“So what do you think was it a good idea, or too far outside of the “do-able” range for most people?”

I think it’s a great Idea and good advice. But are travel agents of a by-gone era? You Betcha! So where does that leave the humble travel agent? In today’s era of online travel sites it is easy to determine availability and prices at locations and, thus, fore-go the help of a travel agent. Technology is key. She should try to blend that personal touch with the technology that most business use today. Online promotions to Brand “herself”, so people know she’s the one to go to. For all there traveling needs.

In my opinion…. electronic ticketing over the Internet is easy, with the use of a major credit card. You can purchase tickets, hotels, car rentals and more, at just about any online booking site. The trick is to find your lowest cost and fast, without wasting your time and money.

The real money maker in all this would be to act as a middle man. The one man businesses, consultants and small companies send you their small stories and pics – you update their blog and promote it in the blogosphere.

If there were more do-it-yourselfers in the world, there would be no travel agents to worry about these types of things.

Do you change your own oil? Me either.

Instead it’s “more banners, change that text, new images” blah blah.

Helps improve writing skills, provides potential referrals a place to check out information as well as keep in touch with past customers and show them new places to go to next.

As far as tech savy… There are some remarkably easy ways to get online that aren’t just the web page creators from the hosting company. With the correct guide and desire someone could have an opensource Joomla site up in running with mild image customization within 30 minutes if not less.

Keep pushing on them… they really should do it.

I also notice that people who know nothing of “SEO” are Google’s current focus, how do you let them climb above those who artificially reached their current position?

See what I’m sayin homie?

I saw a forensic accountant speak last year. When she first started a few years ago she was making hardly enough money to eat. She got a website, wrote articles for all the relevent periodles and bam, now she makes many multiples more money than a typical acocuntant would.

The thing is, if your raising your profile offline you need to have a good website for your visitors to look at. Your idea for the travel agent is really good because its the kind of thing people would visit regularly. That means a lead generated a year and a half ago doesn’t simply remember you.. they feel like they practically know you because of the nature of the content.

If using a computer is a complete struggle for someone, then your suggestion is too much. If they can browse the web and upload digital pictures from their camera its not a very big deal.