January 15th, 2012
Custom Landing Pages
Psst…Want more fans?
Social media is changing constantly and unlocking secrets to fan engagement. While we’re all looking for the magic elixir to engage, enlighten and eek more revenues from clients here are some techniques that are working exceptionally well in our industry.
These free tools provide the resources to know more about your fans and potential clients. We’ll start with landing pages here today and future posts will focus on contests and polls.
Landing Pages
AKA Welcome pages and Splash pages.
Did you know that people are 67% more likely to ‘like’ your Facebook page if you have a custom landing page?
While adding these pages is an advanced project, it will bring you results. See examples of industry leaders; Shebby Lee Tours, Sports Travel and Tours, Princess Cruises. A technically savvy client used the Wildfire I-Frames application to build his landing page in about 2 ½ hours. I’ve chosen to have my web designer build a customized page for my site.
Applications:
Best Practices
Many travel pros are keen to try these powerful fan engagement tools so let’s look at a couple of best practices to make the most of your time and effort.
- Set goals of what you’d like this new Landing page to accomplish.
- Do you want to promote a new package, get more likes, promote new photos, promote a consumer night or group departure?
- Would you like people to visit your You-Tube channel to see your latest destination videos?
- Would you like to invite fans to your blog or newly revamped website?
- Take the time to get the graphics right. You know the saying about a photo and 1000 words.
- Once people arrive at your page, provide relevant, fresh content that offer a unique value!
- Most importantly, have a call to action! Make it very clear what you’d like visitors to do once they see your new landing page. Then make it easy for them to help you achieve your goals.
As you’re considering your options keep in mind the design time and effort you’ll invest in this project and compare it to hiring a professional designer. Lastly, have some fun with this exciting medium.
Let’s keep the conversation relevant. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blog, blogging, Facebook, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, I-Frames, marketing, Networking, Pagemodo, ShortStack, Social Media, Tabsite, tourism industry, tourismsalestips, You Tube
Posted in blogging, Facebook Marketing, marketing, Mobile marketing, National Tour Association, Networking, Social Media Marketing, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter, Video | 3 Comments »
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 »
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 »
November 18th, 2011
Google Alerts
Do you ever wonder where people find compelling social content that inspires conversation? Where do they find relevant blogs and photos to attract new clientele to their tours? Where do they find those funny videos that show the right amount of ‘funny’ about their destination?
The mysterious ‘they’ out there have discovered the secret to sharing information. Let’s explore their secret!
Whether you’re beginning your foray into social media or are an expert, here’s a list of creative ideas to inspire you.
Content Sources
- Set up Google Alerts and be the first to learn of new articles that fit your key words. Google searches blog posts, news and the web for those keywords and delivers it to you. Tour operators may want to set up alerts for the destinations they serve. Some marketers set up alerts for their company name or destination as it’s a great chance to see what people are saying about you and respond.
- Search blog posts at Technorati. This is an opportunity to respond and connect with future clients and media thru the blogosphere.
- Use the search functions on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to hear what the ‘woman on the street’ is thinking. When you join those conversations you’ll engage with potential clients you may not have had an opportunity to meet in the traditional marketing or sales arena.
- Check your own backyard. What FAQ’s do you hear? What trivia intrigues your guests? Is there a new recipe that has people lining up at your hotel or restaurant? Travel agents—what questions do you hear from your new clients? Blog, Tweet and Facebook it!
When you seek out and connect with potential brand evangelists, thought leaders and influencers in these mediums you’ll find that your own social media following will grow exponentially.
Other posts you may find helpful: 3 Tips to Write in Less Time
Successes
Where have you had success in finding content for your postings? It would be great hearing and sharing!
Let’s keep the conversation relevant! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blog, blogging, Content Development, Facebook, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, LinkedIn, marketing, NACTA, NTA, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in blogging, Facebook Marketing, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, promotion, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter | No Comments »
November 11th, 2011
Video Blog
If a photo is worth 1000 words, imagine what a video will do for your social content?
Research has shown that adults are downloading video from Facebook posts and Twitter feeds more often than written content!
Photos and Videos
Original photos, video and blogs rule the internet today! Let’s explore how to create and market quickly and easily. Best practices tell us to get creative and then use this new material in as many different ways as we can.
- Contests are a fresh new way to generate photos and videos. If you’re going to implement a contest or sweepstakes on Facebook you need to be certain to use an approved platform. Check out Wildfire or Offerpop. A client of mine recently rolled out a photo contest and in the first 5 days generated 39 fabulous photos to use in their next brochure or marketing piece. In addition, they generated new fans and virally spread the word to fans and their friends. By the end of the contest they had gained nearly 500 new fans.
- Audio or video podcasts are a unique way to give people another medium to get to know you and your services. Did you know that “Video on your home page increases Google ranking by 50%” Think of the power of a video made by one of your clients that showcases their time with you on a recent group tour. This video serves not only as a testimonial, but shows other potential clients the ‘real scoop’. For tips and resources to generate your own audio or video recordings please click here. Remember, audio and video posts to Facebook and Twitter yield higher click-thru’s and engagement than other posts.
The audio podcasts that I’ve produced have given me an introduction to new clients as well as a medium to invite clients to upcoming events. There are so many creative ways to use these powerful tools.
How are you using photos and videos in your social presence? Keep the conversation going! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: Audio podcasts, Facebook, facebookfans, Facebookmarketing, marketing, Podcasting, Podcasts, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismsalestips, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter, Video Podcast
Posted in Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, NACTA, National Tour Association, NTA, promotion, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, travel industry, Twitter, Video | No Comments »
October 21st, 2011
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how valuable is video? Think about how popular You-Tube has become. Wouldn’t you love to have that impact on your clients?
Think how thrilled your clients will be to see you in the destination you’re blogging
about. Think CREDIBILITY! Think VIDEO! Have you considered these techniques:
Video Blog
- imbed it into your blog post and add text to supplement your recording
- create it as a stand-alone video and post it on your You-Tube channel
- embed your video into an e-mail using eyejot or vimeo
- provide a link to your video in your next e-mail blast
Tip: test out your smart phone for video quality. I would suggest making sure it’s HD. If you would like a top of the line (and affordable) HD video camera, check out the Mino Flip. I love how easy it is to use—1 button!
When creating your video keep in mind that 2-4 minutes is the preferred length. If you need more time, simply create a series of short, snappy videos.
When you begin to explore using these technologies you’ll find exciting ways to differentiate your business and appeal to a wider audience. Your expertise and enthusiasm will attract clients, news media and the attention of your preferred suppliers and partners.
What video success stories do you have to tell?
Let’s keep the conversation relevant! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: audioblogging, blog, blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Listening, marketing, Networking, nichemarket, Podcasting, Podcasts, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismsalestips, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter, videoblogging
Posted in blogging, Customer Service, Facebook Marketing, hospitality, hotel industry, marketing, Networking, Niche Marketing, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Twitter, Video | No Comments »
October 14th, 2011
Facebook and the travel, tourism and hospitality industry are perfect marketing partners! Facebook and your blog posts can be best friends when you leverage your writing efforts to maximize your social reach.
Here are 4 tips to ensure your Facebook page warrants ‘best friend’ status.
Facebook: Is your Facebook page populated with great posts? (if not, here’s a solution for you)
If you’ve answered yes, are you marketing your blog on your page?
Here are some tools for you:
Networked Blogs
- Use the app “Networked Blogs” so that your blog rolls automatically to your Facebook page. You can also select and upload other blogs that are relevant to your audience. All these blog posts will give your fans a wealth of information.
- Don’t forget to post your latest blog on your wall. Remember your wall posts will be spread to all your fans and their friends will see it as well.
- Use the Links or Discussions tab to announce your blog. This will feature it more permanently than merely posting it on your wall. (please be aware that these tabs will disappear shortly from Facebook). In place of these tabs you may want to check out Involver Applications and use the Scribd feature. This will give you a sustainable section on your Facebook page to post information you’d like available to your fans on a more permanent basis than your wall.
- Use a poll application to learn what topics your clients would love to read about and what destinations they’d love to visit. Check out these Facebook applications: Polls, Poll Daddy. The Question category in your pages’ Share box is another fabulous tool to learn more about your clients travel wish list.
How have you used Facebook to promote your blog?
Let’s keep the conversation relevant! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blog, blogging, Facebook, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, hospitality, marketing, NTA, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, travelindustry
Posted in blogging, Facebook Marketing, marketing, Networking, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, Tourism Sales Tips | No Comments »
October 7th, 2011
Successful marking is rapidly changing! Integration is the new buzz word! The question that looms large; Is print marketing dead? The answer is no, not really!
Traditional marketing as we know it is changing and your tools to keep up with the changes are multiplying. Recently at TechFest we explored a variety of ways to save time, connect more effectively and build business. For those of you who want to integrate your traditional marketing methods with social marketing, here are 3 tips for you!
