Business Traveler Interview: Peter Shankman

This is part of a new series here at WhyGo Business Travel featuring brief interviews with people who travel for work, asking them about what they do and some of their favorite travel tips. This way, if you’re looking for a career that will require travel, you’ll get to read about people doing some of the jobs you might consider – and you’ll also learn a few great travel tips from the travel pros!

This week, we’re talking with Peter Shankman. Peter is an entrepreneur who is probably best known for starting (and selling) Help a Reporter Out. When he’s home, he’s based in NYC, and his website can be found at https://shankman.com.

What do you do?
Well, I started Help a Reporter – www.helpareporter.com – The success of that has really grown my speaking and consulting career, and now I spend the majority of my time on the road, consulting and speaking to companies big and small.

What kind of travel do you get to do for work? Do you get to choose where you go?
The clients and speaking gigs get to choose where I go – I try to throw a day in for fun whenever I can, though.

How often do you get to travel for work?
About four days a week, at least.

Did you choose your job at least in part because you love to travel? Would you make the same job choice again, knowing what you know now?
I just sort of got thrown into it – As a speaker, I never know where I’m going to wind up – That’s the most exciting part.

What are some of your favorite travel tips that you’ve picked up?
Be loyal to one airline chain. Get to the airport early. Smile when dealing with the TSA, even though they’re idiots. Smile in general. It can get you far.

What advice do you have for someone who’s interested in doing what you do?
Go and try it. Worst thing that happens? It doesn’t work, and you go get a real job. Best thing? You wake up happy every day. 🙂

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