Blogger of the Month: Jayne Gorman from 40before30.com

Meet Jayne

How did you first get involved with travel blogging?

I’ve started describing myself as the ‘accidental blogger’ because when I started out I honestly had no idea what I was doing, I didn’t even know what a blogger was. I was working in international events and visiting some obscure and fascinating places like Xiamen in China. A friend suggested I chronicle my travels in a blog instead of emailing friends and family separately, so I logged onto blogger and started writing.  Mainly for my mum!

Where did the concept for 40 before 30 come from?

After I started my blog I found other bloggers began to read it and leave helpful comments. I begun reading their blogs and learning a little bit more about how it works. I wanted my blog to have a name that people could remember but also wanted to set myself a challenge around which to frame the articles. I worked out that I had already blogged about 20 countries and decided to attempt to cover another 40 before my 30th birthday. The name 40 before 30 stuck.

What advice do you have for people that want to start their own travel blog?

After trying several I would recommend WordPress as a blogging platform, its easy to use, flexible and reliable. If you start on WordPress it saves a lot of hassle transferring to it at a later date – I would know! When it comes to content I would say always remember to be yourself. Write as if you are talking to a friend, the more personal the blog the better. That’s the style I enjoy reading anyway.

How do you drive readers to your blog?

Twitter is a major source of traffic and new followers for my blog but most traffic comes from Google. A good grasp of basic SEO (search engine optimisation) principals will stand you in good stead.

What are the 3 most important things you take on a trip?

A notebook and pen – I never travel without a Moleskine; it looks intelligent and never runs out of batteries!

My iPhone – for all the tweeting, four squaring and intagramming needs

And a good book – or two. I’m not a fan of e-readers, I prefer a book you can hold, smell (love the smell of fresh pages) and treasure forever.

What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten on your travels?

I refrained from eating guinea pig in Peru – it wasn’t the most appetising looking thing, lying on it’s back, sizzling on the grill with legs in the air. But I tried both kangaroo and camel on the barbie in Australia and found them surprisingly tasty.

What’s your favourite place you have visited on your travels?

Without a doubt – India. It’s an intense experience but the food, people and clash of cultures are mesmerising and I can’t wait to go back.

How do you decide where to visit next?

I love to visit new destinations and tick them off my challenge but I also love revisiting old favourites too. For my summer holiday I’m going back to the Greek Islands, which is where we holidayed every year with my parents when we were children. I’m taking my boyfriend who has never been so it will be like seeing it for the first time again through his eyes.

What is the best thing about being a travel blogger?

Combining my twin passions of travel and writing and getting to meet many people who feel the same.

Are there any negative aspects of the job?

The worst part is probably missing out on major events in your friends and family’s lives because you are not in the country. I make conscious efforts to get around to seeing everyone whenever I am at home – and to put the iPhone away for the duration of the visit!

Read more about Jayne’s travels at 40before30.com.

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