Eagles don't flock together, they soar. So much emphasis on marketing and social media, it is easy to forget that the retail travel agency channel is, in fact, the commissioned sales force of the industry. Its sole function is to SELL travel. It is not even a chicken or egg debate. Everything you and your company does (marketing, operations, public relations, training, etc.), should be to support the sales strategy of the business. This is where we as an industry fail. Unfortunately, in our lexicon “Sales” and “Marketing” have taken on the same meaning. Agencies and advisers (especially independent contractors) expect their marketing programs to sell for them. However, the role of marketing is not to sell, but to produce prospects. If you aren’t practicing the fundamental mechanics of selling and sales management – no amount of marketing will help. I share based on personal experience and expertise learned as a travel professional, agency owner, and luxury cruise line sales executive.
Adam Martindale: An Overnight Success- Five Years in the Making!
Adam Martindale started his career on cruise ships at the age of 19. His hospitality background in food and beverage has been a major factor in his success. In this episode we discover how he went from cruise line to Cruise Planners.Why a franchise vs. independent or host agency.How he got his start selling travel.Why it pays to quickly figure out your specialty.How he became a top seller.Using social media to become an expert and grow his business.Learning from failure.How to use co-op marketing support to grow sales.Building a team to support sales efforts.Three things I wish I knew...What being a "Wealthy Travel Agent" means to me.Click on the link to purchase Dan Chappelle's Amazon best selling book, Get Your S.H.I.P. Together - The Wealthy Travel Agent Guide to Sales. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-S-H-I-P-Together-Wealthy/dp/1523654589/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
6/26/2020 • 31 minutes, 7 seconds
A Conversation with Sandra McLemore of TRAVEL MARKETING & MEDIA
Please subscribe, rate, and review each episode - Thank You!Sandra McLemore is a driving force in travel agent marketing, Her programs have helped over 12,000 travel professionals just like you.Getting to know Sandra.Overcoming the limiting belief of "niching down"Importance of the balance of Sales and MarketingThe ONE Thing - A high converting, three-level marketing funnel.Mistake most advisors make - 96% start at the bottom.The absolute necessity of playing the "Dating Game"."Content is king, consistency is queen!"How of mentorship and coaching have been instrumental to her success.Must listen: Three things she wishes she knew then that she knows now.Sandra's vision of "The Wealthy Travel Agent"For more information about Sandra and how she can help you, visit: https://www.travelmarketingandmedia.com/Click on the link to purchase Dan Chappelle's Amazon best selling book, Get Your S.H.I.P. Together - The Wealthy Travel Agent Guide to Sales. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Your-S-H-I-P-Together-Wealthy/dp/1523654589/This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
6/26/2020 • 36 minutes, 21 seconds
Anita Pagliasso- How PATH is helping its members cope with COVID
Anita Pagliasso: VP Industry Relations, KHM Travel GroupIn 2020, Anita merged the agency she built in 1992, Ticket to Travel, with KHM Travel Group, and serves as Vice President of Industry Relations. This partnership brought together two leading host agencies with like-minded business goals and matching strong core values. Anita has served as the Conference Director for the Travel Agent Forums. She is a charter Executive Board member and the President of PATH (Professional Association of Travel Hosts). She is the author of top-selling books and has also produced the popular CD – “Anita’s Tool Box for Home-Based Agents”. Anita is part of the Travel Institute’s Professional Educators’ Program (PEP).To find more information about PATH at www.path4hosts.comShe has served on numerous supplier advisory boards and currently serves on ASTA’s Independent Contractor Advisory Committee.For more than 14 years, Anita was a featured monthly columnist for Agent@Home Magazine and writes monthly articles for Travel Research Online and most recently, her articles appeared in Travel Weekly. Anita is the developer of the powerful database management CRM, Agent Base Connect, and co-founder of Travel Professional Academy, who, along with Ticket To Travel-Host Agency, and KHM Travel are proud TPOC supporters and partners!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
6/26/2020 • 30 minutes, 36 seconds
Bob Duglin - How the American Association of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is helping the Industry Navigate the COVID Crisis
Bob Duglin is ASTA's Vice President of International Membership & Host Agencies as well as Managing Director, ASTA Small Business Network.It's a big job with a ton of reponsibility to help represent the needs travel agencies and advisers to governtment agencies and consumers.In this episodeBob's story - It's always interesting to hear how people evolve into their current roles - Bob is no exceptionThe role of ASTA- What they do for you and why you should careRecent Wins: California AB-5 and The CARES ActThe ASTA Verified Travel Adviser Program - The industry's "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval"TravelSense.OrgThe future of ASTA and the Travel IndustryASTA's COVID ResourcesASTA Small Business Network - New member offerThree things...What does being a Wealthy Travel Agent mean to you?Links mentioned:ASTA.org (to join and save $50 - use discount code ASTA50)TravelSense.orgBob@ASTA.org#AmericanAssociationofTravelAdvisors@American Association of Travel AdvisorsPlease rate and review. If you would like to be condsidered as a guest on a future episode, please reachout to: Dan@WealthyTravelAgent.comThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
6/2/2020 • 26 minutes, 22 seconds
Lynn Clark- From Corporate Marketing Maven to Sales-Focused Retail Travel Entrepreneur
How Lynn's journey from corporate marketing (starting with Disney) led to a partnership in four Travel Leaders locations in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this episode, Lynn will share her journey as well as how she and her partner are reacting and recovering in the COVID-19 storm.Belief in the value of retail locations and how the shelter at home orders have changed the way they work.Her affirmation that you are only as good as your team- the steps she took to keep from laying off as few as possible.The Perfect Storm that is COVID-19The value of belonging to a paid mastermind program with your peers.The importance of their relationship with Travel Leaders in reacting quickly to the changing business environment.How they will operate going forwardHow long she predicts a recovery back to pre COVID booking levelsCurrent trends for 2021 and 2022Any regrets?Three things she wish she knew before becoming an agency owner.Lynn's definition of "The Wealthy Travel Agent."This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
5/18/2020 • 32 minutes, 33 seconds
Estee Gubbay - How a request for a hotel upgrade sparked a successful travel business.
