Kyle and Emma’s Asia tour is currently one of the hottest stories in the blogging world. The tour began with an epic 31-day cruise on the Nile in Egypt, which received international praise. The story was covered by major media outlets around the world and the blog’s been on a steady upward trend ever since.
What is the most widely read blog post of all time? That would be Michael Scott’s “Scottish Travel Blogger: Where Will You Travel To Next?” The article was published in 2014 and has been read almost 300,000 times. Next was Gregor Clemens’ “The Most Influential Travel Bloggers of All Time”. His article was published in 2016 and has also been read almost 300,000 times. And finally, the most recent article published on The Muse on January 14, 2020 entitled “How to Find Out About Kyle’s Asia Tour”; the article was written by yours truly and has been read over 300,000 times as of this writing.
If you’re curious about what makes some blogs go viral and attract hundreds of thousands of readers, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll discover 10 steps that will help you get inspired to write your own viral blog post.
1. Find the Middle Ground
As the name would suggest, middle ground is that area where you find yourself somewhere in the middle. It’s the place where you neither gain nor lose. For example, while some people love traveling to Italy for its incredible wine, food, and art, others may not agree. So while you may like both, you don’t want to experience the Italy tour one-hundred percent, as there’s lots you may miss out on if you don’t speak the language. The same goes for a foodie tour of Rome or a bus tour of Florence. You can enjoy these places and the experiences they have to offer, but you may not know everything there is to know.
When it comes to our own travels, many of us want to do or see it all. That’s why you’ll often find curated tours and blogs that are either focused on a single location or theme, or offer a broad overview of a region. For example, the Brooklyn flea market has become so popular that there are now guides that help you find the best items to take back home with you. Many of these items are one-of-a-kind and very unlikely to be found in your local store. So while you can’t get everything you want in one trip, you can get a taste of what the place has to offer.
2. Find Your Why
Your why is the reason why you’re doing something. When you don’t have a why, you’ll likely have a hard time achieving your goals. So when you set out to create a blog, first figure out your why. Why do you want to write the blog article? Why do you want to get the word out there about your travels? What do you hope to see happen as a result of your blog?
Your why should be as tangible as possible and something that you can point to when asked about your travels. Consider putting yourself in the shoes of a reader. What would you want to know about traveling to this location or taking this trip?
3. Research The Location
As you’ve probably guessed, a fundamental part of any blog post involves learning about the location you’re writing about. But that doesn’t mean that you need to do a lot of research. The location you’re writing about should be enough for the reader to know what’s going on, and you don’t need to waste your time going over every detail. Still, some research may be beneficial. Knowing a little about the place will allow you to connect with the culture and have a better understanding of what you’re looking at.
4. Research The Time
Just because something is new doesn’t mean that you should write about it. If you’ve never been there, then consider whether or not it’s something that will be of interest to your audience. Some places may be relevant to your why, but may not have been covered by the media prior to your arrival. It’s up to you to decide if the location will be worth your time and effort, and even if it is, it may not be the best time to go.
5. Research The Weather
This one may sound like a no-brainer, but you may be surprised by how often we forget about this important element. If you want to go somewhere cold, then be prepared to deal with colder-than-expected weather conditions. When traveling to a new location, there will always be variables that you can’t anticipate. For example, it could be snowy outside, but you don’t have any snow gear with you. Or, it could be incredibly hot where you are, but not in the destination you’ve chosen. For that reason, always be prepared for anything and review the weather reports before making any plans. Remember: you can always turn back, but you can’t go home again. So, if you don’t like the weather in the area you’ve chosen, then it’s time to find another.
6. Research The Amenities
In some places, Wi-Fi may be hard to come by. In others, it could be readily available. It really depends on the location and how popular it is with tourists. Always check the amenities before you make your decision. Knowing what amenities are available will help you make the right choice and have an enjoyable stay.
7. Research Transport
While there are plenty of luxury hotels that offer limousine services, not every trip entails spending a fortune. For those of us who want to travel in comfort, our best option may be to rent a car. Wherever you decide to travel, there will always be options for getting around. Be sure to research the best way to travel to your location. Some places may require a flight, while others may only have one way of getting there. Before you know it, you’ll be at your destination and enjoying all that the place has to offer. It’s better to choose a place that’s easy to get to by foot, and from there, you can take the travel options available.
8. Research The Neighborhood
There are plenty of luxurious locations around the world that can be found near major cities. However, for those of us who want to travel in comfort, there are plenty of beautiful places that are far from the madding crowds. If you want to experience a vacation like none other, then consider the area around your chosen location. By simply searching for travel blogs that cover your destination of choice, you’ll be able to see what others have said about it. Be sure to read the positive comments first, as they will give you a better idea of what to expect. Still, it’s always beneficial to hear other people’s views. That way you’ll know if you’re making the right choice and have the opportunity to ask questions if something isn’t clear. Neighborhoods can be very subjective and it’s often difficult to know what to expect. However, as long as you do some research, you’ll have a much better idea of what to expect. In some places, you may feel like you’ve fallen into a real-life video game. With so many people around, it may feel like a struggle to even leave the hotel. That’s why it’s important to do as much research as possible prior to making your travel plans. Find out everything there is to know about the place and if it’s right for you. If it is, then great! If it’s not, then maybe it’s time to consider another location.
9. Do Your Research
While it is not always possible to do all of the above, it’s essential that you put in the effort. Traveling to a foreign country is never easy. In some cases, it may even be dangerous. Studying the history of the area and doing your research will only get you so far. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what is important to you and what won’t. Some bloggers may favor writing about the places they’ve visited over time, while others may want to focus more on safety issues and study the local language. It really depends on you and what makes you happy. Do your best to find the middle ground and you’ll be able to enjoy your travels without any worries.