Another great travel link up from Kelly, Emma and Rebecca – as well as guest host Sara! The unexpected benefits of blogging! I’ve only been blogging for 18 months but have already stumbled across plenty of benefits that I certainly hadn’t thought about when I wrote my first musings! With any hobby or interest, it has to be enjoyable to keep it going, it has to have its benefits and it is necessary to see progress!
Dairy free afternoon tea at Brown’s with the travel blogging ladies!
I’ve started with the most recent benefit of blogging and one which I am very partial to…. Afternoon tea! Kelly arranged afternoon tea at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair! This was my first ‘bloggers event’ and was a superb way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially as the Ruinart champagne was free-flowing! 25 bloggers in a room, eating cake! You can imagine how much babble there was, and how many photos of the cakes there were too! It was lovely to put faces to names and meet the ladies I’ve been twittering with for so long! Really enjoyable – looking forward to another one soon but also meeting up when I’m in London with work on a more ad hoc basis. The blogging community is so incredibly supportive – there is a massive amount of sharing of ideas and support with sharing and commenting on posts. I have really enjoyed discovering this! I guess it is like any other hobby – sailing for me has some massive similarities!
Love this old skool camera of my Grandpa’s
Another benefit is being able to record memories! As I said in my blog-hop, one of the reasons I started my blog was to keep track of our trips and record memories. It also allows me to share experiences and tips with others. So much effort goes in to planning any trip that this is a fantastic way to record and remember and share. What is even more rewarding is when people interact with the blog or with me on social media! I still get excited about a new follower or a comment from an interested party. I love it when people show interest as I know what I am doing is appreciated. I have clearly got a long way to go and have grand plans of course, but already I have a core following and support network of new friends that give me confidence to keep it up!
The grand tour at Qasr al Sarab
I love spending time with General Managers at hotels we stay at. Year’s ago I sat next to the Chewton Glen GM at a supper and was fascinated by his job and role, so blogging lets me meet GM’s on a more regular basis! Ahead of any visit either me (or The Lux Traveller who I often do reviews for) will mention that we are visiting. This isn’t done because we are looking for freebies (although I have to say there have been some incredible treats along the way at The Kinsterna, The Crown Inn and Qasr al Sarab for example) but this is so that we can meet the GM and see the property properly. It might sound dire to spend an hour on a holiday chatting about the running of a hotel, but it is absolutely fascinating and something that so few people get the chance to do. At the Kinsterna we went through photos of its restoration and it really helped understand quite how much the place meant to the family that owned it. It is great to understand what makes a hotel tick and learn about the GM’s plans and worries, it is also fascinating to tour the property and get the inside-line as well as see other rooms and see the GM at work and how he behaves with his staff and the guests. In smaller properties – like last week at The Crown – meeting the owner is always interesting as it gives an insight into what their focus is and is also a chance to give feedback and share ideas!
My blog, and my writing for The Lux Traveller or A Luxury Travel Blog do of course cause challenges and dilemmas – first world problems though they may be! The more travel one does, the more opportunities there are for more travel and the longer and more luxurious the bucket list gets… This year I have decided to ‘take 12 trips‘ which only compounds the ‘issue’! But I guess it is a nice issue to have to manage my way through!! Although currently I’m dark with British Airways that have just ended my bid for gold-membership by devaluing their silver members, so I haven’t yet decided how that will impact this years travel…
Let the #take12trips planning commence
A final benefit is a work-related one – when I’m in an important business or career meeting blogging has been something quirky to stand out from the others in the room. Around the table we go, chatting about hobbies and interests and introducing ourselves. Piping up ‘I write a travel blog’ has won me new readers (very senior colleagues) and made me more memorable than I might otherwise have been! Not only that – I’ve also managed to set up my own website and learn how to use all number of online resources to help with publicity and making photos web-ready! I am way more IT literate than a year ago and that can only be helpful to my job (even if I have managed to destroy 6 blackberries in a year! Work also presents plenty of opportunities for blogging too – it sends me all over the place and whilst I’m not sure I like business travel per se I’ve definitely covered some ground!
Always looking out for blog-spiration
So there we have it, blogging is a rewarding and fun hobby, a great way to meet like-minded souls and get the inside line on a hotel, and even better it is helpful in the day to day job as well!
Okay you need to write a post on how you have managed to kill 6 blackberries in one year; thats impressive Anna! It was so lovely to finally meet you last week and we need to catch up again. I smiled when you mentioned British Airways (don’t like the changes) especially as I will be silver again this month and have 5 months to get to gold which I think is basically impossible now!
Author
Definitely – we need to get something in the diary! I needed one more long haul for gold… that isn’t going to happen, and its 2 now anyway (growling).
I think I’m going to get to silver, was hoping to try for Gold but think thats out the window really.
Author
Ps – the BB was rubbish, not me. On one the keyboard melted (25 degree heat), one stopped getting a signal and the most recent one put itself on hold or speaker at its own free will! Useless! I
I reckon it must be quite interesting being able to spend some time with the hotel’s GM. What’s been your favourite one so far? Also I also think that having a blog does make you stand out in the “real job” world. I definitely think that played a big part for me getting my current job
Author
Our blogs are our USP’s!!
The afternoon teas really are a great part of the blogging world. I’ll never get tired of scones! I love your Take 12 Trips idea too – looking forward to reading your posts in the coming year.
Author
Thank you! It’s a good pastime when cake and fizz are de rigeur!!
I’ve also found the work/blog angle to be fascinating; mine don’t know that I do, just that we get up to all sorts of crazy mischief (and I usually get collared for restaurant recommendations!) Chatting to the GM of hotels must be fascinating – it’s a great idea! The stories they must tell!
So you got affected by the BA silver/gold thing too? I liked the way they sent it around as a positive spin on their program until you got to the small print. Grrr. I have no intention of losing our family’s silver cards though. Anything below silver is kind of pointless.
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I know – rock and a hard place…. We don’t really have a choice so I will just be a grumpy silver!!
It was lovely to meet you even though briefly at the tea and I hope we’ll get time to chat more next time as what you do sounds fascinating. I also like to meet the GMs or people from the hotel when I can for a showaround
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
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Definitely – I am sure there will be plenty more opportunities! We can compare GM secrets!! I always find it fascinating!!
I am with you on the BA changes, so frustrating! I also like how you meet the GM of hotels, it must be fascinating to find out what goes on behind the scenes. Also the take 12 trips is a great challenge, I think I will probably do the same this year but without even realising!
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My husband used to work in the industry and so when that stopped I still wanted to know what went on, lucky this gives me access!! Will be interesting to see how BA deal with this, especially from May onwards! I guess the london lounges will be quieter 😉
You are brave to share your blog at work. Im always worried it will backfire! Nice to read that you have always had a good reception.
Author
Haha, most people would see my photos on facebook if not, or through office chats, so no issues so far!!
Loved reading this! Everyone’s had a slightly different experience with regards to blogging but I love that one things keeps cropping up in everyone’s post – how supportive everyone is!
Xxx
Author
Totally – it’s almost like it should be advertised in that way to attract more people!
Oh I love this! Some new points in here that I had never considered before! It’s great that your blog has won you brownie points at work, and that you’ve been able to get an interesting insight into the life of a GM.
Polly xx
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Thanks Polly. This has been such a good link up to remind us why we do it!!