Now, there’s some linkbait, huh?
For the record, I’ve always liked Tripology – the site that sends travel agencies leads – although every agency I’ve talked to has told me that the leads aren’t any better than any other lead generation service they’ve used. (Did you catch that I didn’t actually LINK to them? Thought you might)
But I digress. I haven’t used them. But, I have promoted them by way of my newsletter and blog as a banner advertiser and mentioned them in my four sessions at @thetradeshow last year. Never made a single buck off them, though, in the interest of full disclosure.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s get to the matter at hand.
John – or, maybe he prefers Mr. Peters? Don’t know. Normally I respect social conventions, but in this case… John sent out a lovely email promoting his agent-centric blog as follows:
From the CEO – this show should not be missed
So I was reading Travel Trade Magazine recently and came upon this article by Joanie Ogg. http://tinyurl.com/c4s5h4
It really gets to the point. Joanie is more politically correct than I. Joanie says “Now, more than ever, we need to stay connected to our peers and our business partners. It is not the time to shelter oneself away and simply wait for the phone to ring. We have to make it ring!”
I would say “What the heck are you doing just sitting there? Get out there. Move around! While networking with peers, you’ll find two types of people; the complainers and the movers & shakers. If you find yourself in the midst of a group of complainers, move on. I promise within ten yards you’ll likely find people that have some neat ideas.
On June 4-6, the Travel Trade Show featuring Cruise-a-thon is taking place in New York City. Make sure you register and make sure you show up. I know there are a hundred reasons to stay hold up in your office. However, you really need to get to this show. Get out and mingle, exchange ideas on how to drum up business and how to cut costs. Register now – just click here: http://tinyurl.com/tripTTshow
Happy selling.
First, let me say that I think it’s a tad cheesy to refer to yourself in the title of the blog as the CEO. Yes, yes, we get it. You’re the CEO. You’re important.
John also tweeted about it on his twitter account (again, John T. Peters/CEO (tripology) as a profile name? ALRIGHT, we get it.)
Joanie Ogg has the right idea. This isn’t the time to crawl into a hole. http://tinyurl.com/c4s5h4
I clicked the link and browsed the site he referred to. It sucked. No speaker info, no class explanations. Nothing to tell anyone why they should go – what they’re going to hear that’s different – how it will benefit their business or get them through the tough times.
And, these are tough times. I’ve had 9 agencies call me to shut down their websites because they’re closing their doors. I know that all my clients are trying to find solutions and ride this out – and this conference may or may not be helpful. I wouldn’t know because the site as absolutely NO information.
So, being the ever-helpful industry commentator, international travel trade show speaker, nationally recognized blogger, award-winning designer, certified travel counselor (CTC – WOOT!), and CEO, CXO, CTO and LMNOP of my own suite of companies, I replied to John’s tweet:
OK I’ll be the wet blanket. The TT/CAT site sucks. Doesn’t tell me ANYTHING about speakers / curriculum, or why I should go. FAIL
Which is a perfectly acceptable opinion and criticism. I’ve re-read it, and I’d send it again. It’s twitter. The FAIL is now a standard of twitter language the way that LOL, ROFL, and smiley faces are part of text and email. Maybe John doesn’t know that. Maybe John should understand the landscape a little better before hitting send.
because he tweets back:
tripology@chelleyarbrough Jeez, rough crowd. The problem w/140 char is some forget to be polite. Site does need more 4 sure, I’ll pass it on. Thanks?
Which, of course, forces me to do a double take. He just chastised me for politeness? Seriously? (Insert: Oh-no-he-didn’t in a Big Mama’s House kind of voice)
And that brings us to the title of my post. John, you are a doofus. Not because you refer to your title in kind of weird way like you just can’t believe you got the Wonka Golden Ticket and it’s the title of CEO, but because (and I promise this is my last diatribe) of the following. My last four tweets. Which really should have been an e-mail, but hey, I’m frosted like a sprinkles cupcake right now and I don’t mind the public exchange.
John, this format doesn’t LEND itself to perfect vernacular. I’ve spoken @ trade shows for more than 10 years… and I have strong opinions. I don’t disagree with you (or Joanie Ogg) for that matter that agents should get off their butts and go – the site doesn’t tell them why, and, to be honest, you’re a supplier with a product to sell and want to get eyeballs at your booth. So, I’m truly sorry you were offended. and I wish you the very best success in your business, and I’m now removing your banner ad from gemtravelsites.com & travelwebmarketing.com I can’t endorse a company that doesn’t “get” the fact that social media is a conversation and would chastise me for a contrary opinion. //C
Conversation. If you didn’t agree, or didn’t like the phrasing of my tweet (read: oxymoron) then DM (Direct Message) and ask. I might have even been willing to give suggestions and elaborate. Perhaps you don’t realize this: I don’t work for you and it’s not acceptable (or, even remotely cool) to chastise a colleague the way you did.
Summing Up: All the cracks about your title? Impolite. Giving a business suggestion in 140 characters with no ability to make the recipient warm and fuzzy? Twitter.. You can hire me for a class to help translate CEO –>Twitter-speak if you’re still confused. DM me.
