Become a Home Based Travel Agent

Let's Go Surfin!
By Jan Shaughnessy

Here it was New Year's Eve day already.  I sat and stared at the little baby sitting across from me.  He looked quite smitten with himself.  He had chubby little cheeks and wore a white diaper.  "Go away little baby, I don't want you here."  He only smirked a little and blinked his eyes.  I turned away.  I had way too much work to get done today.  When I turned back, he was still sitting there.  "I told you to go away little baby; I'm not ready for you, and don't want you here."  He only giggled as he stood up and adjusted the white sash he wore diagonally across his fat belly.  It read "Happy New Year 2010".  Oh great, now I really had a lot of work to do.  The little baby giggled again.  He flicked his black Top Hat with his finger as he walked away; as if to say "Happy New Year, the ball's in your court."

So it's a new year.  What kind of resolutions did you make for your business for 2010?  Were they realistic?  We all know making a resolution to keep your office desk organized and clean isn't realistic.  That one will be broke within a week.  It's about as unrealistic as vowing to lose ten pounds when left over peanut butter balls sit in the refrigerator.  How about a resolution to never get upset with any supplier no matter what they do?  Nope,.....that's not going to last long at all.   Ok, Here's one I think everyone probably makes every year, and can truly keep with a little effort.  Increase your travel sales!  Come on, you can do it!

Wave season has begun so let's pull out the Marketing Plan and Let's go Surfin for some sales.  With a little ingenuity you'll have your Marketing Plan done in no time and be catching the waves.  Here's some ideas to help you.

The holidays are over and it's freezing everywhere.  People want to get out of the cold to warmer climates.  Check those email specials for last minute deals and send out an email blast to your clients.   The first three day weekend of the year is January 16.  There's also another one February 13th.  It'd be a great opportunity to pitch a girls get-a-way.  (or mens).  Start thinking about Valentine's day coming up and look at romance packages.   

Spring will be here before you know it.  So you should already be thinking about tulip river cruises.  Some tulip river cruises are already sold out.  Do you have a Garden club in your area?  How about pitching a trip to Cotswald, England.  Spring also turns minds to Alaska, and if your clients haven't already booked then they're late.  But there's still lots of deals to be had.

Think about all the holidays and special events  throughout the year and how you could promote a marketing campaign.  I've promoted a Superbowl cruise for seven years.  It's too late for this year, but you can start promoting Suberbowl 2011.  Think about the sports bar on Oasis of the Seas,  and Seaside theaters  on other ships that would be great viewing for any major sporting event.   Block out space early.  Some other events that you could package pre/post and cruise packages are:   New Orleans Mardi Gras, Rio Carnival, and a river cruise starting or ending  near Munich for Oberammergau or Oktoberfest.

Don't wait to the last minute to plan your cruise nights.  Start thinking about them now and how you may work them in around the holidays and special events throughout the year.   Are you planning to attend any of the big conferences this year?  You may want to plan for a cruise night soon after you return; when you're all full of new ideas and motivation.  Perhaps you might want to get together with other local agents and brainstorm about ideas for this upcoming year.  Meet with your BDM's and use the cruise lines marketing tools.   Don't forget to use all the different avenues of travel agent forums and social networking too.  Whatever your plan,  I hope you catch some great waves.  Now Let's Go Surfin!