Six Quick Tips for PR Pros Travelling on Business

For PR pros, travel can come in waves and upend your routine. With conference and event season upon us, communications pros will be on buses, trains and planes over the next few months.

Travelling for business is a fact of life for many people. And while it opens us up to new places, it can also take its toll on our physical and mental wellbeing – especially if you are travelling regularly. 

With clients all over the globe, Atteline is well placed to deliver tips for getting the best out of your work travels. So, here are some that will keep you sane and your clients happy.

Preparation is key 

Keep a travel-ready (i.e. clear) toiletries bag stocked so you can quickly put together everything you need for your trip. For luggage, go for wheels – especially for those who will have the bag filled heavy to the brim with media swag! Finally, pack a power strip with a surge protector to charge multiple devices at once: hotel rooms never have enough outlets and us PR’s can never be caught out at an event. Lastly, don’t forget your business cards!

Get your packing right

First, clothes! Coordinate outfits in one colour scheme using dark or neutral colours. Roll, don’t fold, to save space and avoid wrinkles. Money: pack an envelope for your expense receipts – if it’s your card doing the heavy lifting you need to make sure you’re reimbursed when you get back. Check apps like Quickbooks or 1Tap Receipts – they can scan receipts and add them.

Making the airport (just about) bearable

It sounds obvious, but avoid checking in luggage whenever possible. Carry-on bags won’t go missing, and you can skip the wait at the carousel when you arrive. Boys, listen up! If you require a suit on your trip, wear it! Missing baggage when checked in can cause havoc not to mention those wrinkles if you pack it! 

Beware of time zones

Everyone knows how much fun jet lag is, but there are a few things you can do. Flying east? Go to bed earlier on the day before departure. Going west? Move your bedtime later on the night before you leave. During the flight, get as much sleep as you can, eat light, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol or caffeine. Sure, it might decrease the fun on onboard, but you’ll appreciate it the day after. Remember, on a work trip, your objective is to do a kickass job with the client or prospect. To do that, you need to rest and de­-stress, especially if you’re changing time zones. Your team will understand if you communicate in advance that you’ll need a nap and will be unavailable/offline at a certain time. 

Keep illness at bay

Travelling makes your immune system vulnerable; altitude affects your internal organs and time zones impede your performance. So give yourself a boost with travel vitamins. You can also fight jet lag with exercise – do some stretches post-flight, especially to relieve hip, back and neck tension. 

Add an extra day

All work and no play might make you a competent management consultant, but if you can book an extra day in your destination to follow-up with clients or just for sightseeing, then you’ll get so much more out of your trip.