Travel BlogCamp

How to deal with criticism on social media networks

Darren Cronian — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:44:35 +0000

When you use social media networks like Facebook and Twitter to promote your blog, you’re putting yourself in the firing line for people to be negative about you or your brand publicly, and while you may be sensitive and not like people being critical, you cannot hide behind a rock; don’t respond, and people will look at you or your brand differently.

Always evaluate the criticism or feedback

Unfortunately, there are people who are just abusive and I find it is just best to ignore these individuals. As much as you would love to, you cannot please everyone. Bear in mind that one person’s criticism does not necessarily mean that you should make radical changes to your style of writing or your blog, but, you have to evaluate what was said.

Be responsive to critics

For my latest project, My Life in Leeds, I received a few messages on Facebook and Twitter informing me that I was not providing enough information on the event posts. Numerous people also said that we were writing about the big chains, and not smaller independent restaurants.

I took this on board and then made some changes. Probably more important, I informed the people who were critical. Their response was fantastic and since they have all helped promote the guides and blog posts on Twitter and Facebook, so be responsive to critics, don’t ignore.

Using a blog to manage criticism

I have never rented a car in my life, I can’t drive. So I have never used AVIS to hire a car, but, because of their ‘We try harder’ blog, I would use them because they respond to criticism. A few weeks ago, prior to my first Travel Learning Camp, I noticed a few comments on the blog that were from people criticising their service. All of the comments were replied to.

I think you should make sure that your blog is highly visible on your website, this way; consumers know that they can leave comments, criticism, and feedback. Isn’t it better that this criticism is on your own blog where you can manage it, rather than on a high profile travel forum?

Don’t hide your blog

Many travel companies seem to have a link to their blog hidden away at the footer; probably because they are using it to aid search engine optimisation, rather than using it as a way to communicate with customers. Anyway, those are some of my thoughts and experiences on dealing with criticism on social media networks.

Join me on the next Travel Learning Camp

Share your experiences and learn more about social media in travel. Network with people who work in the same industry. Join us on the next Travel Learning Camp in my home city of Leeds; it’s a great opportunity to learn from other travel companies and two experienced UK travel bloggers.

Post from: Travel BlogCamp 2009

Reasons to attend the Travel Learning Camp

Darren Cronian — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:45:49 +0000

On the 22nd April I will be hosting the second Travel Learning Camp here in Leeds at the Chambers, a fantastic meeting venue and luxury serviced apartments based in central Leeds. On this camp I will be hosting it jointly with Karen Bryan who is the editor of Europe a la Carte and between us we have 10 years experience in blogging within travel.

So why would you want to attend the Travel Learning Camp?

Network with people within the travel industry

There are very little opportunities other than during events like the World Travel Market, for people who work within the travel industry to network. The group is small, no more than ten attendee’s, so you have will have plenty of time to introduce yourself and share experiences.

Comfortable learning environment

The venue is very comfortable with great facilities and only a short walk from the train station. Parking is also available nearby. You can view the photos of the room I hire and the refreshment area. It is big enough for the camp, has comfortable seating and a relaxed atmosphere.

Learning Camp session starts at 11 am and finishes at 3 pm so those attending from London or further North can travel to and from Leeds in the same day. At the first camp there were two people who travelled from London. On the East coast line if you book two single tickets (there and back) in advance you can find some good deals.

Learn from other attendee’s experiences

The camp isn’t just about Karen or myself talking about our experiences; we want group participation and those attending to share their experiences, or, ask questions. I took a number of ideas away from the first camp, and also learnt more about website analytics, social media tools and campaigns.

Travel Learning Camp format

A few weeks prior to the camp I send out an email requesting the types of topics/issues/questions that attendee’s have with blogging and social media. These topics then form the format of the session. This time I will be making more use of the WiFi and large screen so that attendee’s can, if they wish, show off their blogs, community etc.

A buffet lunch is brought to us around 1 pm and we have refreshments through-out the session. It is informal and relaxed. The attendee’s from the first camp were willing to share their experiences and we had a good mixture of Travel PR / Law, Adventure/TEFL and flight specialist companies who attended.

Who should attend?

The Travel Learning Camp is perfect for anyone who works across the travel industry and is interested in learning more about blogging and social media. You have to want to participate, share your experiences and join in the discussions for you to get the best out of the session.

Maybe your company has a travel blogger who wants to learn from our experiences, or you have clients who are starting to think about creating a blog or interact with people using social media.

Please complete the form to receive more information and the attendee rate.

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Post from: Travel BlogCamp 2009

The Travel Learning Camp returns to Leeds

Darren Cronian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:36:06 +0000

Following on from the great feedback on the first Travel Learning Camp I am organising another one on the 22 April at the Chambers in Leeds. This time, I’ll be hosting the camp with my good friend and fellow Travel Blogger, Karen Bryan from Europe a la Carte.

Between us we have 10 years of experience in blogging plus a few years using social media to promote our brands.

There are 10 places available, first come, first served.

The Learning Camp starts at 11 am and finishes at 3 pm. Giving you plenty to get to and from Leeds. The first Travel Learning camp had attendee’s from as far as London; so, don’t let it put you off that we are ooop north! It’s only a 2.5 hour train journey here, and if you get two single tickets, and book in advance, you can find some bargain deals.

Post from: Travel BlogCamp 2009

Using Twitter to make marketing, fun!

Darren Cronian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:25:33 +0000

This morning I wanted to share with you, how I have engaged with a new community for a project that I am busy working on. When I started using Twitter I never had to promote that I was using this network to promote Travel Rants; people were either attracted by the branding (ranting man! ) or knew me from the blog and followed me.

Interacting with people on Twitter

So, when I started working on My Life in Leeds, the challenge was to engage with people who were my targeted audience and get them following and interacting with me on Twitter.

I like my branding, but I do not think it is as striking as Travel Rants, so I had to sit down and think of a way to get people talking about the site.

Creating a fun way to promote a site

Then one day it came to me. I am promoting my home city, a city that I spend most of my life in, so, why not share what the city has to offer (and the bad bits too!) with people on Twitter.

So for the past two weeks I have used my mobile phone, Twitpic and Dabr (a mobile twitter client) to take photos and then ask the people following on Twitter, where am I? The response at first was small, but then more and more people started to join in.

Every day I post one or two new photos and ask them tell me where they think I am in the city, this got people interacting with me (and visiting the site) and I have found during this period that my Twitter followers has doubled.

Make Twitter fun

Local’s love that they can play the game and test their knowledge of the city and others love looking at photos of Leeds, especially, if they have followed me because they intend to visit.

It’s such a simple game, and idea. So, if you are marketing a destination, or have a blog on specific destinations, think about how you can use Twitter to make it more engaging, but more importantly, fun!

Using Twitter for discussing events

I find that I am using Co-Tweet more as an online Twitter client because I can track clicks to my site easier and also manage searches. For multiple accounts it makes life easier too.

It’s the searching and getting involved on Twitter that has helped raise some of the attention in recent weeks. As a destination many events are happening, so I write about them on my Daily Leeds Blog, and then, interact (without being pushy!) to tell them about my site. I have not yet to come across anyone who has ignored me or told me to go away!

Post from: Travel BlogCamp 2009

Experiences from the first Travel Learning Camp

Darren Cronian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:47:02 +0000

Last week I launched the first Travel Learning Camp, it was an interesting experience and the feedback has been fantastic. What I liked about the session was that everyone participated and shared their experiences with social media. As with every travel event that I have been to in the last 12 months, Twitter was discussed at length.