Tips for Content Marketing and Travel Writing

On February 26, Manchester Travel Massive held a special edition with industry experts Rob Philbin and Dylan Lowe joining us to share their knowledge on content marketing and travel writing, and what it means to take your blogging efforts to the next level. 

Rob Philbin

Rob Philbin is a content strategist with a love for old school copywriting but he really calls himself a writer, editor, strategist, marketer, salesman, consultant, mentor, lazy author and rookie father. Sometimes, he has a beard. But only sometimes.

In his talk, Rob covered what it REALLY takes to go from writer to content marketer.

So, what does it take to go from copywriter to content marketer?

• An understanding of what a real copywriter brings to the table, that a ‘vendor’ doesn’t
• An understanding of what is needed in order to become a real copywriter
• An understanding of the need for authentic content
• An understanding of what the great copywriters have done before
• An understanding of empathy and its power in all relationships (not just with the customer)
• An understanding of the bigger picture – beyond writing the copy itself
• An understanding of who else you may need on-board to execute a world-class idea
• An understanding of the primary goal in any campaign (sales)
• An understanding of the need to measure results and adapt the campaign

To get the full talk and an online version of his handout check out his amazingly helpful platform he started with his dad, Content Cavern.

Dylan Lowe

Many people know Dylan for his fun, party-happy attitude but this Travelling Editor is a wearer of many other hats too – like writer, photographer, designer, blogger and entrepreneur. He started his blog in 2010 as a way to keep a digital journal for his writing on his student magazine, for which he was the travel editor for three years. It led him to give up his university degree in geology to pursue a career in travel writing – which has earned him two nominations from the prestigious Guardian Student Media Awards, for travel writing and digital journalism.

Dylan spoke about ways we can revolutionize the state of travel blogging as well as his upcoming project The Ripple Movement, that promises to do just that.

Click here for a PDF of Dylan’s presentation notes.

Massive thank you to YHA Manchester for hosting us at the event. They kindly offered the hostel for the evening and free welcome drinks as well!

And here’s a quick video if you didn’t make it on the night. Thank you to Leasha from My Trip This Year for capturing the spirit of the evening.

(PS: Some of us were chewing on Rice Krispies and had a wee bit of trouble with the audio so please forgive us).

Looks exciting? Feel like you have to come to the next one? Well, here’s your chance. Find out more details and join us on our chapter page and Facebook.

Don’t miss out on the chance to learn, share your knowledge and network with travel brands, bloggers and digital marketers at the next Manchester event where we’ll be talking Winning at Pinterest!

Mia Pebleton is the chapter leader of Manchester Travel Massive. She is the blogger behind UK Travel Room, fighting through Britain’s grey weather to find weekend trips, travel adventures and short breaks worth shouting about as well as social media fanatic, digital marketing consultant and compulsive shoe buyer. Follow Mia on Travel Massive.