It’s back to school time, and across the United States, there are millions of kids just praying for a good school year where they can learn, have fun, and not be bullied or ostracized. It’s stressful trying to fit in as a student. But as an adult (and a business owner), it’s a little different—we look for ways to stand out!
I recently asked Google for the number of travel agents in the US and was pleasantly surprised. According to Statista, in 2022, there were 53,180 of us out there. OK, that is way down from the 105K in 2008, but it is encouraging since it was up 16% from last year.
That’s a lot of competition! How do you stand out? In a good way!
I think it all comes down to personality. As a travel professional in today’s world, you need to have an infectious personality that people are drawn to. You need to be different. And though it may sound challenging, here are a few tips to help you along the way:
- Smile when you’re on the phone. Even though they can’t see you, your smile will come through in your voice.
- When someone asks how you’re doing in a business setting, always answer, “I’m great!” Keep the positivity flowing.
- When you meet a customer, don’t just approach them casually. Stride confidently, offer a firm handshake and a genuine smile.
- If they come to your office, stand up and greet them instead of sitting behind your desk amidst a stack of papers.
- If a customer leaves a deposit for a trip, don’t just thank them. Take it further by getting up from your desk and walking them to the front door or even their car. Wave goodbye as they leave. The impression you leave will be memorable. Consider sending a handwritten thank you note instead of just a receipt.
- Pay attention to details. Don’t let anything slide. If you don’t take care of the details, someone else will.
- Stay in touch with your clients through multiple touch points. Reach out to them outside of a transaction, whether it’s through email, a note, a phone call, or a brochure. I recommend setting up monthly email blasts to say hello and keep them engaged throughout the year. Holidays and special occasions are great opportunities to do so. Even back to school!
The industry offers so many opportunities for success. The secret is reaching for everyone that comes your way!