When facing a new Public Relations or marketing project, or any project for that matter, I always do my research. And that research doesn’t just happen online.
In the fall I will be heading to Africa for my first time, something I have been thinking about for years. I will use the same principles I would use to research a professional project for a client. The trip will comprise some professional development with nonprofits, my own personal development, and the development of my photography skills for business and pleasure.
Here are five things I did to research my trip to Africa, and some might be useful to you:
1. Turn to social media as a mighty tool: When I want to get information on a topic from the very pulse of society, I turn to social media. In this case, all I had to do was use the search term #MasaiMara and #Safari on Instragam, Facebook, Flickr and Tumblr, to yield piles of information and inspiration. I was able to experience the journeys of friends and strangers alike through their postings online. When it comes to gearing up for a project, engaging on social media is a great place to start.
2. Create the opportunity to talk to experts in the field: For my research into Africa, experts meant top wildlife photographers. Rein in the experts! I attended the photography exhibit of National Geographic photographer icon, Michael “Nick” Nichols, spoke with him about my upcoming Safari and asked him for suggestions on great guides to go with. What a generous man! You probably saw his photographs accompanying National Geographic articles about the Serengeti Lions and the Orphan Elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the world’s most successful orphan-rescue center. After our meeting, I received his book, Earth to Sky: Among Africa’s Elephants, A Species in Crisis with a personal inside inscription that reads: When you go to Africa, go slow for Africa, and the elephants.
3. Talk with friends and family who have gone on the same or a similar journey: For me, I had tea with one of my “Friends of Africa”… my good friend Betsy Blankenbaker, the founder of House of Loveness, Zimbabwe. House of Loveness supports the needs of abandoned, orphaned and underserved children of Zimbabwe. What an inspiration she is! Take note: Betsy is offering a Service and Safari retreat with Qoya founder, Rochelle Schieck in November/December 2014.
4. Find free local art exhibits and lectures: ABC Home in NYC has a wonderful free photography exhibit that I ran to see — The African Elephant: Beverly Joubert Explorer in Residence. Beverly and Dereck are a husband and wife filmmaking team from Botswana, with a mission ” to conserve and understand the large predators and key African wildlife species that determine the course of all conservation in Africa”. They launched the Big Cats Initiative with National Geographic.
5. Read books and research organizations: Read about Empowers Africa, they support a host of programs on the ground in Africa. Their work provides a doorway through which everyone can connect to, or get involved with Africa. Read the book A Thousand Hills of Heaven: Building a Restaurant In Rwanda, in which a Columbia University professor moves his family to Rwanda– what a great story.
My advice for any project, professional or personal—immerse yourself in the topic, meet new people, read their books, learn new things, have fun. In short, get into the whole wide world.
And talk to bloggers who’ve been perhaps? 🙂
I’m saving this topic for another blog! I wouldn’t miss that, thanks for everything!
xoxo
This is great. My cousins went to Africa for a safari on their honeymoon. I’m happy to put you in touch with them. They fell in love with the country!
Thanks, Meg! I’m in love with Africa and I’m just researching at this point. I’m going to the Masai Mara AND to see the elephants in Ambroseli, set against the backdrop of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Were they there, if so would love to chat!
Great blog Nancy…especially for someone who is timid in regard to starting a blog. Hope you are enjoying your vacation!
Hi Michelle, I know! I’m having fun with the blog, hoping to inspire readers in some way, whether it’s about PR, travel, lifestyle or getting creative. Thanks for reading!
Great tips as always, Nancy! And yes to what Susan said, although I think that it’s implied in stage 1. If you want some great Africa tips from blogger friends, check out Erin from the World Wanderer: http://theworldwanderer.net/ and Melissa from Mellyboo: http://themellybooproject.com/ Tell them I sent you. They love Africa and are always excited to help others! 🙂
Jackie, even though I am in Jamaica, I went to read Melissa and Erin, commented on their blog, introduced myself, said you were my inspiring friend who suggested I check them out. Thank you!
Soooo, I am wondering where you are going in Africa Nancy Moon? I spent the month of November 2013 in southern Africa for the first time. I visited South Africa where I traveled with my mentor Michael Neill while he gave talks and held retreats, Botswana where I was on safari at three camps in the Okavango Delta, and Zimbabwe with Betsy and Rochelle for their retreat. It was an amazing journey. … and I can’t wait to see the glimpses of Africa through your photographs!
Thanks Susan, I would love to hear more! I knew you were in Zimbabwe, the picture of you with the children at House of Loveness was beautiful!
so let’s find a time to talk. Is there any chance that you will be in NYC sometime March 9-12 with some free time? I will be there then with flexible time!
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