Interview: Branding A Travel Blog From Scratch With Suze Renner (Aka The Luxury Columnist) -

Suze Renner, the managing editor and founder of the Luxury Columnist, one of the most massive UK luxury blogs touting a wave of 74,000 social media followers, is a luxury travel aficionado, out on a mission to help other wander-lusters discover the best experiences and the highest quality brands. Having worked as an event manager for a long time before switching professions, she has an eye for detail that puts her blog above that of her competitors. In her quenchless thirst to discover the crème dè la crème of what the world has to offer, she has travelled around 39 countries to date.

Luxury brands have carved a unique niche in the marketplace and we are sure that building a travel blog on such a massive scale and reaching your ideal target audience cannot be accomplished without countless struggles, witty strategies, and lots of hard work, not to mention working with key social influencers all the time. Branding in the travel industry has never been more indispensable. As both an industry insider and a luxury lifestyle influencer, we figured that Suze Renner can offer us her valuable insights and advice on how high-end brands can glean traffic on their blogs and make waves in the social media sphere.

1. What Goals Did You Have When You First Started As A Travel Blogger?

To tell a story through my writing and photos and to learn from our readers and social media followers what was of most interest to them.

It may not be my house but if I stand here long enough maybe I’ll convince a few people that I’m the owner 😉 The Great House at Prospect Plantation is part of Yaaman Adventure Park and used to belong to Sir Harold Mitchell, a Scottish baronet. He entertained many celebrities and royals in the 1900s here. We reached the house by jitney – a bone-shaking open-air carriage that was great fun. Our guide Donovan had us all in stitches with his deadpan jokes and pointed out bananas, coconuts and other crops along the way. At the house itself, we learnt how to cook Jamaica jerk chicken on the beautiful veranda, surrounded by flowers and overlooking the sea. When the tour was finished, Donovan told us that he’d known Sir Harold as his family worked on the estate before he did, and that he was a good man. He funded a local school for poor but bright schoolboys which is still flourishing today. Have you ever tried Jamaica jerk chicken? #FeelTheVibeJamaica #VisitJamaica @visitjamaica

A post shared by Suze | Luxury Columnist (@luxurycolumnist) on Jul 19, 2017 at 3:15pm PDT

2. What Is The Most Essential Element Of Building A Travel Blog From Scratch?

Value.

3. What Is The Single Greatest Strategy That Helped You Garner Traffic On Your Blog Initially?

Making sure that your content is optimized for search engines. One way to do this is to give each photograph a descriptive name rather than the default numbers title. Answering the burning questions that readers have when they travel will make you indispensable – for example, is it better to visit the Alhambra, Granada by day or by night?

Source: luxurycolumnist.com

4. Do You Think Decking Out A Travel Blog To Perfection Is Just As Important As Offering Valuable Content?

First appearances count and if a site looks dated, readers won’t stick around very long so I agree that it’s essential that blogs look good. Branding should be consistent across not only the blog but all social media. Ideally, choose a blog name that is also available on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc. and use the same profile photo and logo across all platforms.

5. Do You Think Travel Blogs That Stem From A True Passion Of Travelling Are More Successful Than Ones Geared Towards Monetary Benefits?

Maybe.

6. How Much Time Are You “Plugged In” To Either Smart Phone, Laptop, Or Some Other Device During The Course Of Your Travels?

Permanently! A good WiFi connection is an essential when we travel as brands often request that we do live social media shares.

7. Do You Have A Word Of Advice For Aspiring Travel Aficionados Seeking To Launch Their Travel Blog?

Make sure to choose a particular niche as there are so many blogs out there that in order to make it, you really have to be unique. Research what has already been done and do something different but that you have a genuine interest in, such as skiing or afternoon teas around the world.

Do you have any questions that you would like to ask Suze? Do let us know in the comments below.