The Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN) took the plunge into social networking media this month by establishing a presence on two of the world's most popular online networks: Facebook and Twitter. The move gives home-based agents new channels to work with OSSN Online. On Facebook, OSSN's page is www.facebook.com/OSSN.National. On Twitter, the address is www.twitter.com/OSSN.
Already, these outreach efforts are paying for OSSN, as the association has drawn more "fans" and "followers" within its first week on these sites than any other travel agent trade organization in North America, OSSN said. "We're blown away by the amazing response from home-based agents so far," said Denise Vogel, OSSN's director of social media and online education training. "They're so hungry to learn how to use these social networking tools to build their travel businesses, and that's why it's important for OSSN to introduce them to these sites."
OSSN President Gary M. Fee said the association expanded into Facebook and Twitter after the successful launch of its blog, www.ossn.com/blog. "We can't preach to agents the value of marketing themselves online if we're not practicing the same strategies," he noted. "OSSN will continue to pursue new tools like these to encourage our members to jump in and follow suit."
Founded in 1990, OSSN (www.ossn.com) is the largest trade association in North America dedicated to serving the needs of home-based travel agents. OSSN represents more than 7,000 agents with 63 chapters across North America.