January 3, 2019
Last spring the Port launched its first-ever blog.
This additional channel allows us to share more traveler tips, more behind-the-scene stories, more how-to and explainer articles, and more stunning visuals than we could share through our bi-weekly email newsletter, social media channels, and press releases.
With more than 80 blog posts under our belt, we see clear trends in reader preferences and impressive growth in our blog.
Most popular and engaging blogs
The most clicked-on blogs of 2018 covered the passenger experience at the airport, everything from an explainer post on screening checkpoints run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), to “Secrets of Sea-Tac” a blog post tipping travelers off to less-discovered amenities like our meditation/quiet room, pet services at the airport, and our new Sea-Tac App (free for download on iOS and Android).
Readers spent their time on a wide range of topics. Readers spent an average of more than 10 minutes — an eternity in internet time — checking out blogs on:
- airfield construction at Sea-Tac
- the Birth of Seattle as a Global Gateway (a historical primer on regional trade)
- a small business spotlight on EHS International, a minority-owned business that learned about opportunities at the Port through our PortGen training program
- and “Farmbots and Raspberry Pi Help a Garden Grow,” a feature on one of our Airport Community Ecology grant award winners.
We find that readers spent the most time on blogs that also include video, confirming that video truly rules the internet.
Healthy spirit and body
Some of my personal favorites covered wellness and art, topics that might surprise you coming from a port. Two recent blogs, “A Healthy New Year Here, There, and Everywhere” and “Ten Tips to Stay Healthy this Holiday Travel Season” remind guests of good hygiene and wellness practices in and out of the airport.
Two blogs, “The Beauty of Usefulness: Maritime Industrial Art” and “A Tree to Take Root in the North Satellite” celebrate the stunning scenery of life around Elliott Bay and share with readers the exciting public art coming to our new North Satellite facility.
If you lean more towards retail therapy, two of our latest blogs, “Hygge for the Holidays: Cozy Travel Fashions” and “Last Minute Gift Ideas” spotlight Sea-Tac Airport shopping and dining options that might broaden your horizons.
Behind the scenes
We use our blog to both inform and inspire our audiences, and we frequently turn to Port employees or partners for the best stories.
Our blog “Apprenticeship Sparks a Career for a Female Electrician” tells the journey of Shannon Acena-Neal, who went from a job at Safeway to becoming an electrical general foreman at the Port.
“Meet the Captains of Fishermen’s Terminal” introduces readers to the work and lifestyle of independent captains who sail fishing vessels in Alaska’s Bering Sea as well as Puget Sound.
And “Hiring with Customer Satisfaction in Mind” features Dwayne Bockman, a rental car shuttle bus driver who literally rolls out a red carpet and offers a salute whenever a military veteran boards his vehicle.
Reaching more readers
Since launching seven months ago we have grown our audience from zero to more than 40,000 pageviews.
Most our readers come to the blog after seeing an item on social media or in our Connections newsletter.
Subscribe to Connections or follow us on social media for more Port stories.
Sea-Tac Airport
To receive text updates about what’s happening at Sea-Tac Airport, text “Update” to (206) 347-8045.
Port of Seattle
We hope our blog offers information and inspiration. If you have suggestions or topics you’d like us to cover, please drop us a line on social media.
