CruiseShipCenters Offers Social Media Tools

More and more, agents are using social media tools to connect with clients and prospects in new and engaging ways, reports Pat Heathfield Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ sales manager. “While traditional methods of advertising may now be considered in your face, new media tools are designed to start a conversation with or between clients to get them thinking and talking about your product or service,” he said.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters has just integrated a new social tool into its annual Win 1 of 25 Free Cruises contest to help agents engage their Facebook contacts and get the customer relationship started. By sharing interesting content and news with their network of friends, they are spreading the word about the promotion and in return, growing their databases of potential customers, Heathfield says.

The tool is built into the company's customer relationship management system, Cruise Desk, and allows agents to post pre-written content to their Facebook wall in three steps. All links generated in the content are unique and will direct users back to the agent's personal Expedia CruiseShipCenters website. More social tools are also in the works for promotions happening later this year.

More than 150,000 people have already entered this year's Win 1 of 25 Free Cruises contest. “What's more, the average player is voluntarily subscribing to at least 3 destination specific newsletters, which they will now receive personalized from their Cruise Consultant each and every month.”

Visit www.cruiseshipcenters.com.