Reflecting on a year of ranting about travel
By Darren Cronian on Saturday, November 8th, 2008

Every year I set myself goals that I want to achieve because I find this helps motivate me. If you are writing a blog for your company to promote its services than you have an incentive to write, but for me it is a hobby and it is much more difficult to keep motivated.

Reflecting on a year of ranting about travel

Goals for 2008 were:

» Achieve recognition for the work I put into the blog
» Get mentioned in the media, i.e. radio, TV, newspapers
» Increase monthly average unique visitors
» Promote the travel rants brand more online

In April the blog won best Travel Consumer blog at the Travolution awards, and this sent me off to London to collect my award, which is sat proudly on my desk. Then in May, I was interviewed for the first time on BBC radio 5, then radio 4 in August.

During the summer the blog received a mention in the Irish Times and New York Sun newspapers. The only goal I have not achieved is an appearance on television, but I am not sure the great British public are quite ready for that yet.

Yes, I am blowing my trumpet, but what have I learnt?

Learning from blogging

Despite ranting about the travel industry I have learnt that they are many talented individuals and companies who are trying to improve the experience for consumers. I have learnt not to take comments personally, everyone has an opinion, not everyone is going to agree with me, and that is why blogs are great at generating discussions.

I am still learning about the travel industry, there are times I wish I had experience of working in travel, but then I think there are advantages not having that knowledge so I can write 100% from a consumer’s perspective.

Confidence issues

Lack of confidence is something that I suffer with; there are reasons for that, which I will not go into here. I organised the Travel BlogCamp in London because I wanted travel bloggers and companies to get together and learn from each other, plus I wanted to deal with that confidence issue.

My plans for 2009

It is going to be a tough year because I am approaching that point where I am thinking, how further can I take this blog. I want everyone from John O’Groats to Lands End to know about Travel Rants, and the challenge is how I raise its profile with the skills I have, and the revenue that the blog generates.

I am up for that challenge though.

I know there’s another seven weeks until the end of the year, but I wanted to thank everyone who has participated or helped and supported me in the last 12 months, you know who you are, and it’s very much appreciated.


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15 responses to “Reflecting on a year of ranting about travel”

Kim | 8 November, 2008 at 3:11 am

Congrats on a year of travel rants! We’re in our 5th month and have a lot to learn. All the best to you.

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Stephen Joyce | 8 November, 2008 at 4:42 am

Congratulations Darren. You’ve done a marvelous job with your blog. You should be proud of the accomplishments you have achieved. I certainly agree with you that NOT having worked in the travel industry adds a fresh perspective. I find the same to be true when dealing with travel technology. It seems to me that when you come from the industry you tend to be more forgiving of things that most anyone else would find totally irritating. Anyway, I look forward to reading your rants this coming year and wish you all the best.

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Craig McGinty | 8 November, 2008 at 8:36 am

I think 2009 could be particularly interesting for travel what with airline’s tightening their belts and companies beginning struggle.

But if you are not there to highlight people’s problems and help them out who is going to do this important job?

The site now has a really strong presence, yet in internet terms is still pretty young, so I am sure there are some exiting times ahead.

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Darren Cronian | 8 November, 2008 at 10:03 am

@ Kim & Stephen

Thank you for the kind comments. I agree with you Stephen about not having the experience and knowledge is good.

@ Craig

I think with the administrations we’ve seen in tour operators, travel agencies and airlines this year, when I have written about these, consumers have flock to the blog for advice, and I am not blowing my trumpet here, but I think the reason for that is that there is a severe lack of information coming from the appropriate bodies like CAA, ABTA, and they find Travel Rants high up the rankings in Google.

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Nick | 8 November, 2008 at 10:52 am

Darren

Congratulations on another great year. Travel Rants is now more need than ever.

You have an open mind, you listen and learn. In turn I and others in the industry has listened to you and learnt. You give us a fair opinion and that is hard to find. I am sorry I will not be a WTM on your day and hope it goes well for you.

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Andrea Wren | 8 November, 2008 at 11:08 am

Yes, I hope to see Travel Rants getting stronger in 2009! And I will be down at the WTM on 12/13 Nov – such a shame not the day before, or else I’d have been attending the Travel BlogCamp.

Keep up the good work Darren and I agree also Stephen Joyce’s comment about not having worked in the travel industry giving fresh perspective.

I haven’t worked in the industry, other than being a travel journalist (which isn’t the same), yet I’m entering it now with my new agency business and I feel like I can offer something else because it’s new to me, rather than this being a disadvantage.

I think Travel Rants has really filled a much-needed gap – look forward to more of it.

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Darren Cronian | 8 November, 2008 at 11:33 am

@ Andrea

Thanks for your comments. I am going to be at WTM 12/13 so if you want to meet up for a coffee then let me know. My mobile number is on my contact page.

@ Nick

What days will you be at WTM? I am there for all of Wed and Thurs, the first two days I will be in and out because of meetings.

@ All

Thanks for the kind comments, it’s good to receive them and gives me even more incentive to carry on ranting!

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Darren Cronian | 8 November, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Featured in the Telegraph as one of the Worlds best travel blogs have a read, there’s some good blogs featured.

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Lee Harrison | 8 November, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Well done on your Telegraph mention Darren. sorry couldn’t make WTM, I’m sure the “Blog camp” will be a big hit, and I’m sure an Annual event, I’m just sorry can’t be there to add my two pennyworth and meet some great industry bloggers.

As for your TV performance, have no fears, President Bush has been on TV for 8 years and he still hasn’t mastered the subject !!

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Rohan | 8 November, 2008 at 12:43 pm

I value your input and site a lot. Like you I do not work in travel I am simply a consumer who visits your site daily.

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Declan | 8 November, 2008 at 12:47 pm

Well done, we have been watching you for some time and will not be surprised to see even bigger news hit travel rants in 2009. What are your goals for next year?

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Darren Cronian | 8 November, 2008 at 12:55 pm

@ Lee

It’s a shame you cannot make it, hopefully if all goes well, we’ll see you at next years?

@ Rohan

Thanks for the comments you leave too!

@ Declan

Whose is ‘we’ and let’s hope your right. As for my goals for 2009, good question, I’m going to sit down in December and have a think, but I suppose, whilst the blog gets great traffic, a good number of comments, I want more consumers to get to know the “brand” and when they have a consumer issue they come by here, just like when you want to read hotel reviews people go straight to tripadvisor.

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Andy Hayes | 8 November, 2008 at 7:16 pm

Good luck with your goals, Darren! You have a vision, you have the energy, so all you need to is make it happen. :)

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Simon Dance | 11 November, 2008 at 9:32 am

Congratulations Darren, you do an outstanding job here, and I’m sure 2009 is going to be a really interesting year.

Looking forward to Blog Camp tonight, perhaps I can buy you a beer?

Cheers, :)

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Claude | 11 November, 2008 at 5:08 pm

Darren,

I wish all the best for your next goals

blow your trumpet for 2009 ;-) and keep up the good work

Best regards from Marseille

Claude

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