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Hays Travel Business Partner Marketing Toolkit 2025
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CONTENTS
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Intro ..................................................................................... 5 Online Marketing .......................................................... 6 What to use......................................................................8 Engagement..................................................................... 10 Top tips...............................................................................12 Goal setting......................................................................14 Content Planning...........................................................16 B-Roll................................................................................... 18 Facebook .......................................................................... 20 How to videos.................................................................22 Boost a post.....................................................................24 Instagram .......................................................................... 26 Set up info.........................................................................28 Useful videos....................................................................30 Useful videos....................................................................30 TikTok.................................................................................. 32 YouTube.............................................................................. 34 LinkedIn.............................................................................. 36 Influencers......................................................................... 38 Offline Marketing ......................................................... 40 Event & Sponsorships..................................................42 It’s not all about social.................................................44 Data Collection and Mailshots.................................46
SMS Messaging...............................................................48 Podcasts............................................................................ 50 Networking....................................................................... 52 Building a platform outside of social media.....56 Awards................................................................................ 58 General ............................................................................... 60 The Hub Overview........................................................60 Products............................................................................. 60 Useful Videos...................................................................62 Chat GPT............................................................................64 Reviews............................................................................... 66 Who to contact...............................................................68
BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT
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Welcome to the Hays Travel Business Partner Marketing Toolkit Ready to elevate your brand and attract new clients? Look no further...
This interactive marketing handbook has been designed to help you build a powerful personal brand in the travel industry.
This guide goes beyond “handy tips” – we’ll equip you with actionable marketing strategies, insightful industry trends, and compelling content that will resonate with your target audience. Learn how to create engaging videos, and valuable industry connections. Learn how to build brand consistency across all platforms, ensuring your message is clear and impactful.
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Title Interactive
Simply click on these throughout, and you will effortlessly be navigated to relevant resources to help you maximise that section. Top tip!
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SOCIAL MEDIA KEY FEATURES Social media refers to online platforms that connect people and allow them to share content, ideas, and information. A digital space for creating and sharing text, photos, videos, and links with others.
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Brand Building Leverage social media to build YOUR brand, connect with customers, and promote YOUR products and services.
Examples of social media platforms:
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Ask yourself... Why should people follow your page? What benefit do you bring to your potential customer? What makes you different?
Snapchat
Expertise | Resort/Destination Knowledge | Price Product | Tips and Tricks | Accessibility
TikTok
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
GETTING SOCIAL WHAT TO USE
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Types of social media
Social media content comes in all shapes and sizes, each with its own strengths for grabbing attention and engaging your audience. Here’s a breakdown of some popular types:
Visual Content Memes & Gifs Playful visuals can add humour or cultural relevance. Images Eye catching photos can spark interest, start a conversation and convey info quickly. Stories and Reels Perfect for capturing attention user engagement.
Video Content Long Form Videos
Interactive Content Polls & Questions Crowd source opinions and encourage audience participation Contests and Giveaways Generate excitement and incentive engagement Quizzes Educate audiences in a fun engaging way.
User- generated Blog Posts and Articles
Other Content Funny, Trendy & Relatable Content Tap into current trends and humour to connect with your audience. Educational Content Provide helpful information that solves audience problems.
Ideal for in depth tutorials, demonstrations, behind the scenes. Live Streams Foster real time interaction and crucial engagement on the spot with your audience.
Share valuable information and content it builds trust with your audience. Content from real customers and trusted influencers can help build your brand and strengthen your reputation in your marketplace
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SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT “You can’t buy engagement; you have to build it.”
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Types of engagement
Increased Engagement You can directly interact with potential customers, answer questions , address concerns, build rapport and user engagement.
Broadcast Channels
Content Marketing
User-generated Content Encourage past clients to share their positive experiences on your page, adding social proof and testimonials that resonate with potential customers. Repost every positive review or comment you receive and build trust. Ask your audience directly to give feedback.
A Facebook Broadcast Channel is a relatively new feature on Facebook that lets page admins, group admins, or creators send one-way messages directly to their followers in a dedicated chat-like space. Facebook broadcast channels can boost sales by allowing businesses to send direct, personalised updates and offers to engaged followers, creating a sense of exclusivity and immediacy that drives conversions.
Share captivating travel content like photos, videos, and blog posts to inspire wanderlust and position yourself as a travel authority.
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TOP TIPS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA
Be consistent with posting and make sure to stick to a structure.
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Post guidelines
Set the tone For a friendly and energetic tone of voice and ensure this is consistent across your posts.
Post Daily This is a common suggestion for maintaining presence without overwhelming followers.
Be attentive
Ensure you are responding to comments, responding to direct messages and answering queries within an acceptable time frame.
Be consistent Staying consistent on social media is essential because it keeps you visible and top-of-mind with your audience. Regular, reliable posts help build trust and familiarity, showing customers you’re active, approachable, and ready to help.
Vary your content Keep your content varied and exciting. Don’t just fill your page with full blocks of text. Customise your images, post customer testimonials and relevant, topical conversation starters.
Utilise analytics
Know what works best for your account: Reels, Stories, Static, Video, Factual, Fun. Review your analytics weekly to refine what works—pivot your strategy based on performance and audience preferences.
3x per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) Feed Posts 1-2x per week (fun, energetic clips) Reels
Daily (mix of photos, videos, polls, Q&As) Stories 1x per month (travel Q&A, live deals or behind-the-scenes tours) Lives
Optimal posting timetable
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
SETTING SOCIAL MEDIA GOALS Setting clear goals is the foundation of any successful social media strategy. Without goals, it’s easy to post aimlessly and hope for the best but with them, every post, comment, or story has a purpose. Clear goals help you focus your time and energy on what really matters, whether that’s building brand awareness, growing your audience, generating leads, or driving bookings.
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Achievable and measurable goals
gain 200 followers in 3 months
Be specific
Make it measurable Use metrics like followers (number), engagement rate (likes, comments, shares), click-throughs to your website, direct messages (enquiries)
Don’t just say “grow my followers.” Instead, aim for “gain 200 followers in 3 months.”
Keep it achievable Set goals that challenge but don’t overwhelm you. For example, posting 3x per week instead of daily if you’re just starting out.
Time-bound
Always assign a deadline to keep yourself accountable. For example: “Reach 100 likes per post by the end of the quarter.”
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
CONTENT PLANNING Content planning is one of the most valuable habits you can build for social media success. Having a clear plan means you know what you’re posting, when, and why, taking the stress out of last-minute ideas and helping you stay consistent and relevant. A good plan keeps your posts balanced, varied, and on-brand, ensuring you mix fun engagement posts with useful travel tips, offers, and personal stories.
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Content Pillar Strategy
Inspire & Dream Share stunning
destination images, travel quotes that spark excitement.
Personal Connection Post behind-the-scenes stories or introductions that show the friendly face behind the bookings.
Customer Love Share testimonials or thank you posts to build trust and showcase happy travellers.
Create your Content Pillar Strategy
Tips & Advice Offer helpful travel tips or booking advice to position yourself as a trusted expert.
Community & Engagement Run competitions, polls, quizzes, or local shoutouts to build relationships.
Offers & Promotions Highlight special deals photos, or limited-time
packages to create urgency and drive enquiries.
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BENEFITS OF B-ROLL CONTENT B-roll content is the extra footage or behind-the- scenes clips that bring your main story to life on social media. It’s the candid, natural moments, like packing a suitcase, boarding a plane, sipping coffee at your desk, or showing travel brochures, walking your dog that help people see the real side of what you do.
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Authentic, informal video clips
Repurposed into other content You can turn short clips into Reels or TikTok’s for quick, authentic behind-the-scenes posts, create a blooper reel or outtakes montage to show your fun, human side, add text overlays for tips or quotes turning simple B-roll into valuable how-to content.
Shows people the real you When your audience sees the friendly face, authentic moments, and everyday life behind your business, they feel like they know you personally — which makes them far more likely to reach out, book with you, and recommend you to friends and family.
