Q: Where can you get pictures of glaciers, dense forests, sleepy bears, and wide-eyed wolves in the span of about five minutes?
A: Norway! We mean, Alaska. We’re back from Anchorage with plenty of shots of the Great North’s rugged landscapes and new insights into the travel blogging biz.
And not to humble-brag, but we kept everyone at TBEX fueled with some complimentary coffee, which, we were humbled to hear, was the best in Anchorage.
In this article, we’ll share the best tips we learned from the expert speakers and wonderful attendees at TBEX.
1. Know your value
Let’s start with the money talk. A key takeaway from the conference was the importance of truly recognizing your value – and not being afraid to cash in. As content creators, we tend to underestimate what we bring to the table. The reality is, brands need you just as much as you need them. Whether you’re negotiating rates or pitching collaborations, never forget the strength of your audience and the unique content you offer. Once you fully acknowledge your worth, the odds will shift in your favor.
2. Perfect your partnerships with DMOs
A solid partnership between bloggers and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) boils down to two things: mutual understanding and clear communication. DMOs are looking for exposure and engagement, while bloggers want to deliver authentic, valuable content to their audience. When your goals align and there’s trust and clear expectations from the start, you’re setting the stage for a long-term, successful collaboration.
3. Edit like a pro on your phone
Editing on the go is more essential than ever, and the conference highlighted some excellent tips to sharpen your mobile photo and video skills. You don’t need expensive gear to create stunning visuals – just your phone, the right apps, and a few expert editing techniques. Whether you’re crafting eye-catching reels or capturing that perfect blog shot, mastering mobile editing can really elevate your content as a travel blogger.
4. SEO 2024: it’s not just about keywords
SEO is always evolving, and 2024 will be no different. At TBEX we learned that optimizing content isn’t just about keywords; creating valuable, well-structured content and understanding the latest trends in user intent and algorithm updates are key to staying competitive. SEO is a long-term game, and knowing how to adapt your content to changes will ensure you maintain visibility and traffic.
We had the pleasure of hosting the amazing Nina from She Knows SEO and Bri from Bucketlist Bri, who dove into the latest SEO trends and gave some blogs a live, real-time roast! A few lucky winners walked away with personalized SEO tips. But you’re lucky too, because we’ll be sharing the session video with you soon. Stay tuned!
5. Understand and manage Google updates
Google’s algorithm is like the ocean, young grasshopper: constant yet ever-changing. Our key takeaway was that success comes from adapting rather than worrying about every update. Focus on producing high-quality content and enhancing user experience. Staying flexible and understanding your audience’s needs will help you navigate any changes smoothly.
6. Upsell and license your photos to brands
If you haven’t started monetizing your photography yet, now’s the perfect time. This session explored how to upsell and license your images to brands, turning your pics into a lucrative revenue stream. There were plenty of surprising discoveries, too – like the fact that using a photo of the glowing Eiffel Tower for commercial purposes is a no-go.
TBEX Alaska was a reminder that the travel content world is ever-evolving, and we need to evolve with it. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned blogger, there’s always something new to learn, so we hope to see you at the next TBEX!
