Tips for blogging while traveling. Are you headed on vacation this year or off to visit family? We’ve compiled a list of tips for blogging while traveling to help keep you safe, your content fresh and your readers engaged, even while you are gone! {this post has affiliate links}
- Don’t Say You’re Leaving / Guest Posts – This probably goes without saying, but it’s important enough to repeat! Don’t forget that your blog, and all your social media accounts are public. Any one can access them so you don’t want to make any announcements or even allude to the fact that you’ll be out of town until you return. You don’t want to publicly state “I’m going out of town in March and I’d love for you to guest post for me…” but, you could ask for guest posts in the weeks leading up to your trip. Use one guest post a week, and spend your extra time writing your own content for the week you’ll be gone. This will make sure that you have new content going up while you are away, without it being evident that you are away from home, the way that a week of guest posts or a silent week would.
- Schedule Posts for After the Vacation Too – Make sure to also plan ahead and schedule a post or two for after your trip. Coming home, unpacking, washing clothes and getting the kids back on schedule is always a challenge, so it would be advantageous to have a couple days worth of content prepared in advance for this time as well, so that you have extra time before you jump back in with both feet.
- Admin Buddies – If you have a close blogging friend that you trust, consider adding her as an admin on your Facebook Page for the week. She can write updates for you, and point readers to the content you have already prescheduled to post while you are gone. In exchange, you can offer to do the same for her when she goes on a trip in the future. You could also exchange pinning responsibilities and pin each other’s content while you are each out of town. (Read tips for making this easier here)
- Hootsuite – If you don’t have any one able to run your social media for you, and you can’t (or don’t want to) do it from your phone, you can also preschedule social media posts using Hootsuite or another website that allows you to schedule out social media posts. I’ve heard that these programs sometimes drop tweets or statuses, but even having a few updates would be better than a week of silence!
- Let Go Of Your Stats – Realize that your stats will be lower this week, even if you preschedule a post for every day of the week. You are on vacation and simply don’t have the time to pour into promoting posts and engaging with your readers that you normally do. That’s totally okay! If you posted stellar content that week, which might have gotten overlooked, you can always promote it again next week. Go on vacation recognizing that your stats will be lower and that’s okay. If you can maintain the willpower, try to avoid looking at them at all.
- Limit Your Time – If you choose to use the computer at all while you are gone (leaving it home is always an option too!) limit your time spent behind a screen. It’s amazing what can be accomplished in even just 10 minutes a day if you make boundaries for yourself and stick with them!
- Notebook It – If you are like me, even if you are giving yourself a break from blogging and editing, you won’t be able to take a break from writing! In that case, bring along a notebook and jot down ideas for future posts there. This way you’ll still have lots of fresh content when you get home, but you won’t be tied up behind a screen for your entire trip. (I always carry a mini notebook in my pocket, just in case I get inspired on the go!)
What is your best tip for bloggers going on vacation? Share in the comments!
MORE POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
How to get your vacation for free by using your blog.
Wondering how to manage time better for the Summer? Check out our Live blogging intensive happening this Thursday, May 26th about how to make a full time income on a part time blog.
Jillian @ Hi! It's Jilly says
Awesome ideas! Good to think about! These strategies would work even if you have an especially hectic week coming up and can’t be online much. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
karan says
Hi! My name is Karan and I found you at Modest Mondays. I also do a travel blog, and I enjoyed your tips for blogging while traveling. I did a post on packing. Take a look if you like. 🙂
http://karanandmichael.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-do-you-fit-everything-into-one.html
Georgia says
These are great! Especially not saying you’re leaving and having posts for even when you get back. On my personal blog I post a pic a day so it’s hard not to giveaway that we’re away but I feel it’s important.
Georgia
How many posts do you “have in your pocket” ready to go on any given day?
Betty says
I especially agree with not broadcasting you are leaving. Also, when traveling I always keep paper and pencil and have been known to note many ideas on my smartphone. I also take plenty of pictures which can turn into a blog article also.
Kuldeep says
Hi Paula,
Nice tips shared here. I’ll try these blogging tips while travelling.
Thanks for sharing.
porno hd says
I was able to findd good advice from your blog posts.
Also visit myy page porno hd
Carissa says
All excellent tips; thanks! Laying off Instagram during vacation is the most difficult point for me to follow.
What can you do to protect your home when you’re covering an event that needs to go out on social media in real time?
Tove Maren says
this is such great advice – especially also planning for the week AFTER you get back. But most importantly LET GO of the stats. Everyone needs a break, especially moms/ bloggers and people who work from home.
We have a vacation planned and I am considering NOT bringing my computer. It might be revitalizing to just write in a notebook and I can handle social media from my phone.
Sarah says
Great tips!! I usually have a few posts scheduled when traveling and then I spend 10 minutes or so in the mornings promoting them and a little bit of time in the evening responding to emails. Great tip on having some posts scheduled when you get back, too!! Not only do you have laundry and life to catch up on, but for me it’s hard to get back into the swing of things after being gone!
– Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com