Looking for Travel Blogs or Blogs About Blogging?

This blog was started by Annabel Candy a freelance writer and copywriter.

Born in England, I’ve traveled in over 40 countries, lived in eight of them and have both British and Kiwi passports. But don’t hold that against me.

I now bash my keyboard in Noosa, Australia, writing travel stories and travel tips on my popular travel blog Get In the Hot Spot (which all started here) and sharing blogging tips at Successful Blogging which I set up to help other writers tap into the power of blogging.

You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Google+.

Why do People Travel?

Have you ever wondered why people travel?

Why people love traveling and why they spend all their free time doing it?

Sure, sometimes travel is luxurious and relaxing but often it’s hardwork and distinctly uncomfortable. But we still do it anyway!

To find out more read some of the answers to the question Why do people travel over at Get In the Hot Spot if you haven’t already seen it.

Personal Writing for Bloggers

I’m running a new series about personal writing for bloggers who want to share more personal writing but not get too personal.

It covers everything bloggers and writers need to know about personal writing including storytelling tips, the benefits, getting started and what to write about.

Want to get personal and create writing that resonates with your readers? Check out these personal writing tips.

Blog Blog Blog Blog Blogging Along

This the place where my blogging adventures began. A place where I started to document my travel adventures and ended up, by popular demand, helping other people learn how to blog successfully.

To solve this I’ve now got two blogs:

Get In the Hot Spot dedicated to travel stories, travel writing and story-telling.

Successful Blogging for my ever popular blogging tips.

Join me for work at Successful Blogging, join me for play at Get In the Hot Spot or join me on Twitter @BloggingMentor.

In the mean time, happy blogging!

x Annabel Candy, Aussie blogger, writer and blog consultant

Guest posting on Top Blogs

Guest posting on top blogs is the best way I’ve grown my blog and found lovely new readers.

How to Score a Guest Posting on a Top Blogs

1. Read their blog. Really study the language and style they use, the headlines, the spacing and length of paragraphs. Some bloggers have buzz words that they use again and again. If you can spot some and use them in your guest post for them, subconsciously they might relate more to your blog writing and feel it makes a good fit for their blog. When you write your guest post for them use the same style, language and formating they do so they can instantly see that your post fits in and will appeal to their readers.

2. Leave comments for the blog owner. It’s like a virtual calling card that lets a top blogger know you visit their blog. Better yet if you can add to their blog post by leaving an interesting comment they’ll know you read their posts carefully. This will naturally endear you to them but beware that comments with links in or key words instead of your real name will probably annoy them and have the opposite effect. The aim is to make them notice you’re an engaged reader, not to make them think of you as a pain in the butt.

3. Connect on Twitter or Facebook. Retweet their posts and answer their questions on Twitter or comment on their Facebook page.

4. Arouse their curiosity. After a respectable amount of time, when you’re sure they know who you are and what you blog about try sending them a quick tweet suggesting a guest post. Hopefully you’ll get a reply to something like “@BlogGod Got a cool guest post idea for your blog. Would you like to hear more?”

5. Email the whole guest post. Even if they don’t get back to you on Twitter you can still email them your guest post. Make sure it really is an example of your best work then edit and check it carefully. It needs to be word perfect. You want to make sure that you minimise work for the host blogger so you can format the post in simple HTML by writing it in a draft blog post on your blog then pasting the HTML into the body of the email for them. Copy how they present guest posts on their blog with a byline like “Editor’s note: guest post by Annabel Candy” and a couple of sentences about you at the end of the post including one or two links to your blog.

Successful Blogging

I just wrote a ebook blogging guide called Succcessful Blogging in 12 Simple Steps.

The book is for:

Small business owners and creative personalities who’ll benefit from blogging but aren’t geeks . No you can reap the opportunities blogging offers without worrying about plug-ins or widgets. Now you can learn how to brief your blog designer so they set up an effective blog and you can enjoy posting and promotion.

Geeks who need help planning and writing a blog. This book will teach you the principles of good screen design, screen reading and how to write for your audience so you’re set for successful blogging.

Bloggers who want to learn about blog writing and how to make their blog get the results they’re dreaming of. Even if you’ve failed to get many readers or subscribers so far, after following these steps you’ll see an increase in blog readers, blog subscribers and sales.

A Surfer’s Guide To Living Life To The Full

Chuck Chastain

Just wrote A Surfer’s Guide To Living Life To The Full.

Surfing Makes Me Happy

I took up surfing at 39. I’d wanted to learn to surf for years and when the opportunity presented itself on the island of Bocas del Toro in Panama, I knew it was now or never. Imagine learning to surf in the warm Caribbean sea with a patient, encouraging and stunning teacher. It’s not surprising with those conditions that after three lessons I was hooked.

I’ve only been surfing about 18 months now and I’m not that good, but I can stand up on a wave and I have fun. To me that’s what it’s all about. Surfing holds a few keys to happiness for me because it:

• Keeps you totally in the moment.
• Puts you in touch with the elements and nature.
• Challenges you mentally and physically.
• Wears you out so you sleep well.

So here’s my take on what lessons surfing can teach us about living life to the full. Check out the link for to see how life development and surfing can help you live your dream.