If I Could Start Over
I’ll be honest. When I launched Bohemian Trails back in May 2011 I had high hopes. While I wanted my site to resonate well with readers, I was also aware that the odds were stacked against me.
Every year there are thousands of bloggers with the same hope and only a few come out on top. Another tricky thing was that I wasn’t actually going on a Round The World trip as many new bloggers do, which meant that I needed to be creative with the content I did publish and think of a long term goal. Here are 5 things I wish I knew from the start.
1) Anonymity is not always the best policy
When I first came up with the idea behind Bohemian Trails, I wanted to find a photograph of mine that didn’t really look like me at all. Instead, I wanted to create a brand image that could be “any bohemian traveler“. While this certainly has helped get me get noticed, I realized weeks after launching that readers want to have the personal connection with the writer. While I structure my content as more of an online travel magazine, there are benefits of writing blog-style posts and I’m still figuring out the best way to leverage these two tactics. I’m naturally shy but am making a conscious effort to make my recent posts more personal to better connect with readers.
2) Welcome criticism with open arms
While I try my best to put up a tough front in business matters, I can be pretty sensitive when hearing criticism. However, going into travel writing with no real knowledge of the industry, I put all that aside and actually welcome feedback, regardless of whether it is good, bad or indifferent. I am the only one running the site, which makes feedback incredibly essential to its overall growth. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always easy to have someone insult you and welcome it with a warm smile.
A few months back, I met with a start-up who wanted to include me in their company launch. After them pitching their product to me, sending me screenshots of what the product will look like and receiving emails about their excitement about having me on board, I was confident as I came into an official meeting. Once there, they essentially insulted my website for nearly two hours. I was clearly confused by their change of heart but I took their feedback regardless.
3) Stick to your vision but allow it to evolve
Receiving criticism leads me to my next step. While you should evolve as a writer, it’s integral that you stick to what you believe is right for your brand. At the end of the day, nobody is going to fight for the success of your blog or company more than you so it’s important that you remain confident in your vision.
I’ve definitely made a few changes since launching Bohemian Trails, but my overall vision remains the same. I write for readers who view travel as I do – with open eyes and with an appreciation for global art and off the beaten path destinations. My biggest challenge has been finding a way to further target that audience. Finding your specific niche and speaking directly to that market plays a huge role in building loyal readership.
4) Put your readers first
This is something that I have to remind myself of quite often. While I know a solid number of amazing travel bloggers that regularly read my posts and make insightful comments, the majority of people who come to my site are not bloggers but rather regular travelers looking for travel tips and inspiration.
It’s hard not to compare yourself to other blogs from time to time but you must remember that you are not them and that finding your own voice and using it should be a top priority. If you simply follow what other sites are doing, you will always be one step behind and competing for their readers. By creating your own path, readers come to you first because they know you are providing tips that are relevant to their next trip.
5) Realize you will never know it all
I learn something new every single day and I wouldn’t have it any other way. While it’s frustrating to feel like you are in the dark, this ultimately gives you the extra push you need to find out the necessary information and apply the knowledge to your site. I try to stay updated on forums and make a point to read other travel blogs daily. I’ve found that the travel community is one of the most encouraging communities out there. I’m continually shocked by the extend travel bloggers and publishers help each other and this comradery keeps me trudging along.
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28 Comments
Hindsight is wonderful, isn’t it? If I could start over things would be SO different – but I started my blog back in 2005 when I had not the slightest clue about any aspect of blogging at all … if I could go back to then, knowing what I know now, I’d be a pioneer!
Amanda @ Not A Ballerina recently posted..Learning to love art galleries
Very true Amanda! and wow – congrats on keeping it up since 2005
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
Great post, Megan! Your fourth point really hit home, as I’m sometimes asking myself why and to whom am I writing and posting. At the end of the day, if just one person out in this big world finds something useful and inspiring from any of our posts about travel, I believe that makes the effort worthwhile. Thanks again for writing!
fotoeins | Henry recently posted..Food tally, 1st-quarter 2012
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s also something that I need to remember everyday
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
I agree with Henry – great post. Very thought provoking. But, so many travel blogs are so superficial, I dont think you have anything to worry about! Your content is always thorough – not a bunch of pictures with a sentence or two.
