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/
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
● [email protected]● Skype: j_hostels● +1 (413) 306-4433
