I have recently moved to the Caribbean with my husband––the beautiful island of St. Maarten to be exact. Soaking in the tropical culture is bringing a whole new perspective of life that I am happily embracing with a full heart. It is positively re-shaping how I view business and public relations. While many differences remain, I have been pondering the similarities that align between traveling and PR. Maybe because I am equally passionate about both.
- Planning plays a key role
How do you end up vacationing in the first place? By planning it. You plan your dates, your airfare, your hotel, taking time off of work. Planning is vital and is also the cornerstone in public relations.
- Meeting new people is frequent
Everyone in the PR and business world knows you’re constantly networking and encountering fresh faces. Likewise, when travelling, you’re somewhere different and often making a new acquaintance. Whether it’s the server at a restaurant, the tour guide, or the hotel lobby receptionist, meeting people is on the daily occurrence.
- You’re more rooted in social media
Let’s be honest, you tend to post a little more on social media when you’re on vacation because you’re doing something worthy of bragging rights. You’re not essentially on social media more (hopefully not, anyway), but your posting has slightly increased. Or maybe your online presence has elevated because now you have the time. Who knows. While PR professionals don’t necessarily post more on social media, they are constantly checking it for keeping up with current events, building relationships with their target audience, and strategizing how to further enhance their company’s digital brand.
- Every day is a little different
One day you’re relaxing by the sea with a coconut drink in hand, the next you’re meandering down boardwalk shops. Long story short, you’re trying to squeeze in multiple activities within your short vacation week. Thus, no day is ever mundane because your daily schedule is perpetually changing. That’s one of my favourite aspects of PR: no day looks the same.
- You’re immersed into a new culture
Let’s face it, there’s a different pulse in the world of public relations. It’s fast-paced, it’s thinking on your toes, it’s being in the media spotlight, it’s competitive and tough. Basically, it takes a certain personality type to handle it and requires some getting used to. Even though PR can initially appear daunting, before you know it, it will naturally be running through your veins as you take the world by storm. On the other hand, while traveling may not always be frightening, a new culture is waiting to be explored with open arms. You step into an unfamiliar part of the world that is different than your usual surroundings. Perhaps in both cases, however, the new cultures exude thrill and excitement. It simply makes life more fascinating.