10 Things a Startup Blogger can Do to Get Noticed by Brands

Blogging often has a high turnover because honestly it is a lot of work and it isn't something sustainable for a lot of people. As such, there are alway new bloggers, YouTubers, and podcasters rising up through the ranks looking to make a name for themselves. While some simply want to write about things they love in their own life, at some point they all try to figure out how to work with brands effectively. In this article, (which goes along with my talk at the San Diego Travel Festival) I'll try to explain my top 10 things that a startup blogger or podcaster can do to get noticed by brands.

Written by: James Hills
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What are Travel Brands Looking for When Working With Bloggers

As a travel blogger at ManTripping.com, this is something I have wondered about for a while - what exactly are the travel brands looking for from me and why are they sending me on "free" trips, sending swag, and inviting me out to dine at fancy restaurants. It seems like a strange question to ask since I simultaneously represent brands as a PR and Social Media representative doing exactly the same things I wonder why others are doing for me.

Written by: James Hills
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Five Social Media Lessons You Can Learn from Paragliders

Paragliding and Social Media aren't typically thought of as the same, but when you consider that both are activities that combine art and science, things start to make sense. 

I recently spent some time observing people at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego as they participated in the absolutely amazing and beautiful sport of paragliding. 

However, after watching and talking with some of the guys it made me think about how their success was similar to what was needed to make a successful social media experience so I decided to take some notes to share.

Written by: James Hills
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Please Don't Change the Sweeps or Contest Rules

If you are running a contest and the outcome is not what you expect, pleeeease do not change the rules!  Changing the rules during a contest/sweepstakes may seem like the answer but if you have anyone who already entered the contest you are setting your organization up for ridicule including bad PR, and a possible lawsuit.

Written by: James Hills
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How To Make Sure Your Sponsored Content Still Has Soul

I'll admit it ... I was once a firm advocate of the "old way" of doing PR. You know, that practice of reaching out with what you know is an earth-shattering piece of news and hoping that the media would be willing to write about it and share how awesome your brand is. Sadly those days are long over and we live in a new media paradigm where professional media organizations have been largely replaced with bloggers and even those that still exist tend to rely heavily on sponsored content.

Written by: James Hills
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