Builds trust & relatability
Variety breaks up content Mixing up your social media content keeps your feed visually interesting and balanced, while also helping you reach more people by appealing to different interests and triggering better engagement in the algorithms.
We naturally relate to people we feel aligned with and are far more likely to buy from those we trust and connect with on a personal level.
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
Your Facebook page is the foundation of your business, from here you can communicate with your customers, gain valuable feedback, generate new leads and gain analytical insight on how your business is performing - so it’s so important to understand how you can best utilise Facebook, and other social media sites to assist you.
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Building your brand
Massive Audience
Targeted Marketing
Facebook targeted marketing is a strategy where businesses use Facebook’s detailed audience data to deliver ads to specific groups of people based on their interests, behaviours, demographics, or location.
Facebook boasts a vast user base, giving YOU access to a huge pool of potential customers.
Facebook provides a powerful platform for you to connect with potential customers. Establish yourself as a travel expert and ultimately grow your business. The power of Facebook
Cost-Effective Marketing Compared to traditional advertising, Facebook offers a relatively inexpensive way to promote your travel agency. You can create a free business page and tailor your ad spending to fit your budget.
Build Trust & Brand Awareness A well-maintained Facebook page with engaging content showcases your expertise and establishes you as a reliable source for travel planning.
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HOW-TO VIDEOS FACEBOOK
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Facebook your business
Quick & Easy steps
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Create Facebook ads Interactive 03
Setting up & posting on Facebook Interactive
View account highlights Interactive
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Video content library Interactive 05
PTC Partnership Interactive
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HOW-TO VIDEOS SOCIAL MEDIA BOOST
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How to boost your social media
PTC Social Media Boost Process
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Remove Meta Pay Interactive
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How to set a threshold Interactive
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
Instagram is a powerful marketing tool for businesses looking to expand their presence and product visibility. It is a is a hugely popular photo and video- sharing social media platform with 2 billion monthly users worldwide. Instagram has a much younger demographic than facebook and therefore can target a different market.
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Instagram checklist
Complete your profile
Stay current with trends
The 18-to-24 and 25-to-34 age groups each make up 31.2% of Instagram users, meaning 62.4% are aged 18 to 34—Instagram’s core demographic. Did you know?
Update your bio often
Make your brand & USP clear
Set goals
Know your audience
Research competitors
Plan your content
Use hashtags wisely
Engage with your audience
Test different content and times
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INSTAGRAM SET UP INFO
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Checklist - More info
Complete Business Profile If you’re a business, switch to a business account to access additional features like Insights and advertising options.
Complete your profile info Upload a picture that represents your brand, write an engaging bio which describes what you do, include a link to your Facebook and Hays Travel Profile Page and contact info.
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Instagram bio ideas Interactive 01
How to setup a business account Interactive
For more information on how to build your Instagram platform – click here for our Instagram Training Flipbook Instagram Training
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USEFUL RESOURCES
Your handy toolkit, find out more with these easy to follow guides.
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Little extras
How to set up a TikTok post Interactive 01
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Instagram tips for stories Interactive
Instagram reels videos Interactive 03
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Social media content calendar Interactive
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TIKTOK
TikTok is a top platform for spotting travel trends, thanks to its algorithm that surfaces fast- rising content. Users often share authentic travel experiences, tips, and destination ideas. Hashtags like #Travel2024 or #BucketList reveal what’s trending. In 2024, TikTok was the most downloaded app with 773 million downloads, only recently overtaken by ChatGPT. With 1.58 billion monthly active users, it ranks as the 5th most popular social platform globally.
