The Social Takeoff Podcast with Kelli Hayes Smith

Kelli Hayes Smith discusses the challenges of content creation and posting on social media, emphasizing the importance of intention, clarity, and purpose in marketing strategies for travel advisors. She highlights the pitfalls of posting without substance, the impact of industry jargon, and the need for a structured content plan and calendar.TakeawaysPosting without clarity leads to frustration and burnout.Consistency and intention are more important than quantity in content creation.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Social Takeoff Podcast05:24 The Importance of Substance in Content11:09 The Use of Acronyms in Content17:01 Avoiding Panic Posting

Trends aren’t bad.Views aren’t bad.Engagement isn’t bad.But hollow views are useless.In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many travel advisors feel like their content is “working” — but their business isn’t moving. We talk about the difference between being liked and being hired, why instant gratification keeps you stuck, and the four questions every post should answer before you hit publish.This is not an episode about trends vs. no trends.It’s about turning attention into traction — without losing yourself, your voice, or your confidence along the way.If you’ve ever:Chased views that didn’t turn into clientsFelt discouraged by likes not leading to bookingsWondered why your content feels hollow even when it performsThis one’s for you.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe 4 questions every piece of content should answerWhy being “liked” and being “hired” are not the same thingHow validation-driven content keeps you stuckWhy followers don’t equal growth (and never really did)What client content actually looks like in practiceHow to show your value without “proving” yourselfWhy perspective beats facts every timeTaylor Swift Moment 🎶Lyric: “I can change everything about me to fit in”Song: Mirrorball — folklore(And why we’re done doing that.)Links & Resources👉 Get your free Wanderlust Campus account:https://wanderlust-ceo.com👉 Follow me on Instagram for daily marketing insight:https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith✨ If this episode resonated, please leave a quick review — it helps this show reach more advisors who need to hear it.Podcast Chapters00:00 – Real life, real marketing (and why views aren’t the enemy)01:10 – When trends become useless02:05 – The 4 questions every post should answer03:20 – Why instant gratification keeps us stuck04:45 – Do you want to be liked… or hired?06:50 – Showcasing value without proving worth08:55 – The follower myth (and why it’s outdated)10:40 – What client content actually looks like13:00 – Storytelling, decision-making & real examples15:45 – Why validation-driven content feels hollow18:10 – Confidence vs. performance20:25 – How to shift your mindset before you post22:45 – Mirrorball, people-pleasing & showing up as you24:20 – Final thoughts + what to do next

Episode SummaryA lot of travel advisors think their marketing isn’t working — when really, their expectations are off.In this episode of Social Takeoff, we reset how social media actually fits into your business, why checklist marketing is holding you back, and what it really takes to build trust, community, and momentum online.This conversation is about letting go of pressure, unrealistic metrics, and comparison — and replacing them with clarity, perspective, and intention.If you’ve been posting, following the rules, and still feeling frustrated… this episode is for you.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why “posting more” doesn’t equal bookingsThe unrealistic expectations most advisors place on social mediaWhy likes, views, and followers don’t measure successHow checklist marketing creates burnout and false failureThe real role social media plays as a gap closer in your businessWhy perspective builds trust more than facts ever willHow your language (even one word) can shrink or strengthen your valueWhy community changes businesses — and virality doesn’tA healthier way to look at metrics without letting them control youHomework from This Episode:You’re allowed one data day per month.That’s it.One day to review metrics as data, not validation — and then you get back to building with clarity and confidence.Links & Resources➡️ Get your free Wanderlust Campus account: https://wanderlust-ceo.com➡️ Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith🎧 New full episodes of Social Takeoff drop every Tuesday🧼 Bonus Friday episodes: The SoapboxSong: You’re On Your Own, KidLyric: “Everything you lose is a step you take.”Let go of pressure. Let go of comparison. Let go of checklist marketing.Clarity comes next.

Welcome to Social Takeoff — and welcome to the reset.This episode is the first of a three-part reset series dropping on New Year’s Day, created for travel advisors who feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or discouraged by marketing.If marketing felt heavy last year…If you tried to learn all the things…If you showed up even when it was hard…This episode is for you.In this reset, we talk about why marketing feels so overwhelming, why trying harder isn’t the answer, and why the problem usually isn’t motivation or effort — it’s clarity and direction.This episode is about:Releasing the pressure to do everythingLetting go of perfection as the starting pointUnderstanding why progress matters more than polishGiving yourself permission to reset without guiltSeeing yourself and your voice as part of your marketingThis is not about throwing last year away.It’s about realigning, refocusing, and rebuilding intentionally.You showed up. That counts.Now let’s move forward with clarity.👉 Get your free Wanderlust Campus account:https://wanderlust-ceo.com👉 Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith

🎙 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 Engagement: Learn why taking a week off from posting could be the key to resetting your social media engagement and coming back stronger with a content plan that works. Creating Shareable Content: Get tips on crafting shareable and relatable content that will resonate with your travel-loving audience and keep them coming back for more. 🎧 Don’t miss the sneak peek: We’re diving into goal setting and buyer journey marketing in upcoming episodes—perfect for travel agents looking to elevate their marketing strategy! 🎯 🛑 Like, Subscribe, and Hit the Bell to stay updated on all things social media for travel agents. Let’s take your travel business to the next level together! LINKS www.instagram.com/kellihayessmith www.wanderlustceo.com www.instagram.com/careersonvacation https://www.facebook.com/groups/careersonvacation

Today Kelli will dive deep into how to create a How you can too story.

Let’s talk about how to pull a higher ticket client!

The marketing science about repeating yourself- and how to create your 5 key messages in your business. www.wanderlustceo.com/sail

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 spotlighting the early release of 2025 packages. Spice up your Facebook group with polls and virtual shindigs, catering to both 2024 and 2025 bookings. Sprinkle hints of 2025 excitement in your social media stories, while keeping the spotlight on the current year's bookings. Show off the perks of price monitoring and top-notch service to nudge clients towards locking in their 2025 plans pronto. Dive into threads and chats, stoking the flames of curiosity and anticipation for those 2025 bookings. Blend 2025 seamlessly into your content mix, giving it a cozy spot alongside 2024 without stealing the show. Keep that waitlist warm and fuzzy, staying in touch with potential 2025 clients until it's time to crank up the marketing machine. Episode Chapters: 00:00 - Disney Drops the Bomb: Early 2025 Packages03:18 - Crafting Content Pillars and Initiatives08:57 - Navigating the Marketing Maze for 2025 and 202413:14 - Rekindling Relationships: Email Marketing for Ghosted Clients15:53 - Facebook Fun: Engaging Groups and Virtual Hangouts19:12 - Price Patrol: Monitoring and Service Spotlight21:06 - Chatting it Up: Threads and Conversations23:25 - Mixing 2025 into Your Content Cocktail24:15 - Amping Up the Excitement and Building That Waitlist25:52 - Wrapping Up: Conclusion and Your Call to Action

Kelli is taking a deep dive into solution based content and how you can relate to your ideal client.

Last week I took a call from Meta - and today I'm spilling all the tea!

Y'all it is time to get serious about selling travel this year! Listen in for great strategies to use now!

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

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

Today Kelli takes a deep dive into educational content and how to use it to stop the scroll!

Today Kelli dives deep into the 5 things driving her bananas on travel advisors socials - BUT she gives you alternatives! Let’s listen in.

Today Kelli shares how Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are teaching us what it’s like to build fans instead of followers.

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

Learn how to recap and reuse that content you gathered all summer long to create lasting marketing that will fill up your books!

Hey there, travel pros and content creators, get ready to put on your party hats because we're about to throw a Content Carnival like no other on this episode of The Social Takeoff Podcast! 🎈🎉 I'm your host Kelli Hayes Smith, the ultimate travel geek and marketing whiz, and I'm here to spill the beans on how you can whip up content that takes your followers on a wild ride through every step of their buying adventure. Picture this: You're strolling through the vibrant Awareness Phase, where imagination runs wild and passports practically jump out of pockets. We'll spill the secrets on crafting eye-popping visuals and stories that'll have your audience feeling like they're already sipping coconut water on a tropical beach. But wait, there's more! As we roll into the Consideration Carousel, we're breaking down the art of keeping those potential travelers on the edge of their seats. We're talking blog posts that read like page-turners, videos that have them reaching for the popcorn, and social media magic that keeps 'em hitting that heart button. Hold onto your sunhats, because the Decision Drama (conversion phase) is where things get seriously thrilling! Learn how to sprinkle in urgency, throw in a dash of FOMO, and serve up offers so irresistible, your followers will be booking before they even realize it. 🚀 And guess what? The party doesn't stop once the tickets are booked. In the Booking Bonanza (Loyalty Phase), we're spilling the beans on how to keep that pre-trip excitement alive and kickin'! From countdown posts that'll have them feeling like kids waiting for Christmas, to personalized surprises that show them you're just as excited for their trip as they are. So grab your favorite fruity drink, pop in those earbuds, and get ready to turn your content into the ultimate Content Carnival! This episode is your all-access pass to creating content that's so captivating, your followers will be lining up for tickets to your next adventure. Let's get this fun-filled fiesta started! 🎧🌎🎡 LINKS Careers on Vacation : Use code khscov Instagram Reels Crash Course