Niche Marketing Plans

Marketing a Cruise Lines and Agents Business

It's becoming more and more difficult for cruise lines and agents businesses to rise above the clamor of the marketplace. Innovative marketing strategies may be your best bet for out-promoting -- and outperforming -- the competition.

It's a misconception that small businesses can't compete with larger companies when it comes to marketing.

Strategic marketing tactics can help small cruise lines and agents businesses remain competitive with much larger businesses. Though small organizations may not have the marketing budgets of large corporations, the consistent delivery of targeted messaging has a cumulative effect on the market's consciousness.

Industry Resources

Business leadership can be a lonely profession, especially when you're leading a cruise lines and agents business. Most leaders are oblivious to the fact that the marketplace shows no favoritism - for every marketing challenge your business faces, there are hundreds of other businesses and leaders struggling to solve the same problem. The best resources are usually the ones that leverage industry-specific experience and the input of proven veterans.

Directories

A directory listing may be one of the best ways to increase the visibility of a cruise lines and agents business. When all of your competitors are listed in a directory, you have no choice in the matter. To keep pace, competitive businesses must include the same directories in their plans for marketing cruise lines and agents businesses in a region or territory. Premium directories may or may not deliver the ROI you expect to receive from paid marketing vehicles. Regardless of whether it is a premium or free listing opportunity, every directory needs to be evaluated on its own merits. As consumers demonstrate a preference for online channels, make sure your listing include your company's web address and possibly even information about your social media presence.

Managing Negative Publicity

Not sure how to handle negative PR? You're not alone. It's a probably faced by many cruise lines and agents businesses. The worst way to handle negative buzz is to put off developing a response until reporters are pounding on your door, demanding a comment from a company spokesperson. At Gaebler, we advise our business partners to have an updated crisis response plan in place at all times. In a crisis, accurate contact lists can be a lifesaver. A top quality mailing list provider can provide fast turnaround times on up-to-date and filtered lists.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary