Comments on: It’s Official Delurking Week

By: Aislinn O'Connor

Aislinn O'Connor — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:14:02 +0000

Guilty as charged – I enjoy blogs, but have so far been a major-league lurker. I often read stuff that I’m interested in but don’t really know enough about to contribute anything of value, and it hadn’t previously occurred to me that blog owners might occasionally just enjoy a word of appreciation.

So, many thanks for an interesting and entertaining read… but why does Santa NEED a speedo? Have those pesky reindeer been breaking the speed limit again?

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By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 07:22:34 +0000

Where is the link for the video of you and Karen in BANGKOK. I went to the travel channel website, but it’s not working. A great video I might add. You should post the link here because you will surely get more fans because of the video alone. You’ve got a great girl in Karen. She seems so sweet….I’m curious how did you come to meet her? By the way, I’m a fan of Karen too. Please hurry with the link…

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By: ianmack

ianmack — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:33:22 +0000

Hi Tim, thanks for delurking. I’m with you on the bright sunny day as nothing less than possibility. Unfortunately, that sunny day hasn’t extended to the producers of Survivor — which is why they haven’t let me on. Ah well. I gave it 2 years, which is more than enough. And besides, I found my own tropical island when I went to Thailand last spring.

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By: tim

tim — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:30:46 +0000

I forgot to post my question before, so here it is:

Ian, why the hell haven’t they let you on survivor yet?

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By: tim

tim — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:47:57 +0000

G’day all,

I would have posted a comment sooner, but I just saw the post (I was out travelling!). So:

1. I came to this site through a previous interaction with Ian

2. Why do I like travelling? Umm… You know that feeling you get when you step outside on a beautiful sunny morning? I love looking up at a vivid blue sky, with a slightly warm touch from the sun on my skin, just begging me to walk a little further. I don’t know what it is, but the closest I can come to describing it is “possibility”.

3. I’d have to put forward “The First Casualties of Climate Change” as my favorite so far.

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By: pensgirl

pensgirl — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 23:53:34 +0000

Hello I am also a lurker. I’m always too busy reading so I will have to start commenting. I love reading the articles.

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By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 10:04:27 +0000

I took your advice, and I’m commenting. Love the site so far…makes me want to take my pen and paper and hit the road. I wrote about you on my blog, so maybe I’ll send some traffic your way. And my traffic I mean more lurkers, like my mom and my grandma.

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By: ianmack

ianmack — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:18:34 +0000

Hi all, thanks for stopping by!

And Maree: glad you’re thinking of becoming a published travel author. To answer your question, I believe the “credibility” issue between on and offline media is blurring. For instance, most offline newspapers and magazines are experiencing a decline in readership as they compete for more eyeballs. Today, having a complimentary online site is essential for any credible magazine/newspaper.

That said, every newspaper/magazine has to build a reputation for itself, which will then add to your credibility as a writer if you’re published in them. But keep in mind, a bland, poorly-written travel article cannot be saved by a great portfolio. The portfolio helps to get your article seen, but ultimately, an editor is more concerned with the quality of your current submission.

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By: Maree

Maree — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 10:39:11 +0000

Guilty of lurking! I am about to leave my job and start my own non-travel writing business, and I’m trying to develop my skills as a travel writer so I can have a bit of a portfolio career, rather than being totally focused on one thing. I read a lot of on line travel mags and blogs, and Brave New Traveller is a good one for me – pitched at the right level in terms of content and variety, plus tips and advice.

I read a lot about how to become a travel writer, and not all of us can start our own travel blogging website I’m trying to use my own travels to move beyond writing travel journals to creating saleable articles – I’ve had a couple of things published but nothing major. My question is: which has more credibility in terms of developing a travel writing – publishing online or in a newspaper or magazine?

Thanks – Maree

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By: dougdo

dougdo — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 07:39:18 +0000

Damn RSS readers make it easier to keep up with all the reading but then harder to actually make comments and not just be a lurker!

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