Category Archives: Business

Why Travelers Prefer Small Businesses

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Small Travel Businesses Are the Hidden Gems of Your Adventures

Hey, travel enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered why so many globetrotters are trading big travel companies for small, local businesses? This trend is more than just a fad—it’s a movement reshaping how we experience the world. Let’s dive into why small travel businesses are the unsung heroes of unforgettable adventures and why you should make them a part of your next journey.

The Personal Touch

When you book with a small travel business—whether it’s a local tour guide or a family-run bed-and-breakfast—you’re signing up for a unique, tailor-made adventure. These passionate individuals know their hometowns inside and out, offering hidden gems and authentic stories you won’t find in any guidebook.

Imagine the difference between a pre-packaged, scripted tour and a heartfelt local recommendation. It’s like having a friend take you around their favorite spots, sharing experiences that make your trip genuinely memorable.

Supporting the Community

Booking with small businesses doesn’t just benefit you—it uplifts entire communities. Every dollar you spend goes directly into the local economy, helping families thrive, supporting artisans, and preserving cultural heritage. You’re not just a tourist; you’re a vital part of a beautiful cycle of giving and receiving.

From savoring traditional foods to participating in local festivals, these businesses offer immersive experiences that enrich both travelers and hosts.

Unmatched Flexibility and Care

Small business owners truly care about your experience. Need to adjust your plans last minute? No problem. Have a special request? They’ve got you covered. Their flexibility and attention to detail ensure your trip is as seamless as it is unforgettable.

A Perfect Partnership: Small Businesses and TravelJunkies

When small travel businesses collaborate with platforms like TravelJunkies.com, magic happens. This partnership bridges the gap between local expertise and global wanderlust, offering you the best of both worlds.

TravelJunkies connects adventurous travelers with these hidden gems, making it easier than ever to discover secret cafes, hidden waterfalls, and other treasures only locals know about. With the convenience of booking through a trusted platform, you can plan your trip stress-free and with confidence.

Think Small, Go Local

Next time you plan an adventure, consider the impact you can make. Supporting small businesses means getting authentic experiences, creating lifelong memories, and making a difference in the communities you visit.

So, step off the beaten path, explore the road less traveled, and let local businesses guide you to your next great adventure.

Cliff Chapman
Traveljunkies
#smallbusinesses  #worldtravellers

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Referrals, Referrals, Referrals.

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Nothing works better than referrals.

For small businesses, referrals are best way to get more customers. 
Imagine having a network of enthusiastic customers who want to spread the word. That’s the magic of referrals!

Benefits of Referrals

  1. It’s Cost-Effective Marketing: Unlike expensive ad campaigns, referrals are a budget-friendly way to gain new customers. Happy clients will recommend you to their friends, family and colleagues for free, reducing your marketing expenses significantly.
  2. Creating Trust and Credibility: When a recommendation comes from a trusted source, it carries a lot of weight. People trust their friends’ opinions more than ads. Referrals instantly boost your credibility, making potential customers more likely to choose your business.
  3. More Customers: Referred customers are often more eager to buy. They’ve already heard glowing reviews about your business, which means they’re confident and are more likely to buy.
  4. Loyalty & Relationships: Referral customers tend to be more loyal. Since they’ve been introduced by someone they trust, they often develop a deeper connection with you, often leading to long-term relationships and repeat business.

Ways to Get Referrals

  1. Provide Exceptional Service: Most important is to make your existing customers happy. A satisfied customer is more likely to recommend you so focus on delivering quality products and outstanding services.
  2. Ask for Referrals: Don’t be shy! Sometimes, all it takes is a simple request. When you have a happy customer ask them if they know anyone who might benefit from your services.
  3. Offer Incentives: Encourage referrals by offering rewards. This could be a discount on their next purchase, a commission on orders from customers they have referred or a small gift or token that will help them remember you.
    Incentives can remind customers to spread the word.
  4. Keep In Touch. Use your online social media channels to get found and remembered. Acknowledge your customers birthdays and achievements, and share their testimonials and success stories.
    Invite happy customers to share their positive experiences with their own networks.

Harnessing the power of referrals can transform your small business, leading to a steady flow of new and loyal customers.
It’s a win-win for everyone.

