The Big Blog World Tour
Written on September 6, 2006 – 10:38 am | by Paull Young
An Annoucement: I’m leaving Australia, and coming to a town near you.
I’ve recently given notice at work, and I’m planning to follow my bliss and embark on a world-wide blogging tour.
I’m leaving Australia in December and I’m going to spend a few months traveling around the US and UK – meeting some of the friends I’ve made through blogging, talking online PR here, there and everywhere, and interviewing for a few jobs.
Why I’m Leaving BAM Media
I’ve loved my time with BAM Media, and I’m close mates with all the guys I work with. We are a tight-knit bunch and while I’ve only worked here for a year, I’ve known the guys for much longer.
I’ve had some wonderful experiences with BAM. Working in a small agency allows you to try out things that you’d never be able to experience in a big agency, and I’ve still got our biggest event – the Lexmark Indy 300 – to go. It’s been a great learning experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
As much as I love it, my real passion lies with social media. I live with a couple of guys from work. They eat, sleep and breath motorsport (our primary business) meanwhile, I get home from work and jump into the blogosphere. You’ve just got to follow your passions.
Why I’m Heading Overseas
I’ve developed a passion for the application of social media for PR strategy. I’ve always been extremely interested in online PR, I spent last year researching the topic, but it was starting my own blog that has led to this move.
Australia is sadly several years behind the US and UK when it comes to social media (as we’ve oft discussed Lee). I love learning, and I think the best way to learn about this stuff is by heading to where it’s all happening.
In addition to this, I’ve made some great friendships through my blog and I’m tickled pink at the prospect of meeting them in the real world. I’ve learnt so much from all the blogs I read – but I’m sure the opportunity to meet some of the authors will be a learning experience like no other.
The Blogging Tour
My itinerary is still very much open. I know that I finish work on November 30 and I’ll be heading straight to the US.
Once there, I’ll be spending a bit of time in Washington DC (where Erin Caldwell will be my host and tour guide, and Steve Field will buy me Chipotle). I’m definitely going to head to the Big Apple – I’m excited at the prospect of seeing New York, and meeting Peter Himler is going to a real highlight.
Aside from that I could head anywhere – I’d like to go to California to check out a Third Thursday meet up (meeting Phil Gomes would be a red letter day). I’ll go anywhere else where I’ve got someone to talk to and somewhere to stay. Heck, I might even head to Ohio - purely for the pleasure of Luke Armour’s company.
After spending a couple of months in the US I’ll be heading across to England. I’m extremely excited to be meeting my mate Stephen Davies and even more excited to be heading up to Leeds and chatting with Richard Bailey. Hopefully I’ll get to meet some other folk I read regularly like Drew B, Matthew Stibbe and Phillip Young while I’m in that neck of the woods.
Young PR Wants to Meet You!
I’ve only got the chance to do this once, so I’d like to meet with as many people as possible.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog – make sure you leave a comment or email me! If you know anyone I might pass in my travels who’d be interesting in meeting up and talking PR, please let me know.
Also, I’ll point out that any travel advice/job advice/offers of food or couches to crash on will be gladly accepted ;-).
Why bother meeting with me? Well I’m pretty keen on all things PR and social media, but I can also regale you with yarns from the Aussie Outback and you’ll earn reciprocal visit rights Down Under (and if you’re really lucky I might crack out my Steve Irwin impersonation).
I’m coming to a country near you, and I want to meet you – so leave a comment, send me an email (young.paull@gmail.com), or skype me (paull.young).
36 Responses to “The Big Blog World Tour”
By Stephen Davies on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Congratulations mate! I think you’re making an excellent decision. As they say “travel expands the mind”.
Okay, Drew and I are in London. Richard is ‘Oop North in Leeds and Philip is even further ‘Oop North in Sunderland (my native region) so you’ve got quite a bit travelling to do.
Let me know when you’ve got all your dates sorted and we’ll sort something out.
Congrats again.
By Paull Young on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Ah, Stephen Davies - the man in the know (as per usual).
Thanks for the sentiments mate!
By Steve on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Paull, this is great. Following your passion is so important.
Exciting adventure ahead of you! (And a Chipotle burrito!) I think you will really like Washington.
By Paull Young on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Thanks Steve. It certainly is exciting, the three months before I leave will fly.
The more I learn about D.C. the more interested I become in the town. I can’t wait to see a town I feel so close to through my West Wing addiction…
By Erin Caldwell on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Haha, oh I’m sure you’ll love Washington — I just hope Washington is ready for YOU! I’ll do my darndest to be a great tour guide. But knowing you, you’ll already have read up on anything I’d show you and you’ll know more than me!
What is it? 80-something days before the tour kicks off? Exciting times ahead!
By Paull Young on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Erin - I’ll trust you to chuck in a few surprises. So long as you pass the pop-quiz on D.C. landmarks and history I’ll deliver on arrival you’ll be right ;-).
85 days of hard work until departure!
By Robert French on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
What a great idea. I’m jealous.
You will, of course, be blogging and podcasting it along the way. Ya’ better turn this into a blog all by itself. Then, turn it into a book.
Take care.
By Paull Young on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Robert - if this trip goes to plan I should be able to get some cracking material for the Forward Podcast!
The blogs become part of my life, it’ll travel with me.
