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Travel insights from Anita Pagliasso
Anita’s Six Steps to Marketing Success
- Create a Brochure for Your Business –
Before you hand out that supplier's brochure, make sure you hand out a brochure of your own. Use a software program such as Microsoft Publisher and create a brochure about yourself and your business. If you don’t have the Microsoft Publisher software you can go to this site for the Microsoft Office template gallery which offers over 3,000 templates for calendars, resumes, greeting cards, business plans and lots more. When putting together your business brochure make sure to include the following:- The features that make you stand out from others in your field
- Your credentials
- A picture of yourself
- A list of all of the associations you belong to
- Testimonials
- A unique logo that is consistent in all marketing pieces
- Be a Walking Billboard –
When I go for walks or to my local workout, my T-shirt and baseball cap both have my agency’s logo. When I bring my mail to the post office I carry it in a canvas tote that has an enlarged version on my logo on both sides. I order the same canvas totes to give to my clients with their documents thus enlisting them as billboards as well. I also carry a briefcase and portfolio that have my logo on them to all business meetings. Here are a few more ideas:- Wear an interesting piece of jewelry or other items you purchased while traveling as a conversation piece.
- Magnetic car signs that include your company information.
- Personalized license plates or license plate frames.
- Order some customized stickers and put them on every item given to your client.
- Print online documents and put them in customized ticket jackets with your agency’s information and logo.
- Find a Power Partner –
A power partner is someone who has a different business but often the same customers. You can have a mutual agreement to refer business to each other and often times work jointly on particular events or presentations such as sharing the cost of a booth at a bridal fair with a wedding planner or photographer. You may also agree to share databases and cross-promote.- Mortgage broker or Realtor
- Dive Schools and dive shops for dive travel specialists
- Wedding Planners / Photographer / Beauty Salons
- Web services and networking company
- Limousine company and event planner
- Mary Kay and Home Wine Party Planners
- Get Out of the Office -
Working from home you can be assured that no one is going to come knocking at your door to find you. You need to get out among the buyers. Find venues to let people know you are in the business of selling travel and what your specialty is. Join organizations such as:- PTA
- Rotary clubs, Lions clubs
- Bunko, women and men’s clubs, bridge clubs
- Church clubs
- School groups and clubs
- Become a Speaker –
If you have difficulty with making presentations or standing in front of an audience, join a local Toastmasters Club. I have found that just about any group that meets on a weekly or monthly basis is interested in having someone speak about travel. Whether you discuss destinations, tips for the first time cruiser, travel consumer rights or updates on safety and security issues they find it interesting. Believe it or not, I once did a presentation for an association of CPAs. I timed it right before the height of tax season, knowing that when April 16th hit they would all be ready to go somewhere to relax. Here is a small list of potential speaking opportunities.- Rotary clubs
- Business associations
- Senior centers
- Country clubs
- Conferences and seminars
- Networking and Business Leads Exchange –
The idea is simple, members gather for regular meetings to enjoy a meal while learning about each other’s businesses and professions as well as exchanging leads and contact information. Check the business calendar section of your local newspaper or publications for times and locations for these types of meetings in your area.- Local Chamber of Commerce
- Business Leads Groups within the Chamber of Commerce membership
- Business Leads Unlimited
- Le Tip International
- Leads Club
- Business to business social mixers
About the Author
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