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1. 

   chinaguide
   Member

   Both you and Rebecca have said that to get the best value out of a group, you need both local and online groups. I would of thought that there were more groups in the area. Unfortunately, I have only found 2 possible ones and they are about 20 miles away, or about half an hour away, depending on traffic. I live in the DC area and have googled, checked meetup, and contacted the Loudoun (the county where I live)County Library. I have not visited them yet. I am scheduled to visit one next week. The other does not work with my schedule, yet. My online group is going pretty well. We have 5 members, including myself. We are just getting started but, we are able to read each others articles and critique them.

   My marketing question refers to using local resources. I am a tour director which is a seasonal job. About a year ago, I tried my hand at being a home-based travel agent. I had heard that joining local groups such as local chamber of commerce can be helpful. I joined the Loudoun Co. Chamber, went to the breakfasts, joined a leadshare. Unfortunately for me, I did not get quality leads that helped My business. It was pricey and got a lot of unsolicited calls (for their businesses), junk mail (snail and email). It would be ok if I worked in a regular office and had other contact means besides my home and cell. How do you market yourself and also keep your privacy. I've considered joining again but stop myself when I think of all of the calls for other businesses and junk mail. So, what would be the best option?

   Thanks,

   Cybele

   Posted 2 years ago #
2. 

   Amandah Blackwell
   Moderator

   I've noticed that the groups on Meetup.com tend to be more prevalent in certain "big" cities such as L.A., San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, etc... Groups like BNI which are nationwide charge high fees ranging from $300+. I would think that the local Chamber of Commerce would have strict rules about unwarranted solicitation.

   I really do think geography has a role in where Meetup groups are. I'm from Cleveland, OH and the Meetup groups in the area are slim to none. I didn't hear about Meetup.com until I moved to Arizona.

   I suggest keep looking for online groups or starting a group. I was getting discouraged because I wasn't connecting with other writers or artists in the Phoenix area. I attended a writer's meeting and discovered that the other writers felt the same way. Arizona is spread out so it can be a challenge to meet people. Who wants to drive an hour or two? We don't have a subway system like London, NY, or Chicago.

   It may take some time or it could the D.C. area has served it's purpose for you. Not sure if you're up for a move, but it could be the universe's way of saying, "it's time to move on." It's a bit extreme, but could be worth it

   Posted 2 years ago #
3. 

   chinaguide
   Member

   I have started a group and that is going well. My husband and I talked about moving several years ago but he had gotten a promotion that he couldn't pass up. Right now is not a good time to move for us.

   I would of thought that too (about the unwanted solicitation) but, because I was a member, I was listed and I got the calls, mail, and emails. And to my knowledge, there was not a way to be unlisted.

   Posted 2 years ago #
4. 

   Trisha Miller
   Administrator

   Hi Cybele

   A couple of things for you to look into:

   Writers groups - sometimes the best place to find local writers' groups is at a local bookstore (or two) as often these groups are small and informal and don't advertise themselves, and sometimes you can find people there would WANT to start a group. Post a notice there if you can to try and start a local group. Set up an email JUST for that notice so that you don't give out your personal email address.

   Being a home-based travel agent - it's a great idea, but many travel agencies would rather that you work in their office - it can be hard to find one that would let you work from home. I strongly encourage you to be affiliated with a local travel agency, because they can help supply you with leads, and you can get access to Fam trips (like media trips but for travel agents). Although I do think that businesses should belong to their local Chamber of Commerce, I can't honestly say that it's of great benefit to individuals. But if you're associated with a Travel Agency who IS a member, then you can still take advantage of networking opportunities.

   Depending on your personal situation (spouse? kids? etc.) you also may want to consider a different type of travel industry job - like working for a cruise line - it's very competitive to get a job on a cruise ship, but your tour operator background is a big plus. You could try to find a job like that where you get to travel and then use the opportunity to write while you're traveling.

   Just saw your last post about not being a good time to move......

   Posted 2 years ago #
5. 

   chinaguide
   Member

   Trisha:

   I think you misunderstood me. I actually already tried the travel agency stuff. And it actually is more common nowadays for home-based travel agents. The majority do not provide leads and the ones that do usually charge a huge amount of money to provide you with the leads.

   And I agree with you that Chamber memberships are much better for organizations. Most individuals do not have the contacts. It seems like you get swallowed up in the chamber.

   And I am not a tour operator. Tour Operators are the companies that I work for to lead their tours. I have looked around for other tour industry jobs. However most of them are contract and work around the same season as tour directors, which doesn't help when things are slow in the off-season.

   Good point about using an email address only for finding local groups.

   Posted 2 years ago #
6. 

   Trisha Miller
   Administrator

   Hi Cybele

   Perhaps I did misunderstand, but I was trying to suggest that you give the travel agency idea another try - just not as a home based agent. That's not a beneficial arrangement for anyone but the agency, as you cost them nothing but provide their bottom line with sales. As part of an actual agency (in an office), you earn a small base salary plus commission, and have access to Fam trips, which can serve the same function as a media trip, allowing you to travel and provide fodder for your writing. In some cases you only need to work part-time to qualify for Fam trips and an IATA card which can also get you discounts on travel.

   I did mean to type "tour director" but it came out tour operator. I'm in the travel sales industry as well and sometimes the fingers just do what they want to when I'm typing. What I was trying to point out there was that, as a tour director, you're experienced with dealing with groups of people and the logistics of getting them around - the same skills needed for people who work on cruise lines, or as a concierge in a large hotel or resort. Almost any job in the travel or hospitality industry will get you access to benefits like free or heavily discounted stays at hotels & resorts.

   I do know a few travel writers who started out this way - using a travel industry job to help them afford to travel, and writing in their spare time until they could earn enough from writing to quit their job. It's sort of a "back door" way into travel writing. It doesn't work for everyone but for some people it's a great path.

   Posted 2 years ago #

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