Considering a move to homeworking? Laura French explores the different models out there and the key things to consider
Flexible hours, high earning potential, a work-from-anywhere approach and the prospect of being your own boss – it’s not hard to see why so many agents are choosing the homeworking life.
Spurred on by post-pandemic demand, more and more companies are launching homeworking models – from Advantage’s Travel Specialists, launched in 2020, to Simplexity Travel’s new homeworking arm. And they offer many options for those looking to make the switch.
Q. How much experience do I need before I start? A. This depends on the particular homeworking model. InteleTravel doesn’t require any previous experience, while others, including Not Just Travel, offer options for both experienced agents and those who are new to the industry. |
But no two of these models are the same. Different commission splits, levels of support and associated costs are all key considerations when choosing who to work with. So what are the key benefits on offer for homeworkers today? And what do you need to be aware of if you’re thinking about making the move? We speak to experts from across the sector to find out.
The pros
For many, the most attractive thing about homeworking is the opportunity to work when and how you like. “Being able to work around your own life and not being tied to a rota or an employer is a huge pro of being a homeworker,” says Abbie Heaton, sales manager for Personal Travel Consultants at Blue Bay Travel. “You also have the freedom to sell any holiday you want – at Blue Bay Travel we work with more than 250 suppliers – and you can earn what you sell, meaning earning potential is very favourable.”
Q. Is there support for building a client base? A. Many homeworking agencies offer help with reaching out to customers, from finding leads to assisting with social media, websites, events and marketing. Travel Solutions Network offers various tools to help agents grow their own customer base, as well as a virtual call centre that allows homeworkers to take calls from partners to supplement their earnings. Several other models, including Advantage’s Travel Specialists and Hays’ homeworking arm, offer one-to-one help with attracting new clients. |
No directional selling and work-life balance are among the other key draws, says Paula Nuttall, director of The Holiday Village, the homeworking arm of The Travel Village Group. “Homeworkers who provide exceptional service on the customer’s booking journey have a high ratio of repeat bookings and recommendations,” she says.
Money, money, money
How much you can earn depends on the company. Firms such as GoCruise & Travel – part of Fred Olsen Travel – and Designer Travel offer up to 80% commission, while Personal Holiday Advisors pays up to 75%. Some pay the commission just before the client’s departure date, while others pay a portion upfront.
“Find out what percentage is paid upfront and when the balancing payment is made,” says Karen Pocock, director of Designer Travel.
Nuttall says: “At The Holiday Village, we pay half the commission the following month and the remaining commission six weeks before departure. This can really help with cashflow, especially in those early days of trading.”
Personal Travel Consultants pays 50% on booking and the remaining 50% eight weeks before travel, while Personal Holiday Advisors pays 80% of the commission the month after the booking is made. The downside of these models is that commission has to be repaid if a booking is cancelled.
Q. What career-development opportunities are there? A. From scaling up your own business to taking on a high street role, homeworking can offer plenty of scope for career progression. “We have experts who have stayed with us and some have moved to the high street,” says Paula Nuttall of The Holiday Village. “Home-based experts are very talented business owners – they are motivated, very experienced and good salespeople, and are excellent at customer care. These skills can be transferred to any role.” Some companies offer rewards for top-performing homeworkers. Travel Counsellors offers a Gold weekend for those achieving ‘Gold’ status, for example, with recent destinations having included the Maldives, Dubai and Ibiza. |
Commission aside, the costs associated with starting out might be a concern for some, but homeworking doesn’t have to mean huge expenses. Some charge a small monthly or joining fee, but others, including Vertical Travel Group, do away with them altogether, so it’s worth checking, alongside any credit card or banking charges.
US firm InteleTravel, meanwhile, markets itself as a low-cost way to enter the travel industry without any “immense financial outlay”. “This can provide a chance to build a new career from scratch and run a business cost-effectively,” says UK director Tricia Handley-Hughes.
The power of a network
It’s not just favourable commission that lures; administrative support, supplier contacts, training opportunities and marketing tools are all key considerations when deciding which company to work with.
Advantage allows homeworkers to trade under their own branding or use the consortium’s brand, and provides marketing, networking opportunities and one-to-one support from the business development team. Hays Travel offers different packages to its homeworkers, which range from bespoke marketing materials to social media assistance and personal websites. Similarly, GoCruise & Travel gives agents their own personalised website, where they can choose which tour operators they’d like to showcase.
Q. What’s the best way to manage my finances? A. Most firms have provisions in place to help spread out any losses, and upfront commission can help when you’re getting started. It’s also worth looking at firms that help with tax returns; Designer Travel offers a monthly reporting system to help simplify the process, for example. Kelly Cookes, chief commercial officer at Advantage, says: “We always advise those who are new to homeworking to have enough money to see them through the first year and give them a buffer to focus on the business. We then generally get them to look at how much they want to bring in each month and break this down into how many bookings it equates to. This gives them a clear target as a starting point, and can help agents manage cashflow and identify where to focus their deals.” |
“We give our homeworkers a marketing territory so there are no others in their area, meaning you aren’t targeting the same customers with the same brand,” says Sam Bruton, head of franchise. “We also support agents by completing all their administration for them, from ticketing and booking confirmations to balance reminders, and provide out-of-hours support when needed.”
Independent Travel Experts (ITE) provides a bespoke induction and ongoing training, alongside round-the-clock sales and admin support – plus access to specialist product areas such as its Cruise Club.
Personal Holiday Advisors gives its homeworkers a free company laptop as well as client brochures and leaflets. Many others, including Travel Counsellors, Brilliant Travel – the homeworking arm of Barrhead Travel – and Not Just Travel provide one-to-one mentor support, alongside other free training opportunities.
Ready for the challenge?
While all of these can make the transition to homeworking easier, it’s important to be aware of the challenges when deciding if the move is the right one for you.
“It’s important to understand your financial position,” says Jim Eastwood, global sales director at Travel Counsellors.
“Is it the right time, and do you want to be a business owner? Are you able to build a contact list through friends and/or family? Are you happy to network and promote your business? We strongly recommend that those considering the switch take time to do lots of research.”
Q. What if I feel lonely? A. Many companies offer meet-ups, events and other ways to get to know fellow homeworkers. Designer Travel has bimonthly meetings, weekly newsletters and weekly briefing calls that associates can choose to opt in to, as well as regional quarterly events including a pre-Christmas gathering. Travel Solutions Network also offers local meet-ups in its hubs, while Hays offers virtual coffee catch-ups, monthly Zooms and business updates that homeworkers can attend. The Holiday Village, meanwhile, runs a yearly conference and even has a ‘wellbeing guru’ who calls agents weekly to check in. Travel Counsellors also has wellbeing specialists, as well as trained mental health first-aiders, and hosts monthly updates from external |
“You need to be self-motivated and dedicated, with the right set-up at home,” adds Amy Brooke, homeworking general manager for Hays Travel. “Do you have somewhere quiet to work? It’s also worth thinking about the lifestyle balance.”
“Do your homework,” she says. “Compare offerings, work out what sits with you and your values and find out which company is the right fit. Have a five-year plan and work closely with the consortia chosen to drive it forward.
“But ultimately, don’t be afraid to make the move. Many of our homeworkers wish they’d done it sooner – and you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
Homeworking checklist Considering which company to work for? Be sure to ask about the following things before taking the leap: ● Joining fees, monthly fees and credit card charges |