PTWC#5-Write the First 3 List Points

Don’t be afraid of charging travel agent fees: 7 ways to overcome it forever — or -

Why charging a travel agent fee will make your clients love you and MORE — really!

1. Your customers will love and respect you even more

• Do you want respect from new prospects? Do you generally have a respectful relationships with your doctor? dentist? lawyer? Think about it!
• Charging a fee will make your clients feel like they’re in a more professional relationship with you. Deliver more than they expect and they’ll love you.
• I introduce my fee in the very first call with a prospect. The stage is set for collecting the fee before starting the project. Get paid your fees and let your new clients love you!

2. You’ll respect yourself even more

• Yes, I’ve been there — you do the itinerary planning work for your shiny new prospect. Present your brilliant proposal, and poof your shiny new prospect is dust in the wind.
• Your self-respect takes a hit! You did this work and no response! Imagine you charged a fee prior to starting work. Would your self-respect be more intact?
• Now that you’ve got your cash coming, does it feel as bad getting stood up? I bet your self respect is heading up the charts right about now.

3. Your prospects are less likely to ghost you

• By now, we’ve reviewed that you don’t want to get stood up or ghosted by a new prospect. I hope you see how charging fees can solve this situation.
• With fees, you're getting into a more professional relationship with our prospects. They’re less likely to ghost you as they’ve got their money in the game.
• Are going to ghost a lawyer once you turn over your cold hard cash for their retainer fee? Now, the same applies to you my hard working travel agent!

4. You’ll earn more money and sooner in the travel process

• We’ve all been through the long quote-to-cash cycle in our industry. Imagine how great you’ll feel with some money on the way PRIOR to starting all of your heavy research and itinerary planning work.jumping on the research train

5. You will give yourself Better differentiation as a travel agent

at least you’ll be perceived as different. So many travel agents don’t charge fees. So, why can’t you charge fees? You’ll at least look different. In many cases, you will also look more professional per the points from the top of this list!

6. Your suppliers may take your custom quote requests more seriously

• Ever contact a supplier for a ten person custom trip to Europe? Disney? I frequently tell my suppliers that I’ve charged a planning fee upfront to signal that I respect my suppliers’ time and inventory.

7. You’ll Know how to qualify prospects better and faster

*that means use your time more productively. This is one of the biggies for charging fees, you’re learning how to deal with those time sucking tire-kickers. The more a prospect is receptive to your planning fee, the more likely they are to book their trip with you!