I think my pursuits are a little nerdy for paperback fiction. In order for my little tour to be bookworthy I think I’d need to be wrongly imprisoned/have a fling with Paris Hilton/save the President… too much excitment by half! I’ll stick with a humble young PR blog ;-).
By Ed Lee on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
of course, you’re always welcome in toronto although i’m not sure how welcoming toronto will be in november/december time!
congratulations on becoming the envy of the entire PR world. i’ve not met anyone who’d rather work in this job than go travelling for an extended period of time!
Ed
By Drew B on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Good luck on your travels Paull!
By Owen Lystrup on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Let me know when you stop by California (if you do) and I’ll make a trip to San Francisco to meet you.
Of course, you’re welcome to crash at my place…though there’s not much out my way except drunken sorority girls and orchards.
I envy your trip. That would be so much fun.
By Alexandra Pullin on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
I am so jealous I can hardly see the screen.
By Paull Young on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Ed - it would be great to get up to Canada. You Canucks seem to have the beginnings of a vibrant social media sector and there is a bunch of you I read.
Drew - thanks mate.
Owen - ‘drunken sorority girls and orchards’ eh? Could provide some material for the book Robert suggested… I’ll let you know when I’ll be in Cali.
Alex - it’s probably the ‘green with envy’ wordpress theme…
By Emma Cantwell on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Congratulations my friend! Glad to see you going after your dreams -The US doesn’t know what they’re in for!!!
Go well.
By Lisa Cunningham on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Awesome news Youngie ! Emma’s right, I don’t think the US and the rest of the world for that matter know what they’re in for.
Best of luck, I know you’ll have a ripper of a time.
Stay in touch
Lisa
By Leo Bottary on Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Congratulations! While I realize you may not be coming to Florida, I’m always moving about the country, so keep me posted on your travels! Best, Leo
By Paull Young on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Thanks for the comments Emma and Lisa. I must say I find it funny that the three comments I’ve received from people who’ve met me in the real world all remark on the US not being ready for my visit! Surely I’m not that bad ;-).
Leo - I’ll definitely keep you posted.
By Nathan on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
I’m in Adelaide. Is Australia on your agenda or is it purely an overseas junket?
By Jenn on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
If you’re in Ohio to visit Luke come January/February, make a pit stop over to Pittsburgh and say hello! It’s a lovely city no matter what anyone says. OK, maybe I just have a severe case of bias.
There are some lovely structures, however. I really enjoy sitting in the Plaza area at PPG Place. Beautiful!
Best of luck with this initiative. I’m sure it’s both exciting and scary!
By Paull Young on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Thanks Jenn, I’ll let you know if I’m around and about. It really is all up in the air at the moment.
Exciting, definitely. Scary, not so much, years of Rugby when your my size irons out fear pretty quickly ;-).
By Kevin Dugan on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
If you come to Canton, OH to visit Luke, let me know. Cincinnati is too close not to figure out some kind of meet up. In fact, Luke and I are due to meet in person, you would give us a great reason to do so.
By jackie on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Paull- Congrats! This sounds amazing. Looking forward to seeing you in New York.
J
By Lee on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Well done, tiger - great decision, for all the right reasons — Australia can only cope with ONE podcasting PR person! LOL.
Seriously, this is a bold yet typically Aussie courageous step into the great unknown — I did it a couple of decades ago to follow a dream (to be a rock star). My dream wasn’t realised, but I wrote some damn fine music and had an amazing number of adventures anyway, found the internet and found my true passion (communicating on the internet). Best of luck, my fellow communicator with the great Aussie spirit of ‘adventure, good will, good drinking and great sense of humour’.
Try and catch up with Bryan Person if you can — he lived here for many years and yearns to return. Make him green with envy, mate, about living in God’s own country.
By Paull Young on Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Kevin - That sounds great, I’ll liaise with you and Luke and we’ll sort it out.
Jackie - The big smoke! I’m going to be a little awe-struck by the town.
Lee Hopkins, Rock Star! I never knew! When will we see those demo tapes on the Podsafe Music Network?
As I wrote this post I thought ‘geez, can’t believe I’m heading OS to meet folk before I’ve met Lee!’
The Aussie spirit you’ve outlined above is exactly how I’m approaching the trip.
Thanks for the thoughts Lee.
By Espen Skoland on Sep 8, 2006 | Reply
Good luck Paull. Sounds like a lot of fun.
By Karel Mc Intosh on Sep 8, 2006 | Reply
Ain’t you the man! I’d love to be in your shoes. Sounds like an exciting PR adventure. Well, enjoy it. Perhaps you can visit the CIPR on your whirlwind tour. Well enjoy it. Maybe next year you could host a group tour. When you’re ready to visit Trinidad and Tobago, let me know.
By Paull Young on Sep 9, 2006 | Reply
Cheers Espen.
Karel - hosting a group tour, great idea! Ha ha, maybe I can make a career as a blog tour guide.
I’ve actually got a group of mates heading to the Cricket World Cup, I think it’s unlikely I’ll be joining them though.
By Philip Young on Sep 25, 2006 | Reply
You will be welcome in Sunderland - but better still we will be doing the next generation New PR conference in London in February. I am sure you’d like to meet Neville Hobson, Stuart Bruce and Tom Murphy, too.
By Paull Young on Sep 25, 2006 | Reply
Philip - excellent! I didn’t realize that conference would be on in February - I’m lucky. I’ll be in attendance for sure.
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