I used to travel a lot.  As I built up my database, I would take any speaking gig out there, it didn’t matter where.  It was expensive (airfair, hotels, transportation) and the immediate income never covered the costs.  In the seminar promoter world, I’ve discovered that there are two main schools of thought when it comes to making public appearances.

(1)          People know you’re real.  In the Internet world, it’s harder to build trust and credibility.

(2)          It’s an easier way to make a sale.  This is something I only have just discovered.  If your offer is right, and you’re doing it in the right way, you can get an immediate rush of sales.  It’s like adrenalin and that’s why I’ve discovered most seminar promoters continue the road show.  They like the rush of quick cash. 

I’m still reaping the benefits of those earlier years on the road.  If I were doing it again, I would be smarter about making sales as well so that I could at least break even on the cost of the trip.

That’s all moot now right though.  I made the decision 3 ½ years ago when we adopted David to be home more. 

So, this trip to DC was a reminder of what I loved, and hated, about traveling for business.  (Seminars on the road don’t quite count, because my company controls the environment.)

I love the excitement, adventure and challenge of traveling.

I love meeting new people and making contacts.

There was no wireless in my room.  I have a new MacAir which doesn’t have the ethernet option.  So whenever I wanted to post a blog, forum comment or check email, I had to run downstairs.  (How come I can get wireless anywhere in India, but I can’t in the US?)

I actually get more sleep on the road – no worry about David out late, chihuahuas barking, husband snoring… 

I blew a couple of writing deadlines.  I write a lot these days both on my website and for other’s websites (as a way to inform and drive traffic back to mine).  My schedule got completely disrupted when I was traveling and I forgot about a couple of deadlines.  Ooops.

I love flying.  When I’m on the plane,  I can just completely let go of any need for control.  No one can call me or email me.  I get a lot of planning done when I fly.

Would I go back to flying as a way to build my business?  It would have to be in a very leveraged fashion.  I’d go somewhere that there was a big network already in place.  But, in general quick trips like this 3 day trip to Washington DC is too disruptive to my business and to my home life.  I can do it once in awhile, but not every week like I used to.