Key Takeaways:
- While LinkedIn is largely considered a professional recruiting tool, it can also be leveraged to build a small business's brand and sales
- Small Business Saturday is a smart deadline to set for establishing your travel agency's LinkedIn presence
- According to PR expert Keighty Noreen at ALG Vacations, LinkedIn can help with visibility, credibility, marketing, and soft selling
As Small Business Saturday quickly approaches, we at ALG Vacations® ramp up to support you, providing not only travel sales to boost your business to marketing tips and collateral to increase your visibility. For example, we’ve uploaded a FREE marketing toolkit on ALGV360⁰ that’s ready to download and share, and updated refreshers of resources and programs designed to give you an advantage this holiday season.
But the fact of the matter is, when it comes to smart marketing for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and the holiday season up ahead, social media is your agency’s very best friend.
We’ve focused before on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter strategies, but this year, we’d like to spend some time helping you get plugged in to LinkedIn. And to do so, we’re bringing back Ask a Pro.
Please meet Keighty Noreen, ALGV’s PR & Communications Manager, as we ask the question does LinkedIn matter for your travel agency? And the whys and hows that surely follow. 
Why does my travel agency need LinkedIn?
“As the world’s largest professional network with over 1 billion users worldwide, LinkedIn has become much more than a digital job board,” Keighty says. “Today, it primarily serves as a professional social media platform that prioritizes education, collaboration, and thought leadership.”
She adds, “While Instagram and Facebook have become the largest point of inspiration for travelers in recent years, LinkedIn provides a different type of value for advisors, particularly for those who are looking to expand their network of peers, keep a pulse on the competition, upskill as they grow in their careers, and become the go-to experts for their clients.”
The more respected and prominent in the field an advisor is, the more they can grow their agency’s brand and value, which will also impact the consumer space.
What business impact can LinkedIn provide for my travel agency?
As Keighty mentioned, consumer inspiration and sales leads largely live on the more recreational platforms. However, she shares that there are five major reasons a presence on LinkedIn can benefit a travel agency’s business.
“The first is visibility,” she says. “An active presence on LinkedIn boosts your SEO and standing in search engine hits. When potential clients Google you, your LinkedIn profile will likely be one of the first results.
“The next, credibility. Having a professional presence makes you more trustworthy. You’re not just someone who books trips — you’re an advisor with expertise.
She expands, “Credibility grows when you’re consistent on LinkedIn — this is an ongoing space where both your professional and personal network can see you as an active and engaged expert.”
Next up is marketing. Keighty explains, “Many advisors run their own small businesses and don’t have unlimited budgets. LinkedIn is a free, effective tool to showcase your specialties and services. And marketing on LinkedIn means you’re intentionally sharing your value in a space that boosts your visibility without added cost.”
Finally, the art of the soft sell.
“Remember, LinkedIn’s audience is professionals with paychecks to spend and PTO to use up. By showing up consistently and continuously sharing the value that working with you brings, you’ll be top of mind once it’s time to book that annual vacation.”
The Bottom Line
“With these reasons in mind, advisors have so much to gain from having a presence on LinkedIn,” Keighty shares.
“More than staying visible, this platform gives advisors a strong channel through which they can position themselves as a trusted travel professional. From strengthening your credibility to expanding your network and marketing your expertise, every post and interaction adds to the story you’re telling clients and colleagues alike.”
How can I get started?
With ALG Vacations®, of course! The first step is to follow ALG Vacations® on LinkedIn. From there, Keighty invites travel advisors to please go ahead and “use our posts as examples for your own content strategy, or even share them directly with your network to spark engagement.”
Just make sure that you remain consistent. As she notes, by showing up regularly, you’ll stay top of mind with your peers … who may even end up becoming clients ready to book their next adventure.