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TikTok hashtags
When searching for holiday inspiration on TikTok, using specific keywords and hashtags can help you discover a wealth of ideas. Here are some of the best things to search for:
Destination-specific hashtags 🗼🗽
Seasonal and holiday hashtags 🎄❄
#TravelDestination #TravelGoals #EuropeTravel #AsiaTravel #USATravel #HiddenGems
#SummerVacation #WinterGetaway #SpringBreak #FallTravel #ChristmasTravel #NewYearTravel
Activity and experience hashtags 🎢 🌆
Travel tips and hacks ✈ 🌴
#AdventureTravel #BeachVacation #CityBreak #NatureLovers #RoadTrip #FoodieTravel #CulturalTravel
#TravelHacks #BudgetTravel #SoloTravel #FamilyTravel #TravelTips
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YOUTUBE: THE BENEFITS
YouTube is a powerful way to showcase your travel business. Through video, you can bring destinations to life, share real customer stories, and create emotional connections that inspire bookings. As the second-largest search engine, YouTube helps you reach people actively planning trips. Plus, videos can be reused on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for greater impact.
A well-run channel builds trust, attracts leads, and turns viewers into loyal customers ready to book their next adventure with you.
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Why YouTube works: Big benefits for your business
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Showcase Destination
Share Travel Tips
Highlight the unique experiences you offer, from hidden beaches to cultural festivals.
Offer packing advice, visa guides, or budget- friendly travel hacks to build authority.
Age Distribution
Daily Usage UK users spend an average of 71 minutes per day on YouTube, surpassing time spent on other platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. If you need further insights or assistance in leveraging YouTube for your specific goals, feel free to ask!
• 25–44 years old: This group represents the largest share of YouTube users in the UK, accounting for approximately 44% of the user base. • 16–24 years old: Comprising around 24% of users, this demographic is highly engaged with the platform.
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YouTube how to guide Interactive
• 45–54 years old: Approximately 14% of users fall into this age bracket.
• 55–64 years old: This group makes up about 9.9% of the user base.
• 65+ years old: Users aged 65 and above constitute roughly 9.5% of YouTube’s UK audience.
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LINKEDIN With over 900 million members, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. It’s built for business connections, making it ideal for personal travel consultants to grow their client base and industry partnerships. LinkedIn lets you showcase your expertise, share valuable travel tips, and engage with an audience seeking personalised travel advice. Unlike traditional sales channels, it’s all about building trust and relationships—key to winning clients in the travel industry.
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LinkedIn as a Selling Tool
Optimise Your Profile
Build a Targeted Network
Share Valuable Content
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital storefront. Use a professional photo, craft a compelling headline that highlights your role as a travel consultant, and write a summary focused on the benefits you bring to clients. Include keywords related to travel consultancy to improve discoverability.
Connect with professionals who fit your ideal client profile, such as corporate travel managers, event planners, expatriates, and frequent travellers. Also, build relationships with industry peers like hotel managers, tour operators, and travel influencers to expand your reach and gain referrals.
Regularly post articles, travel tips, destination highlights, and client success stories. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but keeps you top of mind for your network. Engaging content encourages interaction and helps establish you as a trusted travel advisor.
Engage More Proactively
Utilise LinkedIn Messaging
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How to use LinkedIn Interactive
Comment on posts, join travel and business groups, and participate in relevant discussions. Personal engagement creates meaningful connections and opens doors to conversations that can lead to bookings.
Use personalised, non-intrusive messages to introduce your services and follow up with leads. Avoid hard selling; instead, focus on understanding client needs and offering tailored travel solutions.
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INFLUENCERS An influencer is an individual who has the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of their authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with their audience. Influencers typically have a significant following on social media platforms, where they share content that resonates with their audience and engages them.
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Building your brand
Partnering with a local lifestyle influencer who shares family travel tips can help promote your family-friendly holiday packages to their engaged local audience. Example #1
Large Following
Authority & Expertise
Content Creation
Expertise in a specific niche, which can range from travel, fashion, beauty, fitness and more.
Create and share content that is informative, entertaining, or inspirational to their audience.
Influencers have a substantial number of followers on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and others.
Example #2
Trust & Credibility
Micro Influencers
High Engagement
Collaborating with a local food influencer who loves to travel to create buzz around your travel services by sharing “best places to eat while on vacation” content that naturally integrates your business.
High levels of engagement with their audience, meaning their followers frequently like, comment on, and share their posts.
Seen as trustworthy and credible sources of information, making their recommendations and opinions highly valued by their followers.
