✈️ Episode Summary: In this episode of Social Takeoff , Kelli dives into the top 5 red flags she’s seeing in the travel advisor marketing world—and what to do instead if you want your content to convert, build trust, and grow your business. These aren’t just industry rants. Kelli brings real solutions to the table—like what to do when you’re tempted to copy-paste content, how to stay connected without being glued to your phone, and why showing up as yourself is your greatest marketing advantage....
Jul 08, 2025•33 min
Host: Kelli Hayes Smith Podcast: Social Takeoff Keywords: travel marketing, ideal client, social media, client transformation, travel agents, marketing strategy, audience targeting, emotional connection, travel planning, content creation ✈️ Episode Summary : Raise your hand if your content calendar feels more like a game of “throw spaghetti at the wall and hope it sticks.” 🙋♀️ In this episode of Social Takeoff , Kelli Hayes Smith helps you clean up the marketing chaos and zoom in on what reall...
Jun 03, 2025•24 min
Host: Kelli Hayes Smith Podcast: Social Takeoff Episode Length: ~24 minutes Keywords: travel marketing, social media, engagement, views, algorithms, ideal client, conversions, SEO, content creation, trust building 🎧 Episode Summary: In this empowering episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives headfirst into one of the biggest mistakes travel professionals make in their marketing: chasing views over results. With an honest and refreshing perspective, Kelli breaks down the truth behind social media metric...
May 27, 2025•29 min
Host: Kelli Hayes Smith Podcast: Social Takeoff Episode Length: ~24 minutes Keywords: travel marketing, social media, engagement, views, algorithms, ideal client, conversions, SEO, content creation, trust building 🎧 Episode Summary: In this empowering episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives headfirst into one of the biggest mistakes travel professionals make in their marketing: chasing views over results. With an honest and refreshing perspective, Kelli breaks down the truth behind social media metric...
May 27, 2025•30 min
In this episode of the Social Takeoff Podcast , Kelli Hayes Smith dives into the latest social media trends, with a particular focus on Instagram and its updates. Kelli explores the growing phenomenon of lurkers —those passive users who consume content without actively engaging. She explains why it's essential for content creators to understand this behavior and adjust their strategies to cater to these viewers. Kelli offers insightful advice on how to make content that stops the scroll, and why...
Feb 04, 2025•34 min
In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives into the common misconceptions about travel agents and the pressing need to shift the industry's narrative. She challenges the outdated perception that travel agents are unnecessary due to online booking platforms, emphasizing the transformative value they provide to clients. Kelli shares practical strategies for travel agents to communicate their unique value proposition, focusing on the experience and transformation they create for clients rather than j...
Jan 28, 2025•29 min
In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith explores the critical awareness phase of the buyer journey, the first and most essential step in attracting new clients. She breaks down the four buyer phases—awareness, consideration, conversion, and loyalty—and focuses on how travel agents can increase their visibility. Kelli shares actionable insights on leveraging social media, SEO, networking, and in-person events to build awareness. She also explains why understanding your ideal client is the cornerstone ...
Jan 21, 2025•32 min
Episode Summary: In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith unpacks the critical differences between social media tactics and strategy for travel agents. She shares why chasing viral trends can harm your business and how focusing on your ideal audience leads to sustainable success. Learn why vanity metrics can mislead your strategy, how to shift your content from destinations to services, and the importance of building authentic content that connects with your audience. Kelli also dives into the long ga...
Jan 14, 2025•35 min
Episode Summary: In this episode of The Social Takeoff , Kelli Hayes Smith explores the secrets to boosting social media engagement and why your posts might be getting overlooked. She shares actionable strategies to make your content stand out, emphasizing the importance of specificity, authenticity, and connecting with your ideal clients—not just your peers. Kelli also breaks down the dangers of cookie-cutter content, industry jargon, and airing grievances on social platforms. Whether you’re a ...
Jan 07, 2025•30 min
Ready to bring some serious main character energy ✨ to your travel business? In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith dives into how travel agents like you can elevate your content creation and marketing by making your clients the star of the show 🌟. It’s all about positioning your clients as the main characters in their travel adventures 🌍. Kelli shares practical tips on crafting content that resonates with your clients’ dreams, goals, and the common challenges they face in planning trips ✈️. Plus,...
Aug 27, 2024•34 min
🎙 The Social Takeoff Podcast: Mastering Travel Marketing 🚀 In this episode, Kelli Hayes Smith, Director of Marketing and Partner Relationships at Wanderlust Campus, reveals the secrets to crushing your travel marketing goals. Discover how to leverage each platform to boost your travel business, focusing on the four key stages of the traveler’s journey: awareness, consideration, conversion, and loyalty. Key Topics: Setting Smart Goals: Learn the essential goals and metrics for each stage of the...
