Welcome to The Weekly Postcard Travel Blog Link-up!
Just like the postman once delivered updates from friends and family traveling around the world, The Weekly Postcard delivers posts from travel bloggers all over the globe every week!
A Brief Introduction
The Weekly Postcard Pinterest Board ~ TravelLatte’s Favorites ~ Link Up ~ How to Join & FAQ ~ Archive
Hi, and welcome to The Weekly Postcard! If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve become accustomed to our weekly introduction. We encourage you to slide on down to the section with our favorite reads from last week, and see this week’s new entries. Plus, if you’re a writer, too, add your own blog posts to this edition!
If you’re a first-time reader, though, you might be wondering just what is going on. Can’t say we blame you: just like any other industry, bloggers tend to indulge in their own lexicon and toss words around like everyone is in the know. We put things together – like blog hops – and expect everyone knows how it works. It can be a little confusing, so here’s a super-brief First Timer Primer!
First off, what’s is this thing?
- Blog Hop / Link Up / Linky
- A collection of travel blog posts, contributed by the authors, and linked or collected together so readers can “hop” from one blog to the next. Think of it as a virtual newsstand, where you can peruse the periodicals for articles that pique your interest!
Okay, got it! How’s it work?
Each blog post is represented by a small photo and caption. When you click on one, it opens that blog post in a new tab, so you can get right back here and continue browsing afterwards. Super simple. (We like simple!)
That’s it!
We told you it was super-brief, right? We do have a couple of other things for you, though:
- Comments
- Bloggers LOVE comments! And sometimes, there’s as much or more info in the comments, from other readers and the writers, too. So please leave a comment, even if it’s just to say “I loved this” or “I was there!”
- Sharing
- Everyone involved in The Weekly Postcard would really appreciate your help in spreading the word! So if you read a post you really like, please share it in your social media channels. (More lingo: that just means your apps like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) The more, the merrier!
- Posting
- The assumption is that, if you are a travel blogger, you skipped past this part because this is “old hat” to you. However… just in case, we want you to know that we would LOVE it if you joined the fun! To find out how, visit the section How to Join & FAQ. And welcome aboard!
Now, let’s get on with things! You can use the links above to move around this article, or just keep scrolling down. Have fun, and thanks for joining us for The Weekly Postcard!
Let’s Get this Party Started!
Highlights from The Weekly Postcard
For those who don’t know, TravelLatte’s World HQ is in north Texas, an area normally in the midst of drought. Twice this year, though, we’ve had record setting rainfall! February was the wettest on record, as was September (and the month isn’t over). We found ourselves wondering if we might become a seaside or island type destination! (Okay, that’s a little over the top, but we did get a lot of rain!
That idea was stoked by some of our favorite blog posts in the last edition of The Weekly Postcard. As you’ll see below, coasts and islands were definitely on our mind. We know you’ll enjoy these posts as much as we did. And right after, you can see more of The Weekly Postcard on Pinterest!
-
The blog More Than a Destination is one of our favorites on The Weekly Postcard, and their guest post this week by Andrea Wade of The Happy Days took us right to one of our favorite destinations: The beach! In particular, she helped us Discover Tobago – and we’re hooked!
-
Like many, we dream of the South Pacific. We devour any post we come across about the islands of the region, and Rhonda at Album Adventures featured one of our bucket list destinations – and what to do when we get there – in 26 Things to Do in Rarotonga…Aside from the Beach. More to do than hanging out on those beautiful beaches? Who knew?
-
Speaking of beaches, have you seen Australia’s Four Mile Beach? That’s just one of the Top 10 Things to Do in Port Douglas on Queensland’s northeast shore. Tracy’s Travels in Time compiled a great list, highlighted by Four Mile Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and more!
See The Weekly Postcard on Pinterest!
If you see something you like, Pin it! See something you missed? Click on the Pin to read the post. We keep this archive for you, so feel free to use it!
How Does The Weekly Postcard Work?
There’s a new batch of blogs ready for reading every Friday afternoon. You can find them on TravelLatte, and at our co-hosts: Travel Notes and Beyond, Toddlers on Tour, Two Traveling Texans, and California Globetrotter.
Each one of us will have links to all of that week’s featured blogs. Find a few that look interesting, and click to read – it’s really that simple! Don’t forget to leave a comment – bloggers love comments, and that’s how we build a community of like-minded travel lovers! Feel free to share with your friends on Social Media, too. You can Pin, Tweet, or share on Facebook right from the thumbnails, or from each post you click on. I know all of the bloggers truly appreciate it when you read and share.
What if I have a blog, too?
Then join the fun! Participating in #TheWeeklyPostcard is a great way to reach new readers, and build your comments and social shares. Plus, you get to know some of your fellow travel bloggers, network, and learn about tons of destinations, travel tips, and more.
Housekeeping Rules for Bloggers
- Can I use an older blog post?
- Sure! #TheWeeklyPostcard is a great way to show off a new post, but also to show an older piece some love.
- Does it have to be travel related?
- Well, it is about travel, so yeah. Show off your favorite destination. Teach us how to take a train or save money on airfare. Tell us your favorite travel tips. You get the idea! Posts that are not travel related may be removed.
- Where do I get that snazzy badge for #TheWeeklyPostcard?
- We know, it’s cool! And it’s easy: Just copy the badge html code (from the gray box on the page where you add your link) into your editing program. You can add it to the bottom of your page or in a sidebar.
- Uhm, that code thing isn’t working for me.
- No worries. If you have issues adding the code, add the badge as a picture and include text saying that you have linked up with #TheWeeklyPostcard, along with a link back to one of the co-host’s blogs.
- Do I have to add the badge?
- You want people to know you’re part of the cool crowd, right? The badge helps get the word out and identify community members. Having the badge on your sight lets readers know you’re part of an established, respected community of travel experts. Plus, posts without a badge will be removed.
- When can I add my post?
- #TheWeeklyPostcard opens each Friday at 12n Pacific / 3pm Eastern, and closes on Sunday at 3pm Pacific / 6pm Eastern.
- Anything else?
- You can help spread the word by using the hashtag (#TheWeeklyPostcard) in your tweets. We will like and re-tweet your Tweets when we see the hashtag, and encourage everyone to do the same.
Helpful Hints for Bloggers
- Be sure to include a nice, tall portrait-orientation Pin so everyone can add you to their Pinterest boards! Here at TravelLatte, we’ll use that to add you to our board for #TheWeeklyPostcard, and may feature you on next week’s roundup!
- When you do make a Pin for your post, be sure to give it a name that includes the post title, blog name, and keywords. That will help your Pin (and post) travel farther.
- Not up with the Pinterest? No worries, but do try to include at least one portrait orientation image that people can use if they’d like to Pin your post.
- Be sure your posts have your Social Media channels, so readers can find and follow you right from The Weekly Postcard linkup!