Play a significant role in modern marketing but are usually very expensive, micro or local level influencers can also help to drive business to you.
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WHY MARKETING AT EVENTS IS WORTHWILE
Event marketing at fairs, festivals, or trade shows offers direct connection with your audience that digital can’t match. It builds trust, showcases your expertise, and creates memorable experiences. Plus, it helps gather quality leads and boost sales while fostering long-term loyalty and community trust.
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Top tips for successful event marketing
Set Clear Objectives
Create an Eye- Catching Setup Invest in good signage, banners, and displays that draw people in and make your brand memorable.
Offer Value to Attendees Provide exclusive discounts, free travel guides, or interactive experiences to entice visitors to engage with you.
Know what you want to achieve: is it brand awareness, lead generation, or immediate sales? Tailor your presence accordingly.
Train Your Team
Follow Up Promptly
Reach out to leads within a few days after the event to capitalise on the interest you’ve generated.
Make sure everyone at your stand knows how to represent your brand, answer questions confidently, and collect data effectively.
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WHY MARKETING AT EVENTS IS WORTHWILE
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5 things to look out for
Low Footfall Areas
Competing Attractions
Poor Weather
Scout the venue layout in advance to ensure your stand is in a high-traffic spot.
Be aware of other stalls, activities, or attractions that could draw attention away from your booth.
Have a backup plan in case of rain or wind, such as a tent or shelter.
Unclear Messaging
Over-Reliance on Freebies Giveaways are great, but make sure they’re tied to your business (e.g., free travel consultations) so they attract serious prospects.
Make sure your brand and key message are instantly recognisable, confused visitors won’t stick around.
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IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT SOCIAL Local marketing can be highly effective. Sponsor youth sports teams or support local charities to build goodwill and visibility. Attend or host events like wedding fairs and markets to connect directly with potential clients. Simple tactics like flyers, shop collaborations, or resident-only discounts can also make a big impact.
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The importance of being present locally
Builds Trust
Increases Visibility
Encourages Word-of-Mouth
People are more likely to buy from someone they see supporting their community.
Being at local events ensures your brand is seen and remembered.
Positive experiences spark conversations that extend your reach.
Shows you care
Targets the right audience Engaging locally connects you with potential customers where they live and work.
Supporting local initiatives demonstrates your commitment to the area.
CONTACT ME FOR OPPORTUNITIES
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THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTION
Collecting attendee info like names and emails is key to maximising event marketing. Use incentives and digital tools for easy, GDPR-compliant sign-ups. A solid follow-up plan turns data into lasting brand trust and sales.
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How to set up a QR Code Once you have created your own QR code you can use this on leaflets, posters, business cards etc... This is great for distributing around local businesses and for attending events.
1 Blinq Blinq is a digital business card and networking app designed to make sharing your professional details quick, seamless, and eco-friendly. With Blinq, you can create a customised digital business card that includes your contact information, social media profiles, website links, and more. Instead of carrying paper cards, you simply share your Blinq card instantly via QR code, link, NFC tap, or even your Apple Wallet. This makes it easy to keep your information up to date and ensures that your contacts always have your correct details. The main benefits of Blinq are that it saves time, reduces paper waste, makes networking more efficient, and helps professionals make a memorable first impression with a modern, tech-forward approach.
Creating and setting up QR code Interactive 01
Download the Blinq app in your app store.
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
WHATSAPP AND FIRETEXT WhatsApp can be a powerful tool for building personal connections with clients. Use WhatsApp Business to create a professional profile, organise customer inquiries, and send personalised updates or last-minute offers. You can also set up automated greetings or quick replies to streamline communication.
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Smart Messaging: Making WhatsApp and FireText work for you
FireText Using Firetext or a similar bulk SMS messaging platform is a powerful way to connect directly with your audience in seconds. With open rates as high as 98%, SMS cuts through the noise of crowded inboxes and social feeds, delivering your message straight to your customers’ pockets , wherever they are. Whether you’re promoting last- minute deals, exclusive events, or urgent updates, bulk SMS is fast, personal, and incredibly cost- effective, making it an essential tool for driving engagement and boosting sales.
