I hate to say it, but summer is here, and it’s time for us to gear up for one of the slower times of the year. However, it’s important to remember that slow summer months don’t have to mean slow business. With the right approach, you can turn this traditionally quiet time into a golden opportunity to sell more travel and earn more commissions. Here are five opportunities for you!

Read the rest of this entry »

Despite the rumors, travel agencies are very much alive. The ones that came out of COVID are stronger than ever and are doing record business. Unfortunately, along with that strength comes strengthened competition, and it becomes more challenging to set yourself apart from the agency down the street—or across the country. So how do you do it? Read the rest of this entry »

First impressions count. No debate. We are constantly being judged, especially in business. When someone first meets you for a business need, they ask questions. Will there be another meeting? Do I like this person? Do they seem trustworthy? For better or worse, today, most of the first “meetings” happen over email. And a good portion (if not the majority) will be from your mailing list. Are you making the right impression with that first contact? Or are you making mistakes right out of the gate that will sink your chances? Read the rest of this entry »

My apologies to John, Paul, George, and Ringo for appropriating your title, but it is true! I might add that we thrive with a little help from our friends. All business tends to be very territorial and insular. Machismo takes over, and we all feel that we are invincible and can handle anything that comes along. It is almost human nature not to ask for help, and that is something that needs to change. Read the rest of this entry »

I am sure we all know the tried and true standard marketing tactics. But several new ones might be just the ticket to give your travel practice a bit of a boost.  Some come with a cost, and others…not so much. Read the rest of this entry »

For the past two weeks, this column has focused on podcasting. We talked about why you might want to start one, and how to go about planning it out to maximize your success. Today, it’s all about the nuts and bolts—what do you need, in terms of equipment, to get started?

First, let me say that a podcast can be started on a shoestring if needed. The equipment can also run into tens of thousands of dollars. But there is a happy medium between using your cell phone and budling out a full-blown studio. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, I discussed why you might want to start a podcast. And as promised, this week, I will discuss some of the steps to get you started. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to travel, we are the experts. We provide valuable insights and recommendations to our clients based on years of experiences—some good and some bad. Five years ago, I bet you had heard about podcasts but really didn’t know about them.  Today? They are everywhere. With the meteoric rise in the popularity of podcasts, we have a unique opportunity to reach a wider audience and share our expertise in a new and engaging format.

Here are some reasons why a travel agent should begin a podcast: Read the rest of this entry »

Last week, I read Richard Earls’s column about pulling out of a slump, and it resonated with me.  We all have slumps and must know how to pull out of them. But what happens when the slump is the economy?  Currently, in my agency, I am seeing the pent-up demand for travel in a post-COVID world, but the uncertainty in the economy is offsetting it. My clients (single parents) are a different demographic than most, so I am concerned. And I have been through a few financial valleys in my business in the past, and I know that now is NOT the time to pull back on marketing!

In times of economic downturn, it’s easy to take a “belt-tightening” approach by cutting costs. And let’s be honest; marketing is a low-hanging fruit. However, research has shown that increasing marketing spending during a recession can lead to significant benefits for businesses in the short and long term.

Here are some of the reasons why. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you using  CRM? A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is essential for any travel professional—solo or working as a team. Your CRM will help to manage and streamline the entire sales process, improve your customer service, and actually increase sales.

Here are my seven reasons why a CRM is so critical: Read the rest of this entry »

Salespeople have gotten a bad rap over the years. Who enjoys the car buying experience or negotiating with the cable salesperson? But there are times when dealing with a salesperson is a grand experience. Have you ever shopped at Nordstrom or a quality jeweler? A good salesperson can be a godsend when you are in over your head, like I am when buying jewelry. Or perhaps when someone is over their head in (dare I say) arranging their next vacation?  So what will differentiate you between the bad car salesperson and the one at Nordstrom’s? Read the rest of this entry »

I belong to a local networking group, and we meet monthly on Zoom, but there is a sub-group that really clicked, and we meet every other week for beers.  Our beer meetings tend to get deeper into the weeds than the typical “Hi. I’m John, and I can help with your travel needs.” We all operate public-facing businesses, meaning you can walk in and buy a product or a service. Last week, we discussed best practices for running our businesses, and I took notes. And as I looked at them, I realized that my travel business is not that different than the jewelry shop, the hardware store, or the grocery.  Check it out (in no particular order)! Read the rest of this entry »

Today, we will be hearing a lot about a Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  This is an opportunity for businesses and individuals to give back to the community and make a positive impact. By participating in community service on this day, you can reap various business benefits and some personal ones as well. Read the rest of this entry »

London is a city known for its diverse and vibrant food scene, with a wide range of restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world. From fine dining to casual eateries, there is something to suit every taste and budget. Here are some of the best restaurants in London: Read the rest of this entry »

It’s that time of the year!  After a year of “full steam ahead” it is time to take a breather! Unfortunately, in our industry there is this idea that there is no such thing as time off. I say BS! And I am going to do just that! Read the rest of this entry »

Don’t sweat the small stuff. I have heard that for decades. And I disagree vehemently.  Small stuff has a way of becoming big stuff; if you are not watching it, you can be in trouble. Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control is a better option for me. Read the rest of this entry »

Making mistakes is fine, ordinary and to a certain degree, expected—once. But when you fail to learn from them, you can be in a world of trouble.

So how can you prevent yourself from falling into the mistake trap again? Get out a notebook and pen or pencil and follow along: Read the rest of this entry »

Where did the year go? No, it is not the COVID funk that has our collective sense of time all warped. It seems like yesterday it was spring, and we were all enthused with the glacial pace of the return to normalcy. I looked at the calendar and realized it was November.  NOVEMBER!!  I need to order my 2023 calendar and more to the point, I realized that Thanksgiving is this week! And let’s be honest, there is a lot to be thankful for! Read the rest of this entry »

If you are looking to win the game of business, you must master three aspects of running that business. Product. Service. Price. Unfortunately, we have no control over the product in the travel industry. We have little control over the price. But we have absolute and total control over the service. So, how to make sure you are at the top of the game?  Here are ten ways to get there! (Relax, it’s a short read) Read the rest of this entry »

Over the years, I have seen it all. I have seen airline commissions dwindle and finally be eliminated. The Internet has done its best to thwart me. Tour operators have now become my competitor by selling directly to my client. And cruise lines kept lowering their fares while raising their fees so they could pay less.  With all that, imagine my surprise when I saw this subject line in my e-mail. Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »