how bloggers should approach brandsinsights and tips based on experience of being both a client and a blogger

@garybembridgetipsfortravellers.com

“look at the partnership through their eyes”brands respond best to pitches that show understanding of their business goals and promise programs focused on helping them achieve their specific brand objectives

tipsfind out what their specific brand-marketing objective is and pitch a plan that shows you understand it and how you can help them deliver it

examples of objectives may be• recruit people to cruising who currently go on all-inclusive resort vacations• recruit specific type of traveller to their brand (e.g. solo traveller women 50+)• convert existing cruisers from a certain brand to their brand for cruising the

mediterranean in 2014

“show you are audience centric”brands are interested in getting travellers to book travel with them - not in entertaining them. make sure your audience is really likely to be the right fit for them

tipsshow them that your audience is totally right for them, and acts on your advice

prove to them that your audience is• in the right territory (UK office of a brand only interested in UK travellers)• the right mix & type (fits to the audience their objectives seeking, and have

travel lifestyle likely to use the brand – e.g. backpackers will not cruise on a luxury line with formal nights)

• interested in what they are offering (insights drawn from audience surveys in addition to analytics)

• Influenced by your activities (survey data showing what your audience says about your influence on decisions + data on past activities click-through to brands sites, testimonials on leads converted to sales)

“stand out from the crowd”brands will have vast choice at who they can partner with. you are going to need to really stand out from everyone else

tipsshow what is unique and different about you (skills & blog) and why best placed to help them

• how you are unique (“unlike others I ..” and “Only I ….”• special skills you can provide• proven ability to drive results

“inspire confidence to close the deal”your contact will have to sell partnering with you to management demanding a return on investment. Give them the tools they need to make the case for you

tipsgive your contact materials and tools to sell partnering with you internally

• detailed written pitch, including show understand objectives, content to be delivered, timing, estimated reach

• proposed measurement and reporting• case studies of similar projects success• client testimonials

free resourceseBook PDF and podcast

tipsfortravellers.com/traverse