people- a catchy jingle, appealing concept. So to me, measuring traffic and performance is not seeing the bigger picture of how consumers work.

I have a few posts which draw big hits daily, but were written in 2010 or 2011, which means Google’s nested it as a reference page. If anyone had advertised on those pages, they’d getting decent long-term exposure. I also recently wrote an article and did a video for a hotel I stayed at. YouTube audiences and travel blog readers are two difference audiences too . I think travel professionals have a big job ahead of them sussing this all out. 😉 sorry for the long-winded response. I’m actually really fascinated with this topic.

Do I sense a shift in advertising methods changing towards social media?
+ Yes, but as a travel professional, I’m not sure if we are properly harnessing the social media outlets or if our multimedia efforts and social marketing campaigns are effective. It’s yet to be seen if all the hard work you bloggers and savvy social media folks are doing is really paying off – not just for you, but for us, too!

How do I think bloggers can work more effectively with the travel and tourism industry?
+ It’d be great if more travel bloggers reached out to us with concrete proposals on what their needs are, what talents they have and what they can offer. We’re always willing to help out and even have a budget to cover additional costs beyond lodging, transport and tours and are willing to establish a “working” relationship, as long as the blog is transparent about said relationship.

Thank you for asking those questions and keep up the great work!

Pura vida,
Christine Krishnan
DESAFIO ADVENTURE COMPANY
Costa Rica

@Tom: I remember that post! That’s a difficult situation if a blogger doesn’t care for the tour or the treatment. You feel the pressure to make a good review, even if you may not be feeling it. That would’ve been so fun for all of us to meet there! Well, next time maybe… when you’re not in South America. 😉