Weekend Reads #9

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve done a Weekend Reads post with my favourite blog posts and articles from around the blogosphere. Here are some great posts I’ve been loving over the past few weeks.

Travel Writing Roundup {Caroline in the City}

This is such a fantastic resource of travel websites, blogs and print publications looking for travel writers. Caroline has included how much they pay and a little description giving you background information. Not all of these opportunities are paid but guest blogging is a great way to get your name out there if you’re new to blogging.

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British Airways created 3D mini bloggers {Skift}

Do you remember me mentioning on Facebook that British Airways had made a 3D scan of me and created a 6″ model? They then sent her off on holiday to Berlin. It was such a cool campaign and you can read about it in the Skift article. They got my name wrong but I’m still pretty excited to have been mentioned in Skift.

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Social media doesn’t have to be complicated but it should be, y’know, social  {They call it Gumption}

I’m so pleased that something I wrote about has led to something awesome. After working in social media I have a lot of appreciate for brands who ‘get it’. You know, brands who are genuinely using social media to increase sales and brand awareness. Social media is such a powerful tool when it’s used well and it’s great to see trtl rocking it.

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10 reasons why I love your blog {blogher}

Yes, yes and yes. 10 times yes.

 

 

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Travelling like a travel writer {National Geographic}

This is worth a read even if you have no interest in travel writing. I’m getting a bit bored of people banging on about ‘travelling like a local’. Of course, there are tourist traps you’ll want to avoid but don’t swan around acting like you’re not a tourist, because you are. If you travel like a tourist you’ll research things, investigate, figure out new places to go, chat to people to find out new places and try to see and do as much as you can.

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48 hours in Ibiza {Your Little Black Book}

Ibiza isn’t all super clubs and dancing until dawn. It actually looks like a gorgeous destination for a long weekend break so I love this 48 hour guide and quick video to give you a taster of Ibiza. There are so many great recommendations for places to eat and things to see and do in this guide.

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Step away from the smartphone {Hither and Thither}

I am so guilty of aimlessly scrolling through Facebook and Twitter as a way to distract myself from my real work. This post made me stop and think about how much time I waste. As I mentioned in my post Behind the Scenes with The Travel Hack, I use a little alarm clock to stop myself getting distracted. I set to 30 minutes and work solidly for that time before ‘rewarding myself’ with a 10 minute social media or tea break. 30 minutes may not seem like a long time but you’d be amazed at how much you get done if you have no distractions.

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Competition of the week

Share your summer memories to win travel gadgets and guides {HolidayCheck.com}

This is a great competition from HolidayCheck.com to win loads of prizes. They have iPad minis, Kindle Fires, GoPros, Lonely Planet Travel Guides and travel kits to give away. All you need to do is leave a review on the site to win. Many travel sites are recognising we like to read first-hand reviews from real people so I think this is a great way boost reviews and share holiday experiences. The review could be from a hotel or an attraction and you can leave as many reviews as you like so there are more chances to win! The competition closes on September 30th and you need to be a resident in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Czech Republic or Russia and aged 18 and over to enter. Click here to enter the competition. Good luck!