Archive for the ‘Time Management’ Category
Thursday, October 4th, 2012
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Do you want to know how many people are really clicking on the links in your e-blasts and blogs? Knowing the relevancy of the information you’re providing is key to engaging your audience and solidifying relationships. Here are some tools and tips to leverage your marketing efforts.
Link Shorteners
Using a link shortener like Goo.gl or bit.ly gives you an advantage of metrics. These tools provide you with the number of clicks each link receives. Other link shorteners include: TinyUrl, Fur.ly. Please note that some of these link shorteners also have the option for you to customize your link name and create a QR code.
Tip: Split test your material by creating 2 shortened links for a single piece of material and test your reach. For example, use a Goo.gl shortened link to your blog in your e-blast then create a bit.ly shortened link and put into a Facebook post. Measure which one gives you the most click-thrus per 100 readers.
E-Blast Tools
When sending e-blasts how closely do you study the analytics? Both Constant Contact and Vertical Response provide stunningly deep metrics that are worth examining. What I like about Vertical Response is the option to pay as I go. This gives me flexibility if I don’t send as many e-blasts in one month I’m not responsible for a full monthly rate, only the credits that I use.
Check out what the analytics look like:
I find the details of knowing how many people open each e-mail important as it reflects the relevancy of the content as well as the power of the subject line.
Tip: Test the time of day you send a blast, measure the open rate based on your subject line and compare the metrics for open rates, click thru rates and open times. Keep in mind that our industry standard for open rates hover near 16%, with click thrus averaging 12%. How do you measure up?
Other Noteworthy tools
Radian 6
UberVu
Twendz
TweetFeel
Viral Heat
YackTrack
TW sentiment @Sentiment 140
Additional Resources:
For additional measuring and monitoring tools see “3 Twitter tools and 1 Facebook Tip”.
You may also find “3 Social Monitoring Tools” useful in your analysis.
These powerful tools will not only help you understand your audience better they are a constant reminder to continue to be relevant and remarkable.
This is merely a sample of the essential tools available to boost your marketing power.
What others do you like to use?
Other relevant articles on this topic: 3 Twitter Tools + 1 Facebook Tip
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Tags: bit.ly, blog, Constant Contact, Facebook, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, link shorteners, marketing, sales, salestips, Selling, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, training, travelagent, travelindustry, Vertical Response
Posted in Facebook Marketing, marketing, Monitoring tools, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Time Management, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 21st, 2012
Measure, Monitor and Metrics are the key words in social media today. Many of us find that merely getting the social marketing plan executed is demanding enough. Let’s explore the essential tools designed to boost your effectiveness by giving you insights into your audience engagement.
Social fans today demand relevant, up to the minute information that will help them plan, execute and dream about their next trip.
Engagement and sentiment are crucial. Let’s explore these key social metrics.
Measurement Tools
Imagine if you were able to figure out why and when your fans were available to read your latest Facebook post or Tweet. With these tools you’ll have that information at your fingertips.
Facebook Page Insights. Once your fan count exceeds 30 you’ll have access to demographics as well as which posts reach the most fans. When studying your Page Insights, re-order the list of your posts by Reach. To do this, click on the down arrow next to reach and it will re-order from lowest to highest or the reverse order. These are the number of unique people who have seen your post.
Study each post to see what time and day it was launched on your Facebook page. Check out what type of posts are generating the best reach for you. Are they posts that share photos, links or ask questions? Dig deeper into the analytics to look for trends, then put out your next series of posts based on this information. Tip: Test your strategy over a couple of weeks to see what other patterns emerge. Then build on this success by posting in a similar style to reach an even greater audience.
Page Insights Bonus tip
Recently I was talking with a travel client who had a really good handle on the demographics of their client base that travelled with them regularly. When we started digging into the analytics of their Facebook fans we found the demographic skewed much younger. We were then able to adapt our posting voice to appeal to this demographic. This is a powerful way to use a different channel of communication to reach another audience and grow your business.
Here’s what you will want to investigate in your own Page Insights. Click on Reach then study the age, gender and location of your fans. Here’s how it looks.
Tip: Don’t forget to look at the cities your fans hail from. You-all can always adapt your voice there as well, eh? (Ok, that’s a bit of my Southern-ism and Canadian combined.)
Timely.is, WhentoTweet, TweetWhen.
