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Archive for the ‘E-mail’ Category

2 Photos Tools for Travel & Tourism Pros

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

Pinterest is taking our industry by storm!  Booming thunder, white lightning, the whole shebang!

Are your photos like that lightning storm?  Do they throw viewers back in their seat in awe?

Are your photo descriptions like thunder leaving readers amazed and thrilled?

Be a part of this powerful storm!  Be a driving force that compels clients to book with you!

Here are a couple of cool new tools that increase your storm power by showcasing your professionalism and increasing the virality of your photos and posts.

Virality is dependent on capturing attention and enticing other Pinners to view and then share your photos.  See the infographic below, then we’ll explore how this whirlwind can shake up your travel and tourism marketing.

Source: pinerly.com via Pinerly on Pinterest

Source

Tool #1 iPiccy

iPiccy is a free editing tool that’s so easy to use. Edit pictures, apply beautiful photo effects, add text and even paint!

Here’s what you can do to add interest and share-ability to your photos.

Collage

How about adding a collage like this to your next newsletter or e-zine?  Think about what you can do with your blog posts? A variety of collage designs are available along with a variety of tools to change color, hue, contrast as well as the borders.

Travel agents; this is a chance to leverage your last fam trip and showcase your expertise in a unique look.

Tour Operators; consider showing potential tour members the experiences they’ll have on your next group departure.

Hotels; leverage those great lobby, guest room and meeting space photos from your website.  Are you interested in drawing in more group or wedding business?  Pull together a collage of your event space fully decorated.

Utah Collage - iPiccy

Collage - iPiccy


 

 

 

 

Long Collage – iPiccy

 

Adding text is easy.

Choose the text tool and insert the name of the featured destination, tour name, website address, inspirational quote.  The possibilities are endless. 

iPiccy text tool


 

 

 

 

 

TIP:  If you choose to use images that you’ve purchased from an on-line gallery or a supplier gallery, please check the guidelines on making changes like these to the images. The safest route is to use your own photos.

Tool #2 PicMonkey

Check out this free tool to edit your images and resize them to fit your social sites and marketing pieces.  You’ll find a bit more flexibility and creativity in creation tools here.

Borders

With a wide selection of choices you’re sure to be able to create memorable graphics for newsletters, e-mail blasts and promotional materials.

Borders - PicMonkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo effects and Text

Adding effects like softening, edge effects, sepia as well as artsy and different camera looks and colors are also available and easy to use.   I found the text tool had more flexibility that other image tools as you can change the font, color and boldness.

Travel agents; imagine using this to promote your next group departure.  Adding words will increase the virality of this photo on Pinterest.  (see infographic for stats)

Tour Operators; how about teasing your clients with a photo of an upcoming, still unannounced destination then incorporating these ideas into your next blog post.

 Hotels;  how about giving fans a sneak preview of your newly renovated rooms or lobby using these softening tools.

PicMonkey text and effects

 

Overlays, Texture and touch ups are also available.  Think of the possibilities to create stunning images that will be shared by your Pinterest and Facebook fans.

Resize can be used to create long pins that will stand out on your boards. This option will lengthen your photos to 4500 for tons of visual appeal. Research has shown that long pins are shared more often.

Tip:  Socially speaking

These tools can be used to enhance your presence socially.  Use these tools and try this:

Facebook:

  1. Change your cover photo,
  2. add to your photo albums,
  3. post an inspirational quote using one of your travel photos.

Pinterest: 

  1. Add text to your photos to promote a destination, add special effects to capture attention.
  2. Use the resize tool to create beautiful long pins.
  3. Make sure that all of your pins include a description as well as a link to your website or Facebook page for more information and booking opportunities.

