IC TRAVEL AGENT May 2014 | Page 12

5 Screen Marketing Tips Once upon-a-time in old Agentville there was only one screen and that flapped in the wind and swung back and forth in front of the porch door. In the 1950’s another screen entered our lives and that was the TV screen. Fast forward to now, we’re up to a new a different set of screens, 5 in all (at the moment – eight if you count digital wristwatches and Google Glass and touch screen direct mail) and those screens are as mentioned: TV, desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet. Each one of those screens is a pathway to your customer’s eyes, hearts, minds, travel genes and wallets. Here’s five marketing tips on using the 5 screens: 1. CONSISTENCY Whatever message it is that you are sending out, make sure the same message plays on all screens. Sounds easy and it is if you know how to do this. Most website platforms offer a mobile version today. Check to see if that’s true for your website. Where the message you are sending is not compatible with all 5 screens – call in your tech’. 2. VIDEO Video is where most travel marketing is going and your suppliers are already there. Learn from them. Ask for their videos and factor them into your 5 Screen Marketing Plan as their videos would be compatible with all or most players and configured to play on all screen sizes. 3. YOUR OWN YOUTUBE / VIMEO CHANNEL This tip is simply a “just do it!” one. Open a YouTube account and create your own travel channel. Do not upload family videos etc., keep the content 100% related to your travel business. Once you have a selection of your own videos and the videos borrowed from your suppliers you can inform your client base by sending them the link to your channel allowing them to use their screen of choice on which to view your videos. 4. INSERT CTA BUTTONS Be sure to add in a CTA button. This is a Call to Action button that resides somewhere in your video, usually at the end, and it offers the viewer no matter which of the 5 screens they are using to watch your video, a chance to click on the video and be taken to your website and the offer you are promoting. 5. BECOME YOUR OWN NEWS ANCHOR With 5 screens ready and waiting for your appearance, what can you do? First things first: learn how to present yourself well and groom yourself for be a 5 Screen Star. Be able to talk about your services, your offers, your niche tours and statements to close out the video and suggest the viewer click on the CTA button and check out your offer. You can create your own video using the webcam / video feature of any of your handheld and desktop devices / computers. Create meaningful and current content that would be of interest to your clients. Remember my quote: “Whoever owns the news, WINS!” The key to video success is practice.  What news can you glean from current trade papers to repurpose?