From working with coaches and mastermind groups, Estee Gubbay has turned her passion for travel into helping others. Just two short years in the business and she is already earning a six figure income.How a request for a hotel upgrade sparked her interest in selling travel.Knowing what you are worth is essential to success.Two clearly defined niches: Retreats for Mastermind groups and Bucket List experiences.Acres of Diamonds: Sources most clients locally avoiding most networking functions in favor of professional groups such as BNI, LEADS, and LeTips.Adopting a "Selling" Mindset - knowing failure is part of the processEncountering jealousy from those who do not want to see you succeed.Ah Ha Realization - It's my business!Estee knows she and she alone is responsible for her success. She is willing to do what is necessary to support her goals and not take "NO" for an answer.This is a sign of a true entrepreneur! I hope you will take away a number of things to incorporate into your own busienss.If you enjoyed this episode, please take the time to rate and leave a comment.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
5/11/2020 • 26 minutes, 52 seconds
Michelle Fee's Travel Agent Survivor Guide To Covid-19
This globe-trotting, marketing genius is anything but ordinary. Michelle doesn’t think outside the box, she thinks beyond the box. After all, she founded Cruise Planners when working from home wasn't even a thing and travel agents exclusively specialized in cruises. Her vision and leadership keeps the company top-notch and has evolved to sell ALL types of travel. She's a powerhouse with an open-door policy among the Home Office Team, franchise owners and travel partners. Her loyal, approachable, friendly and smart demeanor position her as one of the brightest stars in the industry. Michelle Fee is the Godmother of AmaWaterways AmaSerena.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
4/30/2020 • 30 minutes, 10 seconds
Rebecca Alesia - Smart Flyer Agent 007
We all take different paths to success. Rebecca Alesia made the transition from attorney to become a top seller of travel in just 5 short years.She will discuss what she did to become a multi-million dollar sellerHow she has coped with the effects of COVID-19 on her busienssHer team and why they are critical to her successWhy she didn't "lose" her book of busienss, they are in a pause like the rest of us.If you want to learn more from uber successful agents like Rebecca, please subscribe, rate and review!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
4/24/2020 • 33 minutes, 21 seconds
Courtnie Nichols of Travel-Bash
NOTE : This episode was recorded March 9, 2020, just as the COVID-19 crisis began to escalate.As the wife of a successful college basketball coach, Courtnie moved 5 times in 9 years. She turned her passion for travel into a successful and portable busienss.In this episode, Courtnie shares some of the keys to how she built her business - many of which are contrary to what we have come to expect.Why she CHANGED her niche to from Destination Weddings and Groups to Authentic Luxury.How by focusing on a new specialty, she is earning more money and having more fun.Why she charges fees.Why you have to treat the business as a business.Her plans to scale her busienss and what you can learn from it.Where she failed and what she learned.If you would like to be interviewed on the Wealthy Travel Agent Podcast. please send your request to dan@wealthytravelagent.com and tell me why you consider your business a success and how fellow travel pros will benefit from your message.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
4/16/2020 • 19 minutes, 51 seconds
Vanessa McGovern - Gifted Travel Network
In this episode, I visit with Vanessa McGovern of the Gifted Travel Network (GTN) to get the host agency perspective on the Covid-19 crisis and how they are serving their members.You will hear how she, like many of you are juggling her duties while we shelter at home as a mom, entrepreneur, and now homeschool teacher.GTN, a member of Virtuoso, is known for their positive focus on mindset and manifestation to create success (think the book and movie, The Secret). They have a reputation for having some of the most engaged IC's in the industry. In my experience, engaged usually means productive which creates a "win /win" environment for everyone.Please note: No advertising or promotional fees are offered or requested from any podcast guests at this time. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
