Resolutions for Home Based Travels

Seven New Year’s Resolutions for Home Based Travels

By Gary M. Fee, OSSN President
Outside Sales Support Network

"In 2006, I will act like a small business owner first, and a travel agent second."
If being a home-based travel agent is just your hobby, like knitting or playing bridge, then you can skip this resolution. There's nothing wrong with selling travel as a hobby. If you want to build a steady home-based travel business, though, you must act like an entrepreneur. And that means learning as much as prospecting for new clients and closing sales as it does flipping through the newest cruise line brochures. Travel is a wonderful business, but it is just that: a business. And, if you place a priority on business building this year, the fun part of travel will take care of itself.

"In 2006, I will commit to a steady diet of travel agent training."

At OSSN, we're always trying new training programs like our brand-new "Webinars" that will start this spring. (You can improve your skills sitting in front of your computer, watching our seminars onscreen and listening to our trainers!) And, we invite you to join us at special conferences like the 2006 Tour & Cruise TravelWorld on March 24-25 in Tampa. Don't forget that travel is a competitive business. If you're not training to become a better travel counselor, lots of other hungry travel agents out there may take your place with your clients.

"In 2006, I will grow more business through referrals."

You've heard OSSN leaders like Penney Rudicil and Anita Pagliasso-Balamane say it many times: The most successful home based-travel agents ultimately receive a lot of their sales every year from new customers sent their way by satisfied clients. Don't be afraid to ask your top clients this year for the names of their friends and colleagues who could also use your services.

"In 2006, I will promote myself locally as the travel expert."

If you were standing trial in a court on the charge of being a good travel agent, would there be enough witnesses and evidence in your neighborhood, city, or region to convict you? What I mean is this: Have you talked to enough people, or contacted enough local business owners, or promoted yourself to enough local media all year long - so that your reputation spreads as a professional travel agent?

"In 2006, I will stake a firm foothold on the Internet."

Here's my broken record that I'll play for you again: In a world filled with Expedias and Travelocities, home-based agents need (a) their own Web site (even if it's just the home page!) and (b) an email address that does not end in "yahoo" or "hotmail" or "aol." Enough said.

"In 2006, I will make a plan for my home-based business."

Even if you simply jot down two or three sales goals on paper, the magic comes from putting those goals in writing.

"In 2006, I will always remember that my clients are real people, not $$$ signs."

The Beatles' hit song "Eleanor Rigby" talks about "all the lonely people" . . . "where do they all come from" and "where do they all belong?" These days, human beings can be very lonely. We don't join civic clubs any more, and many of us don't attend churches like the good old days. While our parents grew up in multigenerational households, many people today live alone or hundred of miles from the nearest family members. Movie attendance is down, while Apple iPods that separate us with headphones are flying off the shelves. When we sell travel, we're selling dreams, fun, companionship, memories. This year, let's remember that our clients don't want us selling them a cruise or a tour - they want the experiences that the cruise or tour will bring them.

Travel Agent School www.HomeBased-TravelAgents.com