The Social Takeoff Podcast with Kelli Hayes Smith

Travel agents, when I say Challenge Story , I am NOT telling you to wait until somebody loses a passport, gets stranded somewhere, or has a full-blown travel emergency before you have something worth talking about. Most of the obstacles you solve are a whole lot more ordinary than that. The budget doesn’t quite match the wish list. The better flight costs more. The resort your client found on TikT...

Show Notes Travel agents, some of your best content is already happening in conversations with your clients. The question is: are you listening for it? In Part 3 of the PLOT framework, we're digging into LISTEN and the Client Story. This is the content that shows what you do with what your clients tell you, including the tiny comments they may not even realize completely changed what you recommend...

Travel agents, your booking is probably not the most interesting part of the story. In Part 2 of my PLOT Framework series, we're digging into the P: PICK , and the Decision Story hiding inside the proposals and bookings you're already creating. Because a “just booked” post tells me what happened. A Decision Story tells me why it happened. Why did you choose that resort over another one? Why did yo...

SHOW NOTES Travel agents, what if your biggest content problem isn't that you don't know what to post, but that you aren't recognizing the content you're already creating? In this episode, I'm introducing The PLOT Framework , a new framework I've developed to help travel agents find the stories hiding inside the work they're already doing. Because every time you create a proposal, you're making de...

Most travel advisors think they need better marketing. More reels. More visibility. More followers. But visibility without positioning is just noise. In this episode of The Social Takeoff Podcast, Kelli Hayes Smith breaks down the difference between marketing and positioning for travel advisors.. and why you need both to build a predictable, scalable travel business. You’ll learn: The real differe...

Episode Description Most travel agents think clients book once they’ve seen the right destination, deal, or itinerary. That’s not actually how decisions get made. In this episode, Kelli breaks down how questions — not explanations — are what help potential clients move from researching and scrolling… to feeling ready to book. These are the kinds of questions you can use in your content, emails, co...

Ever feel like you’re saying the “right” things… and still not getting the DMs, leads, or bookings you expected? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why that happens — and how to fix it without posting more. Here’s the truth: different buyers need different things to feel comfortable spending money. So if you’re only creating content that makes you feel confident… you’re going to miss entire gro...

Kelli Hayes Smith discusses the challenges of content creation and posting on social media, emphasizing the importance of intention, clarity, and purpose in marketing strategies for travel advisors. She highlights the pitfalls of posting without substance, the impact of industry jargon, and the need for a structured content plan and calendar. Takeaways Posting without clarity leads to frustration...

Trends aren’t bad. Views aren’t bad. Engagement isn’t bad. But hollow views are useless . In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many travel advisors feel like their content is “working” — but their business isn’t moving. We talk about the difference between being liked and being hired, why instant gratification keeps you stuck, and the four questions every post should answer before you hit pub...

Episode Summary A lot of travel advisors think their marketing isn’t working — when really, their expectations are off. In this episode of Social Takeoff , we reset how social media actually fits into your business, why checklist marketing is holding you back, and what it really takes to build trust, community, and momentum online. This conversation is about letting go of pressure, unrealistic met...

Welcome to Social Takeoff — and welcome to the reset. This episode is the first of a three-part reset series dropping on New Year’s Day, created for travel advisors who feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or discouraged by marketing. If marketing felt heavy last year… If you tried to learn all the things… If you showed up even when it was hard… This episode is for you. In this reset, we talk about why m...

Welcome back to Social Takeoff — and to reset episode two. If marketing has felt overwhelming, frustrating, or like one more thing on an already full to-do list, this episode is for you. In this reset, we talk about why marketing feels so heavy for travel advisors — and why the problem usually isn’t effort, discipline, or motivation. It’s expectations. We’ve been taught that marketing should: work...

Most travel advisors aren’t “bad at marketing.” They’re letting platforms decide whether their marketing is working. In this final Reset Episode, we’re talking about what happens when you let algorithms, trends, and engagement metrics dictate your confidence, your content, and your strategy — and why that approach quietly steals momentum from your business. We’ll talk about: Why likes, views, and...

