12 Jun 6 Things to Consider When Executing a Social Media Program Overseas
So, you went and won yourself an international client. Well done. Though the Internet allows you to do almost anything from anywhere, there may come a time when you will have to travel overseas. Whether you need to visit company headquarters or cover a product launch at an international conference, traveling abroad is something you need to be ready for. Here are a few things to consider when executing a social media program in another country:
Passports
This might seem obvious to some, but only about 30% of Americans have a valid passport, so I figured it was worth bringing up. Go ahead and get a passport now if you don’t have one. They can take anywhere between 4-6 weeks to process (2-3 if you pay extra). If your client decides to spring a last-minute international trip on you, you won’t have time to get one.
Plan of Action
Before you even think about what you’re going to pack, it’s very important to have a dialogue with your client. Make sure you know what to expect when you arrive and what you need to accomplish while you are there. Here are a few questions you should have answered before you leave:
- Will I need to register for this event, or will passes be provided?
- Which areas/people will I have access to? Do I need special clearance?
- What equipment will I need to bring?
- What am I allowed to discuss/share on social channels? What topics or products are off-limits?
- What kind of content do I need to create (e.g., Facebook updates, tweets, blog posts) and how much?
- Who needs to approve content, and what is their availability? (This is extremely important. If your client is in meetings all day, scheduling time for approval will be crucial to your success.)
Also, be prepared to call an audible and change up your entire schedule. There may be an expert you’ll have a chance to interview that you didn’t plan on seeing, or the brand may decide to pull a product announcement at the very last second. Oh, the beauty of live events!
Phones
Make sure you purchase one of the following:
- International SIM card for your existing phone
- New phone with an international plan (It doesn’t need to be fancy; it just needs to make and receive calls.)
- International phone card
Skype is a free alternative; however, it’s very limited and requires Internet access, which you may not have (more on that in just a second).
It’s a good practice to keep phone conversation and texting to a minimum, unless you want to rack up an outrageous bill. You almost have to act like (and I know this might sound scary) you exist in a time before cell phones existed. Make plans before you leave the hotel. Agree to meet at a certain place at a certain time. Weird, I know, but trust me. It works.
Internet Access or Lack Thereof
Despite the fact that these conferences are held every year with thousands of people in attendance, the wireless Internet access is still consistently poor. I try to be a positive person, but I would go ahead and assume that you WILL NOT be able to access reliable WiFi. Look into purchasing a mobile hotspot.
Time Zones
Like trying to turn on every light in your house when your power is out, you will have temporary amnesia when it comes to remembering what the different time zones are. Luckily, there’s a wonderful website called The World Clock that has the time zone of every city (or nearly every) in the world. There’s also a great free mobile app.
A Helping Hand
Having some sort of home base is key. That moment may come when Murphy stops by with his infernal law. When your phone suddenly decides to stop working and the Internet connection is so spotty you can’t even upload a picture to Facebook, it’s really nice to have someone back home who can bail you out.
What have you found to be helpful when conducting social media programs in another country?