Who wants their tweets to fall on deaf ears? These tools give you the chance to reach your followers when they’re listening. Measure your Twitter reach and times of greatest visibility.
Timely.is provides you time frames and hours to optimize your tweet schedule. As a sample they will analyze your last 199 tweets and provide this information for you. These analytics are looking at when you’ll reach your greatest audience. If you sign-up for their service they will post your tweets at the optimal times to reach your audience.
WhentoTweet.com used to be a free service and now they charge $4.99. It’s a comprehensive look at the times your audience is available. WhentoTweet analyzes when your followers tweets and gives you a personalized recommendation of the best time of day for you to tweet.
Here’s what the sign-up looks like:
Here’s what results look like for @mashable. Based on your Twitter usage you can decide if the value is there for you to use this service versus the other free services covered here.
TweetWhen will give you stats on when you’re most likely to be re-tweeted. Here’s what my analytics look like:
With this information I’ve planned my most important tweets for Tuesdays between 3 and 4p EST. Then, I look at my next best time and schedule other posts for Thursdays during that same time frame. What do your analytics tell you?
Tip: Leverage the timing of your live tweets to begin conversations with your followers. Then check your @replies and direct messages at least daily to keep up with your new connections.
Measurement tools are an effective way of reaching your followers, and to better understand when the best time to get your message across is. Have fun boosting engagement!
How often do you measure your audience?
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Join me socially: Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn and Pinterest
When you ‘like’ my Facebook page you’ll have access to Free Resources just for travel pros!
Tags: Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, hotelsales, marketing, Networking, NTA, Page Insights, salestips, Selling, Social Media, Timely.is, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry, TweetWhen, Twitter, WhenToTweet
Posted in Branding, Facebook Marketing, Mobile marketing, Monitoring tools, NACTA, National Tour Association, Networking, NTA, OASIS, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Time Management, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Time Management
Are you finding it hard to fit social media, audio and video podcasting and blogging into your work day? So many people I meet when I speak at conventions are challenged by how to prioritize their time and talent.
Every day
In my experience I’ve found success by setting aside a specific amount of time each day for social marketing. This enables me to batch different tasks; research and write, record a couple of audio podcasts at one time, write a series of blog posts and turn articles into pre-scheduled Facebook posts and tweets.
Additionally it’s helpful to:
- Check Facebook pages for comments and respond quickly
- Scan Tweets and look at specific hashtags (#)
- Read industry highlights and comment
Every Week
Each week I try to run thru the groups that I belong to on LinkedIn and answer questions, read material that’s newly posted and connect with those I’ve met during a recent conference.
In addition, I look at my Page Insights on Facebook and assess what’s been successful. What posts have gotten the most attention, what links have the most click thrus and where my new fans are coming from. These answers provide me the tools to tweak my upcoming posts.
When you commit to staying involved with your marketing efforts you’ll find that clients seek out your expertise and pass it along to their friends. Imagine filling your next group tour, selling your hotels’ group allotment or finding new sources of visitors to your attraction all thru the power of social connections.
Here’s another post that’s related: How to Find the Time for Social Media
When you find yourself too busy to research and post, here’s the solution for you.
Let’s keep the conversation relevant. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: Facebook, Facebookmarketing, LinkedIn, marketing, sales, Social Media, tourism industry, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in Facebook Marketing, marketing, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Time Management, tourism industry, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter, Video | 1 Comment »
Friday, November 25th, 2011
Twitter Hashtag
On Twitter, there are some really cool conversations happening that bring together groups of people at a set time and date. Think of combining a sales seminar and information meeting into 1 format that joins people from around the world.
This is a reality when you gather around a hashtag (#). You’ll need a moderator and a conversations managing tool. For resources and a checklist, please click.
When you join a Twitter chat here are couple of tools that will make your chats easier.
Transcripts
If the moderator provides a transcript you can refer to it and connect with others on the conversation and download the links provided in the conversation. Check out Chirpstory.com and TweetDoc.org to create your own transcript. By merely typing in the # and the date of your conversation, these tools create a full transcript along with photos of participants.
Platforms
Some people participate in Twitterchats directly from Twitter. When you use the search key and search the # you’re chatting on, you’ll eliminate other miscellaneous tweets that enter your stream. Then simply hit the refresh key often to see the stream in real time.
Other people find that using Tweetdeck or a similar platform provides a cleaner stream of tweets.
