Where Sidewalks End Post Guidelines
This guideline has been set up to cover the majority of the posts on this site. Of course, there are occasional exceptions to the rules. I try to uphold these guidelines as closely as possible, to create a seamless environment for my readers, regardless of who the author is, or what the topic is.
Because of their great success online, I have tried to follow a similar style to that of Wikipedia or Wikitravel. The information is laid out in a logical fashion, which is easy to break down into simple segments. Of course, having some great writers submitting content to the site, I also wanted to bridge the blog-resource layout. There is a healthy mix of personal experience, with all the need-to-know details being included in each post.
Here’s an example of another successful blogger who follows this format: Matt Gibson’s Guide to Johannesburg. If you think about it, Google loves Wikipedia, and readers love good stories… mix the two together? Magic!
Full honesty in your post is a must! You don’t need to make everything sound like rainbows and roses. Create REAL expectations. I want the good AND the ugly. Of course, the focus should be on the good throughout the article! Otherwise, if you can only think of the bad, you may want to rethink your topic. If you did encounter any obstacles or struggles, however, these are great things to add realism to the experience. No need for anything too personal, if it’s not something you would see as being a common problem.
Please bear in mind, this is only the general layout for the content itself. There are other factors, including keywords, links, research, and so forth which go into every article. For more information on these other elements and more, please apply, and successfully complete the Where Sidewalks End Internship Program.
The Layout
Introduction
- Brief Title describing the topic. Please use the format “Heading 1” (or <H1>Title</H1> in the Text code). This should be centered at the top of the page, before any other content.
- Catchy Subtitle elaborating the interest of the topic/title. Please use the format “Heading 2” (or <H2>Sub-Title</H2> in the Text code). This should be centered immediately below the Title
- Following the main Title and subtitle, write a few paragraphs about your own personal experience with the subject, including your first impressions, your experience there & a general overview of subject/area/attraction. The subject should be mentioned at least once in the first paragraph. You can just use the default “Paragraph” format for the text.
Possible sub-categories (nice to know)
Each sub-heading should be labelled using the same wording as below to create consistency. Please use the format “Heading 3” (or <H3>Sub-Title</H3> in the Text code). This is better than simply using BOLD characters.
- History (researched, and brief. You don’t need to rewrite the World Almanac. A quick summary overview is fine – and PLEASE, no copyright infringements! Please use trusted sources and put the info in your own words. If you MUST quote, please use the quote function <blockquote> quoted info </blockquote> and source it back to it’s origins using a link, and the name of the site)
- Sleep (Accommodation details if a hotel focus of the article, such as size of property, room details, etc)
- Eat (Food details if a restaurant focus)
- Entertainment (if applicable, what type of entertainment, what quality – be honest)
Necessary sub-categories (need to know)
- Getting There (how to get there – fairly detailed if possible, and if there is an address/phone number/website, please include it. Google Maps are also to be used, but only once that module of the Internship has been completed)
- Hours of Operation (if applicable)
- Seasonality (if applicable)
- Costs (if applicable – cost of entry, required purchases, even transport to/from are all factors of the cost)
- Safety (This won’t be in many posts, but please do include it if you feel there are any real concerns)
Conclusion
- Reality Check (Please use this title. This is the article’s conclusion. It’s a recap of your overall experience, including both pros and cons. Again, the emphasis should be on pros, otherwise why recommend it? We don’t want to give people false or poorly managed expectations, as you’ll find many people actually end up doing this because of your recommendation.
- A couple questions (written in Italics) at the very end of the post, which encourages people to engage in the comment section below. It can ask if they’ve been anywhere similar, have they had similar experiences, etc. Always refer them to the comment section for their input.
Remember, think Wikipedia or Wiki-travel in format, but with the unique twist of being an experiential blog entry. Here’s a comparison between three articles written about the off-the-beaten-path location of El Nido in the Philippines:
Where Sidewalks End is half blog, half resource guide. A mixture of the fun with the important. If you have other suggestions for subcategories you’d like to include, please run them past me first at [email protected]. I’ll definitely consider expanding the list of usable headings, though want to keep it simple and concise.
* Please note: there are plans on publishing e-books in the future. By submitting an article, you are granting allowance to the further publication of this content. All authors will get credit in full for their work, by means of links back to their own websites… and you’ll be published! :)
Photographs
A photo tells 1000 words. In the age of the internet, people need visual stimulation almost more so than they need mental stimulation. It’s sad, but it’s a reality. For this reason, it is important to really tap into your inner photographer and really let it shine! If you’re not sure of what makes a good, or moving photo that can tell a story in itself, or one that might appeal to the masses, do a social experiment. Post a bunch of photos that you think are great in an album on Facebook. See which ones get the most likes or comments, and see which ones get none. Chances are, your friends on Facebook are your biggest demographic, as the majority of them probably share in your passion. Those are the same people you’re writing for (or at least should be! It’s WAY better, and much more honest to write out of passion!). Look at your photos that got the likes, and look at the ones that didn’t. Try to critically examine what the key differences are in those photos. Those are probably the types of photographs you should aim in taking that will work best on your posts.
