Crazy people!

Have you ever seen Jim Cramer's rant "They're Nuts! They know nothing!" on CNBC?  There are days I feel I am channeling that in my head. 

Don't get me wrong, the internet has allowed me to have connections with people all over the place and most people I have met are great people.  But then there are the days when it seems everyone I deal with is crazy.  It isn't completely true because I answer usually 60 or so emails a day and not all of them are from people who seem nuts.  But I usually have a few that I wonder if I am crazy myself for being in business.

Over the past day I have had one person email me over 30 times.  She was upset and she felt the need to lash out on me.  She doesn't know me.  Doesn't know anything about me personally but I ruffled her feathers and she began emailing me hate email.  I always am amazed that there are people so angry at the world to lash out at complete strangers. 

Then I get people who don't seem to realize the importance of having a business or don't take it seriously.  They want to make extra money but don't want to put in the work it requires.  They don't want to complete training or follow up with a client.  They don't understand that it is important to take it seriously and follow procedures.  It isn't something that you can take lightly.  You are on the hook and have to make sure you take care of your clients and cover yourself against issues. 

Agents email me all the time with strange stories and crazy customers.  I wish I had the perfect advice for those who have to deal with someone who really does seem "off balance".  I question would people who send hateful crazy emails be the same in person?  Are they the same people who in the grocery line attack the check out person because their bag of apples rings up for .15 more than they expected. 

I guess all I can say is "they're nuts!"

Fun ideas to promote your business

You can have fun while promoting your travel agency.  Above is a picture of the float we did in the light parade for Christmas.  I rode on the back in a bikini and it was snowing!  We took 2nd place.  It was a fun time and it really promoted the agency.

Your local chamber of commerce can help you find out what you can participate in to get  your business name out there.

We also have a movie ad at the local theater.  You can see it at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1138202728210&subj=1021631919

Your local newspaper also can be a great source of ways to get your name out there.   If you can develop a relationship with someone at the paper who does the ads, he or she can inform you when there is special editions or low cost advertising opportunities.

Keep in fun and remember to promote yourself so that everyone knows your name!

Search engines and getting links

One thing I tend to do late at night is find places to get my websites listed.  Although it can be very time consuming and boring, I have found it an important part of having a business.  I find as many places as I can to get links to http://www.travelathome.com/ and http://www.duganstravels.net/

It is amazing how many places you can get listed if you spend a couple of hours each week just submitting to websites.  It was easier back before people really began charging for listing.  I was on many at home work websites but now to get listed it costs alot more money.  I think this is because so many of the MLM's are willing to pay big bucks for a link or two.

It is also important to realize that you will get dropped if you don't submit on a regular basis.  So be sure to put some time into finding places to submit your website.  If you spend the money to have one, you should make sure people are viewing it.

Are there places you recommend for submitting websites?  I would love to hear!

Jennifer Dugan