Search Travel Market Report

cruise planners
ALG Sponsored
ALG Sponsored
mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
ALG sponsored

Drowning in Work? Maybe It’s Time to Outsource

by Marilee Crocker / April 26, 2018
Drowning in Work? Maybe It’s Time to Outsource

Photo: Shutterstock


Travel agent Amy Rectenwald starts her workdays at 8 a.m., continues until her kids get home from school at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, then starts up again in the evening, often working until 1 or 2 in the morning. Every so often, the pace catches up to her. “Some days, I go to sleep before my kids do, because I’m dead,” she said.

Rectenwald, who launched her career as an independent travel advisor for Largay Travel in 2014, does pretty much everything herself. “I’m too new to know what parts of this I could outsource,” she told Travel Market Report. The thought of outsourcing also makes her nervous, since a mistake could prove costly to her or to a client. “I feel so much pressure to do this absolutely correctly,” she said.

Related Articles

Super Agent Amy Rectenwald: How to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Business Single-Handedly
 

Rectenwald’s predicament is not unusual for successful startup entrepreneurs. In fact, identifying which pieces of one’s business to outsource is one of the biggest dilemmas facing independent agents who are ready to contract out parts of their business, said Vanessa McGovern, executive vice president strategic partnership and business development for GIFTE, the Global Institute for Travel Entrepreneurs.

There is no single right answer. “It’s unique for every travel agency business,” said McGovern, who commented that “outsourcing” isn’t necessarily the best way to frame the topic. “Outsourcing means delegate and forget it. They’re looking to partner with companies or virtual assistants.”

Justifying the cost
For many solo agents, cost is another obstacle to paying someone to handle some of their tasks. “The big objection that comes up when you pose the idea of finding help is, ‘I don’t have the money; I can’t afford it,’” McGovern said. Similarly, agents are reluctant to take on debt, even though taking on debt is exactly what most new business owners do.

While McGovern wouldn’t advise agents to ignore the practicalities, they do need to see the expense through the eyes of a business owner investing in growth, rather than as an employee.

“They’re viewing their businesses as linear: ‘I will hire someone to help with social media when I get more leads from social media.’ True entrepreneurs take that leap ahead of the growth. That’s really critical when deciding to invest in whatever you need to grow your business.”

Another barrier for solo entrepreneurs is letting go of the reins. “One of the biggest sabotaging beliefs I hear from travel agents and other small business owners is that you have to do it yourself or figure it out on your own. No great business owner achieves greatness alone,” McGovern said.

Deciding what to outsource
To help get past the control issue and begin identifying what to outsource, McGovern urges agents to consider their strengths and passions. “Some agents love itinerary building. Others love talking to the prospect, painting the picture, but would rather pass building the itinerary on to somebody else.

Some agents outsource client care, then after the sale they tell the client, “I’m going to introduce you to my client care manager. She’s going to send you your documents, hold your hand, give you information on travel insurance, make sure your shore excursions are set, alert the hotel to your food allergies, etc.,” she said.

“You have to understand the best use of your skill set. Where do you shine? Then you can start prioritizing the other tasks and what to outsource.” A good approach is to think in terms of the client cycle, from client attraction to itinerary building and even client care, she advised.

What not to outsource
One phase of client care that McGovern believes agents should never outsource is post-trip follow-up. “You should be calling the client to talk to them about the trip – what did they like, what’s next. Then you can get your client care manager to put your notes into systems that you use for follow-up.”

McGovern also urges agents to be cautious about outsourcing social media activities and other digital marketing. “If you give control of your brand to an outside company, you’re allowing somebody else to speak in your voice, and it won’t help establish you as an expert,” she cautioned.

One option for getting help with marketing is to limit outsourcing to tasks like researching effective hashtags, finding blogs where you can guest post or pitching you for podcast interviews.

Another outsourcing idea: If, say, you’re a romance travel expert who’s invested in hosting a booth at a bridal shows, consider hiring someone beforehand to set up your post-show email campaign, including the technical aspects, so you’re ready with timely follow-up to the hundreds of leads on the attendee list.

One final cautionary note about outsourcing: If you’re contracting out business tasks, it makes sense to treat and pay the individuals or firms you use as independent contractors rather than employees. But be aware, McGovern said, that there are very specific laws spelling out the differences between independent contractors and employees. It’s important to learn and follow them.

In part 2, two travel agents share their personal approaches to and experiences with outsourcing.

  1
  0
ALG Sponsored

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. European Union Will Drop Its Mask Mandate for Travel Next Week
  2. 5 Client Types You Can Immediately Disqualify for a Virgin Voyages Cruise
  3. CDC Moves Four Destinations Into “High” Risk COVID-19 Level
  4. Trivago Hit With Massive Fine from Australian Federal Court Because of “Misleading” Conduct
  5. How Is the War in Ukraine Affecting the European River Cruise 2022 Season?
  6. American Express Confirms End to its Franchise Program

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. European Union Will Drop Its Mask Mandate for Travel Next Week
  2. Japan Could Reopen to North Americans Next Month
  3. Japan Confirms Plan to Start Its Travel Reopening This Month
  4. 5 Client Types You Can Immediately Disqualify for a Virgin Voyages Cruise
  5. CDC Moves Four Destinations Into “High” Risk COVID-19 Level
  6. Greece’s Vaccination Requirement for Inbound Travelers Ends Next Week
ALG sponsored
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. Society Launches Advisor Mentorship Program
Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. Society Launches Advisor Mentorship Program

The six-month program is designed to develop, promote and inspire young travel professionals.

Read...
MasterAdvisor 51: What's Trending In The Cruise Industry?
MasterAdvisor 51: What's Trending In The Cruise Industry?

What are clients asking about before they sail away?

Read...
ASTA’s Legislative Day Is Just Weeks Away
ASTA’s Legislative Day Is Just Weeks Away

Scholarships are still available for U.S. advisors interested in attending in D.C. next month. 

Read...
More Consumers Interested in Travel Insurance than Pre-Pandemic
More Consumers Interested in Travel Insurance than Pre-Pandemic

Online searches for travel insurance have increased by 70% since 2019.

Read...
ALG Vacations Shows Its Amped-Up Appreciation to Travel Advisors
ALG Vacations Shows Its Amped-Up Appreciation to Travel Advisors

For the entire month of May during Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, ALG Vacations® is showing its appreciation to its travel advisor partners with “amped-up gratitude.”

Read...
Headquarter Happenings: Avenue Two Travel's First-Ever Collective
Headquarter Happenings: Avenue Two Travel's First-Ever Collective

“We have long dreamed about hosting an event like this. It's so incredible to think the dream has come true on the heels of some of the most devastating times of our lifetimes." 

Read...
TMR Outlooks
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/87ira8MA_b8/0.jpg
MasterAdvisor: What's Trending in the Cruise Industry?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy