Business Basics
10 Tips For Home-Based Businesses
1. Set up a dedicated office area
You can’t run a business from your kitchen table. A successful business requires a fully equipped home office. If you have an extra bedroom, consider converting it into office space. If you do not have an extra room in your home, try setting up a partition to create an office area. Since you will spend a good deal of time on the phone, it should be in a quiet area, so you are not disturbed, and you are not disturbing others in your family.
Here is a list of some of the equipment you will need:
- Computer with reliable internet
- Email service
- You will be provided with a DESTINATION MAGIC email address. As part of your contract, you are required to utilize that email address for all communications with clients and vendors
- Email service
- Web browser
- Chrome is recommended for DisneyTravelAgents.com
- Web browser
- Recommended Software:
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Word and Excel (or you can use the free versions offered by Google)
- Printer
- Dedicated telephone (your cell phone will do as long as you always get good reception)
- Consider headphones — it’s easier to type when you have 2 free hands
- Calculator
2. Set a schedule
Setting and maintaining a schedule for your workday is critical. It puts you in the right mindset and says “I’m at work now” to family and friends.
Communicate your hours to your clients. It helps them to know when they can reach you for routine business. However, it is important for them to also know that you are always available to them, especially when they are traveling. If a client is having an issue that they need you for, you can bet it won’t be during your regular hours.
3. Be Organized
It is important to come up with a system that works for you. There were some suggestions made here but you do not have to follow them. Whatever is best to keep yourself organized is what matters.
4. Always be professional and prompt
One of the perks of running a business from home is having the option of working in your pajamas, but your customers should not be able to tell that you just rolled out of bed. Maintain normal office hours and a professional demeanor when answering your phone or interacting with customers.
Professionalism extends to your social media profile. You not only represent yourself, but you are also a representative of DESTINATION MAGIC. Extensive effort is made by the company to maintain a positive and professional online presence. One questionable post or negative review can have a big impact on your business, and the company as a whole. Always put your best face forward.
Part of being professional also means being prompt. When working with a client, if you need to call them back or are preparing a quote to send them, give them a realistic time when you will respond, and stick to that. Being early is even better. Whether they reach out to you by phone or email, try your best to respond to clients the same day
Clients seeking to travel are often eager to get quotes, but not necessarily as quick in making decisions. Have a plan to follow up. Be proactive, but not irritating. And always maintain a professional demeanor, even if they are frustrating you or had you do many quotes but decided go a different route. You never know if they may come back to you in the future. It happens more often than you think.
5. Don’t neglect marketing and advertising
Just because you build it doesn’t necessarily mean they will come. To succeed, you need to advertise your new business. Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive, but it must be part of your business strategy.
Start with your friends and family. Tell them that you are now working as a travel agent. Post an announcement on your Facebook page. Don’t be shy about it, and don’t just do it once. Someone may not be ready to book a vacation at that time. But if you keep it up, when they are ready, your name will be top of mind.
Build a list of names from your contacts. Start an email campaign highlighting travel deals or insider tips. Mail Chimp is free for up to 1000 names.
Share your news with any groups you belong to. Do you belong to a church or have kids in school? Perhaps a Fund-Raising Program would interest them. They get a cut of the commission for bringing you business. Get creative. Share your ideas and we can try to help you implement them.
6. Get your business online
The internet is the single best way for a home-based business to reach out to prospective customers. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and even YouTube are all important channels for you to promote your travel business. Blogging or Vlogging are great ways to drive traffic and highlight your destination expertise. It’s not easy to do them all. It’s better to focus on one or two and be very active with it.
DO NOT set up a Google Business page. Those are controlled by the agency. Once you are out of training, and if you are meeting your sales goals, we will set up a page for you. It is a great way to find local customers searching for travel agents.
This is an example of how your business can look on Google.
7. Be Social
The internet is the single best way for a home-based business to reach out to prospective customers. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and even YouTube are all important channels for you to promote your travel business. Blogging or Vlogging are great ways to drive traffic and highlight your destination expertise. It’s not easy to do them all. It’s better to focus on one or two and be very active with it than just doing a little bit everywhere.
8. Know your product
DESTINATION MAGIC has a focus on specific destination and types of travel. The most popular destinations are Disney, Universal, and cruises with Disney and Royal Caribbean. However, we are not limited to those destinations. The important thing is that you know the product you are selling very well. All vendors offer online training, but it is extremely important for you to experience the destinations yourself.
If you don’t know a place well, don’t try to fake it. First, be honest with the client. Say “I don’t have first-hand experience there, but I’m still happy to help you,” or “I don’t have first-hand experience there, and don’t know that I can provide the best recommendations.” They will appreciate that more then you putting together a less-than-perfect vacation.
Second, talk to us. Perhaps another agent can help you. We are all a team.
Starting out, it’s natural to want to do it all and take every opportunity. But in the long run, you will be far more successful if you are the expert at a few destinations than being mediocre at many.
9. Know The Tax Rules
There are many financial benefits of being an independent contractor. Many of your business expenses are tax-deductible. Be sure to find a reliable accountant who can advise you on the rules and laws in your state.
Regardless of your state of residence, keeping good records is important. Start getting in good habits from the beginning.
10. MOST IMPORTANT: Don’t get discouraged
Many businesses fail simply because their owners became discouraged after a disappointing trial period.
It can take a several weeks for you to get your first clients, and it may seem like forever before you actually earn money in the travel business.
They say, in business: The 1st year you sleep. The 2nd year you creep. The 3rd year you leap!
Be patient. You will have to show grit and determination to make your business grow. Over time, you will get repeat clients and referrals from them. It takes time to build a client base in the travel industry, but if you provide excellent service, they can be with you for many years to come.
Do all that you can to make your business the success you know it can be, and it will.