Building your own platform means you’re in control, no matter what happens on social media. It ensures that you can reach your audience reliably and continue growing your business, even if algorithms or platforms change. By combining email marketing, SMS, and messaging apps like WhatsApp, you create a solid foundation that keeps your travel consultancy strong and future- proof. Contact your marketing support if you’d like more help or click the link below.
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Guide to WhatsApp Interactive
Login by FireText Interactive
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HOW PODCASTING CAN HELP GROW YOUR BUSINESSES
Podcasting is a fantastic way to build your personal brand, authority, and community around your travel consultancy business. By sharing your expertise, insights, and stories about destinations, travel tips, and unique experiences, you position yourself as a trusted travel expert, someone people naturally turn to when they’re planning their next holiday.
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How it can help you
Attract a Wider Audience
Establish Authority and Trust
Podcasts are available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, giving you access to thousands of potential travellers who might not find you through traditional marketing. Repurpose Content Podcast episodes can be repurposed into blog posts, social media snippets, and email newsletters, giving you a steady flow of content to nurture your audience. Podcasting helps you build credibility, connection, and community, all essential for growing your travel consultancy. It’s an engaging, cost-effective way to reach potential clients while showcasing your personality and passion for travel.
A podcast gives you a platform to showcase your expertise, share insider tips and answer common travel questions as well as demonstrate your specialist knowledge with the more unusual insider info such as hidden beaches and specific cultural festivals. This builds confidence among your listeners, who see you as a go-to travel advisor, making them more likely to book with you.
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Drive Direct Bookings
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Through subtle mentions, interviews, or sponsored segments, you can promote your products or services in a way that feels authentic and engaging. Plus, a podcast keeps your brand top of mind, nurtures a loyal community, and can drive listeners to take action. By including clear calls-to-action (“Visit my website to book,” “Follow me on Instagram,” or “DM me for a quote”) you can turn listeners into clients.
If your brand new to Podcasting, why not work on guesting on podcasts in the first instance
If you’d like, marketing can help you plan a podcast launch strategy or even help draft your first episode script!
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NETWORKING Networking is a powerful way to grow your travel consultancy business, giving you direct access to new clients, valuable industry contacts, and collaborative opportunities. By connecting with others, you can build your reputation as a trusted expert, learn from fellow professionals, and stay on top of the latest travel trends and market shifts. It’s not just about selling holidays; it’s about building relationships that lead to referrals, partnerships, and lasting customer loyalty.
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Benefits of networking
Build Trust & Authority Meeting people face-to-face (or virtually) helps you establish trust and credibility far faster than cold emails or ads. When potential clients or partners can put a face to your name, they’re more likely to do business with you.
Generate Referrals Other business owners, suppliers, or even happy clients can become excellent referral sources. A well-timed recommendation can fill your sales pipeline with warm leads.
Stay Updated on Trends Networking events often include talks or panels featuring the latest travel trends, regulations, or consumer habits. This knowledge keeps you ahead of the competition.
Build Partnerships Collaborate with local businesses, tour operators, or other consultants to create joint offers, share resources, or even co-host events.
Boost Visibility
The more people you meet and talk to, the more your name and brand stick in their minds. This awareness is invaluable for word-of-mouth marketing.
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NETWORKING Businesses and people should network because it opens doors to opportunities, ideas, and support that they might not find on their own. Networking helps you build relationships with people who can offer advice, share knowledge, connect you to jobs or clients, and even become mentors or collaborators. It’s not just about what you gain — it’s also about what you can give, which strengthens your reputation and trust within your industry or community. Ultimately, networking helps you grow both professionally and personally by expanding your circle and exposing you to new perspectives and possibilities.
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Where to network
Local Business Networks
Online Networking Groups
Community Groups and Clubs
• BNI (Business Network International), Chamber of Commerce, and local business breakfasts or meet-ups. • How to use them: Bring plenty of business cards, practice your “elevator pitch,” and be clear about how you help clients plan dream holidays.
