Home Based Travel Agent Podcast: December 2011

313 - Are You Using Social Media as Part of Your Marketing Strategy?

Podcast Number 313

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COHOSTED SEGMENT Are you using social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter to develop presence and credibility for your travel business? If not, you should be. Catherine Heeg of Customized Management Solutions joins Barry and Lorene to discuss the potential of social media in getting your message out to potential clients. Don't miss this show, the last of 2011, to learn about the potential of connecting with people who may become clients. Contact Catherine at (403) 726-0171 or through her website at www.cmsspeaking.com.

Travel News Are travel agents making a comeback - Yes! Here's an opportunity to learn more about the niche market of medical and wellness travel A prediction that travel spending is increasing in 2012

Visit us on Facebook – Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels. Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group. On Twitter Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb Gary's Twitter name is gary222 Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

AURAH "Part 2" (mp3) from "Judith Martin" (Very Music, Inc.)

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312 - How You Can Become Your Own Custom Tour Company

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COHOSTED SEGMENT Have you ever considered tapping into the affinity groups with customized tours for such groups as the Red Hat Ladies, your local church groups or the local garden club? Or, how about creating a special tour for your honeymoon clients? Chris Babb joins the show today to talk about his company, The Group Tour Company. Chris' company can help you create those special tours with your own branding using a wish book of sites, attractions and hotels for locations along the East Coast. Your clients can experience the attractions of such places as New York City, Washington D.C., New England, Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. Listen to the show and learn how you can expand your market or enhance your niche. You can contact Chris at 800-424-8895. Or, drop him an email at chris@grouuptourcompany.com. And, you can visit the website at www.grouptourcompany.com to learn more.

Travel News How can travel suppliers leverage virtual assistants to help travel agents? Two travel agents receive the "top travel agent" award for agents under 30 years of age. The distinction is awarded by Travel Agent Magazine. What is airline ancillary revenue and what does that mean to the travel agent?

Visit us on Facebook – Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels. Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group. On Twitter Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb Gary's Twitter name is gary222 Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.

Duke Ellington "Jingle Bells (Rise Ashen's Reindeer Dub)" (mp3) from "Holiday Lounge - The Christmas Remixes" (Christmas Chill)

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311 - What Are 10 Things You Need To Become A Successful Travel Agent?

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COHOSTED SEGMENT Here are ten things an independent travel consultant should know to build a successful business. Kelly Bergin, the Vice President for Business Development at Oasis Agents, details the ten things on today's show. Kelly is a long time travel professional and Oasis Agents has been in business twenty-five years. Also on today's show, Kelly announced an new program at Oasis Agents for people who want to start a career as a travel consultant. The new program begins in January of 2012. You can learn more by listening to the show or clicking on the links above, or contact Kelly by email at Kelly@oasisagents.com or by telephone at (800) 613-8380 extension 120. Oasis Agents can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/oasisagentcom.

Travel News Jon Jones, one of our listeners responded to our questions posed on Show 310, "how does Siri on the new iPhone respond when asked to find a travel agent?" Jon produced a nice video showing Siri's response. This is a good video to watch if you've never seen Siri in action, or maybe you don't know who Siri is and want to find out. Check out Jon's production at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKsixjcCXdI&feature=youtu.be

Visit us on Facebook – Barry at http://www.facebook.com/barry.kantz Lorene at http://www.facebook.com/lorener Gary at http://www.facebook.com/gary.ebels. Join the Home Based Travel Agent Show Facebook Group. On Twitter Lorene’s Twitter name is lorener Barry’s Twitter name is kantzb Gary's Twitter name is gary222 Check out Lorenes travel agent website at www.sharptonguedconsulting.com. Thank you for listening to the Home Based Travel Agent Podcast. You can email me at barry@hometravelagent.net or email Lorene at sharptongued@mac.com and Gary at wdwgary@gmail.com.