Eva recently posted..NYC and Where?
Thanks Eva – appreciate that!
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
Great article… love reading your posts!
Thanks Sam! Great to hear
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
Well timed post Megan! Sometimes I just like reading that others are feeling the same way at times, and it is an incredible boost of energy!
Glad I could help! You are not alone
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
Great post. I think the hardest part is finding your voice and being comfortable with it. Once you’ve got that bit sorted, everything else flows naturally
Laurence recently posted..Angouleme–wanders around the ramparts
Thanks Laurence – very true! I’ve been working on finding and sticking to my voice
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
I’m glad you took the criticisms to your advantage instead of letting it bring you down because you’ve ended up doing something great with your website that makes people appreciate you more. I love reading your articles and Bohemian Trails is a pretty cool name I might add. I always know I’ll read something good when you post something new.
Alexa Meisler recently posted..Mountain Biking Excursion in Miami’s Key Biscayne
Wow – thanks so much Alexa! It’s great to hear that my readers are happy
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
I remember sitting with you at dinner in Arlington talking about your new website and your hopes for it and your doubts that it would take off. Look how far you’ve come! Your hard work has totally paid off and I have no doubt the site will continue to get bigger and better with you learning more every day. Seriously, so impressed with you! Thanks for letting me be a part of it. =)
Thanks so much Kay! You’ve been so encouraging and helpful with your awesome articles! I really appreciate it
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
Great lessons/reflections. I agree, it’s fun to connect with a person, but it’s also good to read a more professional/informative site from time to time. We try to strike a balance with ours as well. I enjoy your posts, if that’s of any encouragement!
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) recently posted..Iglesias de Arequipa: A photo essay
Thank you – yes, it’s great encouragement!
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
Congrats on your first year! I can’t believe that your blog is only a year old. I can see how much hard work you have put into it. Thanks for sharing your insights; they are especially helpful for those of us who are slogging up the path behind you! When I see what you have been able to accomplish with your hard work it gives me motivation to keep pressing on.
Shanna Schultz recently posted..Looking Down the Road: Renting a Canal Boat; A Great Way to Explore Europe For Families
Wow – thanks so much Shanna! You are doing a great job as well and I’m sure that will only increase over time
Megan recently posted..If I Could Start Over
I think you are doing a great job, especially with your first point. I feel like you are writing to me and you always reply to everyone’s comments. That keeps me coming back to your blog. Thanks.
Ross recently posted..Nara, Japan
Thanks Ross – means a lot!
Megan recently posted..Zip Lining Colombian Style
This is really insightful, Megan. I particularly relate to the comment about anonymity. Initially (i.e. in 2010), Leave Your Daily Hell was a personal blog — an extremely personal blog, probably too much so.
It wasn’t until the end of that year, when I participated in the Thailand Medical Blogging contest, that I began to focus toward more informational-oriented articles. Unfortunately, I began to almost completely remove myself from them, to the point where I never posted personal insights — and almost never photos of myself.
These days, I try to strike a good balance. On one hand, personality is the only way sites like ours can stand apart from the rest of the competition — like you, I am not and never have been on an RTW trip — but I feel that if sites are too personal, it becomes difficult to relate to them.
Robert Schrader recently posted..Travel and Adversity
Interesting to hear your insight Robert! I agree – balance is very important.
Megan recently posted..Dead Sea Mud Fashion
Just came across this post and I think it’s fantastic. It’s exactly the kind of issues every blogger faces and every blogger should think about.
Sadly, there isn’t really any right or wrong answer to some of the points you’ve raised. But you’ve just got to have faith in yourself and do what you think is right and hope that it all works out for the best.
Afterall, you’re not trying to sell encyclopedias – you’re trying to sell yourself!
Thanks so much for the feedback! and you’re right – there aren’t any real answers to these but I’m learning more each day.
Megan recently posted..Dead Sea Mud Fashion
I believe most people struggle with openness and honesty. I think you do a pretty good job at keeping your focus.
Kurt recently posted..Remembering My Eastern European Excursions
Thanks Kurt! It’s nice to hear that
Megan recently posted..The Best Street Art in Helsinki