The Successful Travel Agent Podcast with Will Medina

Show Notes: The Industry has changed forever Your favorite BDMs are gone or have switched brands, your trusted contacts at the resort are no more, and clients need more handholding than ever before - Can I get an AMEN!? Planning fees continue to be at the forefront of successful TAs. In the words of a fellow colleague inside our TA Tribe, “It's a Movement” Sign Up Now: www.BookMoreDestinationWeddings.com  

Today I am joined by my friend Gai to learn more about the mission and vision behind ABTP.  We discuss the Black Travel Experience, the need for representation and the inclusive approach of the Association for non-black Travel Agents. Everyone is welcome so tune in to this candid conversation and learn how you can help bridge the cap.  Gai A. Spann is one of the Co-Founders of the newly launched yet very timely organization, the Association of Black Travel Professionals. As a travel industry expert, Gai has brought her over 20 years experience as an award winning travel agency owner, ALG BDM and Development Director for Ensemble Travel group to the forefront to lead change in the travel industry by ELEVATING the profile of talented Black professionals while advocating for more leadership roles within travel companies and more focus on the needs of the Black travel consumer. An unexpected trip to Paris fostered her love of Paris and love for travel all around the world! Resources: Join ABTP: www.abtprofessionals.org Follow ABTP on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacktravelpros/ This episode is sponsored by the Destination Wedding Wedding Playbook Workshop. 

"But Will, I don't need another Social Media app to worry about". I hear you, and this is why you need to be in it.  I cover beginner and advance Strategies to grow your audience, influence the public and attract your ideal client with #Clubhouse AND #Instagram.  Tune in!  Resources: This article by Social Media Examiner will help with the visuals of the App if you are not in it, yet.  Follow me on Clubhouse. My Username or Handle is @WillTravel

My guest today is fellow Travel Advisor Kevin Lowe.  We get down and talk about overcoming adversities in life, diversity & inclusion in the travel industry, and his journey to becoming a Travel Agent in 2013. About Kevin: Kevin Lowe is the owner of Better Days Travel and creator of the newly launched podcast, The Lowe Down on Life and Travel. He considers himself to be any other 30-something still trying to find his place in the world while at the same time hoping to make a difference along the way. Where Kevin's story differs though, is the fact that he's actually completely blind. To connect with Kevin visit: www.BetterDaysTravel.com #DoItScared

Whether that "New Year, New Vibe" has worn off or you feel that 2021 is of a rocky start, you still have time to take charge of your journey and your story this year. Do these things and get ready to succeed beyond your usual laundry list  "New Year Resolutions". Let's dive in! #DoItScared

Today I am joined by A. Lynn Blanco, the Host of The Travel Agent Podcast and we guess what we are talking about? That's right, Podcasting!  A Podcast is a powerful way of creating content for your ideal client so join us and learn about the what and why of adding a podcast to your marketing strategy, even if you don't love your voice. About My Guest: A. Lynn Blanco is from a small town in Indiana. She has had a love for travel since her first travel experience to Philly for a vocal competition as a teenager. She fell deeper in love with travel in her 20's, as she began to explore different countries. She has always been the go-to person for vacation planning for friends and family due to her travel experience. After blogging about the epic 26-day family vacation to Asia, more friends and family began to ask her for travel advice and she realized that she had a valuable skill set that she could use to positively impact people's lives doing something that she loved and was passionate about. And with that, her travel agency Blanco Travels was born! When the business wasn't the overnight success she naively assumed it would be she asked for help. She decided to seek out successful Travel Professionals and listened to their stories to find where she had gone wrong. A Lynn knew right away the value of these stories was lead to starting a podcast. Now, she is the host of The Travel Agent Podcast where they take a deep dive into the life of travel professionals extracting the keys to a successful travel business. RESOURCES: thetravelagentpodcast.com

DISCLAIMER: This episode is NOT for you if you hate money.

But Will, Why do I need a COVID-19 Waiver going forward? I get it, friend, it's flat out scary to ask your already anxious travelers to sign one more document. I've fought this fear for months and that's why I invited my friend and fellow TA, Glinnesa to explain the what, the why, and the how to protect your travel agency from litigious clients due to Covid. #DoItScared Hit play to hear her expert advice, get a 10% discount on the waiver and to hear a special invitation to the upcoming TA Connection Summit happening on November 14th, 2020. Meet Glinnesa: Hello…I'm Glinnesa.  Owner of The Gailliard Law Firm. My firm is dedicated to creating practical and affordable solutions for small business owners, solopreneurs, and travel advisors. As an attorney, I understand the principles needed to guide your business toward success. My work in corporate and travel law is where I've led business owners such as yourself toward building their dream business.  As your business attorney and coach, I will work with you to file all necessary papers for the formation of your business; perform contract drafting and negotiations; prepare and enforce your terms and conditions, and file and implement trademarks and copyrights.  RESOURCES: 1. GRAB YOUR WAIVER WITH AN EXCLUSIVE 10% OFF WITH COUPON CODE: DWCOVID 2. TA Connection Summit WAITLIST: https://www.gailliardlaw.com/registration-page

Are you a travel agent suffering from the "Starving Artist" Syndrome? Let's crush it together! RESOURCES:  I don't offer invitations for private consulting on a regular basis because with a full roaster of my own clients, spots are extremely limited.  Our time together will be devoted to your biggest burning questions and creating a strategy with your needs in mind, but here are some examples of what we might focus on: https://www.willmedina.us/immersion-session LIMITED TIME OFFER: Get 50% off with Coupon Code: "COVID50"  

Today I am joined by my dear friend Kitzia Morales, Co-Founder of IADWP which produces the World Romance Travel Conference, formerly known as #LoveMexico and we talked about the humble beginnings of the first version of this conference back in 2008. The evolution of this unique conference as it took over Mexico and beyond.  Additionally, we discuss all the safety protocols you should expect this year while at the event, backed up by her decades of experience as a Professional Meeting and Convention Planner. HYBRID EVENT WORLD ROMANCE TRAVEL CONFERENCE / CONGRESO DE BODAS LAT For the first and only occasion, our two signature events, the World Romance Travel Conference and Congreso de Bodas LAT, unite strengths towards one common goal: offering the best hybrid, simultaneous, sustainable, and multicultural conference ever created for the Romance Travel Industry! Join us this December 8-11, 2020 at the Barceló Maya Riviera, México, for a unique event experience; two educational programs and more than 20 different countries, all at one beautiful place; the Mexican Caribbean.  REGISTER NOW and Meet Me in Riviera Maya: https://iadwp.com/en/conferences/16-hybrid-event-world-romance-travel-conference-congreso-de-bodas-lat Cheers,  Will Medina~

Hey there,  You are listening to the audio version of a Facebook Live I recorded inside of the Inner Circle Facebook Group for the Destination Wedding Playbook Students. In this video, I reminded them of the importance of requiring a consultation or planning session with EVERY single couple before they lift a finger quoting a new lead. By the way, while I am specifically referring to a destination wedding couple, this is true for ANY type of client or travel request you will ever receive.  Offering a free consultation to every client as a qualifier is a sure way to uncover your real competition and overcome any objections in the sales process. Why do I know? Because for 8 out of 11 years in business, this remains my most powerful sales tool to close more sales, save more time, and get paid by my ideal client. Furthermore, it is a repeatable process that I teach inside the Playbook Workshop and now helps dozens of other travel agents reclaim their time and set up their process to stand out from the competition.  To learn more about how you can learn to implement this sales strategy and other proven hacks, check out the curriculum of the Workshop here.  https://www.willmedina.us/playbook Cheers to your success,