Opportunities
There are so many opportunities to use Twitter chats and here are a few of my favorites:
- *Wedding & Honeymoon Travel specialists: Twitter Chats are a great chance to meet with a number of brides to exchange ideas
- This can be a benefit you offer to your clients—a chance to ‘talk’ with other brides about their plans, best ideas, on-line wedding resources, etc.
- *Cruise only travel agents: Imagine meeting on Twitter with a select group of your top clients.
- Learn what they love about cruising then use this info in your next marketing campaign
- Exchange ideas for the next group departure
- “Ask a Travel Pro”—think about the opportunity to gain new clients by hosting a weekly or monthly Twitter Chat
- People can ask questions based on a pre-selected topic; you share your expertise.
- You can leverage this and gain new clients as well as more insight into what people are interested in—great fodder for your blog and your sales/marketing pitches to clients
- *How about getting together with new corporate clients to review how they can use Twitter while on the road.
- *Attractions and hotels: Great way to meet with your top tour operators and conduct focus groups to learn their needs.
- *Destinations can meet with their tour wholesale clients to learn what they would love to see in your destination. This will be a chance to update them on the latest and greatest sites and activities in your area.
- *Tour Operators can meet with their travel agent partners to listen and learn
- *Tour Operators: how about meeting with your group leaders to learn their needs and build a more creative product
Keep in mind that your conversations may be picked up by the media making interviews and greater exposure possible.
- 2 out of 5 journalists get all their news from Twitter
How have you used Twitter Chats in your business? I challenge you to start using this tool today!
See 4 Secrets to find Captivating Content, and discover how others find great social content!
You may also find these posts helpful:
Keep the conversation going! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: hospitality, marketing, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, touroperator, tourwholesaler, training, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in Branding, Customer Service, hotel industry, Mobile marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Time Management, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter | No Comments »
Thursday, June 30th, 2011
Travel pros like you are finding that blogging is the fastest way to engage and grow a client base.
Many people tell me they just don’t have the time to blog. I totally understand! It’s not only about finding the time in your already busy day, but finding the right topics that will entertain and educate your readers.
Here are 3 tips that will make your blogging life easier!
- Start an idea list. Every time you travel, attend a workshop or participate in a webinar jot down 5-10 blog topic ideas. This will give you a pool of ideas to choose from when it comes time to put pen to paper. If possible, jot down intriguing words that you heard, descriptive terms and sassy statements.
- When sitting down to write, make a list of all the subtopics that you can think of. Then choose 2 or 3 of these to write about. The goal is to keep your thoughts on-target, succinct and relevant to your audience. The rest of the topics you’ve written down can be used in a later post.
- Keep your post short! 500 words is the limit of most people’s attention span. (we’re at 196 words right now—how’s your attention span?)
In a recent destinational aboard the Voyager of the Seas, a group of totally dedicated NACTA members each wrote a blog about 1 aspect of cruising. We worked in teams to develop a killer title and opening paragraph. Do you have a colleague that you can bounce ideas off and collaborate with? If so, how about dividing up a topic and exchanging blogs so that you’ll have twice as many?
P.S. This is 278 words and 12 minutes! Whew!
Bonus tip: Make an appointment with yourself each day or week to simply write. I usually try to write a couple of posts at a time as I find that once I get into the writing mode, the words just fly off my keyboard. Here’s an article (pls see page 14) with more tips for travel pros!
What’s your best blog tip?
Let’s keep the conversation going. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blog, blogging, Facebook, marketing, marketingplan, sales, smallbusiness, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in blogging, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Time Management, tourism industry, Travel Consultant | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
Are you interested in knowing more about when to Tweet? Do you wonder how many of your clients are using Twitter? Does it keep you awake at night analyzing what people are saying about your company or a preferred supplier.
Here are a couple of my favorite tips to manage, analyze and market.
- Set up a managing tool such as Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to manage, schedule and oversee your social sites. These tools let you pre-schedule your posts and will provide some analytics for you.
- Want to know what people are really saying about your company or a preferred supplier? Simply go to: Twitrratr or SocialMention. These tools are easy to use and provide up to the minute details.
- Check out services that analyze your Twitter following and assign the most productive time for you to Tweet. See TweetWhen
- Also check out When to Tweet for stats on when your followers are re-tweting. This service takes awhile to search your Twitter feed and followers.
