Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something!
By Amy Caldwell MCC, CTA

You run a home based business.  You have a great website, an 800 number, a Facebook page, you return emails promptly and you Tweet about travel.

So…where are all your customers?  

I’d like you to consider this: if you want new customers, shouldn’t you be where your potential customers are?   It is a commonly known fact that people like to do business with people they know, they like, and they respect.  You may be the greatest agent in the world with product knowledge exceeding all expectations, but no matter how many times you Tweet it, sometimes a face-to-face meeting is what clinches the business.

As a business owner, you should take some time to review the organizations that you belong to.  Professional groups are a must; networking online and in person with other industry professionals are great resources for information and advice; however, you aren’t going to sell anything to them.   Do you belong to anything on a more local level?

Consider your Chamber of Commerce.   The annual fee will pay for itself with just one booking.  Don’t be intimidated if every travel agency in town belongs; I can guarantee you that not every travel agency member is going to those Chamber sponsored events and networking with your local community.   Many Chamber members are members in name only. The movers and shakers of your community are at every Chamber event; these are the folks you want to do business with.  Once they become your client and you wow them with your service, they will refer you to everyone they know!  Keeping business local is a high priority for the Chamber. Attend a  “Business After Hours” or “Power Networking Breakfast” and show your local business people that you are the one to book their travel.  Bonus: your membership will include a current mailing list with the correct address, phone, and contact name for all member businesses.  This is a perfect opportunity to contact the person who makes the decisions about incentive travel, employee reward travel, and personal travel.  The Chamber offers great opportunities.

Short on cash?  Consider volunteering for a cause you believe in.   If you are unsure where to start, check your yellow pages, or Google “volunteer opportunities (fill in your community name)” and see what comes up. Another option is to go direct to:

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org.  You can put in your local zip code to find opportunities near you.    You will meet wonderful people and have a chance to make a difference; wouldn’t you do business with a person like that?  

Sometimes, you have to get out of the house to bring the business home!