Let’s be honest — square footage and brochure stats won’t sell your services. If you’ve ever left a supplier meeting with a bunch of generic info and zero clarity on how to use it in your marketing… this episode is for you. In episode 2 of the Don’t Market Like a Supplier series, we’re talking about the five questions to ask your BDM (or supplier contact) that actually matter — and how their answe...

Welcome to the first episode of our brand-new 5-part series: Stop Marketing Like a Supplier In this powerful episode, Kelli Hayes Smith shares the truth behind why so many travel advisors struggle to stand out in a saturated space — and it's not because of lack of effort, it's because of supplier-style marketing. What you'll learn in this episode: Why supplier content doesn't work for building YOU...

✈️ Episode Summary: In this episode of Social Takeoff , Kelli dives into the top 5 red flags she’s seeing in the travel advisor marketing world—and what to do instead if you want your content to convert, build trust, and grow your business. These aren’t just industry rants. Kelli brings real solutions to the table—like what to do when you’re tempted to copy-paste content, how to stay connected wit...

Host: Kelli Hayes Smith Podcast: Social Takeoff Keywords: travel marketing, ideal client, social media, client transformation, travel agents, marketing strategy, audience targeting, emotional connection, travel planning, content creation ✈️ Episode Summary : Raise your hand if your content calendar feels more like a game of “throw spaghetti at the wall and hope it sticks.” 🙋‍♀️ In this episode of...

Host: Kelli Hayes Smith Podcast: Social Takeoff Episode Length: ~24 minutes Keywords: travel marketing, social media, engagement, views, algorithms, ideal client, conversions, SEO, content creation, trust building 🎧 Episode Summary: In this empowering episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives headfirst into one of the biggest mistakes travel professionals make in their marketing: chasing views over result...

Host: Kelli Hayes Smith Podcast: Social Takeoff Episode Length: ~24 minutes Keywords: travel marketing, social media, engagement, views, algorithms, ideal client, conversions, SEO, content creation, trust building 🎧 Episode Summary: In this empowering episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives headfirst into one of the biggest mistakes travel professionals make in their marketing: chasing views over result...

In this episode of the Social Takeoff Podcast , Kelli Hayes Smith dives into the latest social media trends, with a particular focus on Instagram and its updates. Kelli explores the growing phenomenon of lurkers —those passive users who consume content without actively engaging. She explains why it's essential for content creators to understand this behavior and adjust their strategies to cater to...

In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives into the common misconceptions about travel agents and the pressing need to shift the industry's narrative. She challenges the outdated perception that travel agents are unnecessary due to online booking platforms, emphasizing the transformative value they provide to clients. Kelli shares practical strategies for travel agents to communicate their unique va...

In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith explores the critical awareness phase of the buyer journey, the first and most essential step in attracting new clients. She breaks down the four buyer phases—awareness, consideration, conversion, and loyalty—and focuses on how travel agents can increase their visibility. Kelli shares actionable insights on leveraging social media, SEO, networking, and in-person...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith unpacks the critical differences between social media tactics and strategy for travel agents. She shares why chasing viral trends can harm your business and how focusing on your ideal audience leads to sustainable success. Learn why vanity metrics can mislead your strategy, how to shift your content from destinations to services, and the importan...

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Social Takeoff , Kelli Hayes Smith explores the secrets to boosting social media engagement and why your posts might be getting overlooked. She shares actionable strategies to make your content stand out, emphasizing the importance of specificity, authenticity, and connecting with your ideal clients—not just your peers. Kelli also breaks down the dangers of...

Ready to bring some serious main character energy ✨ to your travel business? In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives into how travel agents like you can elevate your content creation and marketing by making your clients the star of the show 🌟. It’s all about positioning your clients as the main characters in their travel adventures 🌍. Kelli shares practical tips on crafting content that resona...