Become a Home Based Travel Agent

First Impressions and Your Marketing Materials
By Laura Frazier

I spend a lot of time working with new agents, and speaking with newer agents via agent message boards such as the HBTA community. One of the topics I have seen appear again and again is marketing materials.

If you’re just getting started in the business, it’s likely that you’ve got a very long list of things to get done. And if you’re like most entrepreneurs, you’re probably wondering how much of your budget should be dedicated to marketing materials. The short answer is-a lot!

I recently had the opportunity to speak at a travel trade show in Ft Lauderdale. While I was there I met a lot of great agents, and many were kind enough to hand me their business card. I couldn’t help but notice how many agents were using the exact same business card, offered by a popular online printing company. And I couldn’t help but wonder if I were getting duplicates of these business cards, how many were potential clients receiving? And how confusing would be it for potential clients to receive identical business card from various agents? Would they understand that these agents were from different companies? How would they remember which agents they were interested in following up with?

The travel business is extremely competitive. You’re not just competing against your fellow local agents, but the online giants, the mlms, the auto-clubs, and more. Getting the attention of a potential client is no easy task! You’ve really got to stand out and be memorable if you have any hope of turning a prospect into a client.

There are a lot of great companies out there that assist you with developing your professional image. And this is one area where I wouldn’t recommend you go cheap. If you have your teenage son’s best friend design your website, it will show. If you use the same brochures that dozens of other agents are using, people will notice. And if you try to produce and print your materials on your home equipment, they will undoubtedly look homemade. Not that homemade is bad in all cases-it’s great for pies. But it may not attract the kind of clients that you’re looking for.

Remember, you’ve only got one chance to make a first impression. Check out some websites and materials of companies that you admire, and see who designed their logo and website. And don’t overlook companies close to home! You may be surprised to find a great graphic arts company and web designer right in your own backyard, at a very affordable price. And local vendors are much more likely to refer you to other local businesses that may offer provide other services that you need, and potential clients as well.

Your website, logo, and other materials are an investment that will impact your business for many years to come. While you may make changes along the way, a professional branding package will always serve you well.