I am a start-up home based travel agent. Being a start up, my marketing/advertising budget is very small. Any recommendations for getting leads?

You are doing all the right things-but it does take time-go to as many free networking events that you can-and in the meantime learn as much as you can about (pick one destination or one type of vacation ie all inclusive) that you can possibly learn and make that your focus of conversation when you find yourself in a conversation with someone about travel.

You will then look like the expert on that particular subject and you may get a booking out of it and at that point your bookings will start to grow from referrals

Google travel market report. It has some interesting articles on how and where to focus getting clients.  Maybe get your foot in the door with the assistant to a big traveler, such as Senate reps, executives relating to foreign affairs who travel alot.  If you befriend the one that makes their traveling plans with small tokens of appreciation be it a percentage of the sale or gift card etc.. you will be the one they use.  In return I can write your Errors and Omissions coverage and kidnap and random coverage for client going to foreign country's. What about traveling insurance, do you offer that with your package?  Just throwing out some things to think about. Good Luck and hang in there

Hello Karen,

I could get you in local newspaper at  highly discounted rates.   Sincere you are a start up we would require cash with order.

I can be reached at [email address]

Sincerely,

Kim

Attend networking events. There are many free networking events, that meet biweekly. Go to a chamber of commerce meeting in your area as a visitor.

My goodness, I really paid attention...I'm in FL and you're in MA...some of the info I gave is irrelevant, because you are not local to the Tampa area.  I keep forgetting that Alignable is all over the place...!

As mentioned below you must decide on who is your idea client that will decide how to market your business. First market to your local community and you can use Google my Business as well as local business listings. Many are either Free or low cost. But first who is your ideal client.

Amazingly we have many calls just from registering on Google. Get a Facebook page highlighting your business, use the page feature in Facebook, not the personal FB page.  There are many free ways to advertise. Make posts on your page, then share them on community pages in your area. Go to Business after Hours events. Get involved in your community. 

Hello there,

This thread seems pretty old,  but i’ll respond anyway! I’m the Founder of RoyaExpression Travels. While it is difficult to sell to  millennials or any traveler who pride themselves on finding the cheapest deals! Therefore we don’t sell to them, our clients are those who want the bragging right of solidifying their travels through a Travel Designer! So we vet our clients to make certain we are the right fit and we describe what that client is.. We certainly don’t mind educated consumers that are savvy in respect to the destination they want and perhaps the research they have done. But we don’t  compete with finding the lowest cost, we create travel stories and source the globe to find the most unassuming luxury. People come to us for creativity, customization and luxury. Consumers seeking rarities of luxury understand that this requires expertise.

My answer is: find your competitive advantage and then market that! hope this helps!

Join a local Chamber of Commerce and possibly a Leads Group if they offer one,  guerilla market ie Feet on the Street to YOUR suppliers and people YOU buy from,  co-market with established synergistic businesses, write articles about your Field ( not necessarily your business, but MENTION your business) to become known and submit or post on social media; USE Social Media to build your brand. Have a good name for your business; offer value added to clients; SOMETHING FREE

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Startup businesses are always tight on budget, but they have to build a branding which cost money. It's a vicious cycle. Social media is your friend. Setup a facebook page. Post tips about vacation planning and relevant pictures every day, which people will love to read. Slowly build your brand. I hope you have a website where your client can go and see what you do. Your website is your online storefront. Most people like to see the website before contacting the business. A website does not have to be very costly. There are many low budget option, like wix, web, webbuildable etc.  Webbuildable is running a promotion to design a custom website for free. Hope that helps.