So … Small Business Owners in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, please join us at www.traveljunkies.com and let us help you grow your business.
It’s free.

Thank you
Cliff Chapman

TIP – Don’t waste time selling yourself, get others to do it.
Referrals are gold dust.

#traveljunkies  #customers  #referrals  #marketing

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Traveljunkies For Businesses

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Traveljunkies For Businesses

When Google Doesn’t Find You.

You know how you feel when you’re searching for something on Google and it’s not on page 1.
And you know how frustrating it is when you scroll down the next 3 or 4 pages and you still can’t find it, so you settle for the best option you’ve found.

This is disastrous when you run a small business and you’re on Page 17.

Getting found, keeping attention and being remembered is now harder than ever, and doing what everyone else does isn’t going to help.

You know that big businesses post adverts relentlessly to brainwash us to remember them. And it works. But what small business has the time and money to do the same?

So what can you do when you don’t get found?

One trick is to use a business that’s already on Page 1.

And that’s where Traveljunkies comes in.

We’ve been connecting travellers and small businesses since 2006 and Google’s algorithm recognises our value. That’s why Traveljunkies Adventure Travel Directory is on Page 1 of Google, and just about every other search engine.

So give it a try and see what we can do for you.

Get your free listing in Traveljunkies here.

It takes 5 mins, it’s simple to do and you only need your business name and web address. We do the rest.

Cliff Chapman
Traveljunkies Adventure Travel Directory 

PS. If you don’t have a website you can now use your blog, your social media account or somewhere else where you advertise your business.

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Stand Out & Get Found

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Getting found isn’t difficult.

It isn’t hard to find something if you search for the right keywords.
So why is it you sometimes can’t find what you’re looking for?

This happens when whoever wrote what you’re looking for didn’t include the keywords you would use. And it happens a lot.
Take the word travel. A Google search for travel finds 9.6 Billion results.
Not much use is it?

In Traveljunkies we think we’ve overcome the problem of not being found and it’s quite simple, but for it to work for you, it’s when you write an advert.

In your advert use relevant words that describe what you offer. Use your Tagline and create a unique keyword or code.

It works in Traveljunkies because every word is a keyword in Premium Adverts.
So when someone searches for a word, or even a part of a word that’s in your advert, you will be found even when they aren’t looking for you.
And it works the other way. You’ll be surprised at what interesting things you’ll find.

This unique search method is what makes Traveljunkies different and helps people find you because it stands out. It used to be called your USP.

But a word of warning.
Don’t stuff your advert with irrelevant words and lots of tags. People will recognise what you’re doing and you’ll be seen as a spammer.

Free Advert

Start with a free advert (also called a listing) to see how it works and decide if it’s for you.  It only takes 5 minutes and your free listing will be displayed 24/7 in Traveljunkies.com without you having to do anything more.

This isn’t a one-month free trial at the end of which you get charged.
It’s completely free for as long as you want.
Only when you’re completely happy and you want to grow should you think about buying a Premium Advert.

So pop over to www.traveljunkies.com and get your free advert now.

Cliff Chapman
Traveljunkies 

Get found with your free advert in Traveljunkies

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Welcome to Traveljunkies

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Welcome to our newest clients in Traveljunkies

December 2023

Writes of Passage Retreats – Katoomba, Australia
Oasis Eco Camp Lake Elementaita – Kenya, Nakuru county, Lake Elementaita
Cheap Rwanda Safaris – God Is Able Building, Airport Road, Rwanda.
MACCOP – Nairobi, Kenya
Fethiye Tours – Fethiye, Turkey
Yakky Tours – Kathmandu, Nepal
Leisure Travel Holidays Tanzania – Moshi, Tanzania
Peru for Travel – Peru, Cusco & Machu Picchu
Traveling In Morocco Tours – Casablanca, Morocco
Delight Rose Safaris – Nairobi Kenya
Resplendent Ceylon – Sri Lanka
Encalm – India
Africa Safari Tours – Kampala
True Uganda safaris – Kampala
Alphadean Tours and Safaris – Nairobi
Thompson Gazelle Safaris – Kenya
Kili Tanzanita Caminos – Kilimanjaro
Travel & Culture Services – Karachi, Pakistan
Kilimanjaro Safari Holidays Trips – Moshi, Tanzania

View these here

Cliff  & the Traveljunkies Team
www.traveljunkies.com

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Is Your Blog A Business Or A Hobby?

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Some of you use your Blog like a journal or a diary or a newsletter where you post about your travels, and other things, to pass on or exchange information.

Others use it to market or promote something. Blogging is a great way to help market or promote yourself or your business, product, or service. This means you can sell something online through your blog as well as using it for informative purposes.

These two distinctions determine whether your Blog is a hobby or a business.

Here are a few rules about using your Blog for business purposes.

The Rules Of Business or more accurately The Facts Of Business

  • You’re in business to make money. If you’re not, you’ve got a hobby not a business.
  • That means having customers.
  • You will have a website or a blog. Actually they’re the same thing.
  • Your website must be found. It’s completely useless if nobody sees it.
  • That means getting traffic to your site.
  • Your website must contain the words and phrases people search for.
  • One of the most effective way of doing this is by using hashtags #.

And of course there are other things you’ll see everywhere such as “You must have a list” and “Response time must be within 3 seconds” and “Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)” etc. etc.

What Does This Tell You?

First and foremost, your blog or website must be found, because that’s where it all starts.

This means three things:

  1. It must be relevant for your target audience
  2. It must contain the words and phrases people search for
  3. You must advertise and promote it in some way

The first two are down to you. Make sure you have a clear view of who your target audience is and that what you post is relevant to them. Aim to provide help, address and solve problems, save time or save money.

  • The third can be a little more difficult especially if you have  tight budget.
  • Post on Social Media, especially on Facebook and Instagram
  • Post on other peoples’s blogs.
  • Comment on other peoples blogs.
  • Join groups & forums
  • Pay to advertise on Social Media and Google.

But first get a free advert in the popular Traveljunkies website. It’s been going since 2002 and is completely free.
More about this here https://www.traveljunkies.com/free

Cliff Chapman
Traveljunkies

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No 1 Adventure Travel Directory Worldwide

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Welcome to Traveljunkies – The Global Adventure Travel Directory.
Visit us to find everything you need for your travel adventures.
Trusted by Travelers and Businesses since 2002. 


You’re looking for Accommodation whether it’s Hostels, B&B, Camping or Guest Houses, and the greatest range of Adventure Activities Worldwide, you’ll find it here in Traveljunkies.

Our clients in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada , USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America offer Accommodation,  Family and Leisure Holidays, Tours and Cruises, and Outdoor Activities including Scuba Diving, Skydiving, Skiing, Water Sports, Trekking, Climbing and Lots More.

Trusted by Travelers and Businesses since 2002.

Travel Businesses and Travel Bloggers, Get More Visitors 

Add Your Travel Business Or Travel Blog To The Traveljunkies Adventure Travel Directory For Free 

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HOW TO START A VIRTUAL BUSINESS SO YOU CAN TRAVEL FULL TIME

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This lady runs her own business and travels full time with 4 kids and  a dog.

Bryanna has successfully done that with her Virtual Powerhouse business.

Here’s how …
 
When we decided to hit the road full time with our family we had no idea we would start a virtual business to fund our travels. At the time my husband had a 9 to 5 job he could do remotely.
We quickly learned we didn’t like the restraints of a 9 to 5 on the road. Instead we wanted the freedom to set our own schedule and to sleep in in the morning and go exploring on a Monday.

Hence the idea of starting our own Virtual Business.
We had no entrepreneur background yet we knew people were out there doing it so we just had to figure out how to do it. That was a little over a year and half ago.
Our business has since grown, changed and evolved which is part of the process of living a life of freedom.

Things can change and change is good.

See more 

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Want To Run Your Own Business?

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 10 INVALUABLE THINGS TO REMEMBER.

1. ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS COMMON SENSE
…but common sense isn’t always common practice.  Never forget this simple statement.

2. YOUR IDEA IS WORTH NOTHING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS EVERYTHING
This is so important. Your idea, no matter how innovative you think it is, no matter how interesting it sounds, no matter how much research you have  done, it is worth nothing.
If you don’t understand your customer’s needs, if your execution is not close to perfect, and if you don’t have a great team, the idea is worth nothing.

3. IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU THAT BRANDING ISN’T IMPORTANT, RUN AWAY
People on the Internet have said if your product or service is great, your branding doesn’t matter.
This is wrong and dangerous. When someone tells you that, they are either ignorant or poor business people

4. NETWORKING IS PROBABLY 50% OF SUCCESS
You will hear a lot of people stress out the importance of networking in business success, but you can’t really understand that importance if you don’t experience it first hand.

5. WORK ONLY WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE PROFESSIONAL
Professionalism and delivery will help you stand out. It is absurd how many businesses are leaving money on the table because of their inability to exude professionalism.

6. WHEN HIRING PEOPLE, DO THE BEER TEST
Ask yourself. If you go out for a beer with this person, will you have a good time?
Does this person show empathy? Can they listen? Can they contribute? Are they open minded? How do they handle criticism? Are they eager to learn? Can they stay cool under pressure?

7. THE BEGINNING IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART AND PREPARATION WILL SAVE YOU TIME
Your beginning will difficult. You will be really enthusiastic but once you realize how overwhelming the processes of entrepreneurship can be, you will start having second thoughts.
Running your business professionally is everything. That’s why you should invest some time upfront in studying the subject. There are a ton of online courses on entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, management, etc. out there. Make use of so much free knowledge..

8. SHARE YOUR JOURNEY BECAUSE THAT INCREASES ENGAGEMENT
This is a pro tip and something that has helped companies enjoy tremendous growth.
Sharing your journey allows your customers to get an insider’s view of your business. It demonstrates that you are transparent and confident about your product or service and it makes you look interesting and approachable.

9. DON’T WASTE TIME ON IRRELEVANT STUFF .
There is usually a huge confusion when people start. There are many things to be done and it’s easy to lose track of what really matters.
There are usually two methods that can determine a great start to your business.

The Japanese Method
Japanese people are notorious for their proactivity and preparation. The Japanese method is inspired by the Japanese mentality and suggests that before your launch you should spend significant time making sure everything is perfect.

The Beta Method
If your idea is something quite innovative, test it in a small segment of the market first.
Find a group of people who might be interested in the idea and pitch it to them.

10. IT WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT THING YOU WILL EVER DO IN YOUR LIFE
It includes risk. It includes losing money. It includes losing friends. It includes losing your mind.
A lot of people will question you, a lot of people will envy you and a lot of people will admire you.
At the end of the day, none of that matters.

Andrian Iliopoulos
http://thequintessentialmind.com

Read the full article here …
https://hackernoon.com/so-you-want-to-start-your-own-business-10-invaluable-things-people-never-tell-you-db66fc1862f6

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Why Pictures Work And What You Can Easily Do

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How effective is a simple picture like this?

The brain

A short while ago I posted this and had a lot of positve comments saying how effective a simple picture like this is.
So I asked these three questions

1.  Are you using your pictures to help grow the number of visitors to your website?
2.  Do you include a picture in all your Tweets?
3.  Do you have the pictures you need to include in your advertising in the social media you use?

And the answers I got were mostly YES to question 1 and NO to questions 2 and 3.
The solution for question 2 is simple – just do it, but number 3 isn’t quite so easy.
But there’s help from SproutSocial here …

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, and the average length of a word is 5 letters, it would take you 8 months worth of Tweets to tell the same story you could with one shared image on social media. So why not just include an image?

There are lots of tools for different types of images and many of these have free and paid versions, and all are listed in this document.

I recommend you start at the top and look at two Image Design Tools, CANVA and PICMONKEY (Nos 1 & 2 in the list) to see what suits you best.
Both have free versions which enable you to design and edit images for your social media posts.
There are many free image editing tools for you to start altering, touching up, or creating your own social images, and these are two of the simplest ones to use.

So click on the link below and get started.

36 Free Tools for Creating Unique Images
By Michael Patterson on 

http://sproutsocial.com/insights/free-image-creation-tools/

Cliff Chapman
traveljunkies

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