Icons & Links
First, re-visit and re-think the correspondence and promotional materials
Social Media Icons
you send to your clients. Successful travel pros are adding the hyperlinks and/or icons of their social connections to their e-mail signature. This is a subtle, yet strong, message to your clients that you are involved and evolved!
Web updates
Second, announce your social involvement by putting icons on your website (check out how this looks) or including your Facebook or Twitter feed right on your site. Check with your web designer for specific tools for your unique platform. If you’re involved and committed to using Facebook and/or Twitter, let your web visitors know about it. They are potentially your biggest and best fans and followers.
Making your blog social
Third, your blog! This is the perfect medium to announce your social involvement and engage people in the brand of YOU! Blog readers are already interested in your topic, now you can use a tool like ‘Sexy Bookmarks’ to help them navigate to your social pages. (check out my blog for an example) At the very least provide hyperlinks so that they can find and follow you.
These simple tips and techniques will make the difference in client awareness and engagement. The success of marketing comes from making it easy for people to get to know you and buy from you.
What techniques are working for you? Keep the conversation going! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: Facebook, Facebookmarketing, facebookpromotion, LinkedIn, marketing, marketingplan, Networking, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry, Twitter
Posted in Branding, Facebook Marketing, marketing, Mobile marketing, Networking, Niche Marketing, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, Tourism Sales Tips | No Comments »
September 30th, 2011
Many people forget to promote their blog content on these 2 social sites. Both will provide more eyeballs and exposure for you!
LinkedIn: Are you connected to your corporate clients? Have you sought out your leisure clients and provided them with valuable information?
Let your contacts know that you’re an expert by posting a link to your blog on your LinkedIn profile. Here are some tips for you:
- You can maximize your reach by posting your latest blog to relevant groups you’ve joined.
- Also, check out the application Blog Link as it automatically pulls your blog and others you choose from your network.
- Consider making a powerpoint presentation of key points in your blog and adding it to your profile using the SlideShare application.
Using these techniques your non-travel contacts will learn about your expertise and you’ll leverage that knowledge when they plan their next vacation. Speaking of expertise, have you noticed the Answers section under the More tab on your profile?
The ‘Answers’ application enables you to answer questions posted by others that are seeking professional information. This can be a real bonus when seeking new client contacts.
Bonus Tip: When you post you may also want to send your preferred supplier DSM a quick, personalized note letting them know of your post. Think about ‘brownie points’!
IGoogle: Ensure that your profile is up to date with your blog URL. This simple and effective tool increases your searchability and visibility in Google.
These tips and techniques will propel your business to the next level. I challenge you to put them to work for you today.
What ideas have you used successfully? I believe that by sharing our ideas we’ll create a stronger industry that’s even more relevant to our clients.
Let’s keep the conversation relevant! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blog, blogging, IGoogle, LinkedIn, marketing, marketingplan, Networking, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, tourismbusiness, tourismsalestips, touroperator, tourwholesaler, travelagent, travelindustry
Posted in blogging, Branding, marketing, Mobile marketing, Networking, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, strategy, tourism industry, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry | No Comments »
September 23rd, 2011
Did you know 2 out of 5 journalists get all their info from Twitter? Think of the possibilities for media coverage that position you as a destination expert. Twitter is the best way to get the word out quickly.
Twitter is also the perfect means to spread the word about an exciting new blog post.
Remember to:
1. Use hastags to categorize and make it easy for people to find your topic
2. Link directly to your blog post
3. Tweet frequently over a couple of days to capture a wider audience
- * Tip –Use pre-schedule tweets and your media calendar to maximize your efforts
4. Use a Tweet tool to learn when your followers are most active. Check out: www.timely.is and tweetwhen.com
5. Ask your Tweople (tweet followers) questions to engage them. How about asking what destinations they’d love to visit, what’s on their bucket list, what they love most about your city, what their most memorable moments were at your attraction.
- *Tip –Take these comments and blog about them. This increases your supply of relevant topics.
What successes have you had using Twitter to converse and promote your blog?
Let’s keep the conversation relevant! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Tags: blog, blogging, marketing, Networking, sales, salestips, Social Media, tourism industry, travelindustry, Twitter, twittermarketing, twitterpromotion
Posted in blogging, Customer Service, marketing, Networking, promotion, sales, Social Media Marketing, Tourism Sales Tips, Travel Consultant, travel industry, Twitter | 1 Comment »
