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    Throughout his life, Joel M. Abels, Travel Trade's editor and publisher, made it his mission to keep travel agents from going it alone in business... (more)

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    Travel Agent Professional April 2012

     

    feb 2012 Issue

     

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    America's Vacation Center/Avoya Travel

     

     

     
    Real Simple Strategy
    Sherry Laskin

    You can't turn a corner without hearing it. From social networking gurus to your neighbor's geeky kid, everyone is talking about the impact and potential of social media. The two most talked about and familiar services for marketing and promoting your business are of course, Twitter and Facebook.

    If you are one of those travel agents who proudly proclaims, "I don't need to learn this" or "I would rather use a telephone," don't skip out on me just yet. This article might help explain the world according to technology. Along the way, you might become inspired.

    Facebook Twitter
    By Sherry Laskin
    Travel writer/
    NACTA Webinar Moderator
    www.cruisemaven.com

    Social Media: It's not just for kids anymore

    Confused?
    Before you even tackle your first tweet, it's more important to know what these two phenomenal platforms are able to accomplish for you. This will help you better understand their far-reaching potential to not only grow your business, but to engage and maintain relationships with new and repeat clients.
    Think of using Twitter as if you were standing on a soapbox. In only 140 characters, you have an opportunity to broadcast your message to thousands of people. For example, you could broadcast information about where to get the best Chinese food in Paris — something unique and interesting.
    A Facebook page, on the other hand, is where clients regularly go because they are dedicated to your brand. They can interact with you, other clients and anyone else who "likes" your page.
    Facebook is more like a balanced one-on-one conversation (symmetrical) whereas Twitter is much more lopsided in its reach to people (asymmetrical).

    The Difference
    We've all seen the "Follow me on Twitter and Facebook" requests. Once someone clicks the follow or like button, then what?
    Most people actively promoting their business/brand on Twitter and Facebook don't have a clue as to the "then what."
    What happens is the most common mistake in a social marketing strategy: posting duplicate messages on Twitter and Facebook. There needs to be a user-driven differentiation between the two most popular social platforms in the world. And there is.
    Twitter is what you use to send people to your Facebook page.
    If Twitter captures the possible client who is intrigued by your knowledge, i.e. your "brand," then your Facebook page should be where that same client develops, maintains and enjoys a relationship with your company.
    This is the direction you should take when creating a social marketing strategy. It is important to differentiate the real purpose of Twitter and Facebook.

    Excuses, Excuses
    When I give social networking presentations to agents, their most common reason for not using social media is that they don't need to market on the internet. Why? Because their clients are older or don't use Twitter or Facebook or they "just don't have the time."

    My comments to this are:
    1. What happens when your older clients get too old to travel? Where will your next revenue stream come from?
    2. How many parents and grandparents have been "forced" to sign up for a Facebook account just to keep in touch with their family?
    3. Unless you want to retire, you need to also target a younger, upwardly mobile demographic. The destination wedding segment fits that description. Who doesn't want to sell a wedding group to an all-inclusive resort?
    4. We all have to spend time marketing our business. How else would anyone know about us? Whether your business is entirely repeat and referral or you are new and looking to build your business, at some point you have had to market your brand/business.
    The successful use of Twitter and Facebook will convert casual participants into core clients. There's no cost, takes only minutes a day and yields measurable results.
    Do you have a social marketing strategy in place? If not, you should start planning it today.
    In my next articles, I will begin with the very basics of developing your brand through the social media giants, Twitter and Facebook. My goal is to get you up and running by taking small steps towards a successful and well-balanced social marketing presence.

    Confused about getting started on social media?
    E-mail your questions to: sherry@sherrylaskin.com

    Comments
    Leisure Pops

     

    Kenny G.

     

    Great Deal! Don't miss out!

     

    Sunshine Travel is pleased to announce 2012 China Leisure Tour Packages for any of following destinations (Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou & Guilin)

     

    7 Days/6 Nights Tour Package is for

    $299 (per person double)
    Guaranteed departure based on 2 passengers on any of date you choose.

     

    Package service includes:

    • Private round trip airport/hotel transfers with guide & vehicle service. 6 nights high-end resort hotel accommodation with daily buffet breakfast. Morning Tai-Chi class lessons.
    • Optional daily sightseeing tour transfer with guide & vehicle service. (Entry ticket to site visit & lunch is not included and optional.) 

