Stephen B.

Description

I help travel businesses to grow and scale, by developing and implementing marketing strategy.

My focus is to build long-term strategies and partnerships that help change travel for the better. I help travel businesses grow and scale, by increasing their online visibility, developing brand identity and improving conversion.

For over ten years I’ve combined data-driven strategies with outstanding travel content to deliver ROI for my clients. I can implement specific and holistic solutions dependent on client needs, always with the same end goal – driving new growth.

I’ve worked with over 100 clients in the travel niche and had the pleasure of watching so many grow, including now established businesses like Zicasso and HotelsCombined. I work through all stages of content strategy and implementation. Hire me and you’re hiring a travel industry marketing specialist. And if your not in the travel niche, then I’m probably not the best freelancer for you.

Strategy – I always operate strategically through all stages of the funnel. My strategies cover visibility to conversion, across multiple channels and platforms. I always seek to maximise digital assets and ROI.

SEM – SEO is just one element to increasing organic search engine traffic. I develop and implement realistic search engine strategies based on long-term growth and ROI. My SEM combines a trusted data-driven approach with an intimate understanding of the travel niche.

Brand Identity & B2C Connection – Without a clear identity a brand isn’t traveling anywhere. Many years ago I was behind an editorial desk and I’m still crafting editorial and brand guidelines for clients. Honing a unique style is integral to building trust and connection with the audience. A consistent story improves efficiency and ensures content (i.e. investment) delivers business objectives.

Training – I teach SEO and commercial writing workshops to aspiring writers. I customise workshops so growing businesses can bring their travel content marketing in-house, with the help of consultative expertise.

Travel Writing with ROI – I’m an award-winning travel writer with a journalistic background. Evocative, funny, practical, quirky – I can delve into a variety of styles dependent on the project but understand that the best writing engages the audience and subtly delivers the client’s underpinning message.

When I started with Zicasso in 2014 they were a small online travel agent. By implementing strategy and style, along with outstanding writing, I’ve helped them grow into one of the world’s leading OTAs.

By creating and managing SEM I’ve increased year on year organic traffic to Africa Freak by over 400%. Now the website is profitable through advertising revenue.

I have a proven track records with tourism boards, African safari companies, luxury tour operators, aviation companies, as well as other companies that share my passion for travel and the positive change it can create. See my portfolio section for details.

After leaving university with an MA in sociology I worked in project management before fortune had its way. I was one of the lucky souls writing articles for Sunday newspaper travel supplements, notably for Allied Newspapers.

My background is the travel content side. I had my first book published in print in 2007 and won Malta Travel Writer of the Year twice. Adding strategy to outstanding content is how I started helping travel businesses really grow. Experience behind an editorial desk helped develop my strategic skills, before I jumped into the commercial travel world.

I grew up in Lancashire and Yorkshire (UK) and traveled England to Australia without flying back in 2007. Since 2011 I’ve been a full-time digital nomad, although I’m sure this term didn’t exist when I started out. Moving quickly I stay and work from 10 – 15 countries each year, taking great delight in learning from our planet’s wonderfully diverse people and cultures.

As a traveler seeking the authentic and experiential, I am also the customer that many of my clients seek to inspire. This ability to understand the global travel market from both a business and customer perspective helps set me apart, especially from generic content marketers.

Hire me and you’re not only getting high-quality work, you’re tapping into industry expertise. I’ve seen what has and hasn’t worked and why, all over the world in varied markets. I don’t want to write a 1000-word blog article for you, sorry. I have a solution-focused approach and work long term, as a bridge between the travel industry and tomorrow’s content marketing.

If you want something tomorrow or next week then I probably don’t have the time to do it. If you know where you want to be and have a passion to grow, then I look forward to sharing ideas and building a long-lasting relationship.

I look forward to hearing from you.