Is there business out there?

Agents can get very frustrated about finding customers.  I can relate to this because when I started out, I had no idea how to get customers.  I knew travel but I worked in a storefront agency so clients just showed up or were already customers of the agency.  I didn't have to try to get my own customers like I did when I started my own travel agency. 

Friends and family really are the place to start.  Don't feel frustrated when your own family books elsewhere.  Sound crazy?  No it happens all the time.  I still to this day have family members who do not use my travel agency.  But they sure do call when something gets messed up by some online travel website and they are stranded with no help.  The best thing is I can tell them, I am sorry since I didn't book it, I have no control to help you.  Sometimes this is all it takes for someone to get the importance of having a good travel agent.

For the friends and family who do want to help you, they will give your name out to those they know.  So don't be afraid to ask for those referrals.  Make sure friends and family have a few business cards.  Ask them to put a card on their refrigerator at home so when they have guests they see it.

This business is a personalized business.  People like to get referred to you by someone they know.  A great tool is to do photo albums for your clients.  This way when they come back and want to show people their pictures, they will not only show the wonderful moments of their vacation you helped them with but also your name will be displayed to associate the wonderful trip with.   Here is a place you can get photo albums for your business http://www.cruisealbums.com/

Go the extra mile for your customers.  Do you think a travel website (won't mention names) will provide the personalized service you can provide?  No way.  You are a human being who cares about your customers.  That means if you just take the time to go the extra mile for your customers, you will be their travel agent for life.  And they can send you countless new clients who will then send you more and more clients.  Build from it.

So instead of worry about the number of clients you have today, find ways to get a few new customers and spoil them. Then continue on this path until you need to hire someone to help you spoil clients!

You can do it.. just think of ways you would want to be treated and go above and beyond for your customers.  It will come to you if you just get out there and start marketing yourself.