Contributors needed for a Travel Blog
January 14, 2010 by rooturaj
Filed under Job Openings, Travel Guide
Dear Friends,
I had started a blog targeting “places to visit in India” some time last year. I has just around 10 posts till now but it does pretty well on search engines without any promotion or SEO. I am looking to leverage its reach this year and scope this year by focusing on more quality content and better coverage. I am also in talks with a couple of service providers and travel agent to etch out a profitable business model. Right now I am counting on content and as we build a credibility in market we will go work hard on the return of investment..
In this regard I call upon all those who are passionate about writing and traveling to contribute to the blog. Your contribution will be duly acknowledged. Here are a few ways in which you can utilize this opportunity.
1. Budding writers can reach out to the world and use this opportunity to showcase their writing. Feel free to use your contributions to negotiate a higher pay package or a better job.
2. Established writers can expect a royalty payment or pay per article reimbursement system.
3. SEOs and Link builders can use their content writers to take back relevant links in exchange for original and useful content.
4. Friends – Just contribute.
In case their is any thing better on your mind do let me know. Even if its some thing worse on your mind let me know too. Use the connect buttons to the right.
Contributors wanted for Indifest.in
Related Posts:
New third party display (CPM) ads on Adsense
August 28, 2009 by rooturaj
Filed under Reviews, Travel Guide
Through official Adsense updates, the publishers were today introduced to a new opportunity of generating ad revenue and maximizing ad space utilization. Google is teaming up with internet advertising companies to show display ads through its own network. These ads will compete with Adwords advertisers over the same bidding methodology and content targeting algorithm.
What does the Publisher gain form this?
Well since there are more ads there will be more competition and ultimately the bid price will go up to keep the advertiser in display all the time. That directly converts into higher CPC rates. But we are more concerned about the CPM rates. Since these are display ads, those who have high traffic volume but lesser CTR could benefit form this. CPM or cost per 1000 impressions is the amount you get when your page loads 1000 times with the add appearing on it. Even though there are no clicks you still get the revenue. Big brands who are particularly concerned about a brand image use these ads. But it is not limited to brand promotion only. Image ads are known to deliver higher CTR (click through rates)
When will this be effective?
Google says this won’t be effective immediately. It will be implemented slowly over a period of time. As more third party publishers get verified and added to the ad stream revenue differences will start to show in our accounts.
Currently publishers in Europe and North America will be able to enjoy the benefits while the rest will have to wait for this opportunity.
You might be interested in the following links.(Reference)
requirements for third-party ad serving
http://adsense.blogspot.com/2008/05/introducing-third-party-ads-on-google.html
Related Posts:
Unethical Travel Agents : Curse on Indian Tourism Industry
August 22, 2009 by rooturaj
Filed under Society and Nature, Travel Guide
I have been working as the TL for IT section of an Canadian travel chain. I learn new things about great destinations, cultures and people every day. I have not seen the world by I know lots about international and Indian destinations. I like the travel field.
Today I would like to share with you some of my experiences in Travel Industry which are not some thing I cherish. Let me introduce you to a particular travel outlet in New Delhi , right next to our India office where I work. This company does not have a name. They are called “Tourist Information Office”. That sounds like a government undertaking, right? So here starts a series of malpractices and negative marketing strategies to dupe foreign travelers to India . This company, “tourist information office”, has its goons, or executives as they prefer to call them, roaming the city scouting for foreign tourists. They have some attractive schemes for Auto Rickshaw drivers and cabbies. Any one who brings them a, scapegoat (read client) gets a commission. In the office expert goons brainwash and convince foreigners to buy tour packages or accommodation or transport at exorbitant rates. We call such people “Lapkas” or “Grabbers” and their practice is referred to as the “Lapka Trade”.
Unethical Travel Agents Harassing foreign tourists in India
Here is their typical modus operandi. In case you are not so familiar with such tricks and are planning a trip to India I hope this information will help you. You would save a lot more than just money.
I did mention the goons (Lapkas) who prowl the city looking for scapegoats(clients). Now these goons/guide/travel-gurus whatever avatar they may be in are pure idiots with barely some education and absolutely no ethics. They have a typical way of dressing that they feel is kool. It is a characteristic tight fighting dressing, a stylish (read weird) haircut, goatees and outrageous side burns, some imitation chains and bracelets and similar other accessories. Some of them are fluent speakers though most can just manage to string sentences in English together. Once in a restaurant one such guide asked me to help him find “Khajuraho” on the guests guidebook.
Loitering around , they would be keenly watching public spaces like Railway Stations, Restaurants, Markets etc. Once they see a non Indian guy or couple or group they would just pretend to be walking casually alongside them for some time or they will cross from behind and then double back before exchanging some greetings. “Hello Mam”, “Hi Friends”, “Hey dude” what ever they have mugged up. They start asking all shorts of question about your lodging, travel, places of interest with an occasional praise for your country or your shoes or hair style. One way of identifying such a Lapka from the conversation is to start some intellectual discussion. This gets them impatient and they would probably tell you that they can take you to a travel information office for more information. This is nothing but the Lapka headquarter where they are waiting for scapegoats like you. If you have already booked your hotel then these travel goons will remark bluntly that you have made a wrong choice and you should change the hotel immediately.
If you get into the trap and reach the “Lapka head quarters” I don’t think any one can help you further. They would sell you tour packages at exorbitant rates and force destinations upon you. You would completely forget your travel plans and end up wasting a lot of hard earned cash. I see them abusing tourists in open. Even though you would be sitting right next to them they would be talking ill and disrespectful of their guests in their local dialect. I warn ladies especially to be alert and avoid such people as you could be looted off more than money.
I hate such people as they bring shame to the nation and ill reputation to our business. There are quite a few of them in popular travel destinations across. We follow the principle of “Athithi Devo Bhava” that means “Guest is God” and such unethical practices are a disgrace to our motto. If you share the great Indian spirit and want to help spread the message then share or email this article.
Image Credits:
www.annonline.com/delhi-travel-guide/gifs/cannught-place.jpg and mooncostumes.com