• Examples: LinkedIn groups focused on travel, Facebook groups for small business owners, or WhatsApp networking chats. • How to use them: Share valuable content, ask questions, and engage with others’ posts to position yourself as an expert.
• Examples: Rotary Club, Women in Business, or local charity committees.
• How to use them: Offer to help with travel- related initiatives or sponsor local events to raise your profile.
Final Thought
How to Maximise Networking Success
Networking is more than just meeting people, it’s about building trust, exchanging value, and creating opportunities that help your travel consultancy thrive. By consistently attending events, engaging online, and following up, you’ll transform your network into a powerful tool that supports your business growth long-term.
Be genuinely interested in others, ask about their business or travel plans.
Follow up within 48 hours, send a quick thank-you email or LinkedIn connection.
Offer value, share travel tips, insider knowledge, or referrals.
Keep records, note key details about contacts so you can personalize future conversations.
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BUILDING A PLATFORM OUTSIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
While social media is a fantastic tool for connecting with your audience, relying solely on platforms like Facebook or Instagram is risky after all, you’re building on rented land. If your account gets hacked, flagged, or even shut down overnight, you could lose years of followers, conversations, and potential sales in an instant. That’s why it’s crucial to build a platform you own like an email database or SMS or WhatsApp list that gives you a direct line to your customers, free from algorithm changes or platform rules.
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Beyond the feed
Building and managing your database Building your database is one of the most powerful tools for growing your travel business. By collecting and organising customer contact details, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and travel preferences you create a valuable resource for personalised marketing. A strong database allows you to stay in touch with past and potential clients as well as being less reliant on social media algorithms or paid ads, as you have a direct line to an engaged audience. Selling to your database Once you’ve built your list, nurture it with valuable content: destination guides, travel tips, and exclusive deals. Use segmentation to send targeted offers that resonate with specific interests. Avoid constant sales pitches—balance them with helpful and inspiring content to keep readers engaged.
Using Mailchimp effectively
Mailchimp is a user-friendly platform that makes managing and communicating with your audience easy. It allows you to design beautiful email campaigns with drag-and-drop templates, automate sequences like welcome emails or holiday countdowns, and segment your list based on travel preferences or booking history. Mailchimp also provides valuable analytics, such as open rates, click-throughs, and conversions, so you can refine your strategy over time. Plus, its compliance tools help ensure you stay GDPR- compliant by managing opt-ins and unsubscribes automatically.
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Setting up Mailchimp Interactive
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ENTERING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AWARDS Entering and especially winning local awards can be a game-changer for a personal travel consultancy (PTC) business. Awards not only enhance your credibility and authority in the local market but also provide invaluable third- party validation that can set you apart from competitors. They generate positive publicity, attract new clients, and build trust with existing ones who see your commitment to excellence. Winning local awards also boosts morale and fosters a sense of pride and community involvement, reinforcing the personal touch that’s so important in travel consultancy. Plus, the exposure often leads to new partnerships and networking opportunities that can further grow your business.
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Stand out & shine
Choose the right awards Focus on awards that align with your business values and target market. Look for categories that showcase your strengths—such as customer service, innovation, or community impact. Align with the criteria Read the award guidelines carefully. Address each criterion clearly and concisely—judges want to see evidence that you meet their requirements. Get your team involved Engage your staff in brainstorming and gathering information for the entry. It builds team pride and ensures you don’t miss important details. Leverage the outcome Whether you win or not, shout about your involvement! Use it in marketing, social media, email signatures, and on your website. Being shortlisted or a finalist is a big deal too, and shows that you’re a credible, thriving business.
Tell your story Craft a compelling entry that highlights your journey, achievements, and the challenges you’ve overcome. Use real-life examples, client testimonials, and data to bring your story to life.
