Need input on my N.Y. trip.

[Special Ed]

Does anyone have any tips on how I might use the internet to make money on my proposed epic motorcycle road trip to N.Y. and back? I'm not a bad (some have even said a good) photographer and writer. I've envisioned a "travel blog," posting photo's and even videos and running commentary of my trip. I plan on a Northern route to N.Y., and a Sothern route back; possibly following "the Trail of Tears" to Oklahoma. Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Special Ed

[BA80]

When you get near Oklahoma you had better let us outlaws know and we can keep you out of trouble. Or, maybe get you into some.

I suggest that you post here all along the way and all you post be sent to a file on your computer and when you get back you can organize it and write a great story. Possibly contact the motorcycle publications and inform them of your plans.

JAT

[JeffH]

Does anyone have any tips on how I might use the internet to make money on my proposed epic motorcycle road trip to N.Y. and back?
Special Ed

Will be a grand adventure. 1st, how many days are you planning to take Eastbound and then Westbound for the return?? Taking pics + taking video + interacting with people + scoping out interesting things you find along the route + keeping notes etc. really cuts into the actual Miles you can cover in a day. Plus, you then need time to Edit and Post each day as you go. Just a consideration since I've tried to keep a daily running update with pics n' posts and it is tough to do on a long haul ride.

Travel Blog might work but you would need to round up some Sponsors that could get benefit from either: #1-Ads to Sell your viewers a product or service #2- Direct Sponsor where you are Marketing or Showcasing or Testing their product during your trip. If you could bundle something around a Theme / Purpose / Intended Audience etc. that would be good. That would be very beneficial in hooking a sponsor or in getting an advertiser.

From experience, you can blast down the Interstate and cover 500-600 miles a day but not do much other than drive. If you get on US Highways or State Roads then mph obviously drops like a stone but you can still ride 400 miles a day. If you start Planning & Documenting & Filming & Editing & Uploading each day then I'd say 250 miles would be a lot.

I'll ponder this some more and PM you with some other ideas. That's all the wacky thoughts I got right now. I think 'The Hook' is a theme and the theme could be developed around prospective sponsors who would also expect to get something from their sponsorship. Target audience needs to be determined too.

Jeff

[Rasputin]

The only thing I can think of is to do it for a charity of your choice and try to get sponsors. Much like a walk for breast cancer. A percentage of the ride would go to the charity and the rest to you. The charity may approve enough to advertise it a bit for you. A few planned stops to their targets or some such.
Mostly just thinking out loud but also using the sponsors idea JeffH in conjunction with a charity ride could produce something favorable. Sponsors love being seen and if it was touted as charity then they jump on board easily. Not saying you will make a fortune but at least any costs during the trip would be paid for and tax wise maybe a benefit???
Do not get me wrong I am not saying give 10% to the charity and pocket the rest as that would be frowned upon but at least you could defray costs and repairs needed as well as accomodations etc. and possibly pocket a few bucks besides for yourself.

[JerseyJon]

Two thoughts

1. Would Yamaha consider being a sponsor of a trip that visits the members of this site? Consider all the photo ops of the Yamaha nameplates, Yamahas with 100's of thousands of miles, testimonials from you guys about the mighty xs11, made for only 5 years and so many still going strong, stories of bikes passed from one generation to the next . . . etc etc.

2. When you get to NY, make sure you cross the Hudson in style, on the George Washington Bridge, not through either tunnel. When you get here, I'll ride along with you. We'll ride up 5th ave and through central park. Eat in the east village, visit the WTC, etc etc.

[jwhughes3]

dont know about internet

But you could line up folks along the way that need "help" on XS11 projects and spend a day or two in different places assisting with carb tuning, fork rebuilding, electrical etc along the way - just set up some kind of agreement in advance for your time - might cover gas money that way and plus get to meet interesting people from forum who can benefit from your experience.

John

[jjz28]

if you come through beckley wv, you can have a free place to eat, shower and stay the night at my house and i am sure others would feel the same. That may help on some expenses on eating, maybe.

[fredintoon]

Hi Ed,
you can crash at my place, too. But if you end up in Saskatoon you'll be so effin' lost you'll have to re-name the trip The Bewilderment Tour.

[planedick]

Yamaha

I'll bet that Yamaha would be interested in such a trip on their best machines ever. Maybe they could use the trip for some advertising which would mean money for the trip, but probably not until it's finished.

[trbig]

I got nuthin' Ed, 'cept maybe for you to sell your hot, young, ripped body.


Maybe contact Guinness about the longest motorcycle ride in a kilt?

[GARTHXS]

That brings new meaning to the pucker factor

[jwhughes3]

Ewwwww

Thats not right Tod.


No offense Ed.

John

[natemoen]

Maybe contact Guinness about the longest motorcycle ride in a kilt?

Talk about having the wind in your hair.....

[cywelchjr]

Talk about having the wind in your hair.....

Ahh! Mind bleach! I need mind bleach! I need to get that picture out of my mind!

[Special Ed]

'That brings new meaning to the pucker factor"
"Talk about having the wind in your hair....."
Are we talkin' curly black hair? But I'm a blond!
I've never tried riding with a kilt, but it could happen: not cross country though!
Special Ed