Marketing your travel business can be the difference between whether or not you’re successful, or simply scraping by. If you don’t have the right marketing plan, it won’t matter how good your services are; your clients will never find you. When you’re just starting out, it can be difficult to know where to begin and what steps to take in order to gain exposure and attract clients. This article on five ways to market your travel business should help get you started in the right direction.
Become an Authority in Your Field
A good way to market your travel business is by becoming an authority in your field. One way you can do this is by writing and publishing articles, podcasts or videos on a regular basis. Doing so will help you gain exposure and credibility with potential customers. You should also take advantage of social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Encourage followers and subscribers to share their pictures of the trips they have taken with you. Share customer testimonials from time to time, which will give your company some more visibility as well.
Another great way to get the word out about what you offer is by giving presentations at trade shows, conferences, or even local events in your area.
When it’s time for people to book a trip, don’t be afraid to negotiate prices and find creative solutions for them that meet their needs. The important thing is getting the customer excited about booking a vacation with you.
Keep in mind that marketing your travel business isn’t just about having an attractive website; it’s about making sure that there are interesting things for people to read on your site and compelling them to call or contact you. If these tips haven’t helped, feel free to reach out to me for any additional assistance.
Social Media to Showcase What You Do Best
Use social media to promote your travel business. Social media is a great way to reach out and connect with potential customers by showcasing your best features. In addition, you can use social media to provide customer service for those who book a trip through your site or app.
- You can use Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration on photos of places you want to go if you don’t already have enough content for both sites.
- Facebook Live is a great place to showcase specials that are available exclusively to followers, like last-minute deals on flights.
- YouTube might be an option as well for creating video tutorials or presentations about topics in the industry that you are knowledgeable about.
It’s important to find what works best for your target audience and what works well for the message that you want to portray. The more diverse your social media presence is, the more likely it will be seen by new people.
Focus on the Customer Experience
A happy customer is the best marketing you can have. It is imperative that you make your customers feel valued and appreciated at all times. This can be accomplished by taking time with them and making them feel like they are a part of your family. You should ask for their input on what they would like or need, and their feedback on the products or services you provide, and stay in touch with them even after they leave. Remember it is not just about selling; it is also about developing relationships.
Consider Writing an Ebook, if you have knowledge and expertise in a particular area, such as traveling abroad or luxury vacations, consider writing an ebook detailing some of your tips for successful trips. There are many ways to share this content including through websites such as TripAdvisor or sharing through email newsletters. Be sure to include social media links so people can connect with you online as well. The potential benefits of these sites include word-of-mouth referrals, partnerships with other travel experts, and connections with bloggers who are interested in your niche topic.
Take Advantage of Social Media Platforms: As mentioned before, if you’re using Facebook or Twitter then focus on engaging followers through posts that go beyond sales ads. Engage them by asking questions and getting them involved in contests or giveaways.
Look for Partnerships
One of the best ways to promote your business is by partnering with other travel bloggers or influencers. You can contact them and ask if they would be interested in cross-promoting or even giving a discount on their product for those who book with you. Offer incentives for reviews and testimonials, which can also help attract new customers.
Find out what people are saying about your company online and engage with them through social media channels. Share these conversations publicly so others can see how much people like working with you. Remember that as you grow, it’s important to build relationships outside of marketing.
We mentioned that it’s important to find friends outside of marketing. Networking events such as Meetups and industry conferences are great places for this because many times there will be one or more networking sessions before the event officially begins where attendees meet each other and talk about themselves professionally.
Tell a Story
One of the best ways to market your travel business is by telling a story. Telling a story allows you to show who you are, what you do, and how your products can help others. It also gives potential customers insight into why they should work with you instead of someone else. The more personal the story, the better because it will help build an emotional connection between you and your audience which makes it easier for them to believe in what you’re doing. For example, say that I want to start selling flights from Jersey to Europe – my story would focus on the reasoning behind my goal. I might say something like: I started this company because I’m tired of seeing people leave our beautiful country for warmer climates. I want Jersey’s economy booming again and flying back home from Europe doesn’t seem so bad now.
About the Author
Craig Lebrau is the CMO of Media Insider, a Wyoming-based PR company that aims to disrupt the way companies communicate their brand in the digital era.
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