1.
The Power of Niche
Outreach Beyond Travel Bloggers
Sheila Scarborough – Tourism Currents

2.
What We'll Talk About
● First things first
● Why online coverage matters
● Beyond the travel niche
● Food
● Parenting
● Crafters
● How to start connecting @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

3.
First
Things
First

4.
The Basics Still Matter
● Social media should support YOUR
business plan & marketing goals
● Who are you trying to reach &
what do you want them to do?
● How will you measure progress
toward your goals?
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

5.
The online coverage
that matters the most?
That which best
reaches YOUR
market(s) @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

6.
Why Online
Coverage
Matters

7.
Online Advantages
● SEO boost – links & social signals
● Longevity & staying power
● Reach niche markets more easily
● Online publishers are on multiple
channels – more impact
● They bring their audience along
with them

8.
Your perfect blogger
connects with your perfect visitor
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents

9.
The "blogger"
who is the best
fit may not even
have a blog
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

10.
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents

11.
Just like there
is niche online
travel media....
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

12.
Equestrian destination?
Nancy D. Brown / Writing Horseback
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents

13.
Middle of the U.S.?
Adam Sommer / Visit Flyover Country
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents

14.
Boomer travel?
Donna Hull / My Itchy Travel Feet

15.
130,000+ downloads of this
30 minute travel podcast

16.
....there is
niche online
media beyond
travel @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

17.
Food

18.
How To Find Food Bloggers
● Go where they are offline
(conferences)
● Go where they are online
● Do your research
● Ask your locals & your
network @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

19.
Food Blogger Conferences
● BlogHer Food
● TechMunch events
● International Food Blogger
Conference
● (bonus) Beer Bloggers
Conference @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

20.
Food Bloggers Online
● Conference hashtags & Twitter
Speaker Lists
● Twitter Chats - #foodiechats
● Food Blogger Pinterest Boards
●Niche Hashtags - #craftbeer
● Farmers & chefs who blog

21.
Parenting

22.
How To Find Parenting Bloggers
● Go where they are offline
(conferences)
● Go where they are online
● Do your research
● Ask your locals & your
network @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

23.
Parenting Blogger Conferences
● Type-A Parent
● Dad 2.0 Summit
● BlogHer
● Mom 2.0 Summit
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

24.
Parenting Bloggers Online
● Conference hashtags & Twitter
Speaker Lists
● Twitter Chats - #gno with
Mom it Forward, #DadChat
● Pinterest Boards
● BlogHer network esp Family

25.
Parenting Blogger
Research
Start with locals, gather
recommendations
Overwhelming landscape,
quality all over the map

26.
Crafting
and
"Makers"

27.
How To Find Craft Bloggers
● Go where they are offline
(conferences)
● Go where they are online
● Do your research
● Ask your locals & your
network @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

28.
Tip to find crafty
sorts....
....start with
quilters

29.
Bonus:
The VERY
Niche

30.
#RacingPigeons
#PigeonRacing
#birding
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

31.
Bonus:
Chance
Opportunities

32.
To start
connecting,
go where
they are @SheilaS
@TourismCurrents
#NETourCon14

33.
Photo Credits
All photos my own except....
● Bug diversity – Christian
Guthier on Flickr CC
● Gumby storm trooper –
JD Hancock on Flickr CC
● Nancy D. Brown
courtesy Writing
Horseback on Facebook
● Child in Cape G courtesy
Flyover Country on
Facebook
● Donna Hull courtesy My
Itchy Travel Feet on
Facebook

34.
Thanks very much!
Sheila
Scarborough
Tourism Currents
@SheilaS
@TourismCurrents