Become a Travel Agent

Home Based Travel Agents
Do You Need Help?
by Joanie Ogg CTC MCC

Owning your own Home Based Travel Business is not only a feeling of great pride but the fact that you are in charge

 and can run an operate your business as you choose makes it very self satisfying as well. As your business grows perhaps you may find that the workload is too much to stay on top of and looking for some assistance becomes necessary to stay on track and continue to grow your business.

It is always a big decision and even perhaps an emotional one to relinquish some control of your business to someone else be it a partner, employee or another independent. I have had many members of NACTA ask me about how to go about doing this and therefore felt this might be helpful to the readers of Home Based Trade.

The first step might be to ask yourself some of these questions to see if you do need help with your growing business. It often helps to make it clear that you do in fact need help so that you business does not go into a holding pattern but instead remains a growing and profitable entity. Before answering these questions perhaps you can take some time to make a list of your daily business activities with a clear description of what you do. This may help you realize where delegation might be an option.

Do you work longer hours than you used to and much of the time is spent on routine tasks that might be done by someone else?

Are you putting of clients and deadlines and using voice mail far too much because you are too busy to take incoming new business?

Do you do all your own graphics, web design, ad design etc that perhaps might now be done by using outsourcing to make your time more useful to build business?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions then perhaps you might look at some alternatives available to help you grow your travel business. Here are some ideas to consider.

The Family and Friends Option

This is an alternative that only you know in your heart will or will not work well. In some situations this is not even an option but if it might be for you be sure to handle it appropriately and cautiously. Remember there are loved one’s involved and your relationships are far more important then any business can ever be. If you have friends who do not work, perhaps they would like a little fun money to do data entry for you or to help manage some aspect of your workload.

Compensate these folks fairly or they will simply feel easy and used. We have always looked to Andy our son to be a part of our businesses. In the beginning days of NACTA he was our “Bulk Mailing Specialist” for our newsletter. We would sit in the living room and work through the piles of mail at night. We paid him by check and he felt not only useful but he was learning a good work habit at an early age. He was about 12 at the time. Now Andy is an independent contractor for Tom Ogg and Associates and works 25 or more hours a week on Tom’s CruiseReviews.com website or on PortReviews.com. It has worked for us but it does have its challenges sometimes. Keep an ongoing open line of communication and it might work for you too.

Partnering With Another Agent Option

Perhaps an option for you might be to work with another home based agent. Perhaps they are just getting their business started and can use the extra income or experience you offer. An agent my be a cracker jack at web design and you know that is not your thing at all. Maybe you have an expertise they need. You can trade out services or you can pay each other as an independent. Just be sure you have a contract and or agreement so you are both clear on your obligations and understanding of the relationship.

The Employee Option

You can hire an employee to work in your home or perhaps better yet from their home. Just keep in mind that you must comply with employee labor laws and other details in your specific local. This is an option that involves more of a commitment of time setting it up for your business. If you decide to do this in your home you must be sure you are zoned to have an employee work in your office. Look carefully at this option to be sure it is financially viable.

Another option along these lines is to look to an employment agency to assist you in finding either part time or full time help that meets your needs. There are several agencies that specialize in travel that could be of assistance.

Business Support Services Option

There are businesses out there that offer all types of support services to businesses that may be just the ticket for you. Some of these services include: database management; bookkeeping; graphic design and services; editing; word processing, etc.

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Table of Contents

April 2007 Edition
Available NOW!

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Table of Contents

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Finally a comprehensive workbook companion to the Study Course. This workbook, start-up check list and test will make starting your own home-based travel business easy. If you plan on starting your business soon, be sure to purchase the workbook companion to the How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency Independent Sturdy Course.

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