If you follow regular Travel Pulse contributor Tammy Levent, you'll notice that she is an expert at getting her name in the media.
She's been interviewed for multiple newspapers, magazines and travel agent trade publications, and her segment on a local television station recently turned into a national television spot.
Media opportunities like these can be turned into sales for all travel agents.
Let's say you do an interview for your hometown Main Street Newspaper or you're on the radio with WABC. A potential customer is listening to your interview on traveling to fill-in-the-blank or reads what you said in the article. They are intrigued and reach out to you about their next trip. Great news!
But how do you go about getting these interviews in the first place?
You learn to pitch.
As a journalist, I'm contacted all the time by travel agents who want to be interviewed for my articles. You, too, can reach out to journalists and introduce yourself as a potential source for their stories. A simple email telling them who you are, what travel you specialize in and how you can help them is a great way to get your foot in the door. Your letter of introduction (LOI) can also include a pitch or a story idea.
You can also offer yourself as a travel expert who can explode myths about travel.
"For example, many people think to travel to the Middle East is dangerous," said Stewart. "Yet the Middle East is one of the fastest growing travel regions in the world. This would be a great story to pitch to National Public Radio."
One of the most common travel stories that readers enjoy is how to save money, and Stewart says that travel agents should pitch these types of articles to journalists: "Finally, use the Tweak Your Biz Title Generator to come up with enticing headlines for your story idea and email subject lines for your pitches."
Most importantly, pitch on a regular basis (i.e. once a month or so) because an editor may not be able to use an idea now but can down the road. Building a relationship with the media is a great way to increase your business.
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