This post is brought to you by AT&T. All opinions are 100% my own.
When I launched this blog a couple of years ago, I didn’t know where this online journey would take me. I’m grateful that it has allowed me to continue homeschooling my kids, and to contribute financially to our home. As an online influencer, I also have the ability to connect with thousands of people everyday. I remember the first time I received a message from a reader in Australia. Knowing that I was connecting with people that lived all over the world, fascinated me. Over time, my blog has opened many doors and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. I’ve formed friendships, visited beautiful cities, and have watched my business flourish.
A business I greatly admire and has accomplished amazing things, is TOMS. TOMS is well known for their trendy shoes and mission to give back. The company helps provide shoes, sight and water to people in need. What’s amazing is how Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS, has been able to run his business from his phone. Check out this video to hear it from Blake himself. His story is truly inspiring, and AT&T has been there since the very beginning. After hearing about their partnership, it got me thinking about the importance of technology in my own business.
Social media
Having access to my social media platforms is crucial when I’m traveling. It’s how I’m able to keep my readers in the loop, and how I share live updates if I’m on a press trip. Last year I invested in a smartphone in order to take better quality photos for my social channels. Not only do my social media feeds look better, the engagement has also increased. I’m also able to share my content, and continue to drive traffic to my site regardless of my location.
I can’t tell you how important this is for my business. Sometimes I’m waiting for an email that is time-sensitive, or requires an immediate response. Having the ability to access my emails through my mobile phone, enables me to continue running my business as I would from home.
Video
Nothing is worse than having unreliable phone service while traveling. I like to video chat with my kids when I’m away, so this is non-negotiable for me. Also, having the ability to attend a business meeting while traveling, has enabled me to continue growing my business uninterrupted. When we visited Florida recently, I was able to live stream some of the places we visited. I had a great time sharing a glimpse into our trip, and connecting on a personal level.
This year, AT&T is celebrating TOMS 10-year anniversary in a BIG way. By bringing fans a special VR experience, “A Walk In Their Shoes,” that will immerse viewers in an actual giving trip. This summer, fans will be able to learn how AT&T is supporting TOMS’ mission of one for one giving through several immersive experiences, both in person and online. The setting of “A Walk In Their Shoes” takes place in Colombia and you will be able to turn, move and experience the action as if you were there. How amazing is that?!
What is VR? VR is an immersive storytelling device that will allow fans to connect with the amazing work that TOMS is doing around the world with the help of AT&T’s network. AT&T’s fast network makes viewing VR content right from your mobile device super easy.
Where can you experience “ A Walk in Their Shoes”?
- If you’re not able to catch the VR activations in person, “A Walk In Their Shoes” will be available via 360 on AT&T’s YouTube Channel.
- If you don’t have a VR viewer, 100k pairs of TOMS shoes sold online will include a cardboard viewer.
For now, check out the 360 VR video for “A Walk in Their Shoes”:
More details on the AT&T and TOMS collaboration can be found at: http://att.com/TOMS
It’s amazing how a global movement was aided by technology. How does technology help your business? I’d love to hear from you!
My husband always sends me videos of my girls when I am traveling and it is truly what gets me through the trips. Miss those little crazies.
I love hearing how bloggers have been able to to have great success from their blog, it keeps me inspired to one day be able to do the same with mine. I agree that having great service to ensure access to all of your online resources is a necessity; not only for bloggers or businesses but really everyone!
If I was away and didn’t have my email, it would be a disaster! It’s the main way my clients get a hold of me. And though I may not be as quick to answer as I would be if I wasn’t away, it is important for me to check in at least once in a while.
Until I started blogging I had no idea how important it was to stay connected. Always good for keeping in contact with loved ones too.
I think it is important to remember the people you left behind and they will always appreciate the gesture. Asides from the travelling aspect I like the whole TOMS backstory and it is great they are doing so much to help the community.
Technology is necessary in the biggest way for email. I just cant imagine how we functioned without it before! Quick responses or even longer issues – email. Sent and read in seconds.
Karen | GlamKaren.com
I love that you stay in touch even when you are away. Right now I won’t travel unless it’s with my husband and kids, but if I was away for them for some odd reason, I would be all over FaceTime.