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dawnmo
Member
Joined: 4 Jan 2007
Posts: 167
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# Posted: 1 Oct 2007 17:28
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I am a charter member to a recently formed Professional Women's Networking group here in town. The idea, of course, is to help each other grow their business through sharing, training and referrals.
I just received this email from a fellow member (she is an insurance agent):
"Dawn, one of the new agents has a high maintenance wife who would like to go on vacation somewhere warm in January. Is this your world? Can you help?"
Now, I am thinking that January is the perfect time to use most of the Coastal certificates...
Can someone help me determine which one or two to offer them? If they have a great experience, the news may travel throughout the insurance office which may offer a b2b opportunity for me.
I would really appreciate any help.
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jnapier
Member
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 647
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# Posted: 1 Oct 2007 17:39
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Hi Dawn,
It has been my experience that you MUST be right upfront with people and tell them what you do. We are not travel agents ( we can be, but it's not the focus that I have), and you want to make sure you let the members of this networking group know that you specialize in wholesale travel and that you market a wholesale travel membership.
I made the same mistake when I joined a barter club. I got involved because of a conversation Adam Fredrick and I had in Harrisburg, PA at an event. What I didn't realize is that I would begin to get calls from people looking to book travel, not interested in using the Coastal Membership to market their business. It was my mistake and the mistake of the area coordinator for the club.
Here's what I'd do. 1) Make sure you let them know that they can use the membership for incentive and recognition. I don't know how many people work in the office but I'd be sure you let them know.
Now - I see your with Fun Time so I'm REALLY surprised that your asking this as I know the folks at Fun Time have certificates you can give away.
2) I'd offer to give them 3 and only 3 bonus certificates. I'd recommend something very popular like Las Vegas or Disney World.
Remember - We are in the selling business and not the giving business. As much as I'd like to give away alot of vacations, that's not what we get paid for, so I'm going to focus my efforts on marketing the Coastal Membership.
You CAN give away trips, but I'd make sure that the people understand that your expecting them to sample the Coastal Membership and come back with an order for the membership.
Jay NaPier
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decker2006
Member
Joined: 6 Jan 2007
Posts: 222
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2007 11:13
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Hi Dawn,
If this is just a one off thing, go with a Funtime certificate and you will at least get a residual from that. However, perhaps you can actually sell the insurance agent a Coastal membership.
I agree with Jay - you have to be clear that Coastal is a membership program. BUT this could also be huge for you if you can be the "travel agent of choice" for the group. Make sure they all know you can offer them discounted vacations - maybe even make up a flyer for your next meeting - showing them all the FTV vacations you have to offer. You could start bringing in some great commissions. But this is a topic for another folder!!
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jnapier
Member
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 647
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# Posted: 5 Oct 2007 11:19
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Quoting: decker2006 I agree with Jay - you have to be clear that Coastal is a membership program. BUT this could also be huge for you if you can be the "travel agent of choice" for the group. Make sure they all know you can offer them discounted vacations - maybe even make up a flyer for your next meeting - showing them all the FTV vacations you have to offer. You could start bringing in some great commissions. But this is a topic for another folder!!
Great suggestion Noreen. I might also add that if you do want to be the prefered travel agent...you do have the Coastal Travel Agent program that you can plug in.
Jay NaPier
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