E-Blasts and e-zines:

  1. Include eye-catching effects that will make your photos POP,
  2. create collages of the tour you’re promoting,
  3. add text to the photo to draw attention

Blog posts:

  1. Use the overlays to highlight a specific feature or benefit,
  2. add texture to create interest.

Powerpoint presentations:

  1. Create more intrigue by using the photo frames
  2. Use sharpening/softening tools to focus on your topic.

As travel & tourism pros we constantly strive to engage, enlighten and entertain with compelling content.  These tools create a tempest of virality!  Leverage your assets and be remarkable in the eyes of clients and potential clients.

What tools do you use to edit your images?

 

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Posted in blogging, E-mail, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, Pinterest, promotion, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, travel industry, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

3 Tips and 3 Tactics for Video E-mail

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

Did you know that video generates 60% of internet traffic?eyejot logo

Now you can easily harness the power of video and combine it with e-mail in one simple tool.

Imagine being able to send an e-mail with your video (not just as a link), but with the player right in your e-mail. That’s right! Your clients open your e-mail and see your smiling face in the message box. WOW! I’ll bet they’ll see you in a whole different light! (yes, the pun is intended)

Marketing Tactics
1. Introduce yourself to new clients
2. Market your upcoming group departures
3. Showcase a particular feature of your hotel or attraction
4. Send a thank you, birthday or welcome home message to your clients.
5. Bonus! Welcome a group leader or potential client to your hotel, restaurant or attraction.

Check out Eyejot! It’s the most fun I’ve had with video e-mailing in a long time. Once you sign-up you can choose the free or paid version and begin creating your own video. All you need is your computer with a web-cam. Now there’s also an app for the I-Phone.

Here’s what the create screen looks like:

Eyejot ScreenShot

With the free version you can send an unlimited number of 5 minute messages to any e-mail address. Spread the word socially using the embed code or URL link to paste into your blog, website, Facebook or Twitter. With an upgrade you can even send documents. Vimeo offers a similar service.

Once your client receives your video e-mail they can easily reply for free!

How cool would it be to send an Eyejot to a potential cruise client direct from your next ship inspection?

Impress your potential clients with an Eyejot after a crucial meeting.

Hoteliers are using Eyejot to follow up with group leaders prior to arrival.

Attractions use Eyejot to introduce themselves to new Tour Operators. Think about using your mobile device and filming your Eyejot in front of a signature part of your attraction.

Recording Tips
1. Make a test recording and check the background of your video.

  • a. Is it a clutter-free area?
  • b. Does it reflect a scene that would entice your clients to book with you?
  • c. Can the viewer see part of your hotel lobby, attraction or restaurant that’s crucial to their decision making process?

2. Test your voice and adjust your distance from the screen or mobile device
3. Have some fun and let your personality shine!

What successes have you had with video email?

Check out my Facebook page for more social media, marketing and business development tips, tricks and tactics.

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Posted in E-mail, Facebook Marketing, hotel industry, marketing, Mobile marketing, sales, Social Media Marketing, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Video | No Comments »

3 Timeline Tips for Travel Pros using Facebook for Business

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

Exciting changes travel quickly!   Facebook’s Timeline for business pages is HOT news!

As a travel pro, here are ­­­­­­­­­­3 tips and tricks, plus an important bonus tactic, to keep you ahead of the game.  I know, you’re probably overwhelmed by bookings, accounting and keeping up with supplier changes.  Now you wonder how you’ll manage to tackle another Facebook change.  I’ve put together a quick update for you with how-to’s and strategy designed for the travel and tourism pro.

#1 – Your new Cover Photo

This exciting change gives you the opportunity to showcase your specialty visually!  From a marketing standpoint this is awesome news!  You can now highlight:

  • •Your best-selling destination
  • •Upcoming group departure
  • •Your latest fam trip destination and focus on your credibility
  • •Photos of people enjoying your services (you may want to get a release from those pictured)

Tech stuff:  This new cover photo needs to be 851 pixels wide and 315 pixels tall.  Most people choose a high-definition photo that captures the essence of their brand, the business model and their key specialty.

Tip:  don’t use a photo that doesn’t belong to you and follow Facebook’s rules on cover photos.

How to add your cover photo:

If you don’t have a cover photo yet, log into your business page and you’ll see a bar at the top that will walk you thru setting up your new page.  You can choose where to upload a photo from, see exampleCover Photo

If you already have uploaded a cover photo and would like to change it, hover over “Change Photo” when you’re logged in as an Admin on your page.

Tip:  you can reposition the photo up and down, but not sideways.  Be certain to do any cropping prior to uploading your photo.  See example below:

 

How to change a cover shot

 

Here’s an example of a travel consultant who has used the cover photo extremely well to highlight her business:

Journey’s by Jo example of Cover Photo

Tips for Travel Pros:

  1. You may consider changing your cover photo to highlight destinations during their peak selling period.  For example, in fall when you’re selling ski vacations, change your cover photo to ski photos you’ve taken, purchased or acquired the rights to use.
  2. Highlight the destination you’re focusing on in your regular Facebook posting calendar.  For example, if you’re talking about Italy on your page and highlighting things to do, fabulous museums and cycling tours, change your cover photo to match the theme.

 

#2 Messages

Great news!  Your clients can now send you private messages in addition to posting on your Wall.  This gives you a chance to have a private conversation about bookings, dates or concerns without the Facebook world knowing.

You can turn this feature on or off from your Admin dashboard by clicking Manage Permissions.

How to change the Message Feature

 

The message feature is enabled by default.  To disable it, click and remove the check-mark.  As a page Admin  you can reply to a message, but not send one to a fan.

The reverse of this is also true, you can now privately message another page owner.  Think of the power of messaging a supplier.

 

#3 Highlight posts on your Timeline

Imagine your best photos and videos you’ve included in posts being spread out across the width of your wall.  What a great way to showcase photos from your last fam trip and visually entice clients to book with you.

When you ‘Highlight’ a post by clicking on the star (see example below) it enlarges the post to the size of the bottom post in this example.  (see arrow) Talk about attention-grabbing!

How to Highlight a post

 

Travel pros love the benefit of being able to showcase upcoming group departures, packages that are hot-sellers as well as unique destinations that will excite and inspire clients.

BONUS!   Pin to the top of your Page

Do you ever wish your best posts could stay at the top of your page?  Leverage that article you’ve written about an upcoming group departure so it doesn’t get hidden in the flow of other posts.

Now you can ‘Pin’ a story to the top of your page for a week.  Making it stick to the top of your page gives you the chance to fully market a unique product, highlight a new destination or a special you’re providing to your clients.

Here’s how it works:

  • •Find the post you’d like to appear at the top of your page.
  • •Hover and click the pencil icon at the top of the pos
  • •Click ‘Pin to Top’
  • •A small ribbon-like graphic will appear at the top of your post indicating it’s been ‘Pinned’

 

How to Pin a Post

Savvy travel marketers are using this feature to Pin stories, promotions, offers and events to maximize their visibility.  Only 1 pinned story is allowed at one time.  You can change the pinned messages at any time.

The potential for pinning is powerful!

Imagine:

  1. pinning a top suppliers’ newest product to the top of your page
  2. prominently featuring your next group departure
  3. showcasing an article you’ve written about your latest travel discovery
  4. providing a link to your website or on-line booking engine

This is just the beginning of a series of articles on these changes at Facebook and how they will affect you.

For a quick cheat-sheet, Facebook has put this together to highlight the newest features.

If you run out of time for your own social media presence, remember I’ll do the work for you! 

Build your site?  YES

Maintain your site with multiple postings?  YES

Coach you on your social marketing?  YES

Connect with me online

Join me socially:  Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn and Pinterest

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Posted in Branding, E-mail, Facebook Marketing, hotel industry, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry | No Comments »

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Catherine welcomes you to phone or e-mail her with your needs and interests. A preliminary discussion will help determine whether Customized Management Solutions may help you drive the results you’re looking for.

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Industries of Focus...

Airlines Tour Operators Cruise Lines Travel Agencies Hotels Airlines