Today, I’m dusting off my crystal ball and asking it a very important question: What’s the next big thing in travel agent marketing? Well, my crystal ball was kind enough to give me not one, but three answers to that question. So, here are my 3 biggest predictions around this year’s content marketing trends for travel pros (well, one’s less of a prediction and more of “I hope this changes this year!”). Check ’em out below—and let me know if your crystal ball shows things playing out differently! 1. Connecting via video: … read more
The Difference Between “Copy” and “Content”—and Why Travel Agents Need to Know It
There’s something that’s been bugging me. It’s about my fellow copywriters. Well, some of them. “Copywriters,” in scare quotes, if you will. I’m talking about the folks who brand themselves as copywriters, and then mainly sell blogging services. Yeah … that’s not copy. And these “professionals” should know that! (And that’s why I’ve very purposefully branded myself as a copywriter and content marketer). You can be one helluva travel blogger, without scoring a single client. Or, you can advertise your travel services on a big ol’ billboard — or a flashy Facebook ad … read more
Grow Your Audience Through Guest Posting [Email Template]
I got an email from a client the other day (hi, Stephenie!). She had a dilemma. She created an awesome new opt-in offer (also known as an IFO or lead magnet) to build her online list of travel leads. But … she wasn’t exactly sure how to get her prospects to sign up for the thing. She’s not getting a ton of traffic to her website or social media channels yet. And the thought of running FB ads makes her head spin. Did I have any suggestions on how to get her … read more
Why Your Travel Agent Marketing Is Really a Numbers Game
Think travel agent marketing is all about dusting off your English Lit skills and writing compelling copy? Naw. Marketing is a numbers game. This might sound funny coming from a copywriter … but it’s true. It doesn’t matter how incredible the blog post you just wrote is — if it’s the only blog post you wrote in the last 3 months, it won’t really make a difference. And that juicy opt-in offer you absolutely slaved over? If that’s the only opt-in offer you’ve got, you’re leaving tons of prospects on the … read more
3 Ideas for Travel Pro Holiday Marketing Campaigns You Should Run *Right Now*
December’s here! December’s here! I don’t know about you, but pretty much for this entire month all I want to do is check out and stuff my face with every kind of cookie imaginable, washed down with eggnog. … But that wouldn’t be very smart of me. Because December is the month of opportunity for small business owners. Yes, even service-based business owners like travel agents. The spirit of giving is in the air — and there’s no reason why you can’t get in on that jolly giving and gifting … read more
The Top Travel Agent Marketing Tools (5 Are Free!)
As a travel entrepreneur, you wear a lot of hats — and CMO (that’s Chief Marketing Officer) is one of them. It takes time (and passion!) to market your travel business effectively. Luckily, there are TONS of tools out there aiming to make the marketing process easier for entrepreneurs. Without further ado, here are 7 of my favorite travel agent marketing tools — and you don’t have to spend a penny on some of them!: My Top 7 Travel Agent Marketing Tools to Help Build Your Travel Business 1. Help A … read more
Travel Agent Tips: 7 Marketing Stats Every Travel Agent Should Know
I’m a words gal, but I know it’s sometimes useful to consider the numbers. Looking at marketing statistics helps us understand what’s working and what’s not for other marketers. That’s why I found 7 marketing statistics that I think apply to travel agents — if you’re a solo-preneur or the head of your agency, then it’s your job to be on top of marketing trends and numbers, too. These 7 travel agent tips and marketing stats will help you decide where to focus your marketing efforts and, hopefully, inspire you … read more
Email Marketing for Travel Agents: The Essential Follow-Up Campaign
You want to grow your travel business. To do that, you need more clients. To get more clients, you need more leads. To get more leads, you need to master email marketing for travel agents! The first step to attracting more qualified leads (you know, the kinds of leads who can become DREAM clients, with a generous budget) is creating an enticing lead magnet, otherwise known as an opt-in offer or IFO. Essentially, a lead magnet is a free piece of content you create, like a free guide, that you … read more
How to Market Your Travel Business: Build Your List of Leads
Want to know how to market your travel business? Well, it all starts with having people to market to. That’s why you have to build your list. And one of the BEST ways to do that is with something called a lead magnet. I’m talking about the list-building tool that also moonlights as a few other names: opt-in offer, freebie, irresistible free offer (IFO) … Basically, it’s some sort of content (like a guide) that you put together and then offer for free to your prospects, in exchange for their email … read more
3 Sneaky Ways to Drive More Traffic to Your Travel Content
Are you diligently posting to your blog every week (or heck, at least biweekly), snapping up a storm on your travel biz’s Instagram account, or sending out a regular e-newsletter, BUT … … It feels like no one’s reading? [cue the sad violin music] I get it. It sucks to pour so much of your time, energy, and budget into creating awesome content … only to hear crickets in response. Building up an audience takes a lot of patience. There are, however, a few sneaky little ways you can get more eyeballs … read more
