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JohnDeVries

posts: 15

May 08, 2007 7:56 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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If you`re interested in self promotion of freelance work, check out www.copywritersboard.com. I know you`re not a copywriter but the concepts behind marketing a service are pretty universal. These guys are the kings of prospecting and finding work. I think anyone could learn a lot from them.

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http://www.Jidaho.com - Internet Business Building - Start, grow, and run your own business on the web.

nothinglikeit

posts: 130

May 11, 2007 10:31 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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thanks I`m gonna check that out as well

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Follow the journey of Marvin Hawkins Visual Concepts and Nothing Like It Games at http://gamerdeveloper.blogspot.com/

Jessy

posts: 1

Nov 26, 2007 3:04 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I am looking to start a home based business as a travel agent and i dont know where to start. Although I have my travel degree and travel agent license I feel stuck because I dont know where to begin. Does anyone have experience in this area and how did you get started? Any advice would be great!!

RabbitMountain

posts: 423

Nov 26, 2007 3:52 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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That sounds like something for which you might be able to get a franchise. Have you looked into whether there are travel agencies that franchise?

—paula

castillodee

posts: 1

Nov 26, 2007 5:56 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi !

You will need decide if you want to join a host agency (low cost) or go totally independent, which can be costly. You can start with a host agency, then gradually go independent as you make money and build your own client list.

Most host agencies will provide most of all the tools you`ll need to start, then pay you commission at the end of a sale.

There are various ways to go about being a travel agent. These are just a couple of ways I`m familiar with. Will you specialize in a destination? Will you only cater to leisure or corporate travel?
Decide on what market you want to work in. Then, this can determine the path you should take on opening a home based travel agency.

You can find great resources at www.ossn.com.

-Dee

CraigL

posts: 9051

Nov 26, 2007 5:57 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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The first place to start is with market research. How many travel agencies currently exist, how many are successful, and how many operate from their homes? Of those that are successful, what niche will you fill to differentiate yourself?

Your immediate competition are all the online travel services, booking and reservation sites, and the online booking capabilities for just about any travel system.

A specific niche rests on the idea that anyone can book a trip anywhere. The problem is knowing what they`ll encounter at the destination, where to go, what to do, and how to solve problems in that remote location.

sagetrout

posts: 28

Nov 28, 2007 1:27 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Successful small businesses become successful because they find a market "niche" they can serve better than most. You need to find your niche in the market.

One of the questions to ask is what are the markets in travel that are growing, and which ones are declining. I`ve seen successful travel businesses based on catering to a very specific audience. For instance, I knew of one travel agent who catered to people who liked to go fishing at exotic locations all over the world. He did it partly because he loved fishing so much and he could travel to all of these places because of his travel business. He discovered his "niche" in the marketplace.

You need to find your niche to be successful. Otherwise you become another "me too" service that has to compete with websites who can do it as cheap as possible. However, websites can`t do everything.

People who travel a lot and pay fees are generally affluent. They like special services or to be taken to special places. What can you offer them that`s really special?

The other market is the business market. What can you offer them?

I think you need to look at your self and what you want, and then look at the marketplace and what it wants, and find a happy marriage at a point where those desires coincide.

-------------------------

Doug Atherton
Regional Vice President
Equity Corporate Finance, Inc.
DouglasA@equitycorpfinace.com
888-498-8999 ext. 109

layla17

posts: 12

Nov 28, 2007 11:44 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Good thoughts Doug. I agree completely. I would also say that starting with a host agency would be bad to get some experience and build up some clients. It would be a great way to generate sales faster, which would give you sometime to build up some capital to start up your own business.

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Great Tax Information
Jackson Hewitt franchises
finance information

nycems

posts: 7

Apr 13, 2008 9:53 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi everyone. My question is where do I start with my idea on starting my own clothing line for woman. Any help will be highly appreciated...thanks.

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"If you cant fly, then run. If you cant run, then walk. If you cant walk, then crawl. But whatever you do...keep moving forward."
-Martin Luther King Jr-

Solotr

posts: 6

Apr 13, 2008 11:48 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

Points: 0 Vote

Just a thought, narrow what `women` you are targeting, what styles will you specialize in (evening wear, career, sports, etc.) and talk to women!

We`re all different, even in the same country! Some of us are Town & City, some are NightLife, some are Down Home and some are Extreme Experimentalists.

You`ve got guts - trying to know what women want

All the best!

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"Success is how high you bounce after you hit bottom."
General George Patton - http://thesologazette.com

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