Here s where you can find the videos and handouts...

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1 Build Your Romance Travel Business With DWHSA s 7 Steps Step 6: Build Your Back-Office Systems for Romance Travel Bookings Here s where you can find the videos and handouts... We ll post the videos and handouts for the seven classes in this series online for you! DWHSA members can find these files in the training library inside DWHSAMembers.com. Non-members may find them posted on this page below through Dec. 31, 2018: Image: Evil Erin via Flickr

2 Your three organizing weapons Databases for your clients and prospects to corral the details about your base of people Centralized files for each client couple/group that are easy to access A to do list that captures every major and minor action item (along with due dates) for your clients trips What goes in your database? Clients' full names (one field or split fields?) Birthdates, wedding dates, and other special dates Gender; citizenship; age Current mailing and street addresses Phone numbers (work/daytime, home/evening, cell, fax) addresses and social media "names What goes in your database? Spouse/fiance/fiancee information; family information Divorced or widowed (previous spouse[s] name[s], how long ago/dates) Passport info (country of issue, issue date, expire date, number) Referral source Employment information Emergency contact details 2

3 What goes in your database? Credit card information (with a big caveat) Loyalty program information (frequent flyer memberships, hotel frequent guest clubs) Hobbies and interests Past trips booked with you (or booked elsewhere); "bucket list" romance trips Physical or mental challenges that could affect travel What goes in your database? Groups that this client is associated with (e.g., "Smith-Jones wedding") A field for other notes, remarks, and client preferences What does your database need to do for you? The ability to sort profiles and to search profiles The ability to "back up" the database contents (both within the program and outside it as well) The ability to roll or pull both individual profiles and sorted lists into your online and offline marketing tools (e.g., newsletter programs) The ability to access your database via secure online connections (outside your office) The ability to generate helpful reports quickly and easily 3

4 Popular database programs ClientEase (clientease.com) ClientBase/TRAMS (trams.com) ClientMajic/TravCom CS (travcom.ca) VacationCRM (vacationcrm.com) LessAnnoyingCRM (lessannoyingcrm.com) Travel esolutions (travelesolutions.com) General business database programs such as ACT! or Goldmine CRM MS Excel/MS Access/Google Docs spreadsheet Other database tips Make it a habit to search your database as the first step when you're ready to create a new client/prospect profile, so that you avoid "dupes." Use your database functions to create lists of profiles with common interests, past destinations, and other characteristics. You must be able to pull up profiles and view (a) past travel history and (b) travel wishes and preferences when you're talking with a client or prospect. Other database tips Use reminders ("ticklers") from your database for dealing with brochure requests, payments, "welcome home" calls, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Make it a habit to create new client/prospect profiles on the spot, instead of letting these names pile up on your desk for later entry. Keep your database open on your computer all of the time when you re in the office! 4

5 One central file for each romance travel group A manila folder for each romance travel group booking A three-ring binder for each group booking An online folder for each group booking, if you're truly comfortable working online The key criterion: One central place where everything related to that group goes! As your business grows, you may also want a "whiteboard" in your office to track all active romance travel groups at any given time. One central file for each romance travel group In this central folder or binder, you'll collect both GROUP information and PASSENGER/TRAVELER information. Examples of group information: The DW group contract or group booking code details The couple's signed client agreement Correspondence with the couple and the supplier(s) about the group as a whole The master group list/rooming list A calendar for the group with deadlines One central file for each romance travel group Examples of passenger information: Each traveler's reservation form or reservation information Special requests Payment history and schedule Any cancellation or change requests 5

6 The critical dates you must track for each group You must discipline yourself to think ahead about the major decision/action dates that affect each romance travel group, and note those dates not only in your group files/binders but also on your daily calendar so that you don't miss anything: Deadline dates for returning signed group contracts or group booking code agreements Initial deposit dates Additional deadlines for incremental payments The critical dates you must track for each group Final payment deadlines The change/cancellation schedule that applies to each group Final dates for submitting special requests Final dates for locking in ceremony details Deadlines (padded as you're able) for submitting paperwork or handling chores associated with the destination's legal marriage requirements Any recall dates you've been given for blocked space not yet paid with full legal names submitted Live by your to do list! You can t let any details about romance travel bookings drop through the cracks! Set up one centralized list or calendar where you can track ALL of the to-do items for each couple. Use this tool to check your to-do priorities at the beginning of each workday and, again at the end. 6

7 Charts her progress and how much time you re spending on each task At start and end of each day, look at the last line in each tab (plus any lines in red that are urgent) TABS: One per booking Color coded for different types of clients Set in order of departure date Credit: Chelsea Landaverde If you like DWHSA, here s your next step... In DWHSA, you ll have 948 other romance travel specialists who ll answer your questions and cheer you on! Plus, you ll have access to DWHSA s training programs, networking channels, and consumer marketing tools. USD$159 now, $199 starting March but, til then, you can join for $ contact us for the link: support@dwhsa.com Here s where you can find the videos and handouts... We ll post the videos and handouts for the seven classes in this series online for you! DWHSA members can find these files in the training library inside DWHSAMembers.com. Non-members may find them posted on this page below through Dec. 31, 2018: 7

8 And, we ll see you next Monday for Step 7... Join us for the final session next week (Mon., Nov. 5)! Here s the link to register: 8