London is an amazing city known for its nightlife, hospitality, and the Queen of England, but what you might not be aware of is the social media connectivity throughout the city and among the business professionals who call it home. I recently had the pleasure of visiting London on a week long trip to speak at and attend a recruiting “unconference.” While I was there, I did quite a bit of wandering and quickly realized that how you experience and navigate a city is just like your social media strategy as a business professional. I found that these steps apply equally to both endeavors:
- Research, Research, Research. Any time I visit a foreign country, I do my research. I pick up my copy of Fodor’s, just as I recommend that new users to social media visit blogs, read books (like mine), and attend presentations. Your social media strategy should be no different. Learning and understanding the environment is essential to maintaining focus and enjoying the city, its transportation, and your overall goal.
- Focus. Wandering but with a purpose. Like my SM strategy, I knew and understood my overall goal during my downtime in London. I picked a general direction and with my map in hand set out to see the sights including Big Ben and the Tate Museum, and mingled with the tourists and locals soaking in the culture, the moment, and the experience.
- Transportation. Part of your social media strategy should be understanding how to leverage third party applications like TweetDeck, Hootsuite, Ping, and Social Oomph just as you would when using taxis, the Tube, and trains throughout London. The cost associated with transportation like a cab versus the Tube (underground subway) varies depending on how quickly you wish to reach your destination. Social media tools like Tweet Adder and Radian6 are no different.
- Engagement. Visiting London is all about the people, the places, and the culture. Joining the conversation among new friends is just as easy as walking to the corner pub and chatting with the locals. These locals are more than willing to share tips, suggestions, and little known places that they enjoy by taking a vested interested in getting to know them, their family, and their friends. My social media connections were invaluable on my trip. Upon my departure, I was able to leverage them and learn what terminal I needed to be dropped off at, saving me a ton of cash and valuable time. My friend Laurie Ruettimann used her network after falling victim to a professional thief in London while also attending the conference.
- Understand the Risks. Visiting London doesn’t come without risk. As an outsider it is easy to fall victim to scams, theft, or other unforeseen circumstances. Keep your purse, technology, and passwords close. Same goes for your passport and credit cards. Don’t follow every direct message or trust every local just because. Use your judgment and follow your gut. Visiting London is all about the journey and sometimes that comes with some roadblocks along the way.
- Document Everything. Everyone talks of Social Media ROI these days but has anyone every stopped to ask about the ROI on your overseas visit or your trip to see Buckingham Palace? No. Take pictures, capture the moment, and be enthusiastic. In some cases, passion trumps ROI. Isn’t that what traveling is all about?
Photo Credit Top News.
Jessica Miller-Merrell, SPHR is an author, new mother, and human resources professional with a passion for recruiting and all things social media. She has over 10 years of experience in human resources & recruiting.
Her company, Xceptional HR provides businesses with social media, recruitment, and human resources strategy and consulting. Jessica’s book, Tweet This! Twitter for Business was released January 2010. Follow Jessica on Twitter, LinkedIn, & FaceBook.
•
