6 Tips for recruiting travelers on Facebook

Tapping into your network of friends and family on social media is an efficient—and fun!—way to recruit new travelers for upcoming tours. Here are six tips for growing your group on Facebook.

1. Share your favorite stories

Sharing stories about amazing journeys online is a quick way to reach and inspire a wide audience of potential travelers. Look for blog posts or articles that bring the destinations you’ve visited to life, or type up a Facebook post about some of your best travel memories. Then, encourage your Facebook friends to share their own favorite articles or stories in the comments. There’s nothing like reliving an awe-inspiring travel experience to get people dreaming of new adventures.

2. Provide an inside peek

People who have never traveled on a guided tour may not know what to expect, so help them imagine what a trip with Go Ahead is like. Whether you post a digital album of snapshots from your past tours or share one of our YouTube videos to your Facebook wall, helping prospective group members visualize the on-tour experience is sure to inspire adventure.

3. Highlight other group perks

Hosting pre-tour parties and other community events is a great way to recruit and build excitement before a trip, so shine a light on those events online! Posting photos of all the fun you and your group have—even when you’re not traveling—is sure to intrigue Facebook friends. Who doesn’t like the idea of attending parties with a close-knit social circle before jetting off to see the world? Show your online community how much fun you have, and invite them to join in on your next get together.

4. Cater to your audience

Which subjects are most likely to pique your Facebook friends’ interest? Look at what they post in their own Facebook feeds and share things that might be interesting to them. Want to connect with fellow foodies when you have a trip to France on the horizon? Share fun facts about sparkling wine! Know any photography buffs who might like to join you on a tour of U.S. national parks? Show them how the natural scenery can come to life through a lens. Notice that certain people enjoy posting photos of their family gatherings? Share a post about connecting with family heritage on tour. There are so many ways to engage your friends online by focusing on what they care about.

5. Tap into others’ expertise

If you’re looking forward to a journey, reach out to Facebook friends who have already been to your upcoming destinations. Asking them for recommendations about what to see and do while you’re on the road encourages them to think back on amazing travel experiences. It may also make them realize that they have an opportunity to relive those moments on tour with your group! Plus, giving prospective group members the chance to share their own expert suggestions will make them feel included in your travel planning—and show them that it can be a great feeling to be part of an inspiring travel community.

6. Share your tour countdown

Letting people know how many days are left until you jet off gets them dreaming of their own journeys, and it’s simple with the tour countdown feature in your Go Ahead account. Simply log in and look for the horizontal blue band near the top of your screen. Then, click the dark blue button that says “Share now.” The button will redirect you to Facebook, where you’ll be prompted to type a message and click “Post to Facebook”—don’t forget to use**#goaheadtours** when you post! You’ll be able to discuss your travel plans with interested Facebook friends who comment on your tour countdown. Plus, your post will link back to your microsite, helping you spread the word.

What are your top recruiting tips? Share them with fellow Groups Coordinators or call your expert Tour Consultant to get more ideas for growing your group!