Why You’re Getting Ghosted (And What to Do Instead)
Let’s talk about something every travel advisor has experienced (and secretly hates):
You get off a consult call that felt great. The client was excited. You send the proposal.
...and then: crickets.
You follow up once.
Then twice.
Maybe even a third time.
And still — silence.
Here’s the thing: getting ghosted isn’t just about the proposal.
It's not even about that potential client (most of the time).
👉 It’s about what came before the call.
Because the truth is: if your marketing isn’t doing the right job of pre-qualifying your leads and setting expectations, your consult calls — and proposals — are built on shaky ground.
Let’s fix that.
Ghosting Starts Way Before the DM Slide
Most travel advisors focus their energy on what happens after a lead reaches out.
But in reality, you’re either setting yourself up to get ghosted — or to get booked — with the very first piece of content someone sees from you.
Your Reels.
Your captions.
Your blog.
Your TikTok voiceovers.
Even your “let’s chat” CTA.
It all sends a message — and whether you realize it or not, that message is doing one of two things:
Attracting high-intent, aligned clients
Or inviting people who were never ready (or right) in the first place
What Vague Messaging Actually Tells Your Audience
Let’s break down what’s not working (even if it sounds nice):
❌ “Let me plan your dream vacation!”
❌ “Escape the ordinary. Book with me today.”
❌ “I plan so you don’t have to.”
❌ “Stress-free travel planning starts here.”
These lines may feel aspirational, but they’re vague and undifferentiated — and they don’t tell your audience:
Who you specialize in working with
What kind of trips you’re great at booking
What level of investment or commitment is expected
So you end up in one of two spots:
You’re attracting everyone — which means you’re attracting no one in particular
You’re not giving enough clarity or confidence for serious clients to move forward
What To Say Instead: Messaging That Filters In the Right Clients
Here’s what good messaging sounds like — and why it works:
✅ “They were set on Bali for their honeymoon... until I explained why July might not be the best time. Here’s where they ended up instead.”
➡ This shows expertise, context, and thought leadership — not just service delivery.
✅ “Her Pinterest board said Santorini. Her budget didn’t. Here’s how I gave her the Greek aesthetic she wanted without blowing the budget.”
➡ Shows value, personalization, and resourcefulness — you’re not just an order taker.
✅ “Traveling with teens? I found a resort with a surf school, late-night eats, and a two-bedroom suite.”
➡ Immediately tells someone: I know exactly how to design for your life stage and needs.
See the difference?
These examples aren’t just selling travel. They’re demonstrating strategy, authority, and care.
Why Messaging Is Your First Line of Client Qualification
You can’t always control who ends up in your inbox — but you can control what you say to invite the right people and repel the ones who are just browsing.
Here’s how to tighten up your marketing starting today:
1. Be Specific About the Trip Type and Client
Instead of: “Let’s book your dream trip.”
Say: “I specialize in building European itineraries for couples who want culture and downtime. Here’s how I balance both.”
2. Use Client-Centric Storytelling
Talk about past client transformations to build trust and credibility. People relate to stories, not salesy language.
3. Set the Tone and Boundaries Early
Even in a caption, you can set expectations. Try:
“Here’s what you need to know before working with me — and how to know if we’re the right fit.”
This shows confidence and starts filtering for people who actually align with your process.
4. Create Pre-Consult Urgency
Your content should build momentum, not stall it. Try content like:
“If you're planning a summer honeymoon, now is the time to start — here's why.”
or
“October is high season in the Caribbean. Here’s when I recommend booking — and what’s already selling out.”
Bonus: The Post-Call Mistake That Leads to Ghosting
Let’s say your marketing worked — they inquire, you hop on a call… and then still get ghosted?
Chances are, you ended the call with something like:
“I’ll send your proposal tomorrow.”
But you didn’t give them:
A next step
A deadline
A reason to act
Here’s how to fix it:
✅ “You’ll have two custom options in your inbox by Thursday. From there, you’ll have three days to decide before rates shift. Just reply when you’re ready, and I’ll lock it in.”
✅ “The itinerary will be ready by Friday. These rates are time-sensitive, so I recommend moving forward by Monday to hold pricing and availability.”
Clear direction = no ambiguity = fewer ghosters.
TL;DR — Ghosting Is a Marketing Problem, Not a Client Problem
If your content isn’t filtering leads, establishing authority, or setting the tone, you're always going to get a mixed bag in your DMs.
But the good news? You can fix this fast.
The content you post today sets the stage for the leads you get tomorrow.
So if you’re tired of ghosters, tire-kickers, and "just curious" DMs — stop speaking to everyone.
Start showing up for your ideal client only.
The right ones will recognize it instantly.
And if creating content that does all of this feels overwhelming?
That’s where Travel Agent Collective comes in.
We create strategic, customizable content — captions, carousels, Reels scripts, and more — all designed to attract serious clients who actually want to work with you.
You customize and schedule in under an hour.
Your marketing gets sharper.
Your DMs get better.
Your booking calendar gets fuller.
Even better, we just added a batch of 20+ fresh new carousels to the Content Vault and all that’s missing is your branding!
