Anita’s Six Steps to Marketing Success | Travel Research Online

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Anita’s Six Steps to Marketing Success

  1. CREATE A BROCHURE FOR YOUR BUSINESS Before you hand out that supplier’s brochure, make sure you hand out a brochure of your own. Use a software program such as Microsoft Publisher and create a brochure about yourself and your business. If you don’t have the Microsoft Publisher software you can go to http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/templates/default.aspx for the Microsoft Office Template Gallery which offers over 3000 templates for calendars, resumes, greeting cards, business plans and lots more. When putting together your own business brochure, make sure to include the following:

  • Point out the features that make you stand out from all others in your field.
  • List all of your credentials.
  • Include a picture of yourself.
  • List all of the associations that you belong to.
  • Include testimonials.
  • Brand yourself with a unique logo that is consistent in all marketing pieces.
  1. BE A WALKING / MOVING BILLBOARD When I go to my local Curves to workout, tee shirt and baseball cap both have my agency’s logo. When I carry my mail to the post office, I put it in a canvas tote that has an enlarged version on my logo on both sides. I also order these same canvas totes to give to my clients with their documents thus enlisting them as billboards as well. I carry a briefcase and portfolio that has my logo on it to all business meetings. Here are a few more ideas:
  • Wear an interesting piece of jewelry or other items you purchased while traveling as a conversation piece.
  • Magnetic car signs that include your company information.
  • Personalized license plates or license plate frames.
  • Order some customized stickers and put them on every item given to your client.
  • Take airline tickets out of the paper advertisement they come in and put them in customized ticket jackets with your agency’s information and logo.
  1. FIND A POWER PARTNER A “Power Partner” is someone who has a different business but often the same customers. You can have a mutual agreement to refer business to each other and often times work jointly on particular events or presentations, such as sharing the cost of a booth at a bridal fair with a wedding planner or photographer. You may also agree to share databases and cross promote.
  • Mortgage broker and Realtor
  • Dive Schools and dive shops for dive travel specialists
  • Wedding Planners / Photographer / Beauty Saloon
  • Web services and networking company
  • Limousine company and event planner
  • Mary Kay and Weekenders
  1. GET OUT OF THE OFFICE!! Working from you home you can be assured no one is going to come knocking at your door to find you. You will need to get out among the buyers. Find venues to let people know you are in the business of selling travel and what your specialty is. Join organizations such as:
  • PTA
  • Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs
  • Bunko, Women and Men’s Clubs, Bridge Clubs
  • Church / School Groups and Clubs
  1. BECOME A SPEAKER If you have difficulty with making presentations or standing in front of an audience, join a local Toastmasters Club. (www.toastmasters.org). I have found just about any group that meets on a weekly or monthly basis, would be interested in having someone speak about travel, whether it is about destinations, tips for the first time cruiser, travel consumer rights, or updates on safety and security issues. Believe it or not, I once did a presentation for an association for CPAs.  I timed it for right before the height of tax season, knowing that when April 16th hit, they would all be ready to go somewhere to relax.  Here is a small list of potential speaking opportunities.
  • Rotary Clubs
  • Business Associations
  • Senior Centers
  • Country Clubs
  • Conferences and seminars
  1. NETWORKING AND BUSINESS LEADS EXCHANGE The idea is simple – members gather for regular meetings to enjoy a meal while learning about each others’ businesses and professions, as well as exchanging leads and contact information. Check the business calendar section of your local newspaper or publications for times and locations for these types of meetings in your area.
  • Local Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Leads Groups within the Chamber of Commerce membership
  • Business Leads Unlimited
  • Le Tip International – www.letip.com.
  • Leads Clubs – www.leadsclub.org
  • Business to business social mixers.

 


AnitaAnita Pagliasso is the author of “How I Made A Small Fortune as a Home-Based Travel Agent” “From Home-Based to POWERHOUSE” and “Anita’s Toolbox for Home-Based Agents CD” (www.redticketproductions.com), President, Host Agency Ticket To Travel (www.travelagentathome.com), Travel Agent Forum Conference Director, and PATH President & Executive Board Member

  2 thoughts on “Anita’s Six Steps to Marketing Success

  1. kelly says:

    Anita, what a wonderful article full of amazing ideas. Thank you for sharing.

  2. Anita Pagliasso says:

    Thank you Kelly! I’m glad you enjoyed the article! 🙂 Anita

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