We’re Not Looking for a We’re Not Looking for a One Night Stand! One Night Stand!

Leslie McLellanLeslie McLellan@LeslieMcLellan@LeslieMcLellan

@VisitSJV@VisitSJV

Sheila ScarboroughSheila Scarborough@SheilaS@SheilaS@perceptivetrav@perceptivetrav

@TourismCurrents@TourismCurrents

Destination DilemmaDestination DilemmaNo budget for bloggers, so what do you do?

@LeslieMcLellan@LeslieMcLellan@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

It all started at TBEX TorontoIt all started at TBEX Toronto

• The initial hookup The initial hookup did NOT happen over did NOT happen over drinks!drinks!

Qualifying DebQualifying Deb

@LeslieMcLellan@LeslieMcLellan@TourismCurrents@TourismCurrents

Under the category of “What the ….!?!”Under the category of “What the ….!?!”

Community Involvement is CRUCIAL!Community Involvement is CRUCIAL!

@LeslieMcLellan@LeslieMcLellan@TourismCurrents@TourismCurrents

Repurposing content, that’s what it’s all about.Repurposing content, that’s what it’s all about.

It works both It works both ways as we ways as we continue to continue to promote Deb.promote Deb.

@LeslieMcLellan@LeslieMcLellan@TourismCurrents@TourismCurrents

Not a One Not a One Night Stand, Night Stand,

Part 2Part 2

Sheila & the Sheila & the Oklahoma City Oklahoma City

CVBCVB

““They created a They created a brand ambassador [in brand ambassador [in me] through building me] through building

the relationship.” the relationship.” Colleen Lanin / @TravelMamasColleen Lanin / @TravelMamas

@SheilaS@SheilaS@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

@SheilaS@SheilaS@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

““The time in between The time in between press trips is when press trips is when

you keep building the you keep building the relationship.” relationship.” @JenLeo@JenLeo

Be helpfulBe helpfulGive more than askGive more than askMake connectionsMake connections

@SheilaS@SheilaS@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

@SheilaS@SheilaS@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

Visit even when you Visit even when you AREN'T hosted by AREN'T hosted by

the DMOthe DMO

@SheilaS@SheilaS@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

Solid relationshipsSolid relationships = =

business opportunitesbusiness opportunites

Long ball hitterLong ball hitter or or

one night stand?one night stand?

* Paid social media work* Paid social media work

* Sponsors & advertisers* Sponsors & advertisers

* Business partners* Business partners

* Business contacts * Business contacts

* Press trips, editors, referrals* Press trips, editors, referrals

““Many of the bigger publications Many of the bigger publications I have written for have only I have written for have only materialized after a few years of materialized after a few years of building relationships & pitching. building relationships & pitching. It's a process....” It's a process....” Natalie T. / @_nctaylorNatalie T. / @_nctaylor

Brick by BrickBrick by Brick

@SheilaS@SheilaS@Tourism Currents@Tourism Currents

Have you connected Have you connected with your own local with your own local

CVB, DMO, or Tourist CVB, DMO, or Tourist Board?Board?

Thank YOU Thank YOU and time for questions!and time for questions!

Leslie McLellanLeslie McLellan@LeslieMcLellan @Visit SJV @LeslieMcLellan @Visit SJV

and and

Sheila ScarboroughSheila Scarborough@SheilaS @perceptivetrav@SheilaS @perceptivetrav

@TourismCurrents@TourismCurrents