- There are services that will search your client base and determine who is currently on Twitter. Check out Flowtown
- Try Twello! It’s the yellow pages of Twitter users. This is a great way to pick up the Twitter handles of specific people; clients, thought leaders or industry gurus who may have a unique Twitter handle.
- See this travel specific blog for additional Twitter strategies
These tools make it easier to manage your time and get the most from your social media experience. As you can see, this is only a brief list of my favorite Twitter tools. What are your favorites? Please use the comment section below and share with our travel colleagues.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: marketing, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in airline industry, hospitality, hotel industry, ITMI, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, Social Media Marketing, Time Management, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Did you know that 81% of travellers rely on the opinions of their friends and family when planning a trip?
Did you know that 33% of travellers consult Facebook when planning a trip?
Imagine the numbers of your clients and potential clients that use social networking to learn from their friends and family!
Can you afford not to be a part of these conversations?
Draw a wider audience
The cool thing about a Facebook marketing strategy is that you have a chance to talk not only to your fans, but to their friends as well. When you keep that perspective in mind you’ll find that you’re able to attract conversations from a wider audience. From this wider audience you’ll be able to entice potential new clients into the engaging conversations and plant the seeds for new business.
2-Way Conversations
Whether you’re planning your entrance into the world of social media or planning your advanced presence it’s important to draw people into conversations that will bring them closer to the buying process. Here are a couple of tips for you to engage your fans in a 2-way conversation:
1. Ask questions. Use the Polls or Questions app to differentiate these posts. Ask people questions that invoke emotions. “What is your finest vacation memory” “Where was your best meal abroad” “What’s your most memorable childhood vacation”.
2. Put together relevant information and articles
3. Gather info from a variety of resources. Make a list of 50 or more resources and then set up Google Alerts for key words. Begin posting relevant articles and then give your own opinion on each.
4. Start a trivia contest revolving around your top selling destination. This will get people talking and buying. You may consider giving away a small gift or downloadable item to the winner. (think coffee card, packing list, destination tips, etc.)
5. “Where in the World?” is a great way to engage people. Simply post a photo of yourself in an exciting destination (one you’d like to sell more of) and ask people to guess where it’s taken. You’ll inspire conversation when you then ask for favorite memories of this destination.
For more information, check out travel industry publications, blogs and on-line articles as there are destination ideas to spark your creativity as well as photos you can use in your own marketing efforts. Also check my blog posts for tips and techniques to maximize your sales and social media presence.
What is your best tip to engaging clients using Facebook? Please leave your comments below.
Let’s keep the conversation going. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blogging, Facebook, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, LinkedIn, marketing, Networking, sales, Social Media, tourism industry, travelagent
Posted in blogging, Branding, Facebook Marketing, marketing, NACTA, promotion, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Time Management, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry | 2 Comments »
Friday, February 11th, 2011
Getting involved with social media and finding the time to stay on track with your social media marketing strategies may have to involve a change in your focus. For example, think about how much time are you currently spending putting together a printed newsletter, or proofing ads. How much time do you spend working with your printer on a new flyer, and working on the graphics for your latest flat sheet? Have you considered spending this time on digital marketing efforts?
Talent Search
Consider which of your team may be most valuable to you in this new media role. Is there someone who’s brilliant at writing copy? Who in your office composes the best customer service letter? You may consider working with them to design your strategy, brainstorm your content and develop a time frame to implement this new form of conversation. In addition, there are specialty firms that will start up and maintain your social media sites for you.
Timing
Eventually you’ll be able to scan your social media sites, respond to messages and build new content in about 1-2 hours per week. This is the average most users in our industry spend on social media. Granted, at the start you’ll spend more time learning and getting used to the new systems.
Here’s a hint: carve out time each day to work on your social media endeavor.
As tourism professionals, can we afford not to be a part of these conversations? These conversations are already taking place and when we’re involved we’re adding value for our clients and discovering opportunities.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin
Catherine Heeg is an international speaker and trainer in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Social Media Marketing….know you need it. NO time! Here’s the solution for you! We’ll set up and/or maintain your social sites for you. This gives you time to be brilliant in your own work!
Let’s keep the conversation going. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: Facebook, hospitality, LinkedIn, marketing, salestips, Social Media, Time Management, training, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, ITMI, marketing, National Tour Association, NTA, sales, Social Media Marketing, Time Management, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry | No Comments »
