IC TRAVEL AGENT February 2014 | Page 19

Whilst the competition is still trying to engage, you are selling, closing and making money. Here’s one tip – something I used to do all the time and I’m using the weekend travel section in the local newspaper for the example. You can use the same idea via email and throughout your social channels too. Because of the continual social media bombardment known as engagement strategies the consumer is posting vengeful comments on cruise line and tour company Facebook pages. If you focus all your energies on social media engagement and measurement of your social media actions – this what your results will look like. You’ll be well LIKED and broke! The idea is this: you create an ad or a slogan that simply states whatever your clients find online, receive in their inbox or read about in the local newspaper - YOU can book it ALL for them. Share of Voice Share of Conversation Likes Reach Eyeballs SALES How to Stay Engaged and Marry The best way to attract the business of your existing clients and their friends via social media and all other forms of advertising is to cut to the chase and sell. Yeah I know that’s not what you are supposed to do, says the guru. But it is what YOU are supposed to do. The social media marketing experts are the ones who engage – and to repeat the point, do not duplicate the engagement as it prolongs the selling cycle. As an IC you do not have time to socialize as your HQ marketing team do unless your time is spent in pure prospecting, pitching, selling and closing via all methods open to you. The focused message of “we can book anything you want” or if you sell a specific destination or niche travel style then you can change the slogan to “we can arrange your scuba vacation in an