CONTACT ME FOR AWARD ENTRY ADVICE
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THE HUB Keep an eye on the social media page of the HUB for bitesize sessions on social media - for example how to create Instagram reels - plus lots of up to date information
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More info available to you
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Commission help Interactive
Commission calculator Interactive
BD coach 1-2-1 call Interactive 04
Visit our media library Interactive 05
Creative design requests form Interactive 06
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
PRODUCTS
Having products is a great way to grow your business through increasing brand awareness, adding a personal element, and helping you to connect with the customer. Through AZTEC, we have a range of products that you can order to help grow your business. Log into your AZTEC account to see the full range of products. These products are also editable, where you can personalise and change to suit your needs.
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Free Stuff
What is available for free
• Thank you for booking cards
I hope you have enjoyed your holiday
• Ticket / Travel Wallets
• Welcome Home Post Cards
Brand Guidelines Sticking to the Hays Travel Brand Guidelines is essential to maintaining a consistent and professional image across all communications and customer interactions. These guidelines ensure that the brand’s visual identity, tone of voice, and messaging remain unified, helping to build trust and recognition among customers and partners. Consistency in branding reinforces the company’s values and reputation, making Hays Travel instantly recognisable in a competitive market. By adhering to these standards, every branch and team member contributes to a strong, cohesive brand presence that drives loyalty and supports long-term business growth.
It’s not just travel money, it’s memories Smile
THE UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT TRAVEL AGENT
To: _________________________________
From:_______________________________
____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________
THE UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT TRAVEL AGENT
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Hays Travel brand guidelines Interactive
Commercial Calendar Interactive
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
CHATGPT AI tools like ChatGPT streamline content planning, generate fresh ideas, and maintain your brand voice, saving time without sacrificing quality. They analyse engagement trends, suggest optimal posting times, and refine captions with top keywords and hashtags. AI can also repurpose long-form content into short, impactful posts. The result? Smarter, faster content that drives engagement and sales.
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Always read through the copy generated to ensure it matches your personal tone and style – check for grammatical and spelling errors thoroughly Top tip!
Ways to use Chat GPT
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How to use ChatGPT Interactive
Compelling captions & hashtags
Write persuasive call-to-actions
Prompt users to enquire, book, or message you directly.
Attract more engagement and align with trending topics.
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Set up your ChatGPT account Interactive
Create engaging posts Around destination highlights, travel tips, or special offers to keep your audience excited and informed.
Draft quick replies & targeted replies For frequently asked questions to save time and maintain a consistent brand voice. Follow up with leads efficiently and personally.
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
THE IMPORTANCE OF A GREAT REVIEW Good online reviews are crucial for building a successful personal travel consultancy business because they build trust and credibility in an industry that thrives on personal recommendations and word- of-mouth. Potential clients often rely on the experiences of others to decide who to trust with their travel plans, and positive reviews can significantly influence their choices. They showcase your expertise, reliability, and commitment to exceptional customer service, differentiating you from competitors. Moreover, strong reviews help improve search rankings, increase visibility, and create a positive online reputation that attracts more clients, ultimately fuelling growth and long-term success.
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Power of a great review
Ask at the right time When your client is most excited (after booking a trip) or right after a positive experience (like returning from their holiday), ask them if they’d be willing to share their experience in a review.
Make it easy Provide a direct link to your review page (Google, Facebook, or Trustpilot). A quick, clear call-to- action—like “We’d really appreciate a quick review here!”—makes it effortless for your client.
Personalize the request Mention specific details about their trip or experience, so they know you genuinely care and value their feedback. This personal touch increases the chance of them writing a thoughtful review.
Showcase reviews Share glowing reviews on your website, social media, and email newsletters. This not only builds trust but also encourages others to leave positive feedback when they see how much you value it.
Respond to reviews
Always ask for a FIVE STAR review never just a review or a good review Spell it out FIVE STAR review Top tip!
Use personalised, non-intrusive messages to introduce your services and follow up with leads. Avoid hard selling; focus on understanding client needs and offering tailored travel solutions.
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
REACH OUT TO FIND OUT
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Contact us
Marketing
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Social Media
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BOOK A SESSION WITH ME HERE
BOOK A SESSION WITH ME HERE
BOOK A SESSION WITH ME HERE
BOOK A SESSION WITH ME HERE
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BUSINESS PARTNER MARKETING TOOLKIT 2025
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