You never know who’s reading… this just might be your gateway to being discovered! Currently about 20% of Where Sidewalks End organic traffic comes through image searches! That’s HUGE! You want to stand out – who knows, you may get picked up by Nat Geo one day?
- Inclusion of at least 1 photo – with a max of 10 (max photo size 2Mb each, though ideally resized to be 620 pixels wide, and relatively tall).
- Feel free to use your own watermark, otherwise I will use WSE’s, to protect your images.
- Only use your own images! If you absolutely must use someone else’s images, obtain written consent from the photographer, and link back to them in the photo. Please forward us the written consent of the photograph when posting it.
- Try to use photos of only the best quality. Where Sidewalks End is a showcase of your best work, and not another Facebook for sharing party pics, and duck-face selfies in the mirror. I have received many deals for publications of my photos through this site, and if you use your best photos, you have a good chance of that as well.
- You keep full ownership of your photographic property! If anyone wants to purchase your photograph, the deal will be fully negotiated between you and the interested party. Donations to Where Sidewalks End are accepted if such a transaction occurs, but not expected.
Minimum Word Count
Google has a minimum of about 300 words before it even considers an article content-worthy. This is the bare minimum, though this is starting to change. A 300-word document may only contain one or two paragraphs and is hardly going to be beneficial, or of much interest, to its readers. Where Sidewalks End has a bare minimum of 800-word articles. The goal is to have articles averaging 1200 words. This may sound daunting, but when you start filling out each of the categories, and elaborate on the important or interesting details of your topic, you’ll find your articles will quickly surpass the 1200 word goal. By including material that is of absolute importance and interest to readers wishing to relive some of your experiences, and by showing them it’s possible, by giving them simple tools, this will give absolute true value to your reader and have them sprinting back for more!
Audience
Who are you writing for? Many intrepid travellers and travel bloggers forget that the majority of the world is only wishing they could do what you are doing! The whole point of this is to show THEM they can. Many travel writers get so caught up in the moment with other travellers and travel writers that they start to write for them, as opposed to the majority of their potential audience. Office Bob who’s sitting at his cubicle, daydreaming he was somewhere else… Always remember to keep it simple, and try to inspire NEW travellers, not just people who are already doing it… they are probably too busy travelling to read your entry anyway!
Focus
Stay on topic! This is important! If you’re going to write a post about a specific topic, then please write a post about that topic. Try not to drift off to la-la land … save that exciting story for another article. You chose a topic because of how exciting it was for you… now bring the excitement of that particular experience to life by staying on that topic!! Delve deep into your creative soul and let your emotions and experiences pour out onto the page… err.. screen in front of you! If you can’t think of at least 3 good and different reasons why I should go where you’re trying to convince me is so great… perhaps it’s not that great?
Links
2-3 external, contextual links are good, and can even be beneficial to your article, especially from a trusted source, to help explain a topic or give more background to something you have mentioned. Please ensure that any links you supply are 100% NOT-sponsored (as in an advertiser has not paid you to post it – if you get caught doing this on WSE, it’s game over. If you are doing a sponsored review of a product or hotel, this MUST be mentioned in your post, and must be approved by the WSE executive team first). Contextual links are highly encouraged, however. If you were writing a post on Egypt, and included a link about the Pyramids of Egypt, making those words link to http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/pyramids/home.html like so the Pyramids of Egypt this would be completely acceptable, and would provide much value to your reader. If you somehow linked it to Expedia or Hostelbookers for example, however, with keywords “Cheap Accommodation”, then that is not beneficial whatsoever and does not reinforce your topic. I don’t mind if you have written a similar story and link to your own site as well, or to other travel blogs, as long as the information is completely relevant.
1-2 internal links can also be beneficial, with the same philosophy of keeping it relevant. If the topic of your post is on the pyramids of Egypt, try to make the links connect to either another post on pyramids or to a post on Egypt itself. It won’t make sense linking it to the Amazon or the Himalayas. Make sense?
In Summary
When in doubt – ASK! :)
The email [email protected] is at your disposal. You may also browse other entries on Where Sidewalks End to see how they’re laid out.
Be Creative, and most importantly, have fun!
Thank You very much for wanting to be part of the WSE Family and sharing your off-the-beaten-path findings!!