Aug 20, 2024•36 min
🎙 Welcome Back to The Social Takeoff Podcast! 🚀 Hey, Travel Pros! Kelli Hayes Smith here, your navigator in the ever-changing world of social media marketing for the travel industry. After a short break, I’m back to help you boost your travel business and revamp your online presence ! 🌍✈️ In this episode, we’ll cover: Profile & Bio Overhaul: Discover how to update your social media profiles and bios to make your travel business stand out in a crowded market. 🌟 Digital Detox for Engagemen...
Aug 13, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 1
So, in this chat, Kelli Hayes Smith dives into why some travel agents aren't raking in those dreamy bookings they're after, all tied up with their marketing strategies. First off, many folks out there don't quite grasp what travel agents actually do, so it's vital to spell out the perks of their services nice and clear. Then there's the dance with objections; gotta face 'em head-on, like dealing with concerns about costs or who's steering the vacation ship. Lastly, it's all about knowing your id...
Apr 23, 2024•19 min
Get ready to shake off the negativity and embrace the bright side as we dive into recent challenges faced by travel agents and how they're flipping the script with transparency and flair. Chapters: 00:00 - Navigating Stormy Seas : Recent Negative Incidents Involving Travel Agents 03:18 - The Traveler's Tale : The Perception of Travel Agents as Non-Essential 08:10 - Facing the Music : Addressing Concerns and Objections in Marketing 11:09 - Content Carnival : Creating Content to Combat Negative Pe...
Apr 09, 2024•19 min
Today Kelli will dive deep into how to create a How you can too story.
Apr 03, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Let’s talk about how to pull a higher ticket client!
Mar 19, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The marketing science about repeating yourself- and how to create your 5 key messages in your business. www.wanderlustceo.com/sail
Mar 12, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiasts! Did you hear the buzz? Disney just dropped the bombshell of early 2025 packages, catching everyone off guard. But fear not, we've got you covered on how to seamlessly blend this surprise into your content strategy without leaving 2024 in the dust. Key Takeaways: Craft a content plan that gently guides clients from awareness to consideration, paving the way for conversions. Don't let those ghosted clients slip through the cracks; shoot them targeted emails sp...
Feb 27, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Hey there, fellow travel agents! Get ready to dive into some juicy marketing tips with Kelli Hayes Smith on this episode. She's here to help us navigate the wild world of social media content creation and engagement. First up, Kelli tackles the beast of perfectionism head-on, giving us some killer strategies to squash it and actually get stuff done. Then, she spills the beans on how to brainstorm content ideas like a pro – think asking your audience, jotting down FAQs, and networking with other ...
Feb 20, 2024•24 min
Kelli is taking a deep dive into solution based content and how you can relate to your ideal client.
Feb 06, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Last week I took a call from Meta - and today I'm spilling all the tea!
Jan 30, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Y'all it is time to get serious about selling travel this year! Listen in for great strategies to use now!
Jan 16, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Wave season is upon us - listen in as Kelli helps you create marketing for Awareness and Consideration buyer phases that will increase those wave season bookings. LINKS : Instagram Content Creation Workshop
Jan 09, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Today Kelli is taking a deep dive into 5 of the social myths that have recently been in her inbox. Listen in as she breaks it all down. LINKS Sales Summit
Nov 07, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Today Kelli takes a deep dive into educational content and how to use it to stop the scroll!
Oct 31, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 43
In this episode, Kelli dives into the crucial aspects of marketing during the awareness and consideration phases to boost sales for next year's wave season. Join her as we share expert strategies and insights to help travel agents chart a course towards success in the pre-wave season. LINKS : Planner : Code KELLI15 Wanderlust Campus : Code khsCEO Content Creation Workshop : Code marketing50...
Oct 24, 2023•40 min
Today Kelli dives deep into the 5 things driving her bananas on travel advisors socials - BUT she gives you alternatives! Let’s listen in.
Oct 10, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Today Kelli shares how Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are teaching us what it’s like to build fans instead of followers.
Oct 03, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 32
So WHY do you wanna forget the follower count - and start turning people into fans of your business?? Today, Kelli answers just that! LINKS Instagram Wanderlust Campus use code kellihs at Check Out
Sep 19, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Learn how to recap and reuse that content you gathered all summer long to create lasting marketing that will fill up your books!
Sep 06, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 30
