2. BLOGGING
Chelle Yarbrough, CTC

3. BLOGGING
Chelle Yarbrough, CTC
• WP-TravelDesign.com

5. What We’ll Cover Today…

6. What We’ll Cover Today…
• I’m a WordPress “FAN GIRL” - It’s unbeatable.

7. What We’ll Cover Today…
• I’m a WordPress “FAN GIRL” - It’s unbeatable.
• Why WordPress is no longer considered blogging
software, but rather a "content management
system“

8. What We’ll Cover Today…
• I’m a WordPress “FAN GIRL” - It’s unbeatable.
• Why WordPress is no longer considered blogging
software, but rather a "content management
system“
• How WordPress combines website design/updates
with website marketing into one task

9. What We’ll Cover Today…
• I’m a WordPress “FAN GIRL” - It’s unbeatable.
• Why WordPress is no longer considered blogging
software, but rather a "content management
system“
• How WordPress combines website design/updates
with website marketing into one task
• How to utilize WordPress to gain "back door entry"
into Google‘s search engine listings in hours instead
of months

10. What We’ll Cover Today…
• I’m a WordPress “FAN GIRL” - It’s unbeatable.
• Why WordPress is no longer considered blogging
software, but rather a "content management
system“
• How WordPress combines website design/updates
with website marketing into one task
• How to utilize WordPress to gain "back door entry"
into Google‘s search engine listings in hours instead
of months
• How to update your website using email (even from
your mobile phone)

12. What We’ll Cover Today (continued…)

13. What We’ll Cover Today (continued…)
• How using an open-source platform allows freedom
and flexibility to integrate supplier information from
multiple sources

14. What We’ll Cover Today (continued…)
• How using an open-source platform allows freedom
and flexibility to integrate supplier information from
multiple sources
• Resources for converting your site to WordPress,
integrating WordPress to power portions of your
site, or having a separate site completely

15. What We’ll Cover Today (continued…)
• How using an open-source platform allows freedom
and flexibility to integrate supplier information from
multiple sources
• Resources for converting your site to WordPress,
integrating WordPress to power portions of your
site, or having a separate site completely
• What plugins are, and how and why they power
specific things separately

16. What We’ll Cover Today (continued…)
• How using an open-source platform allows freedom
and flexibility to integrate supplier information from
multiple sources
• Resources for converting your site to WordPress,
integrating WordPress to power portions of your
site, or having a separate site completely
• What plugins are, and how and why they power
specific things separately
• What themes are, and the difference between free
and premium themes

17. What We’ll Cover Today (continued…)
• How using an open-source platform allows freedom
and flexibility to integrate supplier information from
multiple sources
• Resources for converting your site to WordPress,
integrating WordPress to power portions of your
site, or having a separate site completely
• What plugins are, and how and why they power
specific things separately
• What themes are, and the difference between free
and premium themes
• What the difference is between wordpress.com and
wordpress.org

19. The strategy of Blogging

20. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel

21. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel
• Selling Travel is not the same as selling a widget or
book - you need to sell yourself first - build
trust, and relationships and showcase your
knowledge.

22. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel
• Selling Travel is not the same as selling a widget or
book - you need to sell yourself first - build
trust, and relationships and showcase your
knowledge.
• Your blog needs to be

23. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel
• Selling Travel is not the same as selling a widget or
book - you need to sell yourself first - build
trust, and relationships and showcase your
knowledge.
• Your blog needs to be
– REGULAR

24. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel
• Selling Travel is not the same as selling a widget or
book - you need to sell yourself first - build
trust, and relationships and showcase your
knowledge.
• Your blog needs to be
– REGULAR
– YOUR VOICE (even if it’s your company’s voice)

25. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel
• Selling Travel is not the same as selling a widget or
book - you need to sell yourself first - build
trust, and relationships and showcase your
knowledge.
• Your blog needs to be
– REGULAR
– YOUR VOICE (even if it’s your company’s voice)
– ENGAGING AND INCLUSIVE

