Do You follow any cruising blogs?

[lin pardey]

Larry and I are getting ready to introduce my new book at bookstores along the US east coast. We'll also be visiting some boatshows and the SSCA gam and presenting seminars. Right now I am preparing a presentation about how to earn extra cruising funds by writing articles, books, and creating videos as you cruise. I would really appreciate some imput on your reaction to cruising blogs. Questions I have are:
1. Do you follow blogs written by people you have not met who are getting ready to cruise.
2. do you follow blogs from folks who are out cruising.
3. How do you choose or find these blogs.
4. What would you like to read in the blogs.
5. Are you signed up on the blogs emailing list?
6. Have you paid to log on to any cruising blogs?

Thanks in advance for your input. I'll read any posts you add here or you can post your thoughts at my site www.linpardey.com

[Foster Fanning]

Hi Lin and Larry,
Yes, I follow about five cruising blogs fairly steadily and a number of others randomly, although none of them meet your question #1. A couple of them are people who are out cruising (one couple just wrapped a seven year circumnavigation and I've followed and corresponded with them for nearly three years (met on the CW Community before it underwent site changes and lost it's dynamics). Some are folks like myself sailing as much as possible while maintaining a land-bound career. Others are have cruised areas I'm interested in. The above answers part of question #3. Other's I found simply stumbled across and were found being part of other sailing network communities. I tend to more interested in reading about the sailing and passage making and the nautical aspect of the destinations. I skip the good shopping / inland travels stuff. Charter blogs = boring. #5 Yes, on several. #6 No. And finally here is a link to one of my sailing blogs that, of course, offers links to other blogs. http://fosterfanningaquila.blogspot.com/
Fair Winds... Foster

[boomvang]

Larry and I are getting ready to introduce my new book at bookstores along the US east coast. We'll also be visiting some boatshows and the SSCA gam and presenting seminars. Right now I am preparing a presentation about how to earn extra cruising funds by writing articles, books, and creating videos as you cruise. I would really appreciate some imput on your reaction to cruising blogs. Questions I have are:
1. Do you follow blogs written by people you have not met who are getting ready to cruise.
2. do you follow blogs from folks who are out cruising.
3. How do you choose or find these blogs.
4. What would you like to read in the blogs.
5. Are you signed up on the blogs emailing list?
6. Have you paid to log on to any cruising blogs?

Thanks in advance for your input. I'll read any posts you add here or you can post your thoughts at my site www.linpardey.com

Lin,

I too follow several cruising blogs, although since I run an online sailing magazine (North American Sailor) some of it is in a professional capacity. I'm always on the lookout for interesting content to feature on our site, which is how I find most blogs. But the blogs that I continue to follow are the ones I enjoy and think our readers will too.

I don't follow any blogs for people who are about to cruise and I have not paid to access any blogs. Some of the blogs I enjoy are Windtraveler, Zero to Cruising, the Women and Cruising Blog, Iolite, SV Third Day and Sailing Simplicity. What sets these blogs apart are the following:

1) Understanding of digital tools and how to use them effectively
2) Content that is helpful and interesting for other cruisers rather than just a rundown of "here's what we did today". Posting on things like budgets, what to bring, lessons learned along the way, etc.
3) Lots of photography

I found the blogs usually because they were linked from another site. And I sign up for email if they have it but prefer following via RSS or Facebook/Twitter.

Hope this helps.

Beth Anderson
North American Sailor
nasailor.com

[lin pardey]

Thanks to you two and to several other folks who sent me emails directly through www.linpardey.com or www.landlpardey.com. I have definitely gained some excellent ideas to add to the seminars. In fact, now I have added a section on the part blogs play in gaining cruising funds by writing and video, I have been asked to do an extended seminar at the Annapolis SSCA Gam in addition to the ones for Cruising World at the boatshow. The SSCA one will include a guest appearance by Tory salvia who has really made his video site work.i.e. sell videos for people who are actually out cruising. (www.thesailingchannel.tv).

[Bessie11]

I too follow respective cruising blogs, although since I run an online sailing magazine . I'm always on the lookout for interesting content to characteristic on our land site, which is how I find most blogs.