Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Leadership is Traveling By Example
By Cory Andrichuk

As we turn the page onto the fourth quarter of 2009, and begin to look ahead at 2010, I want to bring to your attention the important message of 'traveling by example' to your customer base.  I believe it to be an important message because, as travel professionals doing business in the industry of travel, we have a responsibility to lead by example and take our own advice and... travel the world. 

For many travel professionals, (part-time and full-time included), it would be safe to say that it is one of the primary reasons you got into the travel industry in the first place!  I myself do love to travel, but was born into the business (that's another article!).  Working ON your business in a leadership role to become the expert your customers are looking for is a key element to success.   

You cannot read a travel trade publication these days without some advice as to how survive and thrive in these, still, somewhat uncertain times.  As a highly-specialized travel entrepreneur business coach, I felt the need to not only write about the importance of traveling next year to help sustain the industry that gives us so much, but to also point out some tangible pieces of business brand development you can learn while enjoying some time off.  Allow me to offer you 3 reasons why I think you need to pack your bags and take your own professional travel advice: 

 #1 - Price & Promotions have never been better today for tomorrow’s travel!  Bonus commissions, business-class airfare, 2 for 1’s, CLIA’s World’s Largest Cruise Night offers, Cash incentive promotions, win trips, merchandise and so much more!  Not much more to say here... you get the point!

#2 - Develop a new niche!  Got niche?  If not, then you better start thinking of one.  Maybe yours is a little old and stale, like just selling cruises?  Take advantage of the pricing out there to better brand yourself in your market.  It's not enough to be a cruise-specialist anymore.  You need to become a destination-specialist and ultimately a cruise-line expert that fits your target market.  Many agents want to sell luxury travel, yet have never experienced a 5-star ship or hotel experience.  Take the first step in developing your new niche by experiencing it firsthand.  Not only will your sales confidence grow, your customers will thank you, value you and pay you for your expertise. 

#3 - Lead by example.  Instil customer confidence by letting them know that you're taking your own advice and enjoying some valuable time off!   Yes, you're in the business of selling travel, but you're also in the people business.  The business of people means connecting with other people.  You cannot connect effectively and profitably when you are stressed out, burned out, or flat out too tired!  Most people take a vacation for a break from the everyday.  We holiday to rest and recover from a long year of working 9-5 every day... (he he - when was the last time you only worked 7-8 hours in a day?).  My point exactly!  Take the time, to make more time.  Tell your customers in as many ways as you can (word of mouth, email, website, blogging, texting, or in a flyer) that you're taking your own advice and taking a much needed break - that should inspire them to call you and try it themselves, hopefully, sometime soon!  Build a group around this concept as well... I know it’s not for everyone, and groups can be VERY hard work to escort them in the right way, but again, no better way to establish your value, relationship and brand while cruising with your customers. 

Now, go sell a group next year with your brand all over it and convince your best-friends (your customers), that they need a break as badly as you do!