Perfect your elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a 45-60 second speech that effectively summarizes the key aspects of an individual or business. It should be short, catchy, and coherent, something you could recite during a single elevator ride with a client or employer. Creating one for your services as an independent travel agent can be quite effective, as the pitch could be used as a quick way to differentiate yourself from other independent travel agents during an interaction with a potential client.
Be customer-service-aware
It is easy to settle down with the idea that you are providing the best customer service possible. However, you may easily be overlooking certain mishaps that are keeping your customers dissatisfied and annoyed. To make sure that the service you provide is constantly improving (rather than staying stagnant, or, worse, declining) run periodic check-up tests on it. For example, you could ask your customers to fill out fast, five-question surveys and improve your performance based on the responses you receive.
Find your target consumer
Constructing a focused marketing technique is beneficial in having your business directly reach consumers. But how can your marketing strategy be focused without a focus itself? Determining the focus, or target consumer, for your services is critical for the success of your advertising campaigns. As a travel professional, it is your job to figure out the type of consumer segment that you want to target, be it one consisting of wealthier, older individuals, adventure-seeking spring-breakers, middle-class families, etc.. Once your consumer segment is chosen, your advertisements and offers can be tailored to it.
Personalize your business
Allow current and potential customers to connect with your business on a personal level; this will not only increase the chances that the customers will purchase from your business, but also the probability that they will refer your business to others. One way of doing so is by staying in touch with your customers; birthday emails, holiday cards, as well as phone calls regarding deals in which they may be interested are all excellent means through which you could let your customers know that you appreciate their involvement in your business, as well as make them feel special. Building a personalized business can also be done through the use of free social media platforms. See a previously published BNT article called “Why Focus on Selling Travel to Millennials?” for more details on personalizing your business through social media.
Educate yourself on your product
Most modern-day consumers can purchase a vacation package online, and websites that sell such packages can sometimes even match the price offered by a travel agent. So, what is the difference between a travel agent and a booking website? Personalized expertise. As much as a consumer can try, an automated website will never be able to successfully answer specific travel questions or provide invaluable travel advice. Therefore, as an independent travel agent, it is crucial to educate yourself on the destinations and trips that you offer. Reading up on various locations, taking advantage of FAM trips, or calling your host travel agency BNT Travel Group for advice are all ways through which you can become a more knowledgeable, as well as desirable agent. Using your increased expertise to communicate with clients will not only grow your credibility, but also the personalized aspect of your business.
