You really need to join organizations and networking groups. Of course not too many! Do your research, visit several different chambers in the counties which surround your business or in the counties in which you want to grow your business.
Every chamber is different in its approach. Our chamber focuses on networking, educating our members on subject matter which affects their businesses and buy local programs to encourage growth within our community.
I find that referrals have been the best way to build business. I have advertised - as a small home based business - in just about everything up to TV and I found nothing really worked. If a client returns home from a trip and is happy with their experience that is the big opportunity: ask them about their trip and if all went well, ask them to consider referring you AND ask if you can quote them. I also live in a neighborhood of about 250 families, mixed between older and younger generations. I have focused on hand delivered travel newsletters in the neighborhood, emphasizing my location within the community. This has helped - over time - to build up my business.
I am a member of our local Chamber of Commerce, have Open Houses at the Chamber, send "colorful" postcards, FaceBook, occasional emails, mailers, and I have found "word of mouth" is probably the best. I hope to phase out newspaper ads as people are getting their news on line and it is costly! I have been able to work with our local paper to locate my ads on a popular page on a Sunday edition. In some small communities I am more successful with the local small town "Shopper" that has strictly ads. I now have been in business 5 years and I am hiring someone that has a background in marketing. My time is very consumed in marketing and now I need to let some of that go. Perhaps I should have done that earlier as I do not have the expertise in that area. If customers like you, they will be back and spread the word. Best of Luck!
Don't underestimate the power of referrals. Send a small gift of appreciation to your most valuable clients during the holidays showing them how much you appreciate their business and referrals. ASK...if we don't ask we won't get :)
Be sure to ask! Send a welcome home card which will be there when they return home. Include an offer for a referral and ask if they know anyone wanting a vacation.
Consider participating in Home & Garden Show events. These shows draw thousands of attendees of a demographic that would fit who you want to reach. I can see a display made up of images of far away exotic places and staffed with fun, knowledgeable people to explain why in this day and time hiring a travel agency is a smart move.
Customer reviews and feedback will explode your referral business. The time has long since past that gathering reviews and feedback from your existing clients was a nice thing to do if you had the time. Now its a must, customers expect to see relevant recent reviews and feedback about your business if you expect to capture them as a customer.
Imagine you did the best job for a client, they went singing your praises to their neighbor who was looking for exactly what you do, what do you think the next thing that referral will do? If they are like the 84% plus of people they will go online and look you up, what people are saying about you etc, what happens if they go and you don't have any online reviews but your competitor has 24 five star reviews when the neighbor goes and looks you up...who do you think the neighbor will end up going to?
So do you want a referral program that is one person recommends you to another where its one to one or imagine that review goes up on Google, Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, Angies List, Yelp etc...now your referral is one to 1000's who can see it, and its an asset of your business when its up on the web for all to see.
If you need help in getting started or have questions about how to start marketing your online reputation to get more customers, then give me a call or email...I am glad to help.
Same as Elayne Lord said, join a Chamber of Commerce in your area to network your business and get involved in the local tourism group. Connect with anyone who would be involved in a wedding or who does makeup, catering, etc. for additional connections. Vendor shows or events are great as well! Best of luck!
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Answers (1-10)
You really need to join organizations and networking groups. Of course not too many! Do your research, visit several different chambers in the counties which surround your business or in the counties in which you want to grow your business.
Every chamber is different in its approach. Our chamber focuses on networking, educating our members on subject matter which affects their businesses and buy local programs to encourage growth within our community.
If a client returns home from a trip and is happy with their experience that is the big opportunity: ask them about their trip and if all went well, ask them to consider referring you AND ask if you can quote them.
I also live in a neighborhood of about 250 families, mixed between older and younger generations. I have focused on hand delivered travel newsletters in the neighborhood, emphasizing my location within the community. This has helped - over time - to build up my business.
I am a member of our local Chamber of Commerce, have Open Houses at the Chamber, send "colorful" postcards, FaceBook, occasional emails, mailers, and I have found "word of mouth" is probably the best. I hope to phase out newspaper ads as people are getting their news on line and it is costly! I have been able to work with our local paper to locate my ads on a popular page on a Sunday edition. In some small communities I am more successful with the local small town "Shopper" that has strictly ads. I now have been in business 5 years and I am hiring someone that has a background in marketing. My time is very consumed in marketing and now I need to let some of that go. Perhaps I should have done that earlier as I do not have the expertise in that area. If customers like you, they will be back and spread the word. Best of Luck!
What I do is piggyback off the referrals i already have. They put me in touch with their friends and family
Don't underestimate the power of referrals. Send a small gift of appreciation to your most valuable clients during the holidays showing them how much you appreciate their business and referrals. ASK...if we don't ask we won't get :)
Be sure to ask! Send a welcome home card which will be there when they return home. Include an offer for a referral and ask if they know anyone wanting a vacation.
Offer a referral program for your business.
Consider participating in Home & Garden Show events. These shows draw thousands of attendees of a demographic that would fit who you want to reach. I can see a display made up of images of far away exotic places and staffed with fun, knowledgeable people to explain why in this day and time hiring a travel agency is a smart move.
Customer reviews and feedback will explode your referral business. The time has long since past that gathering reviews and feedback from your existing clients was a nice thing to do if you had the time. Now its a must, customers expect to see relevant recent reviews and feedback about your business if you expect to capture them as a customer.
Imagine you did the best job for a client, they went singing your praises to their neighbor who was looking for exactly what you do, what do you think the next thing that referral will do? If they are like the 84% plus of people they will go online and look you up, what people are saying about you etc, what happens if they go and you don't have any online reviews but your competitor has 24 five star reviews when the neighbor goes and looks you up...who do you think the neighbor will end up going to?
So do you want a referral program that is one person recommends you to another where its one to one or imagine that review goes up on Google, Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, Angies List, Yelp etc...now your referral is one to 1000's who can see it, and its an asset of your business when its up on the web for all to see.
If you need help in getting started or have questions about how to start marketing your online reputation to get more customers, then give me a call or email...I am glad to help.
Same as Elayne Lord said, join a Chamber of Commerce in your area to network your business and get involved in the local tourism group. Connect with anyone who would be involved in a wedding or who does makeup, catering, etc. for additional connections. Vendor shows or events are great as well! Best of luck!