My family and I just returned from a much-needed vacation to France and Spain. It was a dream trip made affordable by the amazing hospitality of our European friends. I had planned to get ahead with this blog, but a new freelance project took priority. So I decided to skip a couple of posts and let the cards fall where they may.
The world didn’t end, proving once again that the stress and pressures of everyday life are largely self-imposed. This was a great reality check in itself and one that I hope will stay with me in the coming months as I strive to hold on to my vacation-induced zen state. Of course, as a blogger, I’m always looking for ways to apply my experiences to my work. To that end, below are a few digital marketing reminders I took away from this trip.
Perspective Isn’t Just for Artists
Our first stop was Paris, where our hosts pointed out the use of “perspective” that is demonstrated throughout their beautiful city.
From the view of the Eiffel Tower from the Arc de Triomphe to the gardens at the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which inspired Versailles – there are many examples of how things can appear different when viewed from a unique vantage.
As marketers, we must always consider the perspective of our customers. We work in this field every single day and it’s easy to forget how far we’ve come and the knowledge we’ve gained.
When communicating with current and potential customers, we must be sure to slow down and provide information at the level that they require. This isn’t an insult, it’s a courtesy. Respect the fact that your customer may be knowledgeable in their field but not yours.
Digital Marketers Can (and Should) Unplug
After a few days of sightseeing, we left Paris and traveled to the south of France to the tiny town of Lapradelle-Puilaurens. We stayed with friends who have a summer home with a view of a ruined medieval castle from the backyard.
Amazing.
Our pace slowed way down as we relaxed and enjoyed our time with this lovely family. After moving at breakneck speed, this was a welcome change and a huge lesson in how desperately we all need to unplug – if only for a few days.
After seeing numerous blog posts this summer questioning whether digital workers can ever actually unplug, I recently came across a great article from Jessica Fish, who spoke of the necessity of doing so. She is absolutely correct.
Taking the time to recover and reconnect with our families is essential. Stepping back from our everyday world allows us to look around and discover things we may otherwise miss. When we re-engage with our work, we do so with a fresh attitude and new ideas.
This isn’t self-indulgent; it’s critical. It helps us avoid burnout and gives us the energy we need to continue producing quality work.
Never Underestimate the Power of Visual Media
The final part of our trip took us to Barcelona by way of a quick stop in Figueres to visit the Salvador Dalí house and museum.
Dalí’s beautiful home, which he shared with his beloved wife, was fantastic in every detail. It included a lip-shaped sofa, a master bedroom with two beds (Lucy and Desi style), and a secret room with amazing audio effects.
The Dalí museum was equally captivating with its endless array of unusual, thought-provoking art.
In Barcelona, we toured the amazing Sagrada Família (a roman catholic church that has been under construction for over 120 years) and marveled at the legacy that the architect, Antoni Gaudí, left behind.
If you have ever wondered why visual media is so important in digital marketing, consider the work of these amazing creators. Their artistry provides a visual demonstration of their view on life. But instead of describing their thoughts with words they show you with imagery and allow you to extract your own meaning.
Although marketers typically strive to be clear with their messaging, perhaps we should consider experimenting with a little mystery in our visuals so our viewers have reason to pause.
There’s No Place Like Home
Traveling to a country where you are mostly ignorant of the language and societal norms is a humbling experience. Watching my children struggle with the French way of greeting (air-kissing both cheeks) and ordering food from menus they could not read reminded me of a blog post I wrote exploring whether you need to have both a social media presence and a website.
Like traveling, social media provides us with a way to reach out to the world. It expands our reach and allows us to explore different ways of doing things. It’s wonderful and exciting, but we are not at home, and we can be deported at any time.
By all means, participate in the various social channels but do not neglect your primary home – your corporate website. This is the hub from which you can safely explore the world of social media. You control the rules, and your content stays where you leave it.
There’s no place like home.