26. The strategy of Blogging
• Blogging is not a “personal diary” gone wild - it can
be, but is most effective when it’s a regular series of
posts used as part of your sales funnel
• Selling Travel is not the same as selling a widget or
book - you need to sell yourself first - build
trust, and relationships and showcase your
knowledge.
• Your blog needs to be
– REGULAR
– YOUR VOICE (even if it’s your company’s voice)
– ENGAGING AND INCLUSIVE
– NOT SPAMMY

28. The strategy of Blogging

29. The strategy of Blogging
• Look quarterly at your upcoming seasons - Wave
Season, Alaska, Spring Break - and PLAN YOUR
POSTS

30. The strategy of Blogging
• Look quarterly at your upcoming seasons - Wave
Season, Alaska, Spring Break - and PLAN YOUR
POSTS
• Write for a real audience, pepper your post with lead
prices but remember your blog posts are most
effective when they’re “evergreen”

31. The strategy of Blogging
• Look quarterly at your upcoming seasons - Wave
Season, Alaska, Spring Break - and PLAN YOUR
POSTS
• Write for a real audience, pepper your post with lead
prices but remember your blog posts are most
effective when they’re “evergreen”
• Drip your content - create a series of posts about
the same destination over a few days/weeks

32. The strategy of Blogging
• Look quarterly at your upcoming seasons - Wave
Season, Alaska, Spring Break - and PLAN YOUR
POSTS
• Write for a real audience, pepper your post with lead
prices but remember your blog posts are most
effective when they’re “evergreen”
• Drip your content - create a series of posts about
the same destination over a few days/weeks
• Post to social media every time you blog, then again
later that same day, then again throughout the week
at different times - hitting different audiences

34. WordPress Beginnings

35. WordPress Beginnings
• Started in 2003 as one line of code to help
document websites better

36. WordPress Beginnings
• Started in 2003 as one line of code to help
document websites better
• Originally thought of as blogging software,
but has now morphed into a fully functional
CMS (Content Management System)

37. WordPress Beginnings
• Started in 2003 as one line of code to help
document websites better
• Originally thought of as blogging software,
but has now morphed into a fully functional
CMS (Content Management System)
• Manages Text, Images, Video, Podcasts and
Documents in a point and click environment

38. WordPress Beginnings
• Started in 2003 as one line of code to help
document websites better
• Originally thought of as blogging software,
but has now morphed into a fully functional
CMS (Content Management System)
• Manages Text, Images, Video, Podcasts and
Documents in a point and click environment
• Database systems keep the design and the
content separate – allowing design updates in a
matter of clicks

40. WordPress Advantages

41. WordPress Advantages
• Open Source = Open Innovation

42. WordPress Advantages
• Open Source = Open Innovation
– Companies with proprietary technology have to
maintain content from suppliers AND maintain a
software platform AND train their users.

43. WordPress Advantages
• Open Source = Open Innovation
– Companies with proprietary technology have to
maintain content from suppliers AND maintain a
software platform AND train their users.
– Historically, innovation has suffered

44. WordPress Advantages
• Open Source = Open Innovation
– Companies with proprietary technology have to
maintain content from suppliers AND maintain a
software platform AND train their users.
– Historically, innovation has suffered
– Open Source allows for massive innovation
coupled with modular development – meaning,
you get what you need and the cost is
generally…. Wait for it… FREE.

45. WordPress Advantages
• Open Source = Open Innovation
– Companies with proprietary technology have to
maintain content from suppliers AND maintain a
software platform AND train their users.
– Historically, innovation has suffered
– Open Source allows for massive innovation
coupled with modular development – meaning,
you get what you need and the cost is
generally…. Wait for it… FREE.
• Crowdsourcing – Updates and Innovations
from Developers Worldwide

47. Design Considerations…

48. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic

49. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/

50. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com

51. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com
• http://travelhippy.travelwebmarketing.com/?
SelectedTheme=Exotic+Vacation

52. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com
• http://travelhippy.travelwebmarketing.com/?
SelectedTheme=Exotic+Vacation
• http://travelhopper.travelwebmarketing.com/

53. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com
• http://travelhippy.travelwebmarketing.com/?
SelectedTheme=Exotic+Vacation
• http://travelhopper.travelwebmarketing.com/
• http://visitthecoastalbend.com

54. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com
• http://travelhippy.travelwebmarketing.com/?
SelectedTheme=Exotic+Vacation
• http://travelhopper.travelwebmarketing.com/
• http://visitthecoastalbend.com
• http://3ewerks.com

55. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com
• http://travelhippy.travelwebmarketing.com/?
SelectedTheme=Exotic+Vacation
• http://travelhopper.travelwebmarketing.com/
• http://visitthecoastalbend.com
• http://3ewerks.com
• http://cruisetastic.com

56. Design Considerations…
Themes – Designs are Flexible, but not generic
• http://askyourtravelagent.travel/
• http://atickettoparadise.com
• http://travelhippy.travelwebmarketing.com/?
SelectedTheme=Exotic+Vacation
• http://travelhopper.travelwebmarketing.com/
• http://visitthecoastalbend.com
• http://3ewerks.com
• http://cruisetastic.com
• http://wp-traveldesign.com

58. Integrations and Partnerships

59. Integrations and Partnerships
• Plugins – Small add-on programs designed
to power specific functions

60. Integrations and Partnerships
• Plugins – Small add-on programs designed
to power specific functions
– Social Media Integration – Twitter, Facebook,
LinedIn

61. Integrations and Partnerships
• Plugins – Small add-on programs designed
to power specific functions
– Social Media Integration – Twitter, Facebook,
LinedIn
– Search Engine Optimization – Meta Tags

62. Integrations and Partnerships
• Plugins – Small add-on programs designed
to power specific functions
– Social Media Integration – Twitter, Facebook,
LinedIn
– Search Engine Optimization – Meta Tags
– Outside Content Providers – Signature Travel
Network, Online Agency, Voyager Travel Guides

63. Integrations and Partnerships
• Plugins – Small add-on programs designed
to power specific functions
– Social Media Integration – Twitter, Facebook,
LinedIn
– Search Engine Optimization – Meta Tags
– Outside Content Providers – Signature Travel
Network, Online Agency, Voyager Travel Guides
– Customer Management – Integration with Email
Management, Invoicing, Online Payment
Processors

65. The Wonder of Plugins

66. The Wonder of Plugins
Take photos with your phone/digital camera –
email into your website while you’re on a
Fam

67. The Wonder of Plugins
Take photos with your phone/digital camera –
email into your website while you’re on a
Fam
Possible client visits website, sees great video,
posts comment, receives automatic emails
based on category of original post

68. The Wonder of Plugins
Take photos with your phone/digital camera –
email into your website while you’re on a
Fam
Possible client visits website, sees great video,
posts comment, receives automatic emails
based on category of original post
Receive email offer from supplier, forward
email to website – it’s autoposted to
Facebook/Twitter

70. Great Site Design… How do you get eyeballs?

71. Great Site Design… How do you get eyeballs?
• Search Engine Optimization

72. Great Site Design… How do you get eyeballs?
• Search Engine Optimization
– Plugins handle Meta Tags, Descriptions and
Sitemaps, as well as compliance, titles and
keyword rich titles (www.site.com/cruise-alaska/
and not www.site.com/p=2002/89123891)

73. Great Site Design… How do you get eyeballs?
• Search Engine Optimization
– Plugins handle Meta Tags, Descriptions and
Sitemaps, as well as compliance, titles and
keyword rich titles (www.site.com/cruise-alaska/
and not www.site.com/p=2002/89123891)
– Pinging sends the content to engines and
directories and the “Google Back Door” – Indexed
in HOURS and not weeks, or months

74. Great Site Design… How do you get eyeballs?
• Search Engine Optimization
– Plugins handle Meta Tags, Descriptions and
Sitemaps, as well as compliance, titles and
keyword rich titles (www.site.com/cruise-alaska/
and not www.site.com/p=2002/89123891)
– Pinging sends the content to engines and
directories and the “Google Back Door” – Indexed
in HOURS and not weeks, or months
– Street Cred with Google (and others) comes with
consistency, good content and NO DUPLICATION
of information

75. Great Site Design… How do you get eyeballs?
• Search Engine Optimization
– Plugins handle Meta Tags, Descriptions and
Sitemaps, as well as compliance, titles and
keyword rich titles (www.site.com/cruise-alaska/
and not www.site.com/p=2002/89123891)
– Pinging sends the content to engines and
directories and the “Google Back Door” – Indexed
in HOURS and not weeks, or months
– Street Cred with Google (and others) comes with
consistency, good content and NO DUPLICATION
of information
• Affiliates are duplicate content – no way around that.

