IC TRAVEL AGENT February 2014 | Page 22

This Facebook cover by the Hong Kong Tourist Board is timely as in the Chinese New Year. No need to translate the saying as most nonChinese people around the world know the meaning and often use it themselves as a New Year greeting. The key element showing on this cover image is the QR code and additional social links too. With so many people carrying devices that can scan a QR code, this is an excellent element to add to your own agency Facebook cover image. Cunard used their cover image as a countdown to when their QM2 was sailing on its 200th Transatlantic Crossing. What a great way to nudge the late comers to get onboard and book now – not wanting to be left behind. See below how you too can add a QR code to your Facebook cover image. So now it’s your turn to take hold of that very important social media real estate and make it work for you. Here is my fancy dancy QR Code for The Travel Agent’s Store created in a matter of minutes using the QR Code Generator. Type in your website address, upload your own square image. Your QR code is created, then layed on top of your image - and the best thing is: it works! Do not shy away from being a little more assertive than suggested by so many social media gurus (read the article about Engagement) and start nudging your Facebook pals towards booking their trips NOW and also to be a tad more proactive in referring their friends to you. A referral statement on your cover image might just work for you when it is tied into a post written about your referral program.