Blogs & Brands: Walking a Fine Line into the Future of Social
A blogger since 2000, former CEO of social influence platform Kred, and now Global Partner, Social Business at IBM, Andrew Grill will look at the fine line that brands and bloggers must tread when working together, what social means for bloggers and brands today, and what the move from social media to social business will mean in the future. After examining the decline of the “Klout score” as a measure of a bloggers true influence he’ll explore how to be an authentic blogger to protect the value of a blog’s brand so that it is of optimal value to travel brand clients. Ultimately, it’s all about the challenge of continually inspiring people to travel.
Andrew’s experience as an entrepreneur running 6 start-ups over the last 12 years will also be used to look at how brands need to think like an entrepreneur to engage with bloggers. An avid traveler, Andrew has been to 106 cities in 33 countries since 1993.
The Think Tank – Navigating the Future
A key objective of The Social Travel Summit is to improve and expand the ways in which bloggers and the travel industry collaborate. The “Think Tank” is a session in which delegates from both sides of the equation brainstorm and discuss the challenges of collaboration and identify solutions that will benefit all.
At STS Leipzig 2014 the Think Tank involved approximately thirty delegates who were asked to discuss five specific topics and come up with recommendations, suggestions, or solutions. Their discussions, findings, and recommendations are presented in the STS Think Tank Report that can be downloaded here. A report on the 2015 Think Tank will be published following the Summit.
Public Speaking: It’s Easier Than You Think
With a completely updated presentation building on his public speaking workshop at The Social Travel Summit in 2014, Shane will demonstrate how everyone can become a competent public speaker. Proper speech structure, writing, rehearsal, and delivery are the keys to easily delivering an effective presentation. Shane will provide you with the tips you need to know to move from the computer to the stage.
Claim Your Fame
From Smartphone Video Strategies to Cutting Edge Storytelling Campaigns
With YouTube.com commonly recognized as the second largest search engine on the net, there can be no doubt that video will continue to grow in importance for online travel influencers. But not just any video will do. A successful video transmits emotions via imagery – it is visual storytelling. In this session two video makers with completely different styles will share secrets of smartphone video production and collaborating with industry on video storytelling campaigns.
SEO in 2015: How to Earn Your Ranking
Over the last 10 years, SEO has gained a negative reputation. Most SEO tactics have been about manipulating Google by spamming with backlinks and keyword density. This will become a huge problem as Google punishes sites that use such tactics. But SEO doesn’t need to be a bad thing.
Maximilian D. Muhr practices a rare kind of totally white hat SEO. In this basic SEO session you will be inspired to care about Google and do things right. We will have a quick look at SEO that works, including relevance for users, snippet-optimization, rel+Author (Google+), structure, and quality. Max will explain how Google knows if content of a specific URL is relevant for the searcher and will suggest what WordPress plugins are needed for SEO success.
Plus: In-depth Site Clinics
Max will review up to 12 blogs from participants and meet with a select few of the bloggers one-on-one (others can listen in) to explain how they can improve their SEO results.
The Social Maze
Panelists: Matt Long, Rachelle Lucas, Michael Turtle, Becki Enright, Yvonne Zagermann, Rob Lloyd
The Social Maze – the game show that looks at “the Y factor” of social. Panellists Poke the platforms, Share their truths and Vote Down myths. Friends don’t count in this game – they’ll be Hungout to dry as Engagement hits the Numbers and contestants Circle, Stumble and Digg into the hottest issues of social media. Join us for a fun, frantic and informative wrap-up to the Summit.