BITW 093: Ask Alexa

Today’s episode focuses on four travel blogger questions. I discuss the best way to disclose a blog has affiliate links, no follow rules for sponsored content, if you need dedicated social media for blog and when it’s too soon to start your travel website.

Welcome to Ask Alexa!

This is a Q&A episode that is aired once monthly. If you have a question you’d like answered on an upcoming episode, simply head to http://breakintotravelwriting.com/ask-alexa/ to submit your question. I need the Q in the Q&A to continue this segment!

Click here to listen to the podcast now!

Ask Alexa Questions:

Question: From Tonya with www.detailorientedtraveler.com

What is the best way to disclose a blog has affiliate links. I dont’ want to take up valuable SEO on the first paragraph, but know it needs to be done early. What are your recommendations for wording affiliate disclosures? Thanks!

Answer:

Disclosure should go at the top of page that contains affiliate links. Below are some examples of disclaimers.

Disclaimer from Break Into Travel Writing: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Please understand that I have experience with all of these companies, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something.

Disclaimer from Chris Ducker: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I might earn a commission, or be compensated in some way. However, please note that these are resources, tools, etc., that I’ve either used in the past, continue to use personally; or come from helpful companies or individuals that I know and trust… That’s why I’m listing them here for you! If you click on any of ’em, thank you!

Disclaimer from Amy Porterfield: Many of these links are affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the fees of these resources have been increased to compensate me.

Disclaimer from Nomadic Matt: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I use all the companies listed and I recommend them because they rock and have made my travels better. If you are ready to book your trip and would like to support this website in some way, using these links will help do exactly that. Everybody wins and if you have any questions about the companies, e-mail me. I’m happy to answer any questions about the companies you have.

Question: From Mikkel Mihlrad from @sometimeshome on Instagram

Alexa, I really adore your Ask Alexa and learn so much from it. And have been loving your podcasts, especially people who reassure us newbies to keep at it and success will follow. My question is about “no follow links.” Can you explain them from the ground up? What are they, why are they important? I hear them mentioned in sponsored posts but I don’t really understand what they are. I feel like I need “no follow links for dummies” help. Thank you in advance!

Answer:

It just so happens I did write a post on FTC Disclosure Guidelines for Travel Bloggers which also covers no follow links.

Here are some of the basics about no follow links based on Google’s rules.

Goolge does not want you to pass PageRank for Paid links. Now, in the world of blogging, paid content isn’t just for an exchange of money, it also includes comps and freebies and even discounts. All of these are considered compensation. So, to break it down a little further, if you………..

Receive a free product and review it
Link to the product’s website and receive a commission via an affiliate program
Receive money, product or services for posting about a product (media trip)

They way you actually create a no follow link is to go into your text editor and add a rel nofollow to all of your sponsored backlinks.

Example of text for regular link: <a href=”http://52perfectdays.com/”>52 Perfect Days</a>
Example of no follow link: <a href=”http://52perfectdays.com/” rel=”nofollow”>52 Perfect Days</a>

Question: From Laryssa www.flightattentantswife.com

My question is I have a blog www.flightattendantswife.com and my instagram is under laryssaphotos and one of my Facebook pages is under photosbylaryssa. Should I have a flightattendantswife facebook page? I’ve got over 150 followers on Instagram (I know not a lot, but a lot for me) and I’d like to keep those but I’m wondering if I should have Facebook for my blog also? Also, when are you going to do another Instagram challenge?

Answer:

You should have one set of dedicated social media for each platform. For the full answer and reasoning make sure to check out the podcast episode!

Question: From Jim with http://www.travelstoriesandimages.com

I’m unsure if the traveling I’ve done is enough for me to have an interesting travel blog and ongoing content. I used to travel as part of my job and spent a ton of time exploring San Francisco, and I’ve been to Europe and Japan maybe 5-10 times each for work. My wife and I also take one “big trip” a year – usually a cruise on a larger ship line (NCL, Royal Caribbean, etc.) or a land tour, and almost always go out of the country. So I really only travel recreationally 1-2 times a year. Is that enough, or should I wait until I have more travel under my belt? Thanks!

Answer:

Yes! Start now. (You can find the longer and more thoughtful answer on the podcast episode!)

Episode Resources
Ask Alexa form to ask a a question
Aspiring Travel Writer Facebook Group
Travel Writer’s Academy
Instagram Challenge (will be posted shortly!)
Viking Rhine Cruise

People Mentioned

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That is it for today! Thank you to Jaime & XX for today’s awesome questions! If you have a question about travel blogging, writing, photography or SEO, Web or Social Media for travel blogging that you would like answered on my Podcast, simply submit your question to bitw/askalexa and I’ll answer it on an upcoming episode.

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Today’s podcast is sponsored by The Travel Writer’s Academy. By Joining the “Travel Writers Academy” you will learn everything you need to take your travel blogging career to the next level! Joining the academy guarantees your will travel more and connect with the right people so you can start taking media trips and travel to places you are only dreaming of right now! If you want to travel more and get media trips head to http://breakintotravelwriting.com/travel-writers-academy/