A Banff outdoor writer and blogger is quite pleased to be among 20 of her peers nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Favourite Hiking and Outdoors Travel Blogger.
Meghan J. Ward, a mother, freelance writer and blogger living in Banff, said she was surprised to learn she was among the nominees for her blog, thecampsiteblog.com.
Unfortunately, however, she missed out on the initial announcement because she was at Shadow Lake Lodge in the Wi-Fi-free Banff backcountry with her 16-month-old daughter, Maya, and husband, photographer Paul Zizka, when the news was announced.
“It was actually a fellow nominee and friend who sent me a message saying, ‘Look, you’ve been nominated!’” Ward said. “The ironic thing is that the award comes down to a vote, so if you’re off the grid and not there to ask people to vote, well, you don’t have much of a chance. Someone stole the lead early on and there’s no hope for the rest of us. I’m just stoked to be nominated among some friends I admire in the outdoor blogging industry.”
The contest, which is judged by readers casting their votes online, runs through Sept. 1, with winners being announced on Sept. 3. The list of nominees includes a who’s-who of outdoor bloggers sharing photos, stories, maps, gear reviews and expert advice through their websites, including former longtime Powder magazine editor and National Geographic writer Steve Casimiro, and blogger James Edward Mills’ The Joy Trip Project.
Ward said she created thecampsiteblog as a space to share her passion for the outdoors and to publish her own articles. She also provides space for other new writers to publish their work, but adds the content that makes the final cut has been rigorously curated with the help of editorial assistant Helena Artmann and a team of gear reviewers.
“I wanted to create a space where new writers could flex their muscles a bit, so it’s not just me blogging on there,” Ward said. “But I only want to put the best and most interesting content out there. The editor in me chooses what I think my audience will enjoy the most and gain the most from. I like to feature stories about our inner journeys in the outdoor world, since I think that is what is most intriguing about the outdoor experience.”
An interesting element of blogging, she pointed out, is that there’s little feedback from readers to know if her content is being appreciated.
“The funny thing about blogging is that it all happens in a virtual space,” Ward said. “You don’t often have an accurate picture of who is reading your material, and with so many outdoor blogs online it’s difficult to know where you stand. There is a general rule out there that says 90 per cent of people view content on a website without contributing to it. That means bloggers have to learn early on not to rely on feedback to fuel their online content. There has to be some kind of other motivation.”
The outdoor blogging industry has a “robust” online presence, she added. While outdoor bloggers include professional writers, they also include recreational outdoor enthusiasts who like to share their experiences in the online arena.
“The outdoor industry, particularly gear manufacturers, have caught on, and are now connecting with influential outdoor bloggers, providing them with gear for review and giveaways for their readers,” Ward said. “Some – very few – are making a living in this industry through advertising, sponsored posts and brand ambassadorship, but they likely aren’t living off it fully. Others make some cash on the side to help fuel the work they put into their blogs.”
For her part, Ward said her blog is providing her valuable networking connections, as well as a platform to test ideas, crowdsource and facilitate topical discussions.
“Sure, I get a lot of free gear,” she said. “But I don’t make money directly from the blogs. It’s more like a business card, and editors often come knocking after they’ve read some of my online content. At the end of the trail, that’s where the money is. But, it’s hard-earned. ”
Interestingly, Ward said she was surprised to be nominated for thecampsiteblog, which she has been posting for three and a half years, since her adventurousparents.com website has been a much bigger priority in recent months.
“I’ve been putting a lot more energy into my other venture, exploring the transition of outdoor adventurers to parenthood,” she said. “I suppose this nomination is something you can put in a bio or on a resumé. I don’t see it greatly impacting web traffic, but I suppose it does help you stand out a bit. As a professional writer and not just a ‘recreational blogger,’ I think that’s important.”
Overall, however, she admitted after many hours and days of hard work, she’s quite pleased to see her efforts acknowledged. And, having positive feedback from her Facebook followers felt good too.
“I posted it on my Facebook page, and I was overwhelmed by the supportive messages I’ve received and the number of friends and followers who shared the news,” Ward said. “It almost seemed to be a bigger deal for others than for me, which in turn made me appreciate it even more.”
To learn more – or to vote – visit http://bit.ly/USATodayMJW.
