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I see this question so often in a few of my financial groups I’m in.

“What are some ways I can make money at home” or “what home-based business do you suggest that’s not involving travel agencies”

And before you know it, there are about 1,000 comments and at least 70% of them have to do with “I make a very good living with my travel based business. Inbox me for more details”

So, the question of the day is:

Are home-based travel agents truly making a living from home?

The answer: yes and no

How do home-based travel agents get paid?

One word: commission! There are many home-based as well as corporate jobs that pay via commission only. This job is perfect for someone who does not need this as their primary source of income. Being a travel agent is also great for those who need the money and has a lot of time to dedicate towards this business.

Just because you sell a fabulous cruise to a referral for $2500, don’t think your commission is off all that. Only $1600 of that may be commissionable. This is called a Non-Commissionable Fee and it’s highly recognized by major cruise lines.

How do home-based travel agents get their clients?

Like many home-based businesses, word of mouth is golden for travel agents. You must be a hustler because sales, marketing, and networking will be your bread and butter. Most host agencies are not passing on leads or prospects to you. You must go out there and find them.

It’s always awkward bringing up your business to friends and family because you don’t want to seem a burden. However, if you know of them that travel often, it may not hurt to bring up a few ways you can help save them money. From there, it’s easy to gain another client or two because birds of a feather flock together. They’ll refer you in no time pending they already don’t have an agent to work with.

What skills do you need to be a travel agent?

You should be a people person. You must learn to network with others. You must also be organized. From paper to paperless systems, there are ways to keep everything in order.

You should also be a well-versed traveler yourself. How are you going to recommend services you’ve never experienced for yourself? For instance, many people prefer one airline over another. Be prepared to tell your clients why. They need to have the best experience possible. It’s your job to give it to them.

What is the typical day in the life of a travel agent?

It’s a lot that goes into a home-based travel agent’s life. You have to:

• Be available for questions/concerns 24/7 – remember they are traveling the world and may need you for help.
• Create itineraries – some people don’t just want a trip to the islands. They want an experience! So, you need to create the total package from the airline, hotel, transportation around the island, tours, restaurants, and other experiences. This may take up a lot of your day and hundreds of emails and phone calls! Therefore, many agents charge a consultation or service fee as well.

So as much as you want to say you work your own hours, think about if this will truly be the case.

Are there any other perks to being a home-based travel agent?

Of course, there are perks! One of the biggest perks is travel deals! You’ll be the first to know about amazing deals and can accurately plan your own trip for you, family, and friends. In essence, you are the middleman and you are cutting all the excess out.

What are your thoughts about being a travel agent?