It only makes sense that Flint’s digital strategist loves to travel. Libby Hall explains, “Traveling makes your world both bigger and smaller. No matter where you live—Fargo, Minneapolis, New York, London—it’s important to get out and see how other people live.”
Funny that social media works the same way—connecting people and culture, while making the world bigger and smaller. As digital strategist, Libby spends her workdays (and nights) helping clients connect with their customers through new media: social media, paid online media, mobile and text. “I work on strategies and measurements for clients’ social media plans. I learn about new and emerging social tools. I write content calendars and guide community managers on how and when to respond to comments. Generally, I’m just a big nerd.”
How Libby caught the travel bug
Libby’s family traveled often when she was younger. “My mom loves to travel, so she and my dad took me on several road trips in elementary school. On separate occasions, we went to northern California, southern California, Texas and Florida.”
In college, she went to England twice with a friend whose dad, stepmom and step-siblings lived there. And she’s been planning her next trip ever since.
Libby’s many travel adventures
Between taking one or two big trips a year and many other weekend getaways, traveling is Libby’s passion. She also travels for work about once a month, and while that’s not always the most glamorous experience, Libby enjoys seeing a new city, going for a run in its parks and eating in its restaurants.
“A group of friends and I traveled to Europe this fall, and we’ve made a goal to do an international trip every other year,” explains Libby. “For 2013, we’re thinking about South America, along the Amazon River.”
Libby (left) and college friends explored Amsterdam this fall.
Every trip has a story
Libby’s most recent adventure, shown throughout these photos, was to Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich and Dubrovnik.
Old Town Dubrovnik
“I can’t get over how gorgeous Dubrovnik was. There were two guys and six women on the trip, and the guys cooked the most fantastic meals for us with food from the local markets. The last night we were there, they made a three-course dinner for us in the outdoor kitchen of the apartment we rented, which overlooked the sea. We ate steak, pasta and langoustines and just enjoyed the beauty surrounding us.”
Now this. This is the view Libby’s referring to. Stunning!
Libby continues, “The guys also bought some wine and schnapps, but everything was in Croatian so they had to guess at what it was. The schnapps ended up tasting like pepper and bees… I don’t know how else to describe it!”
Just to be clear, not all the alcohol was bad overseas, as demonstrated here at Oktoberfest in Munich!
Where social media and travel overlap
When traveling, Libby takes note of how other people use social media across the world. “In larger cities, especially, it’s fascinating to see the role that location-based social media is playing right now.”
Libby, a self-proclaimed foursquare/Yelp junkie in new cities, also pays attention to how businesses promote their social media presence in other places—from billboards in Times Square to Facebook URLs stamped on bike helmets in the middle of rural Germany.
“Oh, another story—in Berlin, there’s a guy who does karaoke in a park that used to be part of the Berlin Wall. He puts photos of all the participants and the crowd on his Facebook page. There are literally thousands of people who come and watch every Sunday. It’s a great way to keep the excitement going during the week.” That’s a lesson Libby can bring back to clients.
Travel pushes you outside your comfort zone
Diving into social media can be intimidating. Travel works the same way. “You find that there are so many other beliefs and viewpoints and lifestyles and routines in the world, and you get a little bit uncomfortable. You learn to value other perspectives. And you realize that your way is not always right.”
So, what’s next on Libby’s travel agenda?
Libby and her mom are planning a quick weekend trip to New York soon. She and her husband also have tentative plans to hike the Grand Canyon with friends this winter. We can’t wait to hear what social media (and other adventures) she encounters along the way.
Get to know a Flintster: Q + A with Libby
What’s your dream job?
Owning a little restaurant with my husband on a beach somewhere. Travel blogger. More realistically, managing communication for a non-profit cause or organization I believe in.
Which job would you not want to have?
Daycare provider.
What was your first job?
Telemarketer. I was 15.
What did it teach you?
The first summer I worked there, we had great company culture and did a lot of team-building activities like office Olympics, potluck lunch on Saturdays and community volunteering. The second summer, the company was under new management. One by one, all the fun activities disappeared and it turned into an environment where people hated coming to work. It taught me the importance of team morale and keeping people happy.
What is one thing you’d be willing to practice for an hour a day?
Piano. I play but I should practice more.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
Never cry at work.
What sound do you love?
The roar of the crowd at Target Field after a great play.
What scent do you love?
Fresh ingredients when my husband Jameson is teaching me to cook something: fresh garlic, cilantro, tomatoes. Summer vegetables in general.
What do you love most about traveling? And, if you could plan the trip of a lifetime, where would you go? Leave your answer in the comments!