    Please visit our web for detail info: www.chinaasiatour.com
     
    Auto

    

    Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
    You Leave For Europe (part 3)

    April 19, 2012: Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the final set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived back from your trip. (continue)

     

    Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before
    You Leave For Europe (part 2)

    Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, has compiled a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below is the second set of suggestions for being prepared once you have arrived at the car rental location. (continue)

     

    Auto Europe Car Rental Recommendations Before

    You Leave For Europe

    Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is compiling a set of recommendations that should be on your checklist for your next trip to Europe. These travel tips cover aspects for before, after and during your car rental experience. Below are the first suggestions on being prepared before you rent a car. (continue)

     

    Auto Europe: New mandatory ruling for automobiles in France

    Auto Europe, a leader in worldwide car rental services, is prepared to service their clients with the new ruling in France requiring mandatory breathalyzers in all passenger vehicles. (continue)

     

    Host Agencies

    Amadeus and Expedia sign multi-year agreement in North America

    MADRID, April 19, 2012 – Amadeus, a leading travel technology provider and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, and Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's largest online travel company, today announced they have signed a multi-year content and technology agreement for North America. (continue)

     

    Sales Tip #11:

    Build Your Professional Brand
    Create a Lasting Impression
    with These 3 Tips

    One of the best ways to maintain a customer database full of people who want to hear from you, book with you and send referrals to you is to build a strong and professional brand. Each travel agent has their own personal brand, and it's important to make sure that you take advantage of yours!: (continue)

     

    Travelsavers And Network Of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel (Nest)
    Introduce New Customer Loyalty Program

    April 2012: Travel Club, a new complimentary customer loyalty program for clients of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST travel professionals has just launched. The benefits of the program are two fold: (continue)

     

    American Marketing Group

    Launches Family Lifestyle Campaign

    April 2012: American Marketing Group continues to expand upon its award-winning lifestyle direct mail program with a new family-themed campaign, available to licensed travel professionals of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST (continue)

     

    Steven Thompson, CEO
    Of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Will Address "Well-Being And Medical Travel Conference"

    March 28, 2012 (Oyster Bay, NY) – It was announced today that Steven J. Thompson, MBA, Chief Executive Officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine International, will address the constituents at the "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (wellbeingtravelconference). (continue)

     

    Patient Travelers Give Candid Recaps at "Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"

    A specially assembled panel of patient travelers will candidly discuss their experiences in traveling abroad for medical and dental procedures at the upcoming "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012." (continue)

     

    Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic Host
    The Sales and Service Team of American Marketing Group's

    Trafalgar and Virgin Atlantic recently hosted American Marketing Group's sales and service team on a four day FAM in London. The whirlwind tour of the world-class city incorporated all of the most renowned sites. (continue)

     

    "Best of the Best Globe Award"

    Avoya Travel™/American Express® has been awarded an American Express Vacations 2011 'Best of the Best Globe Award'... (continue)

     

    "Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012" GIVEAWAY

    Any one who registers by April 15 will be entered to win an ultra-pampering personal spa package at the Centre for Well-Being at the 5-star Phoenician luxury resort. A $300 value, the prize-winning package includes a choice of two 50-minute spa services...(continue)


    20% Growth for ExpediaCruiseShipCenters

    Expedia CruiseShipCenters has entered its 25th year in business in good stride with 2011 sales figures showing a remarkable 20% growth over the previous year! (continue)

     

    "Well-Being & Medica Travel Conference 2012"

    The "Well-Being and Medical Travel Conference 2012" -- which will take place on June 20-21, 2012 at The Phoenician luxury resort in Scottsdale, Arizona... (continue)


    Sandals honored Avoya Travel/ American Express

    'Best of the Best, Western' for the company's dedication to outstanding customer service and creating exceptional vacation experiences for Sandals Resorts' guests. (continue)

     

    NCL Honors Avoya Travel With Top Travel Award

    Avoya Travel™/American Express®, one of the leading travel companies in North America and beyond, today announced that Norwegian Cruise Line has presented the company with its 2011 'Home-Based Agency of the Year' award. (continue)

     

    OASIS Reports Record
    Growth in 2011

    OASIS, www.OasisAgent.com, a leader in the development of programs for home based independent travel agents, reports another year of record growth. (continue)

     

    TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services &
    Analog Analytics Team Up to Provide

    TRAVELSAVERS Partner Services, a new American Marketing Group company, has won the account as the exclusive travel provider for Analog Analytics' Bigger Better Deal™ solution. (continue)

     

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    Joel M. Abels • Rusty Pickett • Scott Koepf• Cruising • Airline • Europe • Hotels • Luxury Cruising • Paull Tickner • Mitchel J. Schlesinger • Sherry Laskin • Les-Lee Roland • Mary Brutscher • Sue Shapiro

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    This website is dedicated to the memory of Joel M. Abels
    "HE CREATED A VOICE, NOT JUST AN ECHO"

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