When you first start working as a travel advisor, it is very easy to get overwhelmed with all the new paperwork, software, and systems that you need to learn. This can also be true for social media. After all, what does Instagram have to do with travel? How does Facebook help built your travel business?
Having social media accounts for your business is a great way to augment your online presence and put a face to your company’s name, but it can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with social media platforms. For small businesses, being part of a larger social network helps provide additional reach, visibility, and engagement opportunities to grow organically and through paid advertisements. This helps build a better reputation and put travel advisors one step ahead of the competition.
What is Social Media?
Social media is a platform where people can connect, share information and ideas, and learn from one another. Social media allows people to get involved in their community, share their experiences and opinions, and feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves. It’s also often used as an outlet for creativity or self-expression.
It has become an essential part of everyday life for many people. It allows them to stay connected with friends and family who live far away, follow the news in real-time instead of waiting for the next morning’s newspaper, keep up with current events worldwide—and much more!
Social media can also help build relationships with your clients. When your clients are looking for a destination or want to see what’s going on in the world of travel, they can turn to your page or group for inspiration. If you’re a travel advisor and have a client who loves to travel, perhaps they would enjoy following some of the places and people you follow on social media as well.
It’s surprising how many travel advisors do not utilize social media and struggle with the idea of creating their online profiles. Some people feel like it’s an additional task on top of everything else they already have to do, while others just aren’t quite sure how to get started.
To help, here is an essential guide to setting up your travel agency’s social media accounts.
FACEBOOK PAGE
A Facebook Page becomes your primary business profile. You can utilize the page to interact exactly as you would as an individual, but doing it as your business instead. You can follow people, join groups, attend events, and more.
Here’s what you’ll need to set up your Facebook Page.
1. A business name and description
You should name your Facebook Page after your business, or another name that people will search for to find your business. Use the About section to tell potential clients what your business does. If you focus on a particular niche market or target demographic, this is where you will want to add that information.
2. Profile/Cover Photo
Choose photos that best represent your business. Many businesses choose to use their logo as a profile photo. For the cover photo, choose an image of your store, products, or one from a current marketing campaign. If you partner with particular suppliers or want to showcase a particular destination/deal, your cover is a great place to do that.
3. Call-to-Action
At the top of your Page, you can add a call-to-action that directs your Page visitors to do something, like visit your website or call you directly. It just takes a few clicks.
Here are some quick links provided by Facebook to get started—
Understand Facebook Page Basics
Managing Facebook Page Settings
Create and Boost Posts on a Facebook Page
Advisors can reach an extended audience beyond the people who like their Page, by boosting a post or promoting their Page.
Use Facebook Messenger with a Facebook Page
FACEBOOK GROUPS
A Facebook Group is a great way to build a collaborative and engaging environment for like-minded people to interact with you and/or your business. While your Facebook Page provides newsfeed, posting, and Messenger capabilities, a Facebook Group is where you can very easily create discussions that members can join in on. Many travel advisors use Groups to promote exclusive deals, group advantage rates, and so much more.
Creating a Facebook Group is simple. The biggest decision you need to figure out is what name you want, and if you or your Facebook Page will be the primary admin. Don’t stress though, you can always have more than 1 admin and you can change the group as needed as well.
Here is a quick link provided by Facebook to start building your Group—
Create a Facebook Group
Instagram is a community built on the power of visual storytelling. Individuals and Businesses have been a part of the Instagram community since its inception, using the platform as a way to showcase their products and services in a rich, visual context. Travel Advisors use Instagram to focus on sharing videos and pictures, along with captions and hashtags (keywords), to get in front of their ideal clients.
Starting an account is quick and easy.
Step 1. Download and launch the app, or access it on your browser.
First, you’ll want to create an Instagram account for your travel agency. You can tap Sign Up With Email or Phone Number (Android), Create New Account (iPhone) or Sign Up (Computer), enter your email address or phone number, and then tap Next. You can also sign up with Facebook rather than enter a mobile phone number.
If you register with your email or phone number, create a username and password, fill out your profile info, then click Next. If you register with Facebook, simply login to continue the registration process.
Step 2. Edit your Bio.
This is where people will go if they’re looking for more information on your business and what you can offer your prospective clients! To edit your Profile, tap the Profile Photo in the bottom right to go to your Profile. Tap Edit profile at the top of your screen, then tap Bio. Add an explanation of who you are and what kind of services you offer in the “About” section under your profile picture.
Step 3. Add Your Logo.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our years of experience, it’s that people love to see your company’s logo! You can add a logo by going to your Profile and tapping your Profile Photo. Tap Change Profile Photo, then select where you’d like to import your picture from and upload a high-resolution image of your company’s logo.
Step 4: Business Account.
Switch your newly created account from a Personal to a Business account. Go to Your Profile, Tap Settings, and tap Account. Scroll down and tap, Tap Switch to Professional Account,” tap “Continue,” and tap “Business,” and you’re good to go!
Just like Facebook, Instagram provides several helpful links to get started—
Share Instagram Photos to Facebook
Don’t forget to link your Facebook Page and your Instagram account so you can very easily post and share between both platforms!
The key takeaway is that social media enables travel advisors to gain a competitive advantage in their business by creating customer loyalty, word-of-mouth marketing, brand reputation, and new business generation. It also allows YOU to connect with other people who are searching for information about their dream destinations, which helps you generate more sales and promote more destinations, suppliers, and promos through social media. All these benefits are achieved for little or no cost. The goal is to understand how social media works and use it to your advantage. Keep in mind that you do not have to use every social media platform, but you should find the one that works best for your business. It’s important to understand that social media marketing is not just about posting on Facebook and Instagram; it’s about understanding the psychology behind these platforms and how they can help you reach more clients.
#socialmedia #facebook #instagram #howtosetupfacebookbusinesspage #howtosetupfacebookpage #howtosetupfacebookgroup #facebookcommunity #socialmediamarketing #brandreputation #socialnetwork #socialmediafortraveladvisor