Travel Agent Achievers - To Educate, Encourage and Empower Travel Professionals

Do you have a love and hate relationship with social media?

Social media is really just one component of our marketing strategy however, it can sometimes be overwhelming. Posting consistently, thinking of what content to post and where to find the details that we can share. This is just the tip of the iceberg and it can be overwhelming. I feel you.

In my experience, some of the overwhelm from social media comes with WHAT to actually post and WHERE to find it. These are key things obviously as you need to know both of these to have a presence on social media.

In this episode, I'll give you 4 places that we find content for our travel business and how we use these. Finding appropriate content that works with and resonates with your audience is key.

Social Media isn't just Facebook and Instagram. These are 2 platforms that are the most popular for travel agents to use, however there are many more. Social Media isn't also the only tool to use in promoting your business. We have a number of offline and online marketing strategies that help keep our clients informed, loved upon and also educated.

We recommend putting together a content calendar for your marketing campaign and business. This will help you stay focused on the end goal and also alleviate any fogginess with what to post and when. In our 6 Week Rebuild Your travel Business Program, we walk step by step through creating a content calendar specific to your business.

Know that wherever you are on your business or Social Media Journey you can always learn more things. If you want to build engagement and grow your following and email list, check out our upcoming 5 Days to more engagement on Social Media FREE Challenge.

And on that note… thank you for listening and being part of such a supportive and awesome community. You are AMAZING!

Keep Smiling, Ros

If you need a little help to stay on track and work on your business at anytime, make sure to join our Achievers in Travel - Accountability group.

No one ever said having a business is easy, but sometimes that saying just doesn't help either.

This episode was hard for me to release, but at the same time, I knew it needed to be said. I am honest, open and transparent with you and as a leader and mentor in the travel community, I wanted to show you that I am walking with you during this tough time.

The last 6 months have gone so fast, no one could have predicted this length of time to affect us globally and still not knowing what is to come. That is probably the hardest part, the uncertainty and trying to help clients also navigate this time too. Patience is thinning and I know how tough it is for everyone.

This episode is not just doom and gloom though as I wanted to explain and show you that coming through this time is possible and what we are doing and how I am helping others move through this period as well. I am fortunate to have a rock star team behind me as we continue to assist our clients and also be there to support you.

I want to tell you that you are not alone. You can make it through. The negativity will pass. I really do want you to take care of yourself at this time and also your clients.

As travel agents and travel business owners we are all in this together. Together though we can get through it. I am here for you.

I know it may feel hard, but it is time to work on a plan, prepare for what's yet to come and take action.

Plug into groups that will support you - including the Travel Agent Achievers Facebook Accountability group. A safe space to get support and work on your travel business.

Use the time we have now to up-skill or educate yourself more. We have another round of the '6-Week Rebuild your Travel Business Program' coming out in August - so sign up here to hear more about it and when it is released.

This is not the time to give up. You can and will get through this. We are here with and for you.

For More information, free resources and programs, check out the Travel Agent Achievers Website: www.travelagentachievers.com

Raw, real and practical. Tina Tower is one of those people you come across that you can easily relate to. She is fun to be around, but also strong when you need to hear something tough. She is a go getter in business and life.

Starting out in tutoring and building a multimillion dollar business before selling it, she knows that you need a good coach and also continue to learn in order to grow.

Tina has invested in herself and encourages others to do so as well. She not only loves to learn, but is always implementing as well. If you aren't taking action on what you invest in you aren't making a return on investment.

There is no shortage of things that can grow your bottom line. However if you don't make the time to implement you won't grow. Tina is fierce with her time management, because she knows that if things aren't done there will always be open loops. Her discipline has allowed her to make big shifts in her business and life.

If you don't schedule things in, weeks will go by and projects you want to complete won't necessarily get done.

Tips for remaining positive to work through the crappy times. Especially when there is lack of control and certainty. Mindset - Tina doesn't just put on a happy face. Her advice is to remain consistent, plan and look towards the future. Now is the time to work on the business.

Be open to experimentation. A lot of people are unwilling to put the effort in.

We only live once and we should make the most out of it. As humans, that is our mentality. As much as possible, we want to have everything and live our best lives. We want to have a successful business, happy family and make a change in our community, right?

Tina has recently released an incredible book - which she wrote in Fiji - "One Life" You can find it on Audible, Amazon or on Tina's website. She also has her own Podcast - One Life and also a number of business coaching programs you can find here.

Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency, taking action, continuous learning and measuring what results you are getting.

We hope you see the importance of taking action. And realise that you can only get what you WORK for, not what you WISH for.

Don't forget to join our community of like minded travel agents as we work towards building the business of your dreams! Join our Facebook group here

Find all the resources and stay up to date with what's happening on our WEBSITE

We all know that automation is key to our businesses' growth. However, we can't just leave personal contact and connections behind.

Connecting with clients is a huge component in the sales process and we have talked about this a lot over the last couple of months. Even during the tough times! Being present and letting them know that we are there for them.

What platforms do you use in doing this? Do you personalize the messages that go out to your clients?

Connecting with clients on a PERSONAL LEVEL is as important as automation in your business. Can both of these co-exist?

A solution to our problem is BONJORO. A personalized messaging tool. It is an application that allows users to send quick, personal video messages to their clients.

This comes in handy for someone who doesn't know much about video editing and doesn't have enough time.

It's real, authentic and shows your true personality. It is different from sending an email or text or even a phone call! It is fast and easy to use.

In this episode, Matt and Ros discuss how video and personalisation plays a key role in business these days. An opportunity exists for travel agents to strengthen relationships that can turn into business opportunities.

Taking a deeper dive into email open rates and how the power or a personalised video is a LOT higher than a general email. It's time, now more than ever to look at how you can also automate a process, but not the travel agent and travel client relationship.

Matt Barnett, CEO of Bonjoro also gives us advice on how we can maximize our use of this application.

Want some unique ideas on how you can use bonjoro in your business? Make sure you download the FREE PDF with a number of suggestions on the day to day use to increase your client engagement and client retention for your travel business.

Its time to get out of the tracksuit, put on some button up pants, because we are going to regain your mojo and start moving forward - rebuilding you and your travel business.

I am a factual and constant learner. I listen, read, surround myself with people that motivate and encourage me. It can take a little shove, but I take action. I trust my instincts. This episode I get a little personal. What is working for me right now in my travel business and life. It may also work for you.

The Travel industry, your travel clients, your suppliers they need you. Are you ready to work on YOU and your business? Your Travel Business is ready for a dust off. New opportunities await. Are you ready for them?

Check out the Travel Agent Achievers Website for all your resources to move forward.

Starting, growing or managing a business doesn't just automatically happen. You have to work for it to grow. You have to take action.

Hoping your business will weather tough times is like sticking your head in the sand and expecting a different path when you come back out. It isn't like that and I know you know that.

The world according to travel is still changing and I know, we are all starting to feel a little tired. It isn't going to get any easier in the coming weeks or months. But I know, you are in this industry because you love what you do.

In this episode, I won't let you just hope and pray that your business will bounce forward. I won't let you do that to your business or to yourself! It is a little bit of tough-love today. I want you to open your eyes and start taking action. We all need to take care of ourselves, however no one will take care of your business, except you!

New resources to help you through this time are now available! These are to help you connect with your clients and also re-building your business during this tough time.

I know that you are doing everything to survive. I'm here to be there with you and help guide you through.

Check the resources at:

6 Week - Rebuild your Travel Business

5 ways to connect with clients

www.travelagentachievers.com

For many years, to receive and hear words of praise or thanks gave me an awkward feeling. It was always unexpected. I may need therapy.

In our line of work, the most common form of feedback is negative! "My flight was cancelled." "I didn't get the King Bed" or "the view, my room smelt funny" I know we try to be perfect, and create the 'dream' our clients want, however we aren't always able to achieve this. Getting a bunch of flowers, a letter or card - the positive feedback, I know for me, fills me up and I can last on for ages! These positive comments and feedback messages are THE BEST!

Feedback in any business is important. This episode will help you get feedback (the good stuff! Constructive and useful feedback) and use it to your advantage.

We all WANT testimonials. I will walk you through a process to get these, in a non sleezey or creepy way. That makes your clients feel comfortable to brag about you!

You love what you do. I know that. It's not a job, it's a lifestyle, it's a passion.

It's time to connect with our clients and get the "Good Stories" to help you build your business.

Check out the website for ALL the tools and tips to help you with your travel business. www.travelagentachievers.com

From what I have experienced over the years, the majority of those in the travel and tourism industry are 'people pleasers.' We are genuine in that we like and enjoy taking care of others.

We are lucky that being in travel, we get to share the exciting and fun experiences with our clients, though right now, who's looking after you?

I'm hearing and seeing those that I love in this industry as well as others and myself, handling stressful situations differently. It is exhausting. So, I just want to check in and see how you are and what I can do for you. What do you need help with?

• Is it finding a light at the end of the tunnel?
• Is it helping to formulate a plan for the next 30 days?
• Is it to work with you on ideas to continue to communicate with your clients?

How can I help you in this time?

Connect with why you are in travel and why you chose the path you did. This may answer some of the questions that you have been asking yourself.

Connection. Stay connected with those that uplift you, give you purpose, make you smile and are there to listen to you through the good and ugly times.

We are in this together and know I am also here for you.

The Travel and Tourism industry needs to come even closer together than ever before. We are stronger together. We know this time will pass and people will want to travel again.

This episode isn't about being perfect. It is about ensuring we are staying true to who we are, being visible to clients and the end consumer. It's time to get SCRAPPY. Progress is better than perfection in times of crisis. Don't let this opportunity pass.

Now is the time to support each other even more, take care of one another and come out even stronger.

Use this time to update your skills. Learn new things, become a specialist or broaden your offering. Share good news stories and come together with those that will also support you on the other side.

This podcast is for those in the destination space and also for travel agents. Christina Lenkowski, our guest today is a specialist in Tourism Marketing and Public Relations. She educates busy tourism marketers the most effective ways to build a solid marketing and public relations program regardless of budget or time constraints. https://www.christinalenkowski.com/

For travel agents and destinations, now is the opportunity to be on top of mind when things shift. People will travel again.Make sure you stay up to date with the podcast by subscribing and downloading our free resources and checklists to help you with your travel business. https://travelagentachievers.com/ If you need additional help then check out my limited offer for personalised one on one coaching sessions. bit.ly//taa30minstrategy.

A few years back, we were all worried about losing our jobs and our careers because of the internet. Clients learned about Expedia and other "Online Travel Agencies" (OTA) and would no longer want to book with a travel advisor. There was so much fear in the travel industry that time. Do you remember this?

We also have that fear right now in relevance to the widespread of the CoronaVirus however, it gives me great HOPE to see travel and tourism industries working hand in hand to ensure longevity. We all know that there will be some fallout and there will be struggling businesses; this isn't going to be an easy few months ahead. This is the time that your business needs you the most.

This is the perfect time to strengthen your marketing strategies and to refresh your branding. In this episode, I will be talking about social proof and how this can create a big impact on your business and tips that you can do for your business in the present and also in future while facing these challenges, driving the negative into the positive light.

Make sure you stay up to date with the podcast by subscribing and downloading our free resources and checklists to help you with your travel business. You can access everything at www.travelagentachievers.com If you need additional help then check out my limited offer for personalised one on one coaching sessions. bit.ly//taa30minstrategy.