I want you to think waaayyy back to English class for a moment. (Ugh, I know, who wants to remember that — but trust me, this will help with your travel agent marketing!).
Do you recall a nifty little technique called in medias res?
That’s Latin for “into the middle of things.”
Why am I dredging up old Lit 101 lessons right now?
Because applying this dusty old technique — used in classic texts like The Iliad and modern classics like Inception — can *actually* help you write far more compelling copy for your travel prospects.
Think about it. How do your favorite books and movies hook you?
Do they start slow and sluggish, recounting all the character’s names and quirks, details of the setting, time of day, etc. etc. etc. before they really get going?
Or — do they thrust you right into the action?
Right into the middle of things?
Often, it’s the texts that jump right in that pique your curiosity and keep you reading.
How to Use “In Medias Res” in Your Travel Agent Marketing
How can you use this as a travel pro? Try it with your next e-newsletter or blog post.
Instead of writing a standard “Top 5 Things to Do in Costa Rica” post, take a personal, narrative approach.
Start with the wind rushing through your hair, you screaming at the top of your lungs, as the GIGANTIC tree seems to be getting closer and closer and closer, until …. (That’s a heck of a lot more fun to read than “Zip lining in Costa Rica is such an adventure!”, right?).
Start in the action-packed middle. It’s an instant hook!
As humans, we’re drawn to stories. So pepper some storytelling techniques into your travel agent marketing content now and then to really make it resonate.
In medias res is a good one to reach for whenever you’ve got a really juicy, dramatic tale to tell.
And as a professional who travels for a living — and helps send others on their own adventures — I’m sure you have some of those kinds of tales up your sleeve 😉
Have you ever told a story in your e-newsletter or blog post? How did your readers respond? Share in the comments below!
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