Ms. Aleney de Winter is a travel blogger and writes for her blog website, Boy Eats World. She and her two children love to travel around Australia and the world. Here, they meet new people and experience different cultures (and food!). Her writing is clever and witty, which has ensured her blog is a cut above the rest.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up choosing the travel blogger field.
A: I’ve been working in media for three decades, the last of those 15 in the travel niche. Having worked across all areas as a sales director, a publisher, a writer and an editor, it made sense to channel my knowledge into something of my own and Boy Eats World was born from that.
Q: What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your blog and how did you overcome them?
A: Finding the time was, and is still, the biggest hurdle as I balance the blog with my freelance work, which is important to me as a creative person.
Q: What are 3 best practice tips you can share with our readers as it relates to your industry?
A: Do you. It is one thing to be inspired by other bloggers but trying to imitate them is pointless. No one needs to follow your blog if they can find what you’re offering somewhere else.
Quit comparing. Worrying about why someone else is getting better opportunities or reaching readers than you will lead only to anxiety.
Have respect. For your readers and your clients by delivering quality, useful content. Why would anyone bother putting out content they know is second rate? As a writer, my reputation is on the line every time I hit publish and I won’t deliver pap for a fast buck.
Q: What would you say to someone who came to you for advice about taking the ‘leap of faith’ into travel blogging?
A: Be you! Ask yourself if you are going to deliver something that readers can’t get somewhere else. And then deliver it well.
Q: Name 3 people in the business world who inspire you the most?
A: I’ve met so many incredibly inspiring people in the travel industry. The person who made the most significant impact is Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, the most successful adventure travel company in the world. He has built a hugely successful business that defines its success by putting people and the planet before profit.
Cathy Wagstaff of Signature Media is a huge inspiration. She has built a publishing empire through self-belief, a focus on producing quality magazines and sheer grit. Despite her success and having a great team to assist her, she still works harder than anyone I know. She is the very personification of self-made success.
And Caz Makepeace from the hugely successful YtravelBlog inspires not only for her passion but her authenticity, spirit and generosity.
Q: How do you personally define success?
A: I define success not by what I have but by who I am.
If you are interested in taking a look at the work Aleney de Winter creates for her travel blog, you can visit her website – www.boyeatsworld.com.au.