In 2020, the world and the travel industry was rocked by the current pandemic being COVID-19. As the number of cases and deaths in the US continued to rise, the number of travelers significantly decreased. Many travelers and families did not feel safe leaving their home before the United States instituted a mandatory quarantine for everyone. Now that things are getting back to normal, how do travel agents bounce back and pack their wallets; DIGITAL MARKETING! Digital Marketing assists many businesses and freelancers with achieving their desired results. Content marketing, social media marketing and email marketing are our top three choices on how digital marketing can improve a business for all travel agents.
Content Marketing
EVERYONE is a sucker for good unique travel photos. In some cases, it allows a traveler to create their own destination list, put fire to their desires and even bring awareness to others. Having nice, beautiful, vibrant and fun photos will also keep visitors and traffic coming to your networks. Nice content will make time pass by as travelers and/or clients will scroll on your social media networks as they would get lost in your work, you and your client destinations, thus improving their trust in you. Just imagine seeing a travel agents’ social media full of beautiful and fun pictures. It will force anyone to continue to look and browse. We definitely recommend posting pictures frequently but not from the same destination if necessary. Eventually, travel agents will have more to offer and can then post #ThrowbackThursday photos for remembrance.
Social Media Marketing
Go to your favorite social media platform and search your favorite brand. What do you see? What connects you to them? What makes that brand special to the others? In digital marketing, social media is what we would consider to be the “bread and butter” for all travel agents. Social media marketing allows for users to physically see what the travel agent has to offer, where they have been, where their clients have been and possibly the travel agents’ “expertise”. All of these are important as it may be the first interaction with their potential clients. Content marketing and social media marketing are very similar and pretty much serve the same purpose. However, social media hosts beautiful content and serves as a place for all to visit. Everyone needs a digital repertoire and social is exactly that! On instagram, @LimitlessTravelTeam has been very successful with their social media as they have a nice format/layout and beautiful pictures. They have three travel pictures and then three “promo” pictures or photos where they promote other necessities. This allows for the user to not be bored with the same material. It enhances the user experience and definitely intrigues them to see more.
https://www.instagram.com/limitlesstravelteam/
Email Marketing
Digital Marketing has many aspects within it which makes it so successful! Email marketing, search engine optimization (SEOs), graphic design, brand marketing, content marketing and more are all a part of Digital Marketing. Each plays a major role in regards to improving a brand/organization. But how does this apply to the travel industry? What is the first thing the average person does in the morning, maybe after coffee or when they have arrived at the office to start their day? Check their email! That is truly the beauty of digital marketing. If it is not in an app or on the website, it generally is not used by the average person. Email marketing will allow travel agents to work their CRM (Customer Relation Management system) and promote any promo codes, travel deals and discounts, any reminders, future travel dates, thank you/appreciation once they return from any planned vacations and more. The use of mail marketing can be endless and very useful if used correctly!
Conclusion
Digital Marketing is the root for success for many businesses and the travel industry is no different. With the tools listed above and consistency, success will be knocking at your front door. All of the tools work together and will work as a well-oiled machine. Trust in the process of Digital Marketing and know your clients. No one has ever complained of complained of the new digital age so attack it head on!
For more details and blogs visit: https://thedigitalmarketinginstitute.org
About the author
Tremaine K. Robinson
Tremaine is a proud US Army Veteran. He is a graduate of an HBCU and stands for nothing less than achievement. Tremaine is currently a Digital Marketing Analyst with the International Institute of Digital Marketing.