As any successful travel writer knows, creating an engaging travel blog or online article is not as easy as simply typing out your unedited thoughts. If you want to lure in readers and attract web traffic, you need a better plan.<\/p>\n

It goes without saying that quality is paramount. At the same time, most travel writers don’t have the luxury of just sitting around and waiting for that lightbulb moment. Whether you\u2019re looking for inspiration for your written travel content or for new formats to shake up your blog, here are 10 types of travel blogs that help increase web traffic.<\/p>\n

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Don’t lounge around waiting for inspiration<\/p><\/div>\n

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1. The list<\/b>
\nThese are everywhere <\/i>on the web and for good reason. They streamline information into an irresistible, easy-to-read package and, as it turns out, we\u2019re actually hardwired to like them<\/a>.\u00a0Some naysayers claim the format has been done to death, but audiences don\u2019t lie, and as BuzzFeed\u2019s impressive readership stats attest, this type of post remains as effective as ever.<\/p>\n

In case you’ve been living under a rock, here are some examples of the unstoppable list post: This one from the Huffington Post counts the ’10 Greatest Travel Books of All Time’<\/a>; and this one from Landlopers.com lists ‘Seven Travel Moments on Seven Continents<\/a>‘. We like lists at World Words too, as this blog (and previous ones<\/a>) attest.<\/p>\n

2. Thesis with expert opinion<\/b>
\nThe key to a good thesis post is knowledge. You have to offer a theory that challenges the status quo and then, most importantly, back it up with some expert opinion. What\u2019s best about this type of blog or web article is that they tend to have legs and can attract new readers long after they\u2019re first published.<\/p>\n

Here,\u00a0David Von Drehle makes the case against summer holidays for kids<\/a>, while\u00a0CN Traveler calls into question the benefits of volunteer tourism.<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Topical post<\/b>
\nA topical post requires you to have your finger on the pulse. You don\u2019t necessarily have to report on breaking travel news stories; there are other ways to create timely content. Plan blog posts around upcoming events, anniversaries or holidays (as Time Out have done with this Christmas markets blog<\/a>); link your post to a current news story (as the Independent have done with this Ukraine piece<\/a>); or capitalise on recent industry\u00a0buzz with a reactionary piece (just as this Wall Street Journal columnist did during a spate of reclining airline seat incidents<\/a>).<\/p>\n

4. Advice post<\/b>
\nAudiences flock to \u2018how-to\u2019 blog posts like moths to a flame. If you can provide valid advice or walk your readers through a tricky process, you\u2019re onto a winner. As an added bonus, this type of post boosts your own profile, helping you develop and maintain authority and \u2014 if your content is good \u2014 cementing your credibility. Two great examples of this are this National Geographic offering (‘Tips for Flying With Fido’)<\/a>\u00a0and this Matador advice post on how to behave when visiting a cemetery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5. Behind-the-scenes<\/b>
\nLet\u2019s begin with a caveat: a man or woman staring at computer screen does not make for compelling travel content. However, if you\u2019re lucky enough to have some more interesting stuff going on at your place of work, then behind-the-scenes content can prove to be a real draw.\u00a0Examples of behind-the-scenes travel content that works include this post from\u00a0Google Street View, which show us what it\u2019s like to be a cameraperson at Google Maps<\/a>,\u00a0and this blog from Lonely Planet, which introduces us to one of their writers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6. Curated content roundup<\/b>
\nTo create a roundup post, you need to do the heavy lifting on behalf of your readers. Sort and sift your way through the mass of travel content on the web and pick out the best of the bunch. Provide some context and arrange it in an attractive, readable format. Take a look at this September travel roundup we recently created for Pimsleur<\/a>\u00a0or at Lonely Planet’s daily travel news roundup<\/a> to see how it’s done.<\/p>\n

7. The interview<\/b>
\nThe success of an interview piece rests on who you choose to interview and what you ask them. Generally, an industry insider is always a good bet (see\u00a0Michael Hodson of Go See Write’s Lucky 13 interview series<\/a>), as is a comedian who can bring a touch of humour to the table (see Wanderlust’s interview with funnyman Simon Pegg<\/a>).<\/p>\n

8. Research or original data<\/b>
\nIf you have the means, conducting or collecting original data can be of value to your readers. Alternatively, leave the studies and surveys to the experts and focus your attention on picking out highlights, summarising key findings and making dense information more palatable. For example, this article sees the Telegraph spotlight the most interesting results from hotels.com bi-annual survey.<\/a><\/p>\n

9. The review<\/b>
\nNot a day goes by that we don\u2019t see the launch of a new travel app, gadget or hotel. And the more people purchase online, the more likely they are to read reviews as part of their pre-purchase research. For examples of this type of post, see\u00a0Travel + Leisure test and rate travel various apps and websites here<\/a>\u00a0or read NY Times’ take on the benefits of Apple’s smartwatch for travellers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

10. The personal story<\/b>
\nWe mentioned before in a previous blog<\/a> that travel writing is not just an opportunity to transcribe your personal journal. But there is still plenty of room for storytelling in travel writing, especially when you’ve got an interesting tale to tell (this Indie award-winning piece<\/a> and this Paul Morris masterclass<\/a> are two great storytelling examples).<\/p>\n

To see which blog types we use most, check out our\u00a0latest\u00a0projects<\/a>\u00a0or look at our other\u00a0blog<\/a> posts, many of which feature more expert travel writing advice. To hear more from World Words<\/a>, follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, where we share travel writing content and advice, as well as examples of some of the best travel content out there.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Lady blogging CC image courtesy of Mike Licht<\/a>\u00a0via Flickr; Office<\/a>\u00a0CC image courtesy of \u00a0Paul McCoubrie<\/a>\u00a0via Flickr.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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