Launch Plan

Objective: To build a reader base and establish the blog as a go-to source for cultural insights, unique travel anecdotes, and language tips.
Primary Audience: Friends, family, coworkers, and potential tourism clients, as well as travelers interested in cultural and linguistic perspectives.
Goal: Create a unique space for cultural exploration through storytelling, eventually building credibility that could attract tourism partnerships or affiliate opportunities.

Phase 1: Pre-Launch (2-3 months before launch)

  • Purpose: Build interest and excitement.

Create Infrastructure

  • Choose a platform like WordPress to post blog entries. Register domain name as “https://saywhat.com”.
  • Ensure SEO terms are established, including words like “travel”, “tourism”, “multilingual”, “multicultural”, “cultural blog”…
  • Create social media handles for the blog on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest to build an early presence e.g., @saywhat.
    • Note: Depending on a later analysis of engagement demographics, consider creating a TikTok account to reach a broader audience.

Prepare Content

  • Write and schedule 8-10 foundational posts covering popular travel destinations and topics like French, Spanish, and Arabic expressions, cultural anecdotes from my travels, and unique traditions.
  • Develop teaser content for social media with relevant quotes and images from the blog posts.

Build Excitement Through Social Media

  • Share posts with engaging visuals, quotes, or behind-the-scenes snippets of writing the blog entries.
  • Start sharing relevant travel and cultural content, tagging related influencers, and using hashtags that are already popular like #CulturalTravel, #TravelTuesday, and #TravelBlogger.

Phase 2: Soft Launch

  • Announce the blog on social media and send personalized emails and text messages to friends, family, and colleagues with an invitation to visit and share.
  • Offer a few close contacts “insider access” to preview and review posts before the public.

Gather Initial Feedback

  • Encourage comments on posts and social media to engage with readers and adapt to their reviews.

Set Up Email Newsletter Sign-Ups

Offer a downloadable travel checklist or mini language guide as an incentive for newsletter sign-ups.

Instagram Grid Sample: Since my target audience includes a broad range of readers—coworkers, classmates, and others—I want to keep my social media presence clean-cut and professional, while the blog itself will be more personalized to encourage people to click through and read.

Phase 3: Official Launch

  • Publish an official announcement on social media, highlighting the blog’s unique angle on cultural expressions and personal travel stories.
  • Reach out to USC Annenberg students to be featured in Annenberg’s blog, as well as my firm’s “Around the Block” weekly newsletter, my Arabic Sunday school’s network, and my French high school alma mater, to expand my reach.

Launch Engagement Activities

  • Encourage followers to share their own cultural travel stories in the comments or via hashtags, and re-post most engaging stories.

Pinterest Board Sample: Includes a spring break packing list, options for different spring break vibes—whether you’re looking to party or enjoy nature—and a budget-friendly airline photo to remind my college-based audience that affordable travel options are available.

Phase 4: Post-Launch Rollout Plan

Editorial Calendar

  • Create and post an editorial calendar.
  • Schedule posts around key events and themes, such as “Top Destinations for Spring Break,” “Holiday Traditions Around the World” in December, and “Romantic Destinations” for February.
    • Monthly themes like “Culinary Traditions” for November and “Cultural Festivals” for September can align with global events like Oktoberfest or Día de los Muertos.
  • Plan weekly features such as “Language Feature Fridays” (e.g., exploring phrases for gratitude in November) and “Travel Tuesday Tips” (e.g., budget tips for summer travel).
  • Calendar will also include dates for regular blog posts.

Engage with Readers Regularly

  • Actively respond to comments and messages on the blog and social media.
  • Use Instagram Stories, Twitter polls, or Facebook Live to keep engagement fresh and interactive.

Measure and Adjust

  • Track analytics on the blog and social media to identify which topics and posts gain the most engagement.
  • Adjust content strategy based on what resonates most with my audience.