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7 Replies Last post: Sep 20, 2008 7:10 PM by jamesreal1

Marketing/Advertising Help

May 13, 2008 4:50 PM

Click to view c_niesha's profile Start-up c_niesha 1 posts since
May 13, 2008
I am a homebase travel agent, I am having a hard time marketing/advertising. There are so many options out there, I have contacted all of my friends and family. I've worked the warm list, cold list.....every list I can think of. I have sent out/posted flyers. I have joined a few networking sites my favorite being http://www.wowzzapower.com/97380. But what I am interested in doing is creating my own website and generating leads. Please share a few good ideas if you have them.

Thanks in advance,
Niesha
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,938 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
1. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help May 13, 2008 5:29 PM
Marketing/Advertising Help, Welcome.

Suggestions: SCORE. SCORE is FREE and can help you succeed

SCORE also has 26 FREE online courses including marketing and Advertising.

you can also talk to a SCORE Counselor both in person or online.

Good luck, LUCKIEST
Click to view ibranz's profile Authority ibranz 14 posts since
Feb 27, 2008
2. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help May 14, 2008 9:02 AM
Hi C Niesha,

You may be able to address your issue by following these three steps:
1) Create a simple web site that includes an main page (who you are/what you do), contact page, and news page
2) Next, add a blog and forum to your site (this creates a venue for discussion and feedback)
3) Write and submit one news release per month (use Market Wire or Business Wire)

Between "blogging" about vacaitons and travel related stories and posting news releases, Google and other search spiders will index your site and make raise your ranking. This will take time, but is much more cost effective than running ads in local papers. In short, people go to the web first to find solutions to their problems.

Also, here are a few books you may want to read on this subject:
1) PR 2.0
2) The New Rules of Marketing and Public Relations
3) WIkinomics

Hope that helps?
Click to view TJMorehead's profile Mogul TJMorehead 98 posts since
Mar 16, 2008
3. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help May 16, 2008 2:53 AM
Hi Neisha,

A travel agent business, I say internet marketing and advertising.

Warm regards,
TJMorehead
www.moreheadsconnections.com
Click to view Bridge's profile Mogul Bridge 364 posts since
Jun 3, 2008
4. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help Jun 5, 2008 11:46 AM
Try looking at www.hostinginsomniac.com

They have sveral options from basic hosting, to professioanl web templates, to custom designed sites.

Prices are reasonable and they offer 24/7 services.

Most new accounts come with some type of advertising "credits" for google adwords, etc.
Click to view trademarkGFX's profile Professional trademarkGFX 4 posts since
May 27, 2008
5. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help Jun 5, 2008 1:45 PM
A Great way to Advertise is to take some of the money you would usually use on print advertising and sponsor a local fair or festival... or a local baseball or soccer team. They are all great ways to get your name out there, and if you get involved rather than just slap your name on something than you should have a good response. Like treat your team to ice cream after a game, or set up a booth at a summer music festival. Thats my advice for ya!

Brian Hall
trademark GFX
Click to view Skala86's profile Professional Skala86 5 posts since
Jun 17, 2008
6. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help Jun 17, 2008 8:28 AM
Hi,

I have developed a unique booklet for start up businesses like yourself, to provide them with the practical tools to market their business. If you would like a copy for free, please just drop me your e-mail address at vicky.kenrick@skalamarketing.com

I can also give you some advice about setting up a website and the most important points to consider.

Vicky
Click to view jamesreal1's profile Authority jamesreal1 10 posts since
Sep 19, 2008
7. Re: Marketing/Advertising Help Sep 21, 2008 12:43 AM
Hello,

I really recommend a creative approach in internet marketing, SEO and SEM to help generate traffic to your business website. I believe you need to ask yourself...What is it that sets my home based travel company apart from office based travel agencies, from network marketing home based business, from American Express Travel agents and what is your target clients. I do not discourage you with your home based business but unless you have tons of family and friends to travel year round and can afford to travel year round you will have to incorporate old school business growth 101 to make a considerable profit.

You will have invest 5 hours a day generating business through calls, 5 hours a day to appointments, 5 hours a day to prospecting within a 50 mile radious and it will take time and effort but eventually the return will be worth it.

Visit: http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=innovativetechnologies
This site can get you started with email marketing campaigns

Visit: http://www.innovativestores.com/
This will get you started with your own website and internet marketing

Good Luck in building up your home based business.