gpapadop

It's all about "travel blogger buzz" with an emphasis on the buzzzzzzzz!

Anyways, in the past few weeks it appears blog action has died down or I am either getting too eclectic or both.

Interesting to see the merger of all the writers at Upgdr except the main dude into Travel Codex.

Apparently BACon 16 blogger conference is going on this weekend at NYC. Of course the Titan bloggers have a session telling everyone how to be like them. Number 1 tip:

'Never ever mention the Ameriprise Amex Platinum, only pimp the 40k regular offer...because...conversions!"

BACons end with everyone chanting "It's all about conversions".

Or something like that...

durberville

A few errors... first, it's currently in DC, not NYC. Second, I think there was one session (of many) re: affiliate links. The rest is about responsible blogging (Intro to copyright law, good practices for sourcing, SEO stuff, etc.). The rest of the conference is BA giving us social time and thanking us for writing for essentially free

Gotta say your comment really lacks objectivity, a trait you so pointedly attack.

Raffles

I was at the last BACon as a guest and it was genuinely 90% about better blogging, better SEO etc - good quality stuff from qualified speakers.

freeloader

In this discussion on "responsible blogging" was there any talk about killing deals or the bias of recommending sub par CCs that pay a commission?

I'm guessing they weren't discussed.

durberville

"Killing deals" was certainly a significant topic when chatting with other bloggers (though I don't believe there was a presentation on that). I didn't hear anything about the latter issue.

The impression I got from other bloggers is that on the whole, they take "blogger responsibility" quite seriously, while trying to balance the fact that as a blog, we are inherently in the business of writing stories. Deals are obviously a big story which bring lots of readers. I think a large message from the conference was about attribution, which applies to deals. I think the prevailing view is that if: (a) the blogger found the deal alone, it's up to them to do what they want with the content (yes, someone else might have also found it, but it's a big world out there!), or; (b) if the deal is already published on the internet in a public way (FT, Reddit, etc.), it's free game, as long as you attribute.

gpapadop

DC vs NYC: Ok, I was close...East Coast!

I am sure you are all writing for free and BA is allowing you to do it for free.

It's business man. And conversions.

While you are all attending a Titan presentation, did anyone have the balls to stand up and say "Why are you pimping the 40k Amex Platinum and the RC card so much?". Of course not. You all go along blogging about helping your readers how to travel for free and wishing you were like them.

I like Randy, he is a great person and good business man. I just wish he had higher standards in admitting standards. When I see another post by PM&M taking advantage and tricking readers with yet another cookie...it is hard to take the joint seriously.

I respect your opinion.

You all have a great week!

It was so quiet with so many at BACon. Back to the grind of posting so much BS

Renes Points

Is this still the format of your blog? It has been a long time since I visited! :-)

84fiero

Well that's good, as some of the BA bloggers could really use an education on how not to violate copyright law.

bthotugigem05

I had a wonderful time at BAcon this year and think many of the snarkers here would've been pleasantly surprised at the content from speakers and from other BA bloggers. Seeing Randy's heart for bloggers and hearing everything that the support team is doing for the BA bloggers was refreshing and motivating.

AAExecPlatFlier

Maybe some. But the ones I am thinking of, definitely not. You made made me spit out my Diet Coke with that one!!! Lol

Adam1222

"Responsible blogging?" LOL. Whoever has taught that at BA sessions in the past clearly needs to be replaced. (Of course, responsible blogging is inherently subjective, but the lack of meaningful sponsor/advertiser disclosures on most BA blogs, the promotion of affiliate links when there are better deals available, misleading plaudits for specific cards just because they have affiliate links, etc, are hardly "responsible blogging." Sounds more like "how to get by with doing the bare minimum not to get in legal trouble.")

And spare me that BA bloggers are doing it "for free." While BA isnt paying them, it is providing a platform for making sales money. The Club1 hotel junk posted incessantly on BA blogs over the past month is proof. BA bloggers did well in the shameful election today, as it is highly unlikely that the CFPB, if it survives at all, will regulate credit card marketing.

itsaboutthejourney

Hopefully the people from Delta Points blog attended that session?

Renes Points

Not sure about the blog you mention as RenésPoints has been now 1 year and 1 month under the new branded name (maybe you have not had time to visit).

If so, myself and many other bloggers are now posting about BAcon3. Here is my review called "BAcon Bits": http://renespoints.boardingarea.com/2016/11/10/bacon-bits-interesting-gems-weekends-boardingarea-conference-dc/

kokonutz

Are those the Renes!?