Today I am joined by my friend David Hu and we are holding nothing back... David has been President of Classic Vacations for the last 12 years. In this capacity, he serves as the chief cheerleader of his fantastic team of dedicated travel professionals. David lives in California with his family and is currently being driven crazy by 3 bored teenagers while sheltering in place. He loves traveling, but like all of you will need to keep looking at old photos while imagining where he can go. In this episode we talk about: Keeping Calm and Carrying on as a Mantra Taking care of your customers Modernizing the Industry What is a Tour Operator The Connection between Expedia & Classic Vacations  The future of our industry post-COVID-19 based on the 80/20 rule RESOURCES: 1. ClassicVacations.com 2. Join our Successful Travel Agent Tribe Group on Facebook: Willmedina.us/tribe   

Gabriel Rosario is a wedding photographer based in Naples Florida available to travel where your love takes you. Today we are bringing you 5 Tips to produce your own lifestyle or branding photoshoot to elevate your personal brand: Connect with a Photographer Find a location that reflects your brand and services (Especial thanks to my AIC Hotels BDM, Dan Jimenez for sponsoring my sweet at the beautiful Eden Rock Miami Hotel.) Invest in professional makeup Bring 3 outfit changes (Think timeless) Invest in a quality shoot (You should expect to pay between $400-$800 for a great photographer). Resources: Gabriel Rosario Photography Website: GRosario.com Connect with Gabriel on Instagram Here Have you downloaded our FREE Destination Wedding Playbook Checklist yet?  This is my signature four-part framework for travel agents who want to make more money through group travel. GIVE ME MY CHECKLIST!  

What IS The Female Leaders in Travel Conclave?  My guest today is my dear friend Jennifer Doncsecaz, President of VIP Vacations, a fierce and successful Travel Agency owner.  Jennifer is a nationally recognized travel expert. As president of VIP Vacations Inc., Jennifer has distinguished herself as one of the top travel agents in America. Having received numerous industry awards, Jennifer uses her position to educate consumers as well as travel professionals on how to create amazing memories through travel. Jennifer is a featured keynote speaker at numerous industry conferences and serves on several travel industry advisory boards. In addition, her bi-weekly column in Vacation Agent Magazine, guides travel professionals in striving to reach their personal goals. Since 2006 Jennifer has been a regular on Fox News as their travel expert. Jennifer was also the host of the Travel Channel's TV series, "Great Cruises" that ran for 3 seasons (2008-2011). Jennifer is a 2016 and 2018 Travvy Award winner. Under her direction, VIP Vacations has received over 200 renowned industry awards. Are you searching for connection with other female leaders?  This female leaders in travel advocacy conclave provide an intimate setting for a small group of hand-selected, accomplished women as a means to exchange ideas, practice mindfulness, and spark creativity. This immersive experience will leave you feeling more resilient, motivated, and equipped to lead. To learn more about these female leaders and to apply to attend their 2020 retreat, visit: https://www.vacationsbyvip.com/female-leaders-in-travel-conclave/

Kathryn is a Travel Advisor based out of Kansas City, MO, and a graduate of my signature Workshop for Travel Agents: The Destination Wedding Playbook.  She managed to grow her business by: increasing her confidence creating a solid process to manage more groups with smart automation and most importantly she now believes in the value of her services for her ideal client and gets paid for it.  Thank you Kathryn for sharing your #PlaybookExperience with us. We are lucky to have you as part of our community.  RESOURCES:  1. Download the FREE Checklist to Learn more about the Destination Wedding Playbook Workshop for Travel Agents: www.destinationweddingplaybook.com  2. Kathryn's Press Release announcing her graduation as a Certified Destination Wedding Expert: https://www.kptravelgroup.com/post/i-m-a-certified-destination-wedding-expert-what-does-that-mean-for-you 3. Acuity Scheduling - Affiliate Link 4. Active Campaign - Get a Free Trial

If you don't know my friend Bill Coyle, get comfortable and listen to this fun chat with him. Bill is the Director of Education and Programs at KHM Travel Group, a Nationwide Host Agency based in Ohio.  But what you should really know about Bill is that he is an amazing human, a true advocate in our industry and a prime example of what it takes to build a successful travel career for 30 years, my friends.  We talked about his beginnings, his journey over the past three decades, and how in a changing world, he continued to pivot and adapt in order to thrive beyond the birth of the Internet, airline commission cuts, 9/11, and the new era of home-based travel agents. Hit play and get ready to learn about the evolution of the Travel Agency World since the 1990s. Enjoy! Will~ Resources: KHM Travel Group Website: https://khmtravel.com/

This episode could have been a 3 hours Masterclass. It was so delightful to chat with my friend Erin. Enjoy this interview and remember to JUST get started!  ABOUT OUR GUEST: Erin Cook is the founder of the Travel Biz Impact Membership Academy and the Video Smart Start Series. As a travel agent and business coach, Erin has helped empower and equip nearly 1,000 new travel experts to make more profit in less time by implementing smart systems & strategies so they can reach their first $100K year in travel. With a background in acting and her 17+ years as an entrepreneur, Erin is passionate about using video as a primary means of building relationships with her online audience because she knows that relationships SELL.    Resources :  TipsForTravelAgents.com FearlessFilming.com TravelBizImpact.com 

You are listening to an interview I did for The Travel Agent Podcast a few weeks ago. Ever since I started this Podcast I've meant to record an intro and just could not get myself to do it. Why? I am glad you asked. This interview with A Lynn felt so genuine and FUN to me that I felt I could not live up to it, without her participation. #RealTalk.  I am super grateful to A. Lynn for the opportunity to interview on her show and furthermore for allowing me to share it on my show. Neither of us edited the actual episode so it is my hope that you enjoy it as much as we both did. THANK YOU A. LYNN!  "Today on The TAP (Travel Agent Podcast), We interviewed Will Medina and we talked about making plans, having processes, systems, and automation. He breaks it all down and you may need a pen and paper." Learn more about Will at https://www.thetravelagentpodcast.com/post/w-will-medina We both believe wholeheartedly in "Community over Competition" so once you are done listening to this interview, be sure to check out her show and subscribe as she brings on Amazing content and speakers.  RESOURCES: THE TRAVEL AGENT PODCAST WEBSITE: https://www.thetravelagentpodcast.com/podcast  

Meet Ashley Morris, former advertising-exec-turned-travel agent pro. Ashley turned her love for travel into a million-dollar home-based travel agency primarily focusing on Destination Wedding Groups.  As a fellow agent, she is a dear friend, Destination Wedding Playbook Graduate, and a former beach bride herself who happens to Love Tequila... Can we have more in common? :) Listen to this interview and get inspired by her "hustler" spirit and her journey into leaving her 9-5, increasing planning fees, and reaching success as a travel agency owner. Thank you, Ashley, for sharing with us!  Resource: Alpaca Your Bags Travel - Website

You are listening to a BONUS episode that was recorded as an Exclusive Playbook Happy Hour for the students of the Destination Wedding Playbook Workshop. It was SO good and we feel that so many travel agents could benefit that we turned the call into a podcast episode. Please note at the time of this recording going live, the "Know your numbers" workshop has passed, however, you can reach out to Parker if you are interested in working with them.  Hope you enjoy it!  "Good bookkeeping is not just about preparing for tax season. It's also about monitoring the health of your business every single month. Join Will Medina and Parker Stevenson with Evolved Finance for an interactive Q&A and expert advice on managing your bookkeeping as an online travel business. #PlaybookHappyHour Brought to you by Destination Wedding University WillMedina.us/podcast Evolved Finance is a bookkeeping and business education company dedicated to helping online entrepreneurs create profitable and healthy businesses. Founded in 2010, Evolved Finance began as a small, boutique bookkeeping firm and is now the go-to financial team for some of the most successful and well-known online businesses in the industry. Our focus on serving online entrepreneurs has allowed us to provide a customer-focused bookkeeping experience that goes beyond just preparing for tax season. RESOURCES: Evolved Finance Website: https://www.evolvedfinance.com/

Are you ready to throw in the towel? What is the worst-case scenario for your travel business, today? You have a choice to make, my friend! A little bit of tough Love & Light,  Will~ RESOURCE: My Crush It Playlist (iTunes) LET'S DANCE, SHALL WE?

