As a “destination blogger,” Stephen publishes the Manzanillo Mexico Travel Blog for people interested in visiting Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico.
Why do you blog? Do you have specific goals?
We blog for two reasons, to share our experiences in traveling and the wonderful areas we have discovered, and also to make money to support ourselves as we live abroad. Thanks to the internet, it’s more than possible to run a blogging business from anywhere in the world, and there’s nothing quite like writing your posts to the sounds of crashing waves.
How do you come up with new post topics?
Mostly we take our ideas from our own experiences here. When we visit new places, try out a new restaurant, or happen upon some special piece of expat wisdom, we share it with our readers. Checking the local forums is also a good idea to see what is up in our area and what concerns many might be having and be interested in reading about.
What writing style do your readers seem to like best?
Personal reviews and personal observations. The beauty of blogging is that it makes the world more personable, you get to see an area or subject through the eyes of a real person, and that appeals to many people.
What was your most successful blog post ever?
I don’t know what exactly our most successful post on Manzanillo Blog has been… but the popular ones are always the ones you least expect, that much we have seen time and again.
What’s your biggest tip about writing a successful blog post?
Well… there’s no one tip to writing a successful blog post, and a lot of it depends on why you are blogging in the first place. A MMO blogger will write entirely different kinds of post from a travel blogger. I do both styles quite successfully at the moment, and run a large number of websites that support us on our travels and allow me to live the lifestyle I’ve always wanted. But I believe the biggest key to becoming successful at blogging is doing what you love and loving what you do. If you have a passion for a subject, it will show in your writing.
What is the most common mistake new bloggers make?
Expecting to get rich right away and being disappointed when quick money doesn’t come rolling in. They end up opportunity hopping and never see one project through to the end. If you love what you do, then you won’t care, and if you do care then do the research and work needed in Search Engine Optimization and Internet Marketing to do it right.
What are your 3 best tips for blogging?
Work hard, write lots, and research well.
