TIQUE Talks: The Business Podcast for Travel Advisors

Episode 32 was all about how to articulate your value as a travel advisor. This week, Robin and Jen take the discussion a bit further and discuss how to overcome sales objections with confidence.   Travel advisors often face objections from prospective clients that can make them hesitate or even halt the progress of a sale. However, instead of viewing objections as obstacles, think of them as...

Are you struggling to attract the right clients to your travel business? Don’t miss this episode!   It's no secret that Tique is big on brand identity and creating boundaries within the client experience. One area where branding and boundaries intersect is in brand messaging and storytelling. In this conversation, Robin and Jen discuss the significance of brand messaging, how to identify your...

“Travel agents still exist?” - There’s no doubt, we've all been asked this question. Honestly, it can feel impossible to summarize everything that a travel advisor does in the few seconds that we have to respond to that question.    The role of an advisor has evolved significantly in recent years. Many people now believe they can plan and book their own trips using the internet and onlin...

Like any new technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has come onto the scene and caused quite a bit of uproar. You may already be familiar with Chat GPT, but now there are also travel focused AI platforms that can help individuals plan their own itineraries. There’s no doubt about it, AI is reshaping the travel industry!   Grace McBride, founder of Lucia, joins the show to discuss the role o...

Today, Robin and Jen take a detour from the solopreneur path and dive deep into the realm of dynamic duos. If you've ever wondered how to find your perfect partner in crime or maintain harmony amongst the chaos, you’re in for a treat!    Successful partnerships require more than just business expertise. This honest conversation discusses the importance of openness and trust in a partners...

Social media is the number one thing that we hear travel advisors struggling to manage. The ever-changing algorithm, multiple platforms, ads, hashtags, creating posts that actually resonate with your target audience…is all of this even worth it?    The answer is YES! However, we are big on progress over perfection, and simplifying the lives of travel advisors. This episode is dedicated t...

Client gifting: necessary or an extra expense? This conversation dives into the pros and cons of client gifting in the travel industry.   As a business owner, of course you want your clients to feel appreciated, and a great way to do that is by sending a gift. However, it’s important to consider factors like cost and even the impact it’ll have on your business. Learn tips for making client gi...

This conversation is centered around the one word that makes people shudder...sales! As travel advisors, we love to plan travel, but don't want the stigma of being someone who sells for a living. However, that’s exactly what it is.   Learn the importance of sales messaging and why it should be tailored to your potential client's demographic and psychographics. Confidently knowing what you are...

There’s no doubt, money makes people funny. It shouldn’t though!    This conversation aims to lift the veil on numbers and provide clarity on what income to expect and strive for in the travel industry. In an industry where it feels like bragging rights are claimed based on the amount of sales solidified, Robin and Jenn encourage you to flip the script and instead focus on actual profit...

Are you unsure if you’re actually worth your fees? Do you worry that you don’t know enough about a destination? Have you ever been envious of another advisor’s luxury bookings?   If you answered “yes”, then this is the episode for you! Robin and Jennifer are discussing the taboo topic of imposter syndrome. Learn how you are cheating yourself out of income from clients and literally taking mon...

Is your business prepared for a recession?    Whether you believe it or not, the Feds have confirmed that a recession is indeed coming. The worst thing that you can do as a business owner is to ignore the signs and assume everything is okay. Very few businesses were adequately prepared to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and this time we have fair warning.   In this episode, we share...

As a small business owner, it’s your responsibility to legally protect your business. We get it - when you first start your business, you’re excited and ready to jump right in! The thoughts of actually getting sued aren't in the forefront of your mind.    Unfortunately, Jennifer experienced many lessons learned after going through an IRS audit, being threatened to be sued, and even hit w...

Lately, we've been connecting with suppliers and talking a lot about the topic of proposals. They've all agreed that a more comprehensive and collaborative communication approach could shift the entire relationship dynamic in the travel industry.   We understand it can be easy to get caught up in your own processes and wonder why the supplier is taking so long on the proposal. However, as adv...

Today, we are talking all about a system that allows you to educate your clients BEFORE actually meeting them! It is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to save time, create convenience, and simplify your onboarding process.   By correctly leveraging technology and automations, you can actually enhance the personalization of your client experience without taking away that special touc...

One of the most popular requests that we get at Tique is, how to create social media captions. We understand that it can be tricky to create juicy content that captures your audience’s attention. Social media and marketing is definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution!   When deciding on your messaging, you must be aware of who you are as a brand, as well as who you are marketing to. By doin...

Booking and planning a trip is easy, right? Not always! We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges that advisors face, which is managing the multitude of small details that go into each trip.  This year, travel advisors are experiencing incredibly high demand. This can lead to an unprecedented number of trip details to confirm.   In this episode, we’re talking with Kaytee Fisher, the owner...

We are currently in one of the highest volume years that travel has ever seen. While that’s very exciting, that also means there is more room for error, less time for details, and more on the line than ever before! Automation is something that can REALLY help streamline your client experience, as well as enhance your business.   In this episode, we’re talking with Ashlyn Puckett, the amazing...

Creating a brand sounds pretty easy, right? You just pick out some colors, select fonts, and have someone design a logo with your name in it. While there’s nothing wrong with taking a simplified approach to your brand, the process of creating a brand is anything BUT simple. Tique specializes in taking a mere concept and transforming it into a grouping of information that creates the entire interpr...

So many advisors join the travel industry and don't give the ‘how’ much thought when they’re first starting. Many people have a dream to have their own independent travel agency without really understanding what goes into it (it’s way more than you think!). When you work with a host agency though, they should be connecting you with people and resources that best support YOUR unique book of busines...

We’re not bashful when it comes to sharing the behind-the-scenes of our business. Like every other business owner, we have had our share of mishaps; hiring being one of them! The hiring and onboarding process is a crucial component to having a successful and balanced business. We are so passionate about this topic, because we know the importance of finding and retaining the talent that you've work...

One of our favorite sayings at Tique is, protect your peace. This goes hand-in-hand with one of our favorite topics - boundaries. The reality is, you can’t serve your travel clients properly if you're always playing defense and operating from a reactive state. Boundaries are SO important to instill from the very beginning if you want to be viewed (and treated) as a true professional.   In thi...

When you first get started as a travel advisor, it’s okay to book all the things and figure it out as you go. Niching down can have a really positive impact on your business though! When you’re speaking to everyone, you’re actually speaking to no one. The hallmark of a luxury brand is not being afraid to repel the people who aren’t for them - they’re NOT trying to attract everyone.   In today...

We say it all the time and we're here to say it again - your brand is not JUST your logo. Your brand is the feeling that someone gets when they interact with any part of your company. It should be thought of as an all-encompassing, external perception, and should align well with your personal values. Don’t worry about attracting everyone - exclusivity is key!   In this episode, we’re talking...

Is your email list non-existent? Does a weekly or monthly newsletter continue to get pushed to the bottom of your to-do list? If so, this is the episode for you! At Tique, we're passionate about creating on-brand marketing that directly and positively impacts your company's bottom line. In fact, our business is largely reliant on regularly communicating through our email lists.   In this epis...

We get it - systems can be intimidating at first. However, organizing your business is critical not only for success, but also for the sanity of you and your growing team. One of the biggest obstacles for business owners is being able to confidently hand off tasks to someone else. Setting up systems, tools, and streamlined processes will make it easier to hand off tasks while you focus on other ar...