Build Traffic to Your Websitewith a Hostel Blog

(Practical Tips)

Josh Cohen

HostelManagement.com

HostelManagement.com

● Started in 2004● Over 5000 pages of free information● Over 6000 users worldwide● Online and offline events● Free monthly newletter● New features coming soon...

Hostel Blogs

● Twitter.com/hostelblogs● HostelBlogs.com

Why blog?

● Travelers use search engines to find travel information.

Why blog?

● If your content is interesting, people will share it with their friends.

Why blog?

● The point isn't to get direct bookings--it's to have people share your website and link to it.

Why blog?

Put your blog on your hostel's own website

● myhostelwebsite.com →

myhostelwebsite.com/blog

● Don't put your blog on a separate website, or it won't help with your own site getting more traffic.

How to build a hostel blog cheaply

Creativity is more important than the amount of money you spend on your

website.

The Formula

● Write in very simple language -- almost like a children's book

Lots of Photos

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwl/3102355428/

Topics that almost always work

Think about what your visitors want to read, not what you want to tell them.

Food, especially unusual or cheap

Adventure

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/orcaman/4318034861/

Outdoors

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/der_knut/4478542659/

Flowers → think botanical gardens

History and archaeological finds

Cute Animals → local zoo

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/aussiegall/608279033/

Colorful art in your city

© http://www.flickr.com/photos/tiswango/115663046/

Examples from travel blogs

Winter Photos: Cold can be Beautifulhttp://theplanetd.com/winter-photos-cold-can-be-beautiful/

Bike Sharing, Ride Sharinghttp://bit.ly/vimaE9

Rotorua – Something Special About This Evil Smelly Place

http://www.ytravelblog.com/rotorua-something-special-about-this-evil-smelly-place/

Podcasting

● Basic phrases

Motivating your staff to blog

● Call it “Travel Writing”

More Information

● www.HostelManagement.com● Ask questions in the forum – over 20,000 posts

● josh@hostelmanagement.com● Skype: j_hostels● +1 (413) 306-4433