In the first article, Tourism Marketing Success - Double Your Sales in 4 Simple and Profitable Steps, we looked at the power your written and verbal marketing communications has to increase or smother your tourism sales. Do not rely exclusively on graphic artists, designers and web technicians to create your marketing brochures, websites, videos, and trade show stands, etc. This can be a costly mistake. They are artists and technicians not sales and marketing experts. Good news. Follow the tips outlined here and you and your team can learn and apply proven buying triggers that will compel more prospects to e-mail, call and become your clients. The Three Laws of Travel Prospects Todays travel consumers, especially in active travel or exotic locations, want to know three critical things fast about your business or tourism destination before they give you a booking: 1. That others have traveled before them; meaning your company has experience doing what it says it does. 2. That other people had a good time; meaning you offer exceptional service, fun and educational experiences to exciting places. 3. That nobody died; meaning you run safe operations. Because the world is so accessible, ever changing, and occasionally volatile, would-be prospect must have their basic concerns addressed before they can choose your company or destinations. Price, length of stay, and types of activities, etc. is a secondary purchasing decision after core safety and experience needs are met. The First Key Element To Communicate If you were looking to book a group on a rafting vacation, and you didnt know either of these companies, whom would you call first? 1. Joes Jolly Jaunts 2. Rebas Rafting Rides - Since 1968, Over 147,000 Delighted Guests Most would call Reba, because the top questions of her experience and credibility have been answered in only three seconds. Clearly the Rebas Rafting Rides with so many happy guests and twenty-eight years operations answers the Three Laws of Travel Prospects fast; many traveled before you, had a good time and nobody died. Joes Jaunts proudly started last month awaits their first group, pretty sure they will do a good job. Are you ready to be the first...? Everyone wants to know that the company they contacted has experience, credibility and their safety is your top concern before they make a purchasing decision. It does not matter if you are booking or supplying college alumni rafting trips on advanced class IV rapid in Zambia or a church birding cruise in Baja, Mexico. Apply this simple yet powerful psychological trigger and your travel marketing will yield more profits and arrivals guaranteed. Credibility Sells More Travel The first step to prove your expertise is called the Credibility Statement (CS). Here are five of the twelve effective methods to communicate your credibility and sell more group travel. This includes your: 1. Number of guests 2. Years of professional experience or company operations 3. Awards and recognition 4. Testimonials clients and media 5. Endorsements by known associations or celebrities Do Not Bury Your Secret Travel Sales Weapon Do not bury this important proof of credibility deep in your website, brochure or video. The sad truth is, few time-challenged travel shoppers will make it that far. It is SUPER IMPORTANT to make your Credibility Statement very conspicuous. I recommend the upper left-hand corner of all your marketing materials, because that is how we were trained to read. Use your video voice over, top of cover letters and even on the outside of envelopes. You cant over emphasize credibility too much. How-To Get Your Clients to Sell for You with Audio Testimonials Whats the #1 form of advertising? Word of mouth. When you can get your clients to enthusiastically share from their heart with others about the great trip or service they received, you sell more dont you? There is some very cool, new and simple technology that allows your clients to call into your own private phone number, leave their testimonial and you can publish it on your website easy. This is word of mouth advertising on steroids guaranteed to help you sell more travel. To see and hear for yourself the latest easy technology to increase your credibility and sell more group travel on your website thats simple and low-cost, check out the audio samples on http://www.alaskarafters.com In the next article, learn the 2nd secret of successful tourism marketing communications, the Defining Headline. If you want to sell more travel on your website, trade shows, advertising and in your brochure, you cannot afford to miss this highly profitable and mostly overlooked travel sales secret. |
