We all want our happily ever after clients. The ones who will stay loyal to you and your travel agency through thick and thin. They won’t run off with the next flashy deal that comes their way or abandon you for a cheap online booking site. No, these clients will be your ride-or-die companions, trusting your expertise and relying on you to sweep them off their feet with unforgettable holidays.
But finding those special forever clients is like finding the perfect man. He has the charm of Chris Hemsworth, the wit of Ryan Reynolds and the kindness of Keanu. He’s Tom Hardy meets John Krasinski. And clearly doesn’t exist. Or so we thought.
The pandemic has taken a still unknowable toll. But it has highlighted how important it is to have a travel agent at your back. And that means that suddenly there are a lot of clients in the sea. You just have to pick the right ones.
Personal Travel Manager Kerry Cleasby, like so many of you, is busy. That busy-ness means she needs to be picky with her clients.
“I need to be quite selective about who I take on board,” she says.
Kerry only takes referrals from existing clients and she directs those referrals to her website to make sure they’re good with her fee structure and how she works.
“And then we do a free 15-minute discovery chat over the phone. And in that discovery chat, we work out if we’re right for each other.”
But how do you know? And if you’re not yet in that repeat and referral business structure how do you attract the right clients? We turned to an article from an 1958 edition of McCalls titled, ‘129 Ways to Get a Husband’. Then, after reading some tip-top advice including crying in the corner to get his attention, we went down another, less stab-yourself-in-the-eye, path.
Don’t settle
Just like settling for the wrong partner, working with clients who don’t appreciate your brilliance can be a nightmare. Avoid wasting time on people who’d rather travel by crawling than fly in comfort.
Swipe right on compatibility
In this digital age, it’s all about compatibility. Filter out the incompatible clients with a Tinder-like approach. Swipe left on clients who demand a butler on a budget.
Avoid commitment-phobes
Be cautious of clients who change their travel plans more often than they change socks. Let’s not waste our time with indecisive souls who can’t commit to an itinerary.
Communicate, communicate, communicate
Like in any successful relationship, communication is key. Listen attentively to your clients’ dreams, expectations, and weird dietary restrictions. Assure them that your job is to make their travel fantasies come true (as long as they’re reasonable).
Happily ever afters and referrals
Once you’ve found your dream clients, it’s time for the happily ever afters. Craft unforgettable travel experiences that will make them sing your praises to all their friends. Referrals are the sequel.
Breaking up is hard to do
Occasionally, you might encounter clients who test your limits or try to squeeze every last penny out of their itinerary. Learn the art of amicable breakups and gracefully bid farewell to those who no longer appreciate your fabulous services.
And if by any chance you stumble across Keanu Ryan Hemsworth Hardy Krasinski, please direct him our way.
