Trade show season is in full swing for CB&A, which means less time in the office and more time in planes, trains, taxis, conference halls and hotel suites. Typically, much of a PR professional’s work is done in front of a glowing computer screen, but increased travel translates to unconventional working conditions. In these on-the-go situations, many PR pros turn to their smartphones to help them manage the workload. Accordingly, we’ve compiled a quick guide to the best mobile apps for the business nomad.
TripIt (Free)
Before you begin your trip, you’ll have to actually plan it. Juggling itinerary, sharing it with your co-workers and family, synchronizing your schedules, and simply getting to the airport on time can cause a headache. With TripIt, you forward your confirmation emails to the service, and it organizes your itinerary for you. You can easily share trip plans with colleagues and family, or you can share via Facebook or LinkedIn.
Bump (Free)
Bump makes sharing content as simple as bumping two phones together. Just pick what you want to send, then hold your phone and gently bump hands with another Bump user. Share photos, apps, music, messages, locations, contacts and calendar events – or connect with your fellow Bumper via Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. It’s a nice way to network without business cards.
CardMunch (Free)
Speaking of business cards, if you ever find yourself with a pile of them in your bag after a conference, consider the CardMunch app. Instead of manually keying new contacts into your computer or phone, you snap a photo of a business card and have CardMunch convert it into a new contact. It’s not an instant turnaround, but the process generally works smoothly.
Dropbox (Free)
It’s a good idea to take the mobile version of Dropbox with you on the road. It enables you to access, edit and share dense files that don’t play well with email servers. This way, you don’t have to wait until you’re within Wi-Fi range to review files.
Evernote (Free)
With Evernote, all of your notes, web clips, files and images are made available on every device and computer you use. You can also save everything exciting you see online and in the real world. Simply snap a photo, record some audio and save it.
HootSuite or TweetDeck (Free)
HootSuite and TweetDeck both have mobile apps, so you’re safe no matter which social media management tool you prefer. These apps provide functionality similar to their web-browser counterparts, giving you control over your accounts even while you’re away from the computer.
There you have it: some of the best apps for the traveling PR pro. With so many on the market, we’d love to know how you stay connected and productive while on the road, rail and sky. Which mobile apps are you using?