My first 6 months as a Travel Counsellor

Time flies when you’re having fun and my first 6 months as a Travel Counsellor have certainly been that. From attending the amazing annual conference in November with guest speakers such as Louis Theroux and Fearne Cotton and to the whistlestop visit to Paris where I experienced the 5-star luxury of a Uniworld river cruise. I’ve made over £500k of sales and see no reason why I can’t hit £1million with a year.

Finance The world of tax and expenses seemed incredibly daunting at the start but I signed up to an online accountancy software and have been tracking my business mileage and expenses from the start. There’s always an accountant online to chat to and I’ve read lots of guides as to how to operate as a sole trader. I’m also mindful of putting money aside for my pension and the dreaded tax bill.

Marketing I’d worked in travel sales for 16 years prior to this and so I had a good database of customers, but my number one goal for my first trading year is to grow my client database. One way of doing this is to be very active on social media and so I attended a social media workshop and have watched many ‘how to’ videos. Again this is another task that seems overwhelming but I set aside time in my diary to post and if I see something interesting I share it. I’ve also written an article for a local magazine which goes to print next week. This is completely out of my comfort zone but hopefully it’ll reach a large audience and even if I only get 2 bookings it will have been worth my while.

Networking Building relationships has been my biggest lesson over these last 6 months. Not only with customers but also with fellow travel counsellors, head office staff and suppliers. Working from home can be very lonely but if you make an effort to chat to others and attend meetings and events, your social circle soon expands. Networking is paramount but this doesn’t mean simply attending networking events. Everyone I speak to knows what I do for a living and I constantly ask for referrals.

Time management Being my own boss means I set my own schedule. I make sure I’m dressed suitably (not trackies or pyjamas) and am sitting at my computer for 9am every week day. I take a lunch break and then try to clock off around 5.30pm. Having this routine helps me separate work and home life since they both take place under the same roof!

Self-development There’s always something to learn in the world of travel and so another slot in my weekly schedule is a learning hour. I’ve completed the Global Sustainable Tourism Council exam so I can help guide the company and my customers into making more sustainable decisions. I’ve started learning more about cruising and also about ‘up and coming’ destinations such as Qatar and Oman.

Call to Action If you’d like to chat about potentially becoming a Travel Counsellor or would like to discuss holidays or business travel please do not hesitate to get in touch. Also please follow me on social media and refer me to any friends or family I may be able to help.