Week 1 Understand the Industry and Where You Fit
If you come from other areas of the travel industry, or from another career altogether, we’ll break down very clearly how this particular segment of the travel industry works, and explain the varieties of ways to run a business in this space. We’ll address the challenges and opportunities for the industry by looking at new guidelines and research on how travel has changed.
Week 2 Design a Phenomenal Experience
This is the fun part! We’ll give you a variety of tools for crafting the perfect tour experience, and guide you through creating an experience that works. The actual tour experience is absolutely everything. Your product is nothing without top-notch delivery, and this is what TripSchool is known for: helping you deliver a knock-out travel experience using our special blend of storytelling, technology and wow moments.
Week 3 Set Up a Proper Business
To do this right you have to establish a true business entity. We will help you to figure out the correct business structure for your new company. Also, advice on setting up a business bank account, state and/or local business registration, and tour operator insurance. Don’t forget about keeping good books and paying the taxes!
Week 4 Brand Yourself to Stand Out
So you have some ideas on how you are going to transform your guests’ lives. That’s great, but what will be the brand story you wish to convey? Logos, color, fonts, tone, and consistency all go into how your company will be perceived and understood. You also will learn about truly defining your target customer or group. This gives you the vision for exactly who you have developed your concept for.
Week 5 Create a Compelling Website
Having an well-designed tour business website is absolutely crucial to your success as an operator. Your website is your company’s digital storefront. It’s where people will go for information, get to know you better, and understand who you are as a provider. Also, where they go to give you money for your experience! Converting those casual eyeballs into booked guests is how you will see revenue come into your business.
Week 6 How to Price & Sell Your Tour
Before you know what numbers will come after the dollar sign, you have to figure out your expense costs and anticipated profit margin. That means contracting and vendor relationships will need to be completed. Part of your sales distribution strategy may also include discounting, referral fees, and commissions to local resellers and partners, as well as to large international companies that can deliver you guests.
Week 7 Craft a Digital Marketing Plan
OK, you’ve built it…but how will they come? Your digital marketing plan includes social media, of course. But it also should include paid ads through search and programmatic ads that display based on traveler intent during the research phase. What about building contact lists and sending email campaigns? Let’s not forget public relations, and good ole’ press releases that also help to get the job done.
Week 8 Test & Launch Your Business
All of the pieces are now in place, and you are ready to try out your first tour! Have a control group of friends and family go through the entire booking process on your website, and provide feedback on what worked well and what might need more work. While on tour, pictures and videos can now be captured for use in your marketing plan. And at the end, their honest feedback on the tour design and execution will be very helpful to you, and their post-tour reviews on public websites will help to prove your tour is more than worth the cost.
