Comments on: No, I do not want to write your travel website’s content for free http://www.europestring.com/2008/05/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/ Travelling Europe on a Budget - b5media Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:51:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: CJCM http://www.europestring.com/2008/05/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-602 CJCM Wed, 21 May 2008 13:16:37 +0000 http://www.europestring.com/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/#comment-602 There are always two sides of a coin. Similarly, there are advantages and disadvantages so individual travel blogger must weigh each aspect and decide for themselves. As for me, I decided not to respond as I think this is not to my best interest (yup... we all know what are you talking about :) as mentioned by Matt) There are always two sides of a coin. Similarly, there are advantages and disadvantages so individual travel blogger must weigh each aspect and decide for themselves. As for me, I decided not to respond as I think this is not to my best interest (yup… we all know what are you talking about :) as mentioned by Matt)

]]> By: Pete http://www.europestring.com/2008/05/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-704 Pete Tue, 20 May 2008 15:45:09 +0000 http://www.europestring.com/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/#comment-704 I think you hit the nail on the head, Jul. This brings up a variety of interesting questions concerning the perceived value of user generated vs. professional content, site monetization, content syndication, SEO and many more that I'm blanking on. I think the answer lies somewhere in the balance between shared benefit and risk. The About.com revenue share model comes to mind as something that could have appeal for travel bloggers seeking both increased exposure and financial reward. I think you hit the nail on the head, Jul. This brings up a variety of interesting questions concerning the perceived value of user generated vs. professional content, site monetization, content syndication, SEO and many more that I’m blanking on.

I think the answer lies somewhere in the balance between shared benefit and risk. The About.com revenue share model comes to mind as something that could have appeal for travel bloggers seeking both increased exposure and financial reward.

]]> By: Jody Reale http://www.europestring.com/2008/05/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-703 Jody Reale Tue, 20 May 2008 15:09:51 +0000 http://www.europestring.com/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/#comment-703 Jul, there's always a lot of discussion among writers about working for free, and a lot of strong opinions about it. Always an interesting topic of conversation. Personally, it's not a black or white, right or wrong issue across the board for me. I do think, however, that it's always nice to be invited, even if you have no intention of ever saying yes to unpaid work. Lots of writers aren't ever asked to write for anyone, free or not, and so at least there's that. Aloha! Jody @ TheHawaiiTraveler.com Jul, there’s always a lot of discussion among writers about working for free, and a lot of strong opinions about it. Always an interesting topic of conversation.

Personally, it’s not a black or white, right or wrong issue across the board for me. I do think, however, that it’s always nice to be invited, even if you have no intention of ever saying yes to unpaid work. Lots of writers aren’t ever asked to write for anyone, free or not, and so at least there’s that.
Aloha!
Jody @ TheHawaiiTraveler.com

]]> By: Matt B http://www.europestring.com/2008/05/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-702 Matt B Tue, 20 May 2008 14:29:33 +0000 http://www.europestring.com/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/#comment-702 Hahaha, I know exactly what you're talking about. And as you said, there are a couple of websites that I will gladly contribute to, mostly because I use them frequently, and I feel it's my way of giving back to it. But usually, because writing takes a good amount of time and effort, I'd like to see some kind of 'reward' or benefit for it. Every other week, it seems there is another travel site that wants something for nothing. If I take the time to provide all that content and then the site goes belly-up, where will I be then? I'd much rather put my faith into a site that is already well-established and a familiar name on the 'Net. If there are folks out there who are willing to contribute content for little to nothing, more power to them. However, if the site owners want content that is more reliable and general better quality, they will have to be willing to offer something for it. Hahaha, I know exactly what you’re talking about. And as you said, there are a couple of websites that I will gladly contribute to, mostly because I use them frequently, and I feel it’s my way of giving back to it.

But usually, because writing takes a good amount of time and effort, I’d like to see some kind of ‘reward’ or benefit for it. Every other week, it seems there is another travel site that wants something for nothing. If I take the time to provide all that content and then the site goes belly-up, where will I be then? I’d much rather put my faith into a site that is already well-established and a familiar name on the ‘Net.

If there are folks out there who are willing to contribute content for little to nothing, more power to them. However, if the site owners want content that is more reliable and general better quality, they will have to be willing to offer something for it.

]]> By: Karen Bryan http://www.europestring.com/2008/05/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/comment-page-1/#comment-473 Karen Bryan Tue, 20 May 2008 12:02:39 +0000 http://www.europestring.com/no-i-do-not-want-to-write-your-travel-websites-content-for-free/#comment-473 Jul, I'm sure that you'll hit a raw nerve amongst travel bloggers with this post. It seems to be virtually impossible to make a living from travel blogging. Everyone and their Granny thinks they can be a travel blogger/writer. It's very difficult to decide as a blogger when it is worth contributing to another site, for no pay, as it could be a good way to promote yourself or your business. I do get some quality targeted traffic from some referral sites. It also looks good on your CV is you have written for quality and/or well known travel blogs. I started my travel website in 2002 and it's taken me 6 years to build up not exactly a massive amount of content on my site and blog. It does seem very appealing to set up and site and get bloggers, writers and travellers to submit masses of content to your site for free. I earn some revenue from adverts and affiliate links on my site and blog, so I'm not looking to earn money directly through selling my writing. I'm editor of the Wandalust UK travel blog part of Creative Weblogging and I'm paid $140 a month for 5 posts a week. That's pitiful pay but I took the job to promote myself and my business. It's a chicken and egg situation, if travel bloggers and writers are willing to work for no or really low pay, whatever their motives, the owners of sites are never going to be willing to pay them decently. Jul, I’m sure that you’ll hit a raw nerve amongst travel bloggers with this post. It seems to be virtually impossible to make a living from travel blogging. Everyone and their Granny thinks they can be a travel blogger/writer.

It’s very difficult to decide as a blogger when it is worth contributing to another site, for no pay, as it could be a good way to promote yourself or your business. I do get some quality targeted traffic from some referral sites. It also looks good on your CV is you have written for quality and/or well known travel blogs.

I started my travel website in 2002 and it’s taken me 6 years to build up not exactly a massive amount of content on my site and blog. It does seem very appealing to set up and site and get bloggers, writers and travellers to submit masses of content to your site for free.

I earn some revenue from adverts and affiliate links on my site and blog, so I’m not looking to earn money directly through selling my writing.

I’m editor of the Wandalust UK travel blog part of Creative Weblogging and I’m paid $140 a month for 5 posts a week. That’s pitiful pay but I took the job to promote myself and my business.

It’s a chicken and egg situation, if travel bloggers and writers are willing to work for no or really low pay, whatever their motives, the owners of sites are never going to be willing to pay them decently.

]]>