Ep 273 Why Every Travel Advisor Needs a Written Business Plan

Send Rita a text with your thoughts! **Register for the Plan Your Year Workshop:** https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1196435 **Get your numbers with the Lead Generation Calculator:**  https://programs.steeryourmarketing.com/products/courses/view/1138259 **Join us for the marketing reset your travel agency needs:** https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/summer-camp-at-sea/ You made a HUGE bet on yourself when you registered your business, chose a host agency, and handed over your credit card, so why are so many travel agents running that business without a written plan?  About 60% of you told me in my Prep for Wave Week survey that your plan lives in your head or doesn't exist yet, and I'm on a mission to change that number.  I'm sharing the 5 reasons I'm so passionate about planning, with a little help from Jack Skellington, Kevin McCallister, and a few stats that surprised even me.  Learn how to build a simple plan you'll actually use, so you can trade busy for strategic and run your travel agency with way more intention :)  **FAQ:** **How much more likely are you to reach your goals with a written business plan?** Having a written plan increases your likelihood of reaching your goals by 42%. Sharing your progress on that plan weekly pushes it up to 76%. Businesses with plans also grow 30% faster than businesses without one, which is a general business stat, not one specific to travel agencies. **What should a simple travel agency business plan include?** A simple plan has three pillars: your numbers, your sales goals, and your marketing plan. Start with the income you need based on your expenses. Next, decide exactly what you'll sell and how many. Then build a marketing plan around those specific trips and clients, using both relationship-building and content marketing. **Why do most business plans fail?** Most plans fail because people don't act on them. Creating the plan is only the first step. You also need a to-do list and a schedule of activities that put the plan into action. Keep the plan simple, because a complicated plan is much harder to follow through on. **Enjoy and take action!** \--------------------------------------------------------------- **Rita M. Perez** (Host) first began in the travel industry as a travel advisor in 2010. She only fully realized her role as a travel entrepreneur in 2018, and embarked on a mission to support her fellow travel advisors in 2021 when she began the Strategic Travel Entrepreneur Podcast. She now strategizes with travel entrepreneurs, so they too can build sustainable travel agencies and market effectively. She's a maven when it comes to content photography and videography, and as such founded the Cruise Content Library and leads retreats and partners on FAMs where advisors get top notch content and education for their marketing efforts. **Website:**  https://strategictravelentrepreneurpodcast.com/everything/ **Socials:** LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaperez19/ IG: http://www.instagram.com/steeryourmarketing FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strategictravelentrepreneurs/ **Email:** rita@steeryourmarketing.com