Shawna Levet8 Ways Travel Advisors Can Boost Income in 2022
While this year has shown us glimmers of hope, it’s been another year of challenges for travel advisors. If you’re looking to boost income in 2022, you’re not alone. A few additional streams of income can help take the pressure off and keep you from making a hasty and costly mistake.
1. Charge a fee
Travel agents, you are WORTH the fee! This is always a huge hesitation point with travel agents. They are afraid they will turn away business by including a flat fee in their package. But by doing this, you are actually attracting clients who value your time and knowledge. If you need more motivation to charge a fee, read through this article by HAR.
2. Focus on a niche
Have you found yourself feeling like you’re trying to do too much? Offering too many services might make it hard for your ideal client to find you – and will in turn make it hard for you to charge the fees you deserve. Focusing on a niche travel market will take a huge amount of stress off your plate and allow you to excel in an area you truly love. There are so many new travel niches out there and plenty of room to create something that doesn’t even exist yet. Ask yourself these questions: What do I love? What do I have experience doing? Are there any holes or gaps in the travel industry that I can fill?
3. Be clear about what you do — and don’t do!
Time is money, right? Then why waste your valuable resources attracting customers who are not in your niche when you could be streamlining your marketing? If you specialize in group travel to Africa, avoid taking honeymoon couples who are headed to the Caribbean. It just doesn’t benefit you or your clients. Be specific in your marketing and on your website!
4. Ask for referrals
The good old fashioned “ask” is one of the best ways to get more clients. A referral will provide your brand instant credibility because it is based on a trusted relationship. Many people in sales positions are hesitant to ask for referrals. They fear this will be awkward or make them sound too desperate for business. You might be surprised to find how effective a simple “ask” can be. If this is a stumbling block for you, check out our article on how and why you should ask for referrals!
5. Ask for reviews
If referrals had a cousin it would be reviews. Thanks to online shopping, we’ve all sort of been conditioned to start our buyer’s journey by checking out Google and Facebook reviews. Stars matter, and the words in the comments matter as well. If you don’t have any reviews, your brand might appear less trustworthy or it might not even pull up in a search at all. The best time to ask your clients to leave you a review is right after they return from their trip. The enjoyment of the trip will be fresh in their minds. You don’t have to be pushy or weird about it – just a simple ask at the end of your post-trip follow-up is perfect!
6. Improve your social media
There is so much untapped potential in the social media game these days! Wanderlust is a real thing and the visual-based layouts of most social platforms these days lend themselves to the travel industry. If you’re not on social media – it’s time to do it. Don’t just jump in with anything though. Do some research, make a plan, conquer!
7. Boost income by starting a blog
Starting a blog is an easy way to draw people to your website and maybe even bring in some extra cash flow! The most important thing to use your blog for is to add value to your current and future clients. But you can also use it to earn money through affiliate partnerships and ad space. Here are some tips on making money with a blog!
8. Include airfare in your package
If you’re not including airfare in your travel package, it’s time to start. When you decline to offer your clients airfare, you run the risk of losing them to a travel provider who will offer the full service. Many travel agents who sell airfare with Centrav earn as much as $100 per ticket! It’s an easy way to increase your bottom line while keeping your clients happy.
