Generation X

Yes, I am in Generation X, yes, I have been swamped in getting this new public relations business in Vermont up and running, and yes - it is finally coming together! I am moved into my new house in the Old North End of Burlington, Vermont, my home office is set up, and I know it is time to get blogging!!

So, I just got back from the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce Travel and Tourism Study Committee meeting, and have some thoughts I'd like to share. First of all, the purpose of such meetings is to ultimately find ways to beef up tourism in Vermont - an industry that impacts so much of the state's economy, yet - in my opinion - is in constant need of improvement. While sitting at the meeting, I am filled with thoughts and ideas that break from my regular flow of client work (much of which deals with Vermont tourism) that often helps shape new ideas away from my current train of thought.

The one I want to write about today - and hope to get some comments on - is Generation X and their travel habits. It continues to baffle my mind how tourism dollars everywhere are so geared towards our Baby Boomers parents. Yes, they have the most disposable income ever and of course we will always be the poor children - even when we are retiring, but why does no one market to our generation???

We are now old enough to enjoy the "finer things in life" and we have some money. And, we're exceptional targets for in state travel - so how come no one's offering us free gas gimics, or two for one specials, or sending us coupons, or encouraging us through the media (aka public relations folks) to travel and experience the state we live in?

Thoughts on why? Ideas to target Generation X?

Let the Blogging Begin!

And so it goes - my first "professional" blog! Guess that means I can't talk about my new romance, or the stress of moving, or the yummy crab cakes I just ate. But, I can talk about the craziness of starting a new business! And, it is crazy!!! Since I am now getting my blog going, guess I am supposed to post this Technorati link so I can play in the search engine field - Technorati Profile
so, there goes.
Anyway, so as a newly independent public relations consultant in Vermont, my goal in this blog is to offer some basic PR tips for folks - in Vermont and beyond. So, since most people associate the word public relations with a press release, here is my tip for the week:

DON'T!

Think of this instead - public relations is the telling of a story to relate the public to a product, idea, trend, event, etc. Would you tell a story by writing a wordy document and then spamming everyone you could and hope they read your story? Uh, I think not. You would call your friend and tell her and would chat about how it relates to her as well as you. You would email your cousin and tell him in a different way than you told your friend. You would mention it to a co-worker in a different manner than you would tell your significant other - um, get my drift?

Sit on that for a little while, soak it in, think about it, and let's chat about it next time...stay tuned!