25 Jul 5 Tips to Establish Yourself as a Travel Agent
At Nexion Travel Group, our goal is to make doing business easier for you, the travel advisor. But running a business is rarely easy, in fact, it’s one of the greatest challenges many people will undertake. It’s also one of the most rewarding challenges, which is why I’m happy to say that you don’t have to go it alone. One of the great things about joining a community of travel professionals is getting to learn from those who came before you.
With that being said, here are five tips to help take your business to the next level:
Specialize
Don’t underestimate how valuable specialization is for businesses looking to flourish in today’s market. Finding a niche is a smart way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Once you decide what your niche is, commit to learning more about it, even if you feel like you already know a lot. By learning more about less rather than vice versa, you put yourself in a position to offer more tailored services to your clients.
Connect
Building and maintaining strong relationships is at the core of any successful business. And remember, it’s not only about who you know, but who they know. Ask for help in identifying potential pied pipers or others who can help you reach your target audience. Put yourself out there – join BNI groups, MeetUps, your local Chamber of Commerce – organizations that can help you connect to potential clients.
Engage
Take advantage of marketing and education programs offered by your host agency, along with other organizations or industry conferences. Join a trade association like ASTA and participate in local chapter events, like the global convention and other live and virtual trainings. This is a convenient way to kill two birds with one stone – educating yourself and networking simultaneously.
Promote
Have a plan to attract new customers, while finding unique and meaningful ways to stay in touch with the ones you have. Develop a strategic omnichannel marketing plan that will help you get your name out there. You should always be sure that you are reaching your target audience and communicating your value as a professional.
Differentiate
Why should your customers want to work with you? What is your distinctive selling proposition? What can you do to stand out? How can you make your customers feel special and keep them coming back? As a business owner, you should always challenge yourself to stand out in new ways. You’re not providing something generic, but rather, offering a unique experience, skillfully and artfully crafted by you, the travel professional.