In this episode, Will and Mary Stein discuss phases 2 & 3 of  HAR's comprehensive guide on how to prepare your business for tough times.  This is Part 2 of 2 episodes of Prepare, Respond, Recover: A Travel Agency Crisis Management Plan. Phase 1: Prepare (Head over to Episode 6 for Part 1). In part 2 we discuss: Phase 2: Respond & Phase 3: Recover   Trust us. Future You will be really happy that Present You put something like this together. Even if you don't have a resource like this as you're responding to the COVID-19 crisis, use the steps you are taking now and document them in one central location. It doesn't have to be fancy. Breathe in. Breathe out. You're doing great. About our guest: Mary Stein is the Editor for Host Agency Reviews, an independent website connecting travel agents with industry resources. She's contributed to other travel publications including Travel Research Online, Travel Market Report and The Travel Institute.  She's inspired by the passion and tenacity of travel entrepreneurs and loves supporting them on their professional journey. Resource: Read the full guide and download the checklist here.   

In this episode, Will and Mary Stein discuss HAR's comprehensive guide on how to prepare your business for tough times.  This is Part 1 of 2 episodes of Prepare, Respond, Recover: A Travel Agency Crisis Management Plan. In part 1 we discuss: Phase 1: Prepare  Phase 2: Respond & Phase 3: Recover  (head over to the next Episode- Part 2) The guide includes a checklist of steps you can take to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the pandemic and/or any event that will disrupt—or threaten to derail—your business and your livelihood. About our guest: Mary Stein is the Editor for Host Agency Reviews, an independent website connecting travel agents with industry resources. She's contributed to other travel publications including Travel Research Online, Travel Market Report and The Travel Institute.  She's inspired by the passion and tenacity of travel entrepreneurs and loves supporting them on their professional journey. Resource: Read the full guide and download the checklist here.   

Join Will and Brand Guru Hilary Hamilton as we discuss the importance of Brand YOU.  In this episode, Hilary walks us through her 5-Step process to do a brand review no matter the stage of your travel business.  Explore your core values, mission, vision along with the foundational elements such as your brand personality, brand appearance, brand benefits, and brand competencies. Resource: Download the free brand review pdf here: https://www.hilary-hamilton.com/resources

Will and Dan Jimenez (AIC Hotel's BDM) have an honest conversation about the thought process and tough decision of postponing his Mexico destination wedding just two days before flying out. Learn about the logistics of re-planning the wedding that your clients are going through and that you may not be aware of. Practice Patience, Compassion, and Over-communicate to deliver an outstanding customer experience and win these clients for life. Resources: This Job Sucks Podcast. Listen here: https://allinagents.com/podcast

Join me in this conversation with Ash Tembe, Vice President of Fields Sales in North America for AIC Hotel Group as they discuss the impact of Coronavirus in the travel business, the future and potential of destination weddings and why their agent-focused strategy remains unchanged. In Ash's words: "We are on this together and we need the travel agents to make it". It's all about the people and the partnerships. Resources: To become an AMPED Travel Agent with AIC Hotels, visit: https://allinagents.com/register We are happy to have you join.

Success is a mindset. 

Morning rituals are not just for the early birds. Whether you are a night owl or a morning person, having a morning routine is the best way to set your day for success. Listen to my tips to nurture my soul, feed my mind and double my productivity while working from home.