The 80/20 Rule for Travel Entrepreneurs

Listen here to the podcast:

 If you're a woman who adores travel and is building a business that’s both magical and meaningful, you’re in the right place. Today, I'm going to share a concept that revolutionized how I run my business: the 80/20 rule, famously known as the Pareto Principle.

When I first came across the 80/20 rule, I was skeptical. Perhaps you’ve heard of it before, but stick around,I guarantee you’ll find fresh insights or at least some handy reminders. This principle offers a powerful lens through which you can streamline your travel business (or any business, really), making it more efficient while increasing revenue. And who doesn’t want that?

What is the 80/20 Rule?

The Pareto principle asserts that 80% of your outcomes come from 20% of your efforts. In the world of business, this means 80% of your income probably springs from just 20% of your clients. Similarly, 80% of your bookings might derive from 20% of your marketing efforts. Recognizing and harnessing this can shift the way you allocate your time and resources.

Identifying Your Key 20%

Let's tackle a common issue: marketing. So many travel advisors are spinning on a hamster wheel, posting daily and showing up on every platform but not seeing results. How about a reality check? Ask yourself some soul-searching questions:

• Where do most inquiries originate? Referrals? Platforms? Emails? Examine your last ten inquiries—where did they find you?
• Which content type brings in the most engagement?  Is it the reels, stories, or emails? This can be tricky because sometimes success builds from a consistent presence, not just a one-off post.
• What platform actually brings you leads? Not just interactions, but genuine connections? For me, that’s Facebook. While I dabble in Instagram and TikTok, Facebook remains my sweet spot.

Nurture High-Impact Partnerships

Make sure you're focused on nurturing partnerships that matter. Are there suppliers or host agencies that consistently bring you results? Rather than spreading yourself thin, focus on those that truly move the needle. The same goes for your top clients, the ones that return or refer others. How can you deepen these relationships?

Smart Tech Choices Save Time

Take a hard look at your tech tools. Not all are created equally, and a few might really buy back your time. For instance, tools like Trello, Travel Joy, and TidyCal have become indispensable in my day-to-day operations. Automate what you can with effective CRM systems and scheduling tools to minimize back-and-forth emails and optimize your productivity.

Common Time Wasters to Avoid

We're all guilty of frittering away time on tasks that contribute little to our success. Here are some to avoid:

• Posting just to post on social media.
• Rewriting every itinerary from scratch.
• Wasting energy on shiny new supplier trainings or potential clients who aren’t committed.

Your Next Steps

Okay, homework time! Here are your actions: your path to less hustle and more results:

1. List your top three marketing channels. Where are your best leads coming from?
2. Analyze your last 10 bookings. Who, what, where?
3. Review your calendar. What's absorbing time but yielding little? Cull it.
4. Choose one strategy to do more of and one to let go.

You don’t have to be constantly busy to be successful. Focus on the strategies that matter most, and let go of the rest. And if you need more support, hop into the Travel Agent Marketing Studio for resources that will help you grow smarter, not harder.

Keep sharing the magic, my friend, and remember: you've got this! Until next time!

Grab your FREE Travel Agent Marketing Starter Kit here:

👉 https://www.lindsaydollinger.com/travel-agent-marketing-starter-kit

Get access to done-for-you travel content calendars and social templates inside the Travel Agent Marketing Studio:

👉 www.lindsaydollinger.com/membership

📲 Let’s Connect:

💻 Website: www.lindsaydollinger.com

📸 Instagram: @lindsaydollinger