Choosing the Right Host: 5 Things to Consider

Choosing the Right Host: 5 Things to Consider - Dave Meihoefer, VP of Sales & Engagement, Travel Planners International

Finding Your Perfect Host Agency: Key Factors to Guide Your Decision

Contributed By: Dave Meihoefer, VP of Sales & Engagement, Travel Planners International

There are many reasons a Travel Advisor/Agency Owner would look to join a host agency. Certainly more than five right? Running a business and in some cases starting a business from scratch can be a daunting task presenting challenge after challenge, roadblock after roadblock and then some. Entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, technology, accounting, client lists, client issues, CRMs, networking and so on and so on and so on! Let’s look at five major things to consider when choosing the right host for you.

1. Overall Support

You can tell from the minute you show your genuine interest in joining a host. Are they responsive to your emails? Are they calling you back and/or replying in a timely manner? Is the person on the other end of the phone asking questions or simply telling you about what’s in it for you? As with so many other things in life, first impressions count and first impressions can be a tell tale sign of what’s to come when it comes to gauging what kind of support will be provided.

Be sure you are asking the right questions when it comes to initial education that will be offered, support resources that are in place and what plans are in the future for that. You are running a business and when you have those “I need help” moments, you need a reliable host to count on. Support comes in so many ways, make sure you feel confident with who you are about to partner with.

2. Technology

Whether it be a top-notch CRM or various tools and know-how to jump-start your digital marketing strategies, technology continues to pave the way for the future. Yes, we all have our preferred methods of doing business. Heck, some still prefer more manual processes in different aspects of running their show. Those who want to grow and continue to be most efficient will embrace all that’s out there. Those who want to market themselves and their business will jump head first into AI, social media and more.

When looking at different hosts, what are those must haves for you along with other items that may be secondary. The nice thing is that the choice is yours. Which CRM works best for you? Are you all in with technology or simply use it out of need, when convenient for you? Either way, knowing you are about to step foot into the world of a host who is embracing technology and preparing for the future is a must. Take what you will from it but don’t cut yourself short, don’t cut your business short.

3. Partnerships

4. The People

You know that feeling when your stomach churns (good or bad!) and you simply know something is really good or really bad? What is your stomach aka gut telling you when you hung up the phone with that representative of the Host? How do you feel when viewing and scrolling through that Host’s website? From what you already know or hear about a Host Agency, do all signs point to or away from them? It’s a personal choice and journey for us all, many times our gut instinct is right. Think about it when considering a Host, are you feeling “it”?

5. That “It” Factor

You know that feeling when your stomach churns (good or bad!) and you simply know something is really good or really bad? What is your stomach aka gut telling you when you hang up the phone with that representative of the Host? How do you feel when viewing and scrolling through that Host’s website? From what you already know or hear about a Host Agency, do all signs point to or away from them? It’s a personal choice and journey for us all, many times our gut instinct is right. Think about it when considering a Host, are you feeling “it”?