We will not be discussing Martha Stewart's cooking recipes here, but rather the ingredients necessary to become a successful Home-Based Agent. Due to space constraints , we will keep our discussions as brief as possible and still try to get our point across to you.

Anyone thinking of entering the fun and potentially profitable arena of the Home-Based Travel Agent must do their research on the subject. The recipe begins with one cup of Tom and Joanie Ogg's books "How To Start A Home-Based Travel Agency," one cup of Kelly Monaghan's book "Home-Based Travel Agent, 5th Edition " and one cup of Jeff Zbar's book "Cruise Control: Launching & Growing Your Home-Based Travel Business," and combine the above with a dash of America's Host Agency's monthly newsletters.

After reading the above material you should be ready to jump in with both feet. If you plan to do this on a part-time basis that's OK, although you still need to organize yourself the same way as you would if you were going at it full-time.

The following is a list of a few steps you need to take in order to get off on the right foot and become more successful.

 

1. Set aside space in your home to be used exclusively for your travel business. An exclusive room is ideal. Next to that may be a corner of your bedroom or other room where you can shut the door and be away from being bothered by the kids or pets, even your spouse. The kitchen table or an area near where the family gathers won't cut it.
   
   
2. Purchase the basic technology tools needed. A computer (less than 3 years old) with at least an 80G hardrive and 1024 RAM, Microsoft Office 2003 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access & Publisher), a decent printer, fax machine (using a PC fax is okay too), cellphone, a Blackberry or Treo also works if you like small keys, a dedicated phone line and if using a fax machine, a com-switch 7500 to identify fax from voice. A second dedicated fax # or an online FAX such as Packetel is preferred.
   
   
3. Get rid of AOL, Hotwire, Yahoo and Road Runner e-mail addresses. These are not business friendly ISPs - See #4 below for an alternative.
   
   
4. Set up your own domain (www.godaddy.com) and point it to your free or professional website. Obviously, John.Doe@ Mystical Vacation.com sounds more professional than sexylady@aol.com. If you find it hard pressed to give up your AOL or Road Runner Address you can forward all e-mails from your domain site to your personal e-mail and no one will notice the difference.
   
   
5. Advertising and Marketing -- Have a professionally printed business card preferably with your picture on it. Do not print business cards from your computer. It's Tacky! The most important product you have to sell is yourself. If you can successfully sell yourself first you can sell any product. Forget the newspaper advertising for now. It's too expensive. You must network with your family friends, neighbors, local businesses and civic organizations, your church, synagogue or mosque. Join a networking club such as BNI (www.bni.com). Do a press release to your local newspaper especially if you have a unique travel specialty. Always keep your business cards with you and get out of the house as much as you can. Always remember to ask for referrals from anyone you speak with. It is the best way to grow your database and business. When you have at least 100 clients in your data base subscribe to a data base service or software. I prefer Clientease as they have great support. (www.clientease.com) There are many marketing outlets available to you from the suppliers to your Consortium using your database. 
   
6. Choose a Host Agency where you can receive one-on-one support and the higher commissions. America's Host Agency or World Cruising Society comes to mind as being the best.
   
   
7. Keep yourself motivated by getting outside and prospecting for clients and networking with business associates. Don't fall into the habit of hanging around the house in your pajamas. Take a walk, do some exercise. Communicate with fellow Home- Based Agents via your Host Agency's forums and message center. Continue learning by reading all your trade magazines such as Travel Trade, Agent@Home, Travel Weekly and Cruise and Vacation Agent. Take on-line courses, attend conferences and seminars locally or nationally.. Never isolate yourself.
   
   
8. I hope I've given you a few things to think about. You can never stop learning in this business. It's great to be a Travel Agent and it is one of the few occupations you can pursue for the rest of your life, no matter how old you are. Just look at me.