77. WordPress.com versus WordPress.org

78. WordPress.com versus WordPress.org
• WordPress.com

79. WordPress.com versus WordPress.org
• WordPress.com
– Hosted Solution, Approximately 35 Pre-
loaded themes, basic sub-domains,
limited plugins

80. WordPress.com versus WordPress.org
• WordPress.com
– Hosted Solution, Approximately 35 Pre-
loaded themes, basic sub-domains,
limited plugins
– Alternate for travel industry
www.travelwebserver.com

81. WordPress.com versus WordPress.org
• WordPress.com
– Hosted Solution, Approximately 35 Pre-
loaded themes, basic sub-domains,
limited plugins
– Alternate for travel industry
www.travelwebserver.com
– 100 Travel Themes + Travel Plugins

83. WordPress.ORG

84. WordPress.ORG
• Open source software

85. WordPress.ORG
• Open source software
– Many hosts have 1-click install

86. WordPress.ORG
• Open source software
– Many hosts have 1-click install
– Install plugins, themes and updates
through Dashboard

87. WordPress.ORG
• Open source software
– Many hosts have 1-click install
– Install plugins, themes and updates
through Dashboard
• Premium Themes for Sale

88. WordPress.ORG
• Open source software
– Many hosts have 1-click install
– Install plugins, themes and updates
through Dashboard
• Premium Themes for Sale
– WP-TravelDesign.com for travel themes,
plugins, reviews and installation
assistance around $600

89. WordPress.ORG
• Open source software
– Many hosts have 1-click install
– Install plugins, themes and updates
through Dashboard
• Premium Themes for Sale
– WP-TravelDesign.com for travel themes,
plugins, reviews and installation
assistance around $600
– Custom Themes from $1500

91. Resources

92. Resources
• Free Themes:

93. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/

94. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins

95. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/

96. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
• Premium Themes

97. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
• Premium Themes
– StudioPress.com

98. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
• Premium Themes
– StudioPress.com
– WooThemes.com

99. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
• Premium Themes
– StudioPress.com
– WooThemes.com
– Press75.com

100. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
• Premium Themes
– StudioPress.com
– WooThemes.com
– Press75.com
• Training

101. Resources
• Free Themes:
– http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/
• Plugins
– http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/
• Premium Themes
– StudioPress.com
– WooThemes.com
– Press75.com
• Training
– http://travelgeekschool.com

103. Questions

104. Questions
• 1) What is a blogroll and how is it
used?

105. Questions
• 1) What is a blogroll and how is it
used?
• 2) How do we get our blog out there to
other bloggers?

106. Questions
• 1) What is a blogroll and how is it
used?
• 2) How do we get our blog out there to
other bloggers?
• 3) How do I see who has subscribed to
my blog? I use wordpress.

107. Questions
• 1) What is a blogroll and how is it
used?
• 2) How do we get our blog out there to
other bloggers?
• 3) How do I see who has subscribed to
my blog? I use wordpress.
• 4) What is an R.S.S feed and how do
they work?

108. Questions
• 1) What is a blogroll and how is it
used?
• 2) How do we get our blog out there to
other bloggers?
• 3) How do I see who has subscribed to
my blog? I use wordpress.
• 4) What is an R.S.S feed and how do
they work?
• 5) What are TAGS and how do I use
them on Wordpress?

110. Questions & Answers

111. Questions & Answers
• Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC

112. Questions & Answers
• Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC
– Email: Chelle@CrossoverConsulting.com

113. Questions & Answers
• Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC
– Email: Chelle@CrossoverConsulting.com
– Phone: 877-442-1975

114. Questions & Answers
• Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC
– Email: Chelle@CrossoverConsulting.com
– Phone: 877-442-1975

115. Questions & Answers
• Chelle Honiker Yarbrough, CTC
– Email: Chelle@CrossoverConsulting.com
– Phone: 877-442-1975
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING!