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

Do you take the time to acknowledge your progress in your business?

• You get a new client - Whoo Hoo! 🎊
• You double your commission from previous months - YAY! 🎉
• You reconnected with customers, by sending a newsletter, email, personal note - Great job! 🥂

As travel business owners, or even small business owners, we often have our to do list and then just tick off the task as it is completed.

No More!

I am going to challenge you to think about all the things you have accomplished and celebrate those as you move forward.

This is Episode 50! We are celebrating that.

I am going to share with you some WINS of the travel business owners that I work with. Not only because I want to celebrate these, but I also want to inspire and encourage you that YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

We are here for you and we believe in you!

Listen until the very end as we have a HUGE surprise for you! Since this is our 50th episode, we want to honor you and give you thanks for being an avid listener of Travel Agent Achievers.

Truly, we thank you! We'll continue to be here for you no matter what. 💪

Travel Agent Achievers - Website

Overwhelm is real! When we don't have direction, a plan or strategies in place, we can be led astray and feel like we have to do 'all the things.'

Whilst coaching and mentoring Travel Professionals and other business industry professionals, I have seen over and over again, how we can be learning and listening, see or hear of a NEW thing we 'should' be doing and then jumping onto it. It can be exciting to work like this, but it isn't sustainable in my experience.

On the other hand, I have worked with many different business owners that have a vision, a plan and stay focused and experience tremendous growth. BUT - they also know that every plan can be amended. New things come up and they can be implemented if it fits or when the timing is right.

There is no magic pill or rescue service in business. We all have our own path, yet can also get support and guidance if and when it works for you. As travel business owners, my hope and wish for you is that you do build the travel business of your dreams and one of the BEST ways I have learnt over the years to get this is to have a plan and strategy in place and work with it consistently to move forward.

At Travel Agent Achievers, it has always been our aim to ensure that as a community, we are here to empower, assist, guide, provide insight and encouragement as well as offer the tools to help you build the business that you deserve. However, without planning, you will not be able to maximise the full potential of these tools, resources, and tips that we provide.

If you're still not convinced as to WHY you need to have a solid PLAN and clear strategies for your business, listen to this episode. This week, we are going to share with you 6 reasons that we always keep in mind to remind ourselves as to WHY we need a plan and strategy IF we want our business to move forward.

Are you ready to rebuild your travel business? Are you ready to tackle all challenges and dive into them because you love it?

A strategy, a plan and a community of like-minded people that are working towards building the travel businesses of their dreams. Collaboration and sharing of ideas.

Do you want this for you? If yes, then join us in our upcoming In-Person Planning Session in Sydney! Together with awesome members of our Achievers Mastermind, let's set up a plan for your business and put some strategies in place for the coming months ahead.

You will walk away with not only the plan, but realistic and actionable steps for you to follow to move your business forward.

Click here for more details: www.travelagentachievers.com/planningday

"I need more time" is a common remark I hear often from business owners and occasionally myself internally too. :-)

Unfortunately time is one thing that we all have exactly the same amount of.

I can't give you more of it, but I can share some of the tools and resources we use in our travel business to help reduce stress and wasting precious seconds, minutes and hours in our work day.

As you start booking and engaging with clients, working smarter not harder is crucial.

This episode is just the start of sharing some of the tools we use. Over the coming months, we will share what works and doesn't work in our business, what we have tried and let go of and what we have tried and continued to use and love. We will also bring in other consultants that use different tools and why they use those too!

Instead of reverting to old school methods or going back to ways you used prior to COVID-19 in your business, I want to encourage you to become more efficient and ensure that you are getting things out of your head. Allowing you to be more creative, have more fun, and get more joy out of your day-to-day work schedules.

You CAN scale your travel business with just a few tools. You don't have to spend thousands to be more productive.

These 4 tools are to kick you off and we know will help you.

You deserve to have the travel business you have dreamt about. Now is the perfect time to be putting some of these things in place to help you grow.

Check out www.travelagentachievers.com/episode48 for all the resources and details on each of these tools.

We have seen AWESOME transformations with a number of consultants we work with around the world. Getting their travel business organised and systemised. Gaining clarity and having a clear direction with focus on a monthly basis. If you want to know how they are doing it, check out our Achievers Mastermind!

Those already in the group consistently share how being accountable, learning and implementing the tools and resources we share each month and setting the goals, and taking ACTION gives you visible and real WINS.

Have you ever put together a 'Budget' for your travel business? Or been told - you NEED to have a budget so you know what you can spend?

Well, when I think about budgeting, it scares me to bits. Why would I want to be restricted and whenever I have put together a personal budget, I've been depressed. What do you mean I can't go out to dinner more than once per month! Haha

However when you own a business, money is important. You need it to survive. And one of the easiest ways I have found that WORKS for our travel business, is to keep an eye on cashflow.

Why? Because in travel, you may have a client book now, travel in a few months and you don't get the commission until after they leave. This means that you are doing the work now, and having to wait for a portion of payment. SO, in your travel business. This ultimately says you need to look at your cashflow and prepare for the ebs and flows of the money coming in.

Making predictions based on FACTS. Preparing for the tougher months and also those where cashflow is good.

I wanted to discuss this topic as we start to reopen our businesses, as you start to get clients booking, what can you do to prepare for the future.

To track expenses and predict those in the future as well as track your sales and what is potentially coming in and plan ahead.

Looking back to March 2020, I already knew what money was to come into the business for that month and really evaluated and took a good hard look at our travel business to see where we could pull in the expenses strings, without losing the things that were important to me. Education, community, clients. Assessing what I could and couldn't potentially do moving forward - at least for a few months. I took the opportunity to look at my finances and planned ahead.

Using a cash flow forecasting tool was a real game-changer. It showed me my financial capacity, how long could I stay afloat without having to think about a business loan, and what things do I need to keep me, my family, my team, and my business secure. I believe that this is what every travel business owners need to have and do especially right now.

Our guest on this episode, Louise Delaney isn't an accountant. I specifically chose to speak to her for this reason. However, she loves numbers and is an expert in cash flow forecasting. She is a business owner herself so she knows and understands how and what we feel about managing our finances.

We discuss the importance of cash flow for our travel business, how to do this, tips and how to manage it.

We have a perfect time now to look at our cash flow and really project and work towards building a more solid, more successful travel business in the future.

Louise has tools that you can use for your business on her website, Cash Flows For You. These have been put together with simplicity, and ease of use in mind. She can also be able to help you get a real picture of how much you have financially and how much you need to keep everything afloat.

Louise is also a guest speaker in our Achievers Mastermind next month where we will be talking about Revenue Planning. If you want to know more about cash flow and have a plan set up for your travel business, sign up now! www.travelagentachievers.com/TheAchievers

We'd also love to have you in the Achievers in Travel - Facebook group, make sure you join the FREE community. Achievers in Travel - Accountability group.

There are times in life when at the time we may not feel as though we are making progress, however when we look back at actually assess where we are at, many things may have shifted and progressed.

This episodes guest is SMART! Not only taking a risk and launching her travel business shortly before COVID hit the shores of Australia.

Kristy, did not back down or give up. Instead, she started working on her business. Putting systems in place, finding her niche to ensure that she and her travel business is ready when we can travel again. AND putting herself out there.

AMAZING is an understatement for this woman.

In this episode, allow me to turn the spotlight to one of the members of our "Achievers" Mastermind. From Travel Moore, Kristy. Tune in to hear an inspiring story of someone who took a chance, has taken the risks and implemented despite the problems going on all over the world.

In this episode, I want you to know that you are not alone. Realise that we have the greatest gift of time now to get organised in our business and take action.

Yes - business can be challenging. No one ever told you that having your own business would be easy. But with the right support and guidance, you will come through this time stronger and more resilient than ever.

By taking action, self-education and training, I know that your business will soar even higher. To ensure that you are moving forward in your business and also getting additional tips, help, support and encouragement, make sure you join The Achievers Mastermind.

If you are looking for community with Action and Education, join the FREE Achievers in Travel - Facebook group, Achievers in Travel - Accountability group.

I can't wait to see you soar and cheer you on in YOUR Business Success. Ros

Do Sales or implementing a Sales System scare you?

With all that has happened in the world relating to travel businesses, it's no wonder that when it comes to promoting and booking clients caution naturally comes into play.

As we kick off this episode, I let down my own guard and talk about my own fear of sales. How Imposter Syndrome can easily creep in and its process to ensure that we work through the challenge to rise above it.

Sales is for the consumer. Sure, you have something to promote. However your travel business clients want and value your expertise, experience, level of care and guidance.

You are the expert when it comes to travel.

This Sales process is broken down into 4 key areas. Or the 4 I's as our guest Luis Baez likes to say. Together we walk you through these phases of the sales process to give you specific ideas as to how you can use each in your own travel business.

We can think that we have a B2B or a B2C business (Business to Business, or Business to Consumer) though is that really who YOU are?

Essentially and at the end of the day you have a H2H Business. Human to Human.

Owning a travel business has human connection, trust and relationships.

No one comes to your front door to buy your product without knowing who you are first. Especially if you are a mobile, work from home travel advisor.

It's important to build a connection with your clients and have that sense of trust. This is how our guest, Luis soared and excelled as a sales professional.

Luis is someone whom I speak with about Sales ALL THE TIME! Not only a soothing soul, but My Chief Virtual Revenue Officer. He helps business owners all over the world develop the confidence to grow their business. Sales processes, systems, empowering you to grow and numbers are his superpower.

How will you use the "4 I's" System in your travel business?

Impress, Inspire, Influence, and Invite - listen in, learn and let's boost sales performance in your travel business.

Not only is Luis an incredible guest on this episode, he is also a Guest Expert inside the Achievers Mastermind! The ONLY program that incorporates the training and Education, with Support, How to's and accountability for Travel Advisors Globally. If you are wanting to focus on 4 KEY Areas in your travel business, make sure you check out "The Achievers" or connect with us to see where you are at and if it is the right fit for you.

If you want support, accountability and ways to take action in your travel business, join the FREE community. Achievers in Travel - Accountability group.

Check out the Travel Agent Achievers Website for all the resources and downloads that Luis has also so generously offered to Travel Agent Achievers listeners.

Ever wondered HOW people find you when you put content on your website? Do you feel like sometimes you write a blog for your website and it goes into an 'abyss'?

How do you even know if people are looking at your stuff? Is it of interest? Well, we know we have to be in more than one place for people to find us, which is why I wanted a special expert to come onto the Travel Agent Achievers Podcast and teach us more today!

This fun and informative episode is done in conjunction with a specialist in this area. Who not only has her own blog, but she has previously built a specialised travel blog and sold it and its marketing assets for close to 6 figures! WHAAT?

YES!

Michele lives and breathes blogging and not only runs a successful travel business herself, but she also educates other travel professionals on HOW to BLOG and how to get your content seen. First Class Blogging Academy is a go to resource if you are thinking of starting a travel blog, or even if you want some new ideas and join a community of travel advisors with ideas and assistance to help attract their ideal clients.

We discuss how we are all wanting more 'time'! But in order to reclaim and use our time wisely, we need to be smarter in where we place our marketing efforts. Re-purposing your content on different platforms is one of those ways.

We discuss what "repurposing" means.

How we can do it.

Together, we walk through 5 ways and 5 places to repurpose your content to get more eyeballs on your website without having to spend too much of your time. If you want to build the best blog site, or improve your SEO and make your content marketable, this episode is for you.

If you believe that blogging is a key piece of your marketing plan, join Michele in her FREE 5-Day SEO Challenge. In 5 Days, she will help you get a jumpstart to make sure that you learn the basics of blogging! PLUS, she will help you create 4 pieces of content that you can use in whichever way you want to. Click here to join.

"Blogging is a key piece of any marketing plan. It's about content creation, it's about showing up regularly for your potential clients and your current clients." - Michele Schwartz

"As you get your name out there, as you start building your brand, you really need to think about how you can repurpose your content to become known, to become the expert and share it with the world" - Roslyn Ranse

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Linktree

Namechk

Episode 31- How Do You Describe Your Ideal Client

How to Understand Who Is Your Ideal Client PDF

7 Ways to Repurpose Your Blog Content PDF

Marketing Your Travel Agency Website

First Class Blogging Academy Website

First Class Blogging Academy Facebook Page

5-Day SEO Challenge

Get first access to our latest episodes! If you haven't already, make sure you subscribe to the Travel Agent Achievers podcast. Each new episode will help increase your knowledge and expertise as a travel agent.

We love hearing from you! Make sure you hit us up via DM, Reviewing the podcast or sending us an email.

If you have any colleagues that this information may be useful for, share an image of this podcast on socials and make sure to tag us! @travelagentachievers

Existing clients are the lifeblood of your travel business. They are the ones whom have been there prior to the current situation and hopefully they will be the ones there when they decide to travel again.

If we don't have clients, we don't have a business.

When was the last time you connected with your existing clients? When did you show up for them and show them that you're still here?

Even if all your existing business currently looks like a pile of credit vouchers and deferred travel plans right now, I am going to walk you through some different ways to connect and rebuild those relationships that are so important to us now and also in the future.

In this episode, I am giving you 3 ways to connect with your clients RIGHT NOW to ensure that you are taking a positive step to build or rebuild your business. Including those relationships that are also the potential sales opportunities for you now and in the future.

3 opportunities that don't cost a lot of money. Things that can help you get your mojo back, give you insight into what your clients want, help you define who you want to work with and help you reconnect with and strengthen those relationships with the clients you love and want to work with in the future.

Travel WILL come back! You just need to be ready for it. Are you?

Check out 'The 'Achievers' our mastermind program for travel professionals wanting to make a difference and build their business.

Get first access to our latest episodes! Make sure you subscribe to the Travel Agent Achievers podcast and send us a review for a shoutout!

Here's some of the links recommended in the episode.

Episode 08 - Customer Loyalty and Easy Ways to Gain Referrals

Episode 31 - How Do You Describe Your Ideal Client?

The Achievers

Bonjoro

5-Day Social Media Challenge

As a travel business owner, just booking travel has its complexities. Then add in that you are also a Social Media specialist, content creator, Financial Controller, Administration Assistant and the list goes on.

This year our goal for you and us as a collective, is to have efficiency, be prepared and take action in our business. Efficiency being key. Ensuring we do the things we need to to continue to move forward without getting continuously bogged down or attracted to bright shiny objects.

In this episode, I will be sharing with you the TOP 3 favourite tools we use for creating social media posts. I don't want you to get stuck anywhere. These tools are purposely made to help you get organised, take out the guesswork and most importantly, allow you to focus on your zone of genius. These tools are designed to help you become efficient and put your best foot forward.

If your social media page has been in hibernation, I want you to join us in our upcoming 5-Day Social Media Challenge! Join HERE

Let's work together to grow your audience, get seen again and put together a plan for what your clients want to see.

Make sure you also download our FREE resource with Social Media Ideas and tracking sheets to track your progress and the results you get. FREE Social Media Ideas and Tracker

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Travel Agent Achievers' 5-Day Social Media Challenge

FREE Social Media Ideas and Tracker

Easy Graphic Design with Canva

Voice to text - Create content with Otter

Facebook Creator Studio

Get first access to our latest episodes! Make sure you subscribe to the Travel Agent Achievers podcast and send us a review for a shoutout!

Have you ever tried googling yourself? What did you find? Is there anything travel-related there? Will people instantly know that you are a travel business owner by just looking at the search results? If not, then why not work to make yourself known this year, by positioning yourself as the expert.

In this episode, I talk about content creation. And why I believe it is one of the best forms of marketing for your travel business.

Content is anything that answers your clients' questions. Including social media posts, website copy, email newsletters, podcasting and even blogging. It can generate leads, builds trust and relationships and positions you as the expert in your chosen field if done right.

If you want to know more about content creation - why we need it and how does it all work, then this episode is for you.

Make sure you check our specialised workshop (Content Planning for your Travel Business) where we dive deeper into this topic and get you to come up with your plan for the year ahead.

Lets get your content marketing strategies in place to help set you up for a great year ahead.

Make sure you grab more of our resources and our FREE tips, advice and bonuses. Subscribe to our email list here!

"People want to get to know you for you" Roslyn Ranse

"People are listening, they are reading, they are there." - Roslyn Ranse

Links mentioned in this episode:

Travel Agent Achievers Content Planning Workshop

Travel Agent Achievers Podcast Episode 38 - Build Your Profile by Being a Podcast Guest

Podcast Pitching 101 by Christina Lenkowski

Michele Schwartz First Class Blogging Academy Facebook Page

Subscribe and Review on iTunes!

Get first access to our latest episodes! Make sure you subscribe to the Travel Agent Achievers podcast. Each episode will help increase your knowledge and expertise as a travel agent.

Find us on socials and share with us your favourite episodes. Make